Welcome to the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey. We are glad that

you are visiting our website and hope you will take some time to learn about the many

activities of our Society.
 

I am honored to continue the long line of distinguished governors of the New Jersey

Society. (I am the 67th, to be exact.) Through their efforts and dedication, the New

Jersey Society runs like a well-oiled machine.

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Our Grants Committee and its procedures are cited as a model for how such a program

should be run. The other officers and committees are diligent in their areas to keep our

society moving forward.

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We are constantly looking for new possibilities to meet the realities of life in the 21st

Century. Take this opportunity to get involved in our society!

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The purpose of our Society is to inspire us “with the fraternal and patriotic spirit of (our)

forefathers (and mothers) that it may perpetuate those national characteristics by which

the unity and liberty of our country have been secured and by which alone they can be

maintained and preserved.”

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Meanwhile, we are faced with a general population that at best is either unaware of what

we are trying to do as an organization or is outright hostile to it. Abraham Lincoln said

(about the times in which he lived): “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the

stormy present.” That was true then and is still true now. To survive (let alone thrive)

will be our greatest challenge in the years to come.

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Rather than simply read about us in my message, please explore our website. Use the

sampling list below, created by my predecessor, as your starting point.

If you have a colonial lineage and are interested in membership, please see the

Membership page of this website for more information and membership

qualifications. If you think you may have colonial lineage, contact us – you may be

surprised.

 

Fortiter Pro Patria!

John Edward Idenden

Governor

 

Here is a sampling of some of the activities sponsored by the SCWNJ:

 

Historical – We help preserve and commemorate historical events and locations

throughout the state. The Monuments page of this website includes photos of the many

historical markers we have placed throughout nineteen New Jersey counties. Among

the many historical projects, we have supported include helping to preserve and

maintain the Old Barracks in Trenton, which dates from before the Revolutionary War.

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​Genealogical – We help compile and preserve genealogical information, including

lineage papers and supporting documentation for our members and our colonial period

ancestors.

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Charitable – We are a 501(c)(3) organization and are recognized as a tax-exempt public

charity by the Internal Revenue Service. In carrying out our mission, we support various

colonial period historical projects with grants. We also fund an annual scholarship to a

worthy college student who is studying our colonial history.

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​Social – We gather several times a year in various settings, either for luncheon, dinner,

or other events to enjoy each other’s company and hear speakers discuss a variety of

subjects related to the history of the colonial period.