Lineage Society – Colonial Governor Descendants

700 Members Have Colonial Leaders as Ancestors

Jul 19, 2009

The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors was founded in 1896 and currently has approximately 700 members, most of them genealogy buffs.

Michael H. Charles, Governor General of the Order, presided at the 2009 annual luncheon of the order, held in Washington, and is happy to answer questions.

Lineage Society Membership

Men and women who can document lineal descent from one of the colonial governors are eligible for membership.

Miss Mary Cabell Richardson of Covington, KY, founded the order more than 110 years ago to “commemorate the services of those men who, prior to July 4, 1776, singly exercised supreme executive power in the American colonies."

The order’s first four Governor Generals were women, with Miss Gail Treat serving as the order’s head for more than 40 years (1903-1944). Miss Treat descended from Robert Treat (1622-1710), who was the Connecticut governor between 1683 and 1698. A great-grandson, Robert Treat Paine, signed the Declaration of Independence.

Some of the nation’s most eminent genealogists—including Grahame Thomas Smallwood Jr., John Frederick Dorman and Timothy Field Beard—have headed the order.

Society Genealogical Publications

The Society has published a register of 1980 members and lineage books. The Order in 2006 published a directory of Colonial governors before July 4, 1776.

Lineage Book II, issued by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, may be obtained by mailing The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors, Betty Bernstorf, 7505 East 10th Circle, N., Wichita, KS 67206-3844.

Sources for Lists of Colonial Governors

There were about 90 colonial governors. The number varies according to whether or not “acting governors” are included. Lists of the colonial governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia are available online.

An excellent source of information is John W. Raimo’s Directory of American Colonial and Revolutionary Governors 1607-1789, published in 1980 by Meckler Books, Westport, CT, which is available through several online booksellers. Keep in mind that only governors serving prior to July 4, 1776 are eligible ancestors for membership in this lineage society for descendants of Colonial governors.

There are many unusual stories to be told about the colonial American governors. John Haynes served separate terms as a governor of both Massachusetts and Connecticut. John Winthrop was a colonial Massachusetts governor, but Winthrop's son, John Winthrop Jr., was the governor of Connecticut.

Publications of the Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors; lineages of descendants published by Pentref Press, Machias, ME, in the 1980s.

The copyright of the article Lineage Society – Colonial Governor Descendants in Genealogy is owned by Rosemary E. Bachelor. Permission to republish Lineage Society – Colonial Governor Descendants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.