Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

10/13/2025

Yesterday’s events were a tremendous success — well attended, deeply engaging, and filled with camaraderie from start to finish. Despite the forecast, the weather held just long enough for everyone to enjoy a truly memorable afternoon of fellowship, learning, and shared heritage.

Our sincere thanks to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania for co-hosting the Stenton Garden Party — a beautiful partnership that brought together two organizations devoted to preserving and celebrating our shared past.

A special note of gratitude to Warrior George McNeely and Billy O’Connor for graciously opening their home within Awbury Arboretum and providing a sumptuous meal that capped off the day perfectly.

Events like this remind us of the power of community — how exposure to history fosters engagement, and how engagement builds lasting camaraderie.

09/08/2024

It was a terrific day for our BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill! We feasted on delicious BBQ, ate decadent desserts, enjoyed colonial cocktails and soaked in the history of a fully operational grist mill, built in 1704.

Special thanks to the Colonial Dames of America Chapter II, The Welcome Society of Pennsylvania, the Society of Saint George in Philadelphia, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Commander of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.

09/07/2024

We are ready to go with the BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill! Come on out!

09/06/2024

Tomorrow is the BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill. We have been monitoring the weather. There's a marginal chance of a brief rain shower, but we will be covered with a large tent so we encourage you to come out.

Get your tickets here - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFIG2tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeP3op7YL4ed6er9pHzXQOLr_F9nOP96z70okFAgOpp1V-f5cN4cPy0I-g_aem_NJn3dmklHyT_g1o6j-srow

Today, we will highlight the Society of Colonial Wars.

The Society was founded in New York in 1892, for the purpose of educating and studying of America’s Colonial history for the period between the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia on May 13, 1607 and the battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.

The Society continues its mission by collecting and preserving manuscripts, rolls, relics and records; erecting memorials; hosting commemorations; and supporting academic research for the purpose of inspiring in the community respect and reverence for those whose public service made our freedom and unity possible.

Qualifications for Membership --

Any male person above the age of eighteen years, of good moral character and reputation, shall be eligible to membership in the Society of Colonial Wars, provided he be 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
- Director General, Vice Director General, or member of the Council, or legislative body, in the Colony of the New Netherland;
- Governor, Lieutenant or Deputy Governor, Lord Proprietor, member or the King’s or Governor’s Council, or of the legislative body, in the Colony of New York, the Jerseys, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware;
- Lord Proprietor, Governor, Deputy Governor, or member of the Council, or of the legislative body, in Maryland, the Carolinas, or
Georgia;
- 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 Justice, Judge, Justice of the Peace, or other judicial officer.

09/03/2024

The BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill would not be possible without the generous support of the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter II (CDA).

For tickets, visit - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD6ClleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWQqZYNPbQ5ND15H-crCHXblymLzcEylD3kT4wKYotknMlVWYZ_iOtcQjQ_aem_sn51DUuosAdv0gX2_wXZ9Q

The chapter was chartered in 1895 as the Colonial Dames of America's second chapter. The chapter operated the Lemon Hill Mansion in Philadelphia as a house museum from 1957-2016, including providing for the house director and all expenses, and offering educational tours.

Eligibility - CDA is comprised of women descended from some ancestor of worthy life who within the period beginning with the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, May 13, 1607, and extending to, but not including, the Battle of Lexington April 19, 1775, served one or more of the thirteen original Colonies:

- By holding public office in the government thereof;
- By holding a commission in the armed forces thereof; or,
- By otherwise serving one or more of said Colonies in the capacities specified in the Eligibility List

For more information, visit - https://cda1890.org

With these words, spoken in April 1890, Maria Denning “May” Van Rensselaer (Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer) of New York initiated what was to become the oldest colonial lineage society for women in the United States. Welcome to The Colonial Dames of America. Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2...

08/30/2024

The BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill would not be possible without the generous support of a number of contributing organizations, that we are highlighting.

For tickets, please visit - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-xv1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZNgEB0ksBbKh8_pLhf3ItqY1r-Zx-tmshb146b7YFhaqHNFjHmzXnRAWg_aem_kHoitnOvBBgi_ovy6fDKmA

Thank you to The Welcome Society of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the Welcome Society is a nonprofit focused on education to perpetuate the memory of those who came to America in the good ship (Welcome) in company with William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, arriving in October, 1682.

The society strives to collect and preserve historic data relative to the settlement of the State of Pennsylvania and the founding of Philadelphia. And to bring together in social in*******se and friendly relations the descendants of the aforesaid persons who came to these shores on the Welcome and associated ships.

