About The Order
The Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America
The mission of the Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America is to research and preserve the history of patroonships, seigneuries, and manors in Colonial North America as well as to promote education on Colonial life and further historic preservation.
The Order was first organized in 1911 as the New York Branch of the National Order founded in Maryland by historian and author Hester Dorsey Richardson. In 1933, under her guidance, the branch incorporated independently as the Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America. This format has been retained since that time.
Our Purpose
Research and Documentation
Tracing the development of patroonships, seigneuries, and manors and studying how they in turn impacted the development of Colonial life and regional identity.
Historic Preservation
Supporting efforts to protect manorial sites, archival materials, and family records for future generations.
Education and Scholarship
Hosting programs and sharing resources that highlight the manorial chapter of Colonial history.
What We Do
The Order maintains
- A registry of recognized manors and the families historically associated with them.
- Guidance for genealogical research into manorial ancestry.
- A calendar of lectures, meetings, and events that foster historical study and collaboration.
While the Order welcomes members who can trace their ancestry to a recognized Lord of a Manor, Patroon, or Seigneur in North America, lineage is only part of our purpose. Our larger community includes historians, researchers, and descendants who share a common interest in preserving the heritage of manorial life in the colonies.
Joining with Maryland Manors
At the 113th Annual Meeting of the Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America in 2024, it was announced that the National Society of Descendants of Lords of the Maryland Manors would merge into the Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America. The Order welcomed all of the Society’s current members as members of the Order and will recognize the Maryland manors researched by National Society of Descendants of Lords of the Maryland Manors.
The Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America strives to ensure that the story of America’s manorial past — and its role in shaping our early communities — remains accessible, accurate, and alive for generations to come.