In the rich tapestry of early American history, the colonial governors played a central role in shaping the future of the thirteen colonies. These leaders, appointed by the Crown or elected by colonial assemblies, helped lay the legal and political foundations for what would become the United States. To preserve their legacy and recognize their descendants, the Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors (HODCG) was established—uniting individuals with direct ancestral ties to these formative figures.

---

Founding of the Order

The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors was founded in 1896 by Miss Mary Cabell Richardson in Coventington, KY. The Order became one of the earliest American hereditary organizations focused specifically on colonial leadership.

At a time when Americans were developing a stronger interest in ancestral heritage and colonial history, Richardson recognized a need to honor the men who governed America’s British colonies prior to independence. Her founding goal was to create a society that:

“Perpetuates the memory of the Colonial Governors and their work in laying the foundations of our country.”

In 1907, Miss Gail Treat of East Orange, New Jersey, became President. At her death in 1944, all records vanished including the record of incorporation in New Jersey in 1907. With the records missing, the organization was inactive from 1944 through 1954. The organization was reorganized in 1954 and in 1956, the HODCG was incorporated in the District of Columbia under the leadership of Mrs. Hermann August Knorr.

Mission and Objectives

The Order’s mission has remained consistent for over a century. Its core purposes include:

• Honoring the memory of colonial governors who served before July 4, 1776;
• Encouraging historical and genealogical research into colonial leadership;
• Preserving records, relics, and sites associated with colonial governance;
• Fostering patriotism and civic awareness among members;
• Recognizing descendants of colonial governors through membership and participation in the Order’s events and publications.

The HODCG also supports scholarly work related to early American history and regularly contributes to historical preservation efforts and commemorative activities.

---

Membership Requirements

Membership in the Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors is open to men and women who can prove direct lineal descent from a colonial governor who served prior to American independence. The HODCG is an invitation-only organization.

Qualifying Ancestors

Eligible ancestors include governors who served in:

• The Thirteen Colonies, such as Virginia, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, New York, and South Carolina;
• Other British colonies that later became part of the United States;
• Colonies governed under charters or commissions from the English, Dutch, or Swedish Crowns prior to 1776.

Notable colonial governors whose descendants may qualify include:

• William Bradford – Governor of Plymouth Colony;
• Sir William Berkeley – Colonial Governor of Virginia;
• Thomas Hutchinson – Governor of Massachusetts Bay;
• Peter Stuyvesant – Dutch Governor of New Netherland;
• John Winthrop – Founding Governor of Massachusetts Bay.

Documentation

Applicants must submit verifiable genealogical evidence, including:

• Vital records (birth, death, marriage),
• Wills, land grants, or church registers,
• Published genealogies or accepted historical sources.

---

Activities and Contributions

The HODCG members engage in:

• Annual meetings and commemorative events, often held in historically significant locations;
• Publication of member genealogies and colonial history essays;
• Collaboration with other lineage societies, such as the Society of Colonial Wars and the Daughters of the American Revolution;
• Support for museums, archives, and libraries, especially those preserving colonial governance records.

The Order also maintains an archive of accepted colonial governors and genealogies, helping future generations trace their heritage.

---

Historical Significance of Colonial Governors

Colonial governors played vital roles in the development of early American society:

• They enforced law and order, implemented charters, and oversaw colonial economies;
• Governors acted as intermediaries between royal authority and colonial assemblies;
• Many faced political upheaval, including resistance that laid the groundwork for the American Revolution;
• Some, like Thomas Gage and Lord Dunmore, became central figures in the colonial struggle for independence.

Recognizing their leadership—and the lasting impact of their governance—is central to the mission of the HODCG.

---

Conclusion

The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors offers a meaningful way to honor early American leadership and connect modern descendants to their colonial past. By safeguarding the stories of these early governors and encouraging rigorous genealogical documentation, the Order ensures that the foundations of American governance—and the individuals who shaped them—are never forgotten.

For those whose ancestry includes colonial leadership, the HODCG is more than a society—it’s a link to the earliest chapters of American governance and legacy.

Sources

1. Lineage Book of the Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors.
2. Extract from by-laws of the Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors
3. The Governors of the American Colonies Prior to 1750

---