The General Society of Colonial Wars is an American hereditary society that commemorates and honors the events and individuals who played a role in the establishment and defense of the American colonies during the period between the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, and the Battle of Lexington in 1775. The General Society of Colonial Wars is an historical, genealogical, and hereditary society founded in 1892. Its members are descendants of those who served in the American colonies’ military campaigns between 1607 and 1775, prior to the American Revolution. Here are some key points about the society: The society was established to perpetuate the memory of events in American colonial history and of the individuals who rendered service during that period. This includes those who held public office, served in the military, or were otherwise engaged in the founding and defense of the colonies.
Website: http://www.gscw.org/
General Society of Colonial Wars Founding:
The General Society of Colonial Wars was founded in 1892. Its establishment was inspired by the desire to create an organization that would recognize and honor the contributions of those who participated in the various colonial wars and conflicts that took place during the establishment of the American colonies.
General Society of Colonial Wars Mission Purpose:
The society’s primary objectives are to perpetuate the memory of events in American colonial history and of the individuals who rendered service during that period. This includes commemorating battles, preserving records, promoting historical research, and fostering fellowship among its members. Since 1892 a core belief of the Society’s membership has been education. Your tax-deductible donations furthers the legacy of our membership past and present in making sure our mission continues.
General Society of Colonial Wars Membership Requirements:
Membership in the society is hereditary, meaning that individuals must prove lineal descent from an ancestor who served in a qualifying capacity during the specified period. This could include military officers, civil officials, or other notable figures who contributed to the establishment and defense of the colonies.
Any male person eighteen years of age or older, of good moral character and reputation, shall be eligible to membership in the General Society and every constituent State Society and Independent Chapter, provided he is lineally descended in the male or female line
from an ancestor:
(1) Who served as a military or naval officer, or as a soldier, sailor, or marine, or as a privateersman, under authority of any of the Colonies which afterward formed the United States, or in the forces of Great Britain
which participated with those of the said Colonies in any wars in which the said Colonies were engaged, or in which they enrolled men, during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the Battle
of Lexington, April 19, 1775; or
(2) Who held office in any of the Colonies between the dates above mentioned as:
(a) Director General, Vice Director General, or member of the Council, or
Legislative body, in the Colony of the New Netherland;
(b) Governor, Lieutenant or Deputy Governor, Lord Proprietor, member of
The King’s or Governor’s Council, or of the legislative body,
in the Colony of New York, the Jerseys, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, or Delaware;
(c) Lord Proprietor, Governor, Deputy Governor, or member of the
Council, or of the legislative body, in Maryland, the Carolinas,
or Georgia;
(d) Governor, Deputy Governor, Governor’s Assistant, or Commissioner
to the United Colonies of New England, or member of the Council,
body of Assistants, or legislative body, in any of the New England
colonies; or
(e) Justice, Judge, Justice of the Peace, or other judicial officer.
No State Society, State Chapter, or Independent Chapter shall adopt any rule of eligibility for membership other than that prescribed in this Article nor fail to adopt any rule of eligibility for Membership prescribed in this Article.
Each application for membership shall be initiated with a State Society or Independent Chapter and, upon its approval, forwarded to the General Society for action thereon. Membership in the General Society or any constituent State Society or Independent Chapter shall not be held complete until the applicable application has been approved by both the General Society and the applicable State Society or Independent Chapter. The General Society shall have the authority to remove from its membership any member for conduct that it deems detrimental to the General Society or its reputation and likewise to remove from its membership any member not holding membership in good standing in at least one State Society or Independent Chapter. In these matters, the General Society shall act through the Registrar General in the case of applications for membership and through its Executive Committee in the case of removals from membership.