Guardians of Governance: The Descendants of Early American Governors, 1607–1860

In the early American colonies and emerging states, governors were more than mere administrators—they were figures of authority, visionaries of settlement, and often key players in establishing the rule of law. The Descendants of Early American Governors (DEAG), 1607–1860, was founded to commemorate these early leaders and provide a space for their living descendants to honor and preserve their legacy.

Spanning the first English colony at Jamestown through the antebellum era, the DEAG bridges colonial history with the formative years of the American republic. Its members trace their roots to men who served in a gubernatorial capacity—appointed by the Crown, elected by legislatures, or chosen by early voters—from the dawn of English settlement to the eve of the Civil War.

The Founding of the Descendants of Early American Governors

The Descendants of Early American Governors (DEAG) was established in October 2023, building on momentum from other genealogical and historical lineage societies that recognized specific roles or historical events (e.g., DAR, Jamestowne Society, First Families of Virginia).

The organization was incorporated to honor the public service of colonial and early state governors, to recognize the historical significance of their contributions, and to connect living descendants through lineage, legacy, and scholarship.

The DEAG focuses on the executive leadership of the early American colonies, territories, and states between 1607 and 1860, the period just before the Civil War fundamentally reshaped American governance.

Purpose and Mission

The society was created with a mission to:

Identify, preserve, and honor the memory of men who served as colonial, territorial, and early state governors in what is now the United States;
Encourage the documentation of direct lineal descent from such figures;
Promote scholarship and education on early American governance and leadership;
Support historic preservation, particularly of gubernatorial homes, gravesites, and archives.

Members serve as stewards of a legacy that shaped laws, borders, constitutions, and institutions—many of which remain in place today.

Who Qualifies as an Early Governor?

The society recognizes as “Early American Governors” those men who held the title of governor between 1607 (Jamestown) and 1860, including:

Governors, Acting Governors, Deputy Governors and Lt. Governors (appointed or elected in British, Dutch, Swedish, or proprietary colonies);
Governors, Acting Governors, Deputy Governors and Lt. Governors, such as the Northwest Territory, Florida Territory, or Louisiana Territory;
Governors, Acting Governors, Deputy Governors and Lt. Governors from statehood until December 31, 1860.

This includes prominent figures such as:

John Winthrop – Massachusetts Bay Colony
William Bradford – Plymouth Colony
Peter Stuyvesant – New Netherland
Sir William Berkeley – Virginia Colony
Jonathan Trumbull Sr. – Connecticut
DeWitt Clinton – New York
George Clinton – Governor of New York and first Vice President under Jefferson
John Sevier – Tennessee

Membership Criteria

Membership is open to men and women who can prove lineal descent from an individual who served as a governor within the society’s time frame and geographical scope.

Application Requirements:

A documented genealogy showing direct descent;
Proof of the ancestor’s term as governor (through government records, legislative journals, colonial charters, etc.);
A completed lineage application, typically verified by the society’s genealogist.

The DEAG maintains a master list of qualifying ancestors, which is continuously updated as new documentation and state records are verified.

Conclusion

The Descendants of Early American Governors (1607–1860) preserves a vital piece of American history: the stories of those who led our colonies, territories, and states through the uncertainties of nation-building. Their descendants today carry a legacy of leadership, endurance, and civic vision—one worthy of recognition and remembrance.

For those who find a governor on the branches of their family tree, DEAG offers a meaningful way to honor that legacy, connect with fellow descendants, and help ensure that the foundations of early American leadership are not forgotten.

Guardians of Governance: The Descendants of Early American Governors, 1607–1860