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Order of the Founders and Patriots of America

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Order of the Founders and Patriots of America
Formation1896
Governor-GeneralCharles Hampton

The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (OFPA) is a United States-based, hereditary fraternal organization whose self-declared purpose is to collect and preserve records related to the original American colonists and their descendants, and to promote camaraderie among descendants of original colonists. Membership is limited to men directly descended in the male line from a person who settled, prior to 1657, in the territory that would become the thirteen colonies and whose family helped achieve, through military service, United States independence. The strict bloodline requirements for membership have earned it a reputation as the most exclusive lineage society in the United States.

History

A menu cover from the 1904 general court of the OFPA features the portrait of Admiral George Dewey, then the society's governor-general.

The OFPA was founded in 1896 during a period when a number of hereditary associations were being formed, often motivated by a desire to advertise one's social status. The first governor-general of the OFPA was Frederick Dent Grant and other founding officers of the organization included James J. Belden and Thomas W. Bicknell. The general court of 1904, convened at the Waldorf Astoria and coinciding with the New York OFPA society's annual assembly, saw George Dewey elected governor-general. According to the society, other notable persons holding membership include William Howard Taft, Warren Harding, Lt.-Gen. Herman Nickerson, and Robert Roosevelt.

Organization

The OFPA is organized into 28 regional chapters, known as societies. These, together, form the general society, which is headed by a governor-general. The society is headquartered in Virginia.

Activities

The 1-126th Aviation battalion of the Rhode Island National Guard was recognized by the OFPA in 2012.

The OFPA annually presents an award to an outstanding college Army ROTC unit. The "Order of the Founders and Patriots of America Award" has been called "the Heisman Trophy of Army ROTC." A separate award is periodically presented to an outstanding National Guard unit. The society also underwrites individual awards named after its former members. The George Dewey Award is annually presented to a United States Naval Academy cadet, and the John Wright Award, named after former 101st Airborne Division commander Gen. John M. Wright, is given to an outstanding West Point cadet.

The general society's annual meeting, known as the general court, is generally held in May. The 2013 general court was convened in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The OFPA periodically publishes The Register, an index of the genealogical pedigree of members, and The Bulletin, a semi-annual membership newsletter.

References

  1. "Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. New Jersey Society. Records". Rutgers University Libraries. Retrieved 6 July 2005.
  2. "Objectives". Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  3. Szucs, Loretto, ed. (2006). The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy. Ancestry Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1593312770.
  4. Kammen, Michael (1993). Mystic Chords of Memory: The Transformation of Tradition in American Culture. Vintage. p. 218. ISBN 978-0679741770.
  5. "Order of the founders and patriots of America [extracts from the constitution and by laws, objects and purposes, organization, officers, membership, etc". Open Library. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  6. "American Navy Best in the World Says Admiral Dewey". Lowell Sun. 14 May 1904. p. 1.
  7. "Membership". Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  8. "Notre Dame Army ROTC to receive Order of the Founders and Patriots of America Award". Notre Dame News. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  9. "Guard Aviation Unit Receives Prestigious Award". Louisiana National Guard. Retrieved 25 December 2013.