For more information, visit https://www.welcomesociety.org

~To perpetuate the memory of those who came to America in the good ship (Welcome) in company with William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, who arrived in October, 1682~ ~To collect and preserve...

08/27/2024

Visit the Trimble House, built in 1740-42 by William and Anne Trimble, owners of a mill downstream from the Newlin’s mill. It began as a simple two-story, four-room, banked house. By 1765, the house had been expanded several times to accommodate William Trimble’s second wife and growing family. William Trimble, Jr. purchased the adjacent grist mill in 1817 from the Newlin family.

Be sure to check out the fully functioning 18th century kitchen.

For tickets - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEzBJ5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcLlGzXMDfehu0IN8DD9o2yykXhGjGmYZC8i-jVVaRe5cw6rqlV9JbPBmg_aem_ftHT7UyWcXH15ys9wgABaw

08/25/2024

The BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill would not be possible without the generous support of a number of contributing organizations that we will be highlighting.

For tickets, please visit - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE4QSVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQCQo9cBKESXOlprJzg8PSnjEpO2C-fD8MtAljhjQbksmJM_srqM9Rye8Q_aem_nJ6hkD6Lo_wYp4VO9EtcDA

Thank you to The Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Commandery seeks to:
1) Develop the leadership capabilities of our young veteran and hereditary Companions to ensure the viability and strength of the Order to serve our Country in the future, supporting, financially and otherwise, worthwhile projects, events, and organizations that relate to our purpose.
2) Maintain an active and assertive program to recruit both veteran officers and hereditary companions so that the Order will be able to carry on its ideals, objectives, and support of our Country.
3) Support the training of our Armed Forces as they relate to the implementation of the foreign policy and defense of the United States.
4) Support the training and development of leadership in our Armed Forces by the Service Academies, the Reserve Officers Training Corps programs, and other appropriate institutions and organizations.
5) Make younger generations aware of the rich history and deeds of the military in the founding of our Country. This heritage and the security afforded by a strong armed force allows us to benefit from their sacrifices to enjoy peace and to pursue a fruitful life.

For more information, visit http://www.mofw-pa.org/History.html

08/23/2024

The BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill would not be possible without the generous support of a number of contributing organizations. For tickets, please visit - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/...

Thank you to The Society of Saint George of Philadelphia.

Founded in Philadelphia on April 23, 1772 (Saint George's Day) the society was established as a charitable relief organization for the “advice and assistance of Englishmen, in distress.”

Membership has included prominent Philadelphians–Benjamin Franklin, Governor Richard Penn, Robert Morris, Bishop William White, as well as other area residents–who have all shared a love of their local community and their English heritage.

For more information, visit - https://stgeorgephiladelphia.org/about/

08/23/2024

Our BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill is fast approaching - only two weeks from tomorrow.

The event will feature a BBQ, colonial cocktails, and beer and
wine. Newlin Grist Mill will be offering tours of the property, including their new water wheel, the miller's house, a colonial kitchen (complete with earthenware) and a fully functional hearth (we are told they brew beer).

Get your tickets here - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE1gIBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT55ko2wFV3BPE2a_ysWk1KKuFbNb7n50pu6RqnA-dCb6aUSi7zKddvd_g_aem__SNIbY4aOjdhK7zaPX1Q8A

08/22/2024

The BBQ & Colonial Cocktails at Newlin Grist Mill would not be possible without the generous support of a number of contributing organizations that we will be highlighting. For tickets, please visit - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE0fiNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaoux2SXQV-aIvLJGy4VDZMnqfvkk-WWVVOMhEitK7MfqazZtX9q4P65lQ_aem_mSTZwfxnr18qBfCvNrNBOA

Thank you to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania, headquartered in Philadelphia. An organization of women that actively promotes an appreciation of America's national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. Since 1899, the NSCDA/PA has administered Stenton, the country home of James Logan, the first Mayor of Philadelphia and Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court during the colonial-era governance of the Province of Pennsylvania. Today, Stenton is where many of the Society's exciting educational programs take place.

NSCDA/PA also supports Woodville, outside of Pittsburgh, and provides support for projects relating to patriotic service, as well as educational initiatives, including National History Day Philadelphia.

08/22/2024

Ever see a water wheel under construction? Newlin Grist Mill is constructing a new wheel using 18th century hand tools.

See for yourself at our event on Saturday, September 7th.

For tickets - https://colonialwarspa.org/members-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEzBJ5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcLlGzXMDfehu0IN8DD9o2yykXhGjGmYZC8i-jVVaRe5cw6rqlV9JbPBmg_aem_ftHT7UyWcXH15ys9wgABaw