Throughout European History, Genealogy played an important role in shaping the Europe we know today. The Kings of England, Germany and Russian were related by marriage and blood. Wealth and power were passed down from generation to generation and new money was hard to come by.

The American Experience shows a different type of history. The United States is built on the philosophy that everyone has the chance to make it in America as long as they are able and willing to do the hard work. But what if the European way has some logic in it? What if it is really in the genes? There is some evidence that blood can play a huge role in developing those that come to power in America. Many of America's leaders can be traced to one man: John Lothropp. The American Father.

John Lothropp was born In England in 1584. Lothropp attended Queen's College in Cambridge and received an MA in 1609. Lathropp was ordained as a minister for the Church of England and began a parish in Kent.

In 1623, Lothropp renounced his orders and joined the Independent Cause. He came to prominance and replaced Henry Jacob at the First Independent Church of London. The Group was discovered by the Church of England and Lothropp was arrested. He was denied bail and his family went impoverished. Only because his wife had died and his six children were starving did the Bishop agree to release him.

In 1634, as part of the Agreement to release him, Lothropp left England for the New World. Lathropp arrived in America and after a few years settled in Barnstable, Massachusetts. There he founded a church that stands to this day. Lothropp had 13 children total.

John Lothropp is not found in many American History Books. His story is hardly told. However, John Lothropp's legacy can be found all over America's History books. His bloodline flows through Presidents, religious leaders, scientists and other Americans who have shaped America's history.

 While John Lothropp is now well known, his descendants certainly are.  Lothropp's descendants include four US Presidents.  (Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush)

Lothropp's Descendants have also resided in many State Houses across the Country.  Mitt Romney, George Romney, Sarah Palin, and Thomas E. Dewey are all descendants of Lothropp.

Other political leaders that are descendents of Lothrop include Benedict Arnold, Adlai Stevenson and Allen Dulles.

Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet is also a descendant of Lothropp.  As are Henry Longfellow, Eli Whitney, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

It is estimated that there are over 80,000 direct descendants of John Lothrop, many of whom became leaders in the New World Lothropp help develop.  Maybe there is something in the genes.