Order of Founders and Patriots of America: Heritage and Honor

Among the many distinguished American hereditary societies, the Order of Founders and Patriots of America (OFPA) holds a unique place. It honors not only the early European settlers who laid the foundations of the American colonies but also their direct descendants who helped secure American independence during the Revolutionary War. The OFPA represents a bridge between the earliest colonial settlers and the revolutionary generation, preserving the continuity of American lineage and service from the first days of colonization to the birth of the United States.

The Vision for the Order

The Order of Founders and Patriots of America was officially founded on March 17, 1896, in New York City by a group of prominent Americans who recognized the need for a society that honored both the earliest colonists and their patriotic descendants. While many lineage societies at the time focused exclusively on the Revolutionary War (such as the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution), the OFPA sought to connect two important phases of American history:

The Founders — those who arrived in the American colonies between May 13, 1607 (the founding of Jamestown) and May 13, 1687.
The Patriots — their lineal descendants who rendered military, civil, or loyal support to the American Revolution between 1775 and 1783.

The founders of the OFPA envisioned an organization that would promote the ideals of patriotism, honor, and historical continuity across generations.

Founding Principles and Goals

The OFPA was established with the following purposes:

Perpetuate the memory of the founders of the American colonies and their patriotic descendants.
Preserve documents, artifacts, and genealogical records related to early colonial and Revolutionary War history.
Promote the study of American colonial history, genealogy, and patriotism.
Foster fellowship among members sharing this dual heritage.

The founders sought to create a highly selective and prestigious organization that emphasized the direct and unbroken lineage between America’s earliest settlers and those who fought for independence.

Membership Criteria

Membership in the OFPA is exclusive and based on stringent genealogical requirements:

Applicants must be male descendants, in the male line (though adopted lineage rules are permitted in some cases), of a Founder ancestor who arrived in one of the American colonies between 1607 and 1687.
The same line must include a Patriot descendant who rendered loyal service during the American Revolution between 1775 and 1783.
Applicants must provide extensive and fully documented genealogical proof for both the Founder and Patriot ancestors.

This strict standard makes the OFPA one of the most selective of American lineage societies.

The Structure of the Order

The OFPA operates as a national organization with state societies across the United States. and the OFPA also maintains:

A General Court (national governing body),
Regular national meetings,
State society events,
And formal ceremonies honoring early American history.

Publications and Scholarship

The Order publishes “The Bulletin of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America,” a regular journal that features:

Scholarly articles on colonial and Revolutionary War history,
Member genealogies,
Historical research,
Preservation efforts,
And reports on Order activities.

The OFPA also sponsors historical publications and contributes to preservation and education efforts related to early American history.

The OFPA Today

While the Order remains small due to its rigorous lineage requirements, it continues to thrive as a respected lineage society committed to:

Preserving American heritage,
Supporting scholarly research,
Honoring the sacrifices of both early settlers and Revolutionary patriots,
And fostering civic virtue through remembrance.

The OFPA actively supports patriotic education, preservation of historic sites, and genealogical research while offering a distinguished fellowship to those who can trace their ancestry through this remarkable lineage.

The Enduring Legacy

The Order of Founders and Patriots of America stands as a unique guardian of America’s earliest dual heritage: the courage of the first settlers who faced untamed wilderness to establish permanent colonies, and the bravery of their descendants who secured independence and established a new nation. Through its strict genealogical focus and commitment to historical preservation, the OFPA continues to honor the full arc of early American history.

In honoring both the foundation of American settlement and the defense of American independence, the Order keeps alive a powerful legacy that links today’s members to the earliest and most formative chapters of our nation’s story.