Welcome to the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey!

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We are proud of our long tradition dating back to 1894, when we became one of the earliest constituent societies of the General Society of Colonial Wars. We are pleased to share our Society's accomplishments and goals for the future with you, and we encourage you to explore our website to learn more about our history and current activities.

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Our members are descendants of men who performed military service or held office in a Colony between the settlement of Jamestown on May 13, 1607, and the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775, at the commencement of the American Revolutionary War. We seek to perpetuate and honor their memory through our programs and committee work, striving to live up to the ideals of our founders at a time when their sacrifices, and the freedoms won through them, are not always fully recognized.

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Our Grants Committee, Historical Committee, and Education Committee work with other New Jersey non-profit organizations and governmental entities to preserve historical structures, retrieve and restore historical documents and artifacts, provide awards, prizes, and scholarships for students of colonial history, and erect monuments, plaques, and other signage to help educate the public about the history that surrounds us in our daily lives.

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Our Society is characterized by a spirit of collegiality and goodwill in our dealings with each other and with all the people and organizations we work alongside. It is an organization of which we are all proud. If you believe you may meet the qualifications for membership, please let us know. We would be delighted to introduce ourselves and assist you through the application process. Membership in our Society is truly an honor, so please begin by contacting us today at membershipscwnj@gmail.com!

Don't just take my word for it. Follow the links at the top of the banner above and see for yourself what our Society has to offer. I hope you'll get in touch with us soon.

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Fortiter Pro Patria!

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James P. McNeilly

Governor

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​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 the French and Indian 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.