In the fertile tidewater lands of early 17th-century Virginia, a group of hardy settlers established one of the earliest and most influential English colonies in the New World. Among these pioneers were the “Ancient Planters” who are the men and women who braved the Atlantic crossing before 1616, survived the harsh conditions of Jamestown, and helped lay the foundation for what would become the United States.

To honor these earliest colonists and preserve their legacy, the Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters was formed. This lineage society connects modern Americans to some of the very first European settlers in English-speaking North America and plays a key role in keeping the history of Virginia’s founding alive.

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Who Were the Ancient Planters?

The term “Ancient Planter” refers to English colonists who:

• Arrived in Virginia between 1607 and 1616,
• Paid their own passage (or completed a term of indenture),
• Survived for at least three years, and
• Were granted land ownership as a reward by the Virginia Company of London.

This group includes settlers who lived through the perilous “Starving Time,” harsh winters, disease, and conflicts with Indigenous peoples, ultimately contributing to the survival and growth of the colony.

In 1618, the Virginia Company began offering 100-acre land grants to these “Ancient Planters” in recognition of their endurance and loyalty. Notable Ancient Planters include John Rolfe (husband of Pocahontas), Captain William Powell, Francis West, and Temperance Flowerdew.

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Founding of the Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters

The Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters was officially founded on October 13, 1991. The organization emerged as part of a broader mid-20th-century revival of American heritage societies and was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Order was created to:

• Recognize individuals who can prove direct descent from a qualifying Ancient Planter;
• Encourage the preservation of colonial Virginia history;
• Promote genealogical scholarship relating to the early 1600s;
• Support educational programs and historic preservation.

Today, the society continues to attract descendants who wish to honor their ancestral ties to Jamestown and Virginia’s earliest free settlers.

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Membership Requirements

To be eligible for membership in the Order, applicants must:

1. Provide documented, lineal descent from an individual designated an “Ancient Planter” under the Virginia Company’s land grant criteria;
2. Submit proof of arrival in Virginia by 1616, as recorded in official sources like the “Muster of 1624/25”, Virginia Company records, or land patents;
3. Provide a complete lineage application with vital records linking each generation to the qualified ancestor.

Applicants often begin their research using published rosters of Ancient Planters, such as those compiled by Martha W. McCartney and other colonial historians.

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Activities and Contributions

The Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters engages in several key activities:

• Meet twice a year once electronically and once in person, rotating between North Carolina and Virginia. The meetings shall be held on the first Saturday of May and the last Saturday of October.  
• Support for historical landmarks and preservation projects, including funding for interpretive signage and grave restoration;
• Publication of genealogical guides and ancestor profiles, including “Notable Ancestors” lists;
• Participation in collaborative efforts with organizations such as the Jamestowne Society.

Members of the Order serve as ambassadors of early American history, often volunteering in museums, historical societies, and local genealogy groups.

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Historical Significance

The Ancient Planters represent the first generation of American-born landowners, with a direct influence on early governance, agriculture, and relations with Native American tribes. Their perseverance ensured the success of Jamestown, England’s first permanent settlement in North America, and laid the groundwork for representative government through the House of Burgesses, founded in 1619.

Recognizing their contributions through lineage societies helps preserve a deeper understanding of America’s earliest colonial history, particularly beyond the better-known Pilgrim narrative of New England.

Conclusion

The Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters offers a tangible connection to the earliest roots of English settlement in North America. Through the study and preservation of early Virginian genealogy, it ensures that the memory of these pioneering families endures.

For those who trace their heritage to a time when survival was uncertain and hope was planted in freshly tilled colonial soil, membership in the Order is a meaningful way to honor that legacy—and to keep the spirit of the Ancient Planters alive for generations to come.

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Sources

1. Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters – Official Website
2. McCartney, Martha W. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, 1607–1635: A Biographical Dictionary. Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007.
3. Hotten, John Camden. The Original Lists of Persons of Quality… Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600–1700. Chatto and Windus, 1874.
4. Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol. I–V. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915.

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