Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor: Preserving Connecticut’s Colonial Heritage

The town of Windsor, Connecticut, established in 1633, holds the distinction of being the first permanent English settlement in the state. Its founders were farmers, artisans, and pioneers who braved harsh conditions to build a community on the banks of the Connecticut River. To honor their legacy, the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor (DFAW) was established as a lineage society dedicated to preserving this history and connecting their living descendants.

Formation of the Society

The Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor (DFAW) was founded in 1983 in Windsor, Connecticut. The society was organized by a group of genealogists and local historians who recognized the importance of preserving the stories, records, and family connections of Windsor’s first settlers.

Its founders sought to create a formal lineage society that could:

Recognize and honor the original settlers of Windsor (arriving between 1633 and 1641);
Provide a forum for descendants to gather, share research, and celebrate heritage;
Preserve Windsor’s historical records, cemeteries, and artifacts;
Support the publication of genealogical research on Windsor families.

Mission and Objectives

The DFAW’s stated mission includes:

Preservation: Safeguarding early Windsor’s historical and genealogical records.
Education: Publishing research, genealogies, and articles related to Windsor’s founding families.
Commemoration: Honoring the courage and contributions of Windsor’s settlers and their descendants.
Community: Providing fellowship for members who share this unique heritage.

The society’s motto, “The Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor, Inc. was founded to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who settled in Windsor, Connecticut, before 1641,” reflects its dedication to this work.

Who Were the Founders?

The “Founders” of Ancient Windsor are generally defined as those who settled in Windsor by 1641. Many had first come to Massachusetts Bay Colony and then migrated west under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Hooker and others. Key founders include families such as:

Loomis
Stoughton
Drake
Phelps
Wolcott
Hayden
Moore
And more

These individuals and families helped establish Windsor’s government, farms, and churches, leaving descendants spread across New England and the United States.

Membership

Membership in the DFAW is open to anyone who can prove direct lineal descent from one of Windsor’s founders prior to 1641. Applicants must provide documented genealogical evidence linking each generation.

The society offers:

Regular meetings and reunions in Windsor, often featuring lectures or historical tours;
A newsletter and genealogical journal, The Nutmegger;
Access to research resources and Windsor-specific genealogical guides.

Contributions and Activities

Since its founding, the DFAW has contributed significantly to Connecticut’s genealogical and historical landscape:

Publication of genealogical research in The Nutmegger, the society’s quarterly journal.
Sponsorship of books, indexes, and genealogical compilations on Windsor families.
Preservation of Windsor’s historic cemeteries and monuments.
Annual programs and lectures on Connecticut’s colonial history.

The society remains an important resource for genealogists researching Windsor ancestry.

Conclusion

The Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor ensures that the memory of Connecticut’s earliest settlers remains alive. By preserving genealogies, publishing research, and fostering community among descendants, the DFAW helps honor the men and women who carved out a home on the Connecticut frontier nearly four centuries ago.

For anyone tracing New England roots, Windsor stands as a cornerstone of colonial history—and the DFAW offers a direct link to that enduring legacy.