Here's some text for the OFNA

_ancestry/order-of-the-founders-of-north-america.md

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+---
+id: order-of-the-founders-of-north-america
+title: Order of the Founders of North America
+subtitle: Member _jure_ George Chappell (Wethersfield, Connecticut, 1635)
+date: 2025-01-15
+founding_date: 2012-07-08
+qualifying_ancestors: [ "George Chappell (Wethersfield, Connecticut, 1635)" ]
+member_number: 324
+author: k3jph
+layout: page
+guid: order-of-the-founders-of-north-america
+featured_image: /assets/img/ancestry/order-of-the-founders-of-north-america.webp
+permalink: /ancestry/order-of-the-founders-of-north-america
+redirect_from: [ "/ancestry/ofna" ]
+---
+
+The [Order of the Founders of North
+America](https://www.foundersofna.org/) (OFNA) is a hereditary society
+dedicated to preserving the legacy of individuals who played significant
+roles in the early settlement and development of North America. This
+esteemed lineage society celebrates the contributions of these founders,
+ensuring their efforts remain a vital part of the historical narrative.
+
+The OFNA promotes the study of early North American history and fosters
+the preservation of historical documents, sites, and artifacts
+associated with the nation's founders. Members of the society work
+collaboratively to educate the public about the achievements of these
+pioneers, while also providing a space for descendants to connect and
+honor their shared heritage.
+
+## George Chappell
+
+[George Chappell](https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Chappell-1058), an early settler and builder of colonial
+Connecticut, is a figure whose legacy reflects the resilience and
+determination of those who shaped the early history of North America.
+Born in England around 1615, Chappell emigrated during the [Great
+Migration](https://www.americanancestors.org/new-englands-great-migration), a period between 1620 and 1640 when tens of thousands of
+English Puritans sought refuge in New England. His life and work provide
+a window into the challenges and triumphs of colonial life, particularly
+in the Connecticut River Valley.
+
+### Arrival in the New World
+
+[Little is known about Chappell's early life in
+England](https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/new-england-historical-and-genealogical-register/image?pageName=48&volumeId=11640&filterQuery=page:6),
+but his decision to embark on the perilous journey across the Atlantic
+speaks to his fortitude and ambition. Like many of his contemporaries,
+he was likely motivated by a combination of religious conviction,
+economic opportunity, and the promise of land ownership--an unattainable
+dream for many in England's rigid social hierarchy.
+
+Chappell came aboard [_Christian de
+London_](https://chipstone.org/article.php/277/american-furniture-2005/fashioning-furniture-and-framing-community:-woodworkers-and-the-rise-of-a-connecticut-river-valley-town)
+the Chappell initially settled in Massachusetts, where the burgeoning
+colonies around the [Massachusetts
+Bay](https://www.ushistory.org/us/3c.asp) and
+[Plymouth](https://plimoth.org/) offered a foothold for new arrivals. By
+the early 1640s, he had moved to Wethersfield, Connecticut, one of the
+oldest towns in the state and a critical hub for trade and settlement in
+the [Connecticut
+Colony](https://connecticuthistory.org/the-importance-of-being-puritan-church-and-state-in-colonial-connecticut/).
+
+### Life in Wethersfield
+
+[Wethersfield](https://www.wethersfieldhistory.org/articles/wethersfield-a-history/)
+was established in 1634 by Puritan settlers seeking fertile land along
+the Connecticut River. By the time Chappell arrived, the settlement was
+growing but still required significant labor and resources to thrive. As
+a carpenter and planter, Chappell's skills were vital to the community.
+The dual roles of farming and craftsmanship were typical in early
+colonial life, where self-sufficiency was a necessity, and every
+contribution supported the survival of the settlement.
+
+Historical records from the mid-1600s document Chappell's landholdings,
+indicating that he was not only a laborer but also a landowner--a mark
+of success and stability in the colonial era. Owning property was not
+just an economic advantage; it also conferred social standing and a
+voice in local governance, similar to the [gentry of the
+England](https://academic.oup.com/book/5072/chapter/147623614) Chappell
+left. Chappell's land in Wethersfield likely supported subsistence
+crops, livestock, and possibly trade goods, contributing to the economic
+growth of the colony.
+
+### Community Contributions
+
+Beyond his personal achievements, George Chappell was part of the
+collective effort that turned Wethersfield into a thriving community.
+Early settlers faced challenges ranging from harsh winters and food
+shortages to conflicts with Indigenous peoples and internal disputes
+over governance and land. These hardships necessitated cooperation and
+mutual support, values that were deeply ingrained in [Puritan
+society](https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/puritan.htm).
+
+Although detailed records of Chappell's civic involvement are sparse,
+his presence in Wethersfield during its formative years suggests he was
+an active participant in the settlement's development. The early
+settlers' collective labor laid the groundwork for Wethersfield's
+emergence as a significant agricultural and trading center.
+
+## Membership in the Order
+
+George Chappell's legacy is not only preserved in the records of
+colonial Connecticut but also through his descendants, who carried his
+pioneering spirit into subsequent generations. Many of his descendants
+played roles in the continued development of the colonies and, later,
+the United States. Chappell's story is emblematic of the broader
+narrative of early American settlers--individuals who, through
+determination and resourcefulness, helped establish the foundation for a
+new society.
+
+Organizations like the Order of the Founders of North America honor
+individuals like George Chappell by preserving their stories and
+celebrating their contributions to the formation of North America.
+Membership in such societies is not merely a genealogical
+accomplishment; it is a means of connecting with history and ensuring
+that the sacrifices and achievements of early settlers are not
+forgotten.
+
+*Additional memberships will be added as they are approved.*
+
+{% include figure.html width="12"
+   image="ancestry/OFNA-Chappell.webp" border=true
+   alt="Membership certificate in the Order of the Founders of North America"
+   cap="Membership certificate in the Order of the Founders of North America" %}
+
+Or you can [download the PDF here](/assets/docs/ancestry/OFNA-Chappell.pdf).
+
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