Guardians of Liberty: The Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys

Nestled in the rugged mountains of colonial Vermont, a group of fiercely independent settlers banded together in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Known as the Green Mountain Boys, they played a pivotal role in both resisting British authority and defending the fledgling American cause. To honor their legacy, the Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys lineage society was established—ensuring that the memory of these patriot frontiersmen would live on through the generations.

Who Were the Green Mountain Boys?

The Green Mountain Boys were a militia organization formed in the 1760s by settlers in the New Hampshire Grants, an area that would later become Vermont. Led by the charismatic and controversial Ethan Allen, the group initially arose to resist the claims of New York over territory that had been granted to settlers by New Hampshire.

They used both legal resistance and, at times, violent enforcement to defend land titles. Their bold defiance earned them a reputation as rugged individualists, committed to protecting their homes and liberties.

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the Green Mountain Boys quickly aligned with the Continental Army. Their most famous moment came with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775—executed by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold—which provided the colonists with valuable artillery and a morale boost in the early days of the war.

Formation of the Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys

The Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys was formed to preserve the heritage and commemorate the service of these early patriots. Although not as widely known as older lineage societies like the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Society of the Cincinnati, this organization plays a key role in honoring the unique role of Vermonters in early American resistance and independence.

The Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys was founded in 2013 and maintains active membership among those who trace their ancestry to original members of the militia or to early settlers of the New Hampshire Grants who supported the patriot cause.

The organization focuses on:

Preserving the history of the Green Mountain Boys and their descendants,
Encouraging historical and genealogical research related to Vermont’s revolutionary past,
Commemorating battles, events, and leaders associated with the militia,
Promoting patriotism and education through ceremonies, publications, and community engagement.

Membership and Eligibility

Membership in the Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys is open to men and women who can prove lineal descent from:

A soldier or officer who served with the Green Mountain Boys militia prior to or during the American Revolution, or
A supporter or settler in the New Hampshire Grants who contributed to the patriot cause.

Applicants must submit genealogical documentation, including:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage),
Military rolls or pension applications,
Land grants or town records from Vermont,
Published family genealogies or histories.

The society typically maintains a lineage registry, and many members are also affiliated with the Vermont Historical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), or other Revolutionary War lineage organizations.

Legacy of the Green Mountain Boys

The legacy of the Green Mountain Boys is deeply woven into Vermont’s identity. In fact, the Vermont National Guard still includes a unit officially named the Vermont Army National Guard’s 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), often referred to as the modern Green Mountain Boys.

Their contributions include:

Challenging British rule before independence was formally declared,
Protecting settlers’ rights and forming Vermont’s early government,
Helping Vermont become an independent republic (1777–1791) before joining the Union as the 14th state,
Participating in multiple Revolutionary War engagements, including battles in New York and along the Canadian frontier.

Ethan Allen, the group’s most well-known leader, became a folk hero—his fiery personality and defiant capture of Fort Ticonderoga immortalized in American history.

Conclusion

The Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys serve as proud guardians of a legacy forged in the hills and valleys of revolutionary Vermont. Through research, remembrance, and community, they ensure that the story of these early patriots—and their fight for liberty and land—is never forgotten.

If your family history traces back to the bold defenders of the New Hampshire Grants, you may have a direct link to this proud heritage. The Green Mountain Boys stood up for freedom before the Revolution had even begun—and through their descendants, they continue to inspire the spirit of independence today.