Society of Colonial Wars: the Basics

The Society of Colonial Wars, also known as “the Warriors,” is an invitation only men’s society honoring the service of ancestors who served before 19 April 1775 in the colonial United States. Members work through a state society, although there is national level membership. Applicants are typically expected to know someone in that state society before expressing interest in membership. However, some societies do offer a means to learn more about the society without prior acquaintance of a member: instructions for Connecticut’s process can be found here.

The Society of Colonial Wars considers the following roles to be considered a qualifying ancestor:

1. Who served as a military or naval officer, or as a soldier, sailor, or marine, or as a privateers man, 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
   1. Director General, Vice Director General, or member of the Council, or legislative body, in the Colony the New Netherlands;
   2. 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, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware;
   3. Lord Proprietor, Governor, Deputy Governor, or member of the Council, or of the legislative body in Maryland, the Carolinas, or Georgia;
   4. 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.
   5. Justice, Judge, Justice of the Peace or other judicial officer.

“Membership,” Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York (https://www.colonialwarsny.org/membership/: accessed 30 December 2024).

If you may be interested in membership, it helps to begin documenting your line as soon as possible. The Warriors use the “first three” requirement – and typically request vital records anywhere else they might exist – and certificate orders take time.