The first Children of the Confederacy (CofC), Elise Campbell Kelleher Chapter #321
was organized December 21, 1939, with 54 members. The chapter's name came from the late Mrs. Elise Campbell Kelleher, Seattle, WA, member of Robert E. Lee Chapter 885. Every year she gave a dinner in honor of Robert E. Lee's birthday. Due to her generosity and contribution to her UDC chapter, her name was suggested by Mrs. May Avery Wilkins and Mrs. Bryce Little of Seattle. Mrs. May Avery Wilkins, Mrs. Bryce Little, and members helped to enroll their children and grandchildren in the Elise Campbell Kelleher Chapter. First chapter president was Carroll Douglas Carter, Jr., Seattle, WA.
In May 1941, UDC President General Mrs. Charles E. Bolling visited the 33rd WA Division Convention, the members of the CofC chapter were in the procession and acted as flag bearers with the girls being pages. At a banquet honoring Mrs. Bolling, the children of the chapter each presented her with a bouquet of flowers which were the next day placed at the base of the Jefferson Davis National Highway Marker during the unveiling ceremony in Blaine, WA, near the Peace Arch on American/Canadian border.
The members won awards at the 1941 general convention to which Sylvia Diana Rankin sent well-drawn sketches of the Confederate flags and an essay on their origin which was broadcast by her on local radio.
Members of the chapter took part in the annual Washington state Division conventions held in various cities. On Memorial Day they took part in the ceremonies and placed flowers on the graves of the Confederate veterans. Meetings were held in the homes of the members and picnics planned for the summer.
The cover of the August 1944 issue of the UDC magazine had a group picture of the charter members. The members reported purchases of more than $13,000 in war bonds. Work was done for the Russian War Relief and for the Service Men's Club.
In November 1946, Betty Hope Little won the General Children of the Confederacy prize for writing the best essay on "Fort Hill" old home at Clemson College, SC. At Miami, FL, General Convention on November 1947, the "Frances H. Hambright" prize was won by Bryce Little, Jr. for the best essay on "General Wade Hampton." At the New Orleans General Convention in 1949, The "Fanny Carver Vase" was jointly awarded to Washington, Maryland, and Connecticut Divisions. The silver vase was engraved with the name of Elise Campbell Kelleher Chapter, No 1, Gen 321.