Est. 2026 · Lineage • Legacy • Freedom
Descendants of Heritage and Freedom™
Honoring the legacy of African American Revolutionary War patriots, Civil War soldiers, and their descendants through preservation, genealogy, education, and historical stewardship.
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"We are the keepers of our stories."
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Could You Be a Descendant?
Free Guide
Could You Be a Descendant?
A free getting-started guide to exploring your family's possible connection to an African American Revolutionary War Patriot or Civil War soldier.
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Become Part of a Living Legacy
Join Descendants of Heritage and Freedom and help preserve the stories of African American Patriots, Black Loyalists, and United States Colored Troops for future generations.
Why Members Join
A Stewardship, Not a Subscription
Support the preservation of African American military history
Help preserve historical records and family legacies
Access The Heritage & Freedom Quarterly
Receive invitations to member programs and educational events
Connect with a growing community of descendants, genealogists, historians, and preservationists
"Membership is more than joining an organization—it is becoming a steward of history."
A Featured Legacy
The Journey That Inspired Descendants of Heritage and Freedom
One Family. Three Generations. One Enduring Legacy.
Every family has a story.
Mine begins with an ancestor whose journey to America began after surviving the Middle Passage.
His son later answered the call during the American Revolutionary War.
Generations afterward, three of my ancestors served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, continuing a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service.
Their stories became the inspiration for creating Descendants of Heritage and Freedom.
Today, our mission is to help others discover, preserve, and honor the stories that history nearly forgot.
West Africa
The Gambia & Primus
A homeland of dignity and belonging — where the story begins, long before it crossed an ocean.
Scroll to journey through the story ↓
The Legacy Timeline
Generations Across American History
Explore each milestone — hover or tap to reveal the story behind it.
Legacy Milestone
The Gambia
The West African homeland where the family story began — a place of dignity, culture, and belonging.
The West African homeland where the family story began — a place of dignity, culture, and belonging.
A Greater Purpose
More Than My Family's Story
Although this mural tells the story of one family, it represents something much greater.
Across the United States, countless African American families have ancestors whose courage, military service, resilience, and contributions remain unknown or undocumented.
Descendants of Heritage and Freedom exists to help uncover those stories, preserve them, and ensure they are passed from one generation to the next.
Because every family deserves to know where they came from.
"What began with one family's story became a mission to help thousands discover their own."
My Founding Story
Why I Founded Descendants of Heritage and Freedom
For much of my life, I knew very little about my family's history. As I began researching my ancestry, I uncovered a remarkable legacy that forever changed my understanding of who I am and where I come from.
I discovered that I descend from an African American Revolutionary War patriot and three United States Colored Troops Civil War soldiers. My ancestors served in the 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment and the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored). Through my research, I was also able to trace my family's lineage back through the Middle Passage, connecting generations of my family from enslavement to military service, freedom, and beyond.
Those discoveries transformed my understanding of my family's place in American history and revealed how much of our history has gone untold.
Middle Passage
Crossing to America
Enslavement
Revolutionary War
Job Lathrop
Patriot · also recorded as Job Primus
Civil War
Daniel Stanley Lathrop
29th Connecticut USCT
Civil War
Thomas Lathrop
29th Connecticut USCT
Civil War
James Brayton
14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored)
Present Day
Descendants of Heritage and Freedom™
Founding
Middle Passage
Crossing to America
Enslavement
Revolutionary War
Job Lathrop
Patriot · also recorded as Job Primus
Civil War
Daniel Stanley Lathrop
29th Connecticut USCT
Civil War
Thomas Lathrop
29th Connecticut USCT
Civil War
James Brayton
14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored)
Present Day
Descendants of Heritage and Freedom™
Founding
But those discoveries also raised an important question: How many other families have stories like mine that have never been fully told?
That question became the foundation of Descendants of Heritage and Freedom.
Our organization exists to preserve African American military history, support genealogical discovery, encourage historical research, educate future generations, and honor the legacy of those whose contributions helped shape our nation.
Our Mission
Their Story Became My Responsibility
Every preserved document safeguards a family's legacy.
Every discovered ancestor restores a forgotten chapter of American history.
Every new member strengthens a community dedicated to ensuring these stories endure.
Continue Your Own Legacy
There Is a Place for You Here
Whether you already know your family's story or are just beginning your journey, there is a place for you here.
Verified
Lineage Membership
For individuals who can document and verify their ancestral lineage through historical records, documentation, and/or genealogical validation.
Affiliated
Heritage Membership
For individuals deeply committed to the mission, values, and work of DHF, whether or not they yet have verified lineage documentation.
Discover Your Roots
Genealogical Research Services
Just beginning your journey? Our genealogical research services help you trace ancestral lineage, uncover military service records, and restore the chapters of your family's history that time nearly forgot.
Research services are available to Heritage and Verified Lineage Members.
Learn More About Research ServicesSupport the Mission
Become a Founding Supporter
Help preserve the stories, sacrifices, and legacies of African American families for future generations.
Your support helps DHF preserve history, expand genealogical resources, develop educational programs, and strengthen community engagement.
Donate NowFounding Supporters are helping establish DHF during its earliest years and become part of the organization's founding legacy.
Daughters of Heritage and Freedom℠, Inc., doing business as Descendants of Heritage and Freedom, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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Join the DHF community and receive updates on programs, events, membership opportunities, historical preservation initiatives, and organizational news.