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Archiver > PALANCAS > 2002-10 > 1033568270


From: "James L. Stokes" <>
Subject: Re: [PALANCAS] Pennsylvania State Archives
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 10:17:50 -0400
References: <007401c268ba$f420ef00$2ee14c0c@3956701>


Hi Margaret,
This information might also be in the printed Pa. Archives. You might
consult a history book to see what was going in 1781 to see why the militia
was called to Bucks County, maybe a threatened attack on Philadelphia.
A muster roll means they were paid and so, actually served. The militia in
Pa was organized in classes, this had nothing to do with the quality of the
soldier, it was just a device to keep from depleating the able bodied men in
a single area. The state would call up the 7th class of the Bucks County
militia, if they called up more than one class then it meant they needed
additional troops.
As to whether he served with the captain from his township, that depends
on what class and township he served, in the militia. There were 8 classes
and also 8 battalions in any county (or more than one county if the county
was small). When the 4 class of militia was called up then the Capt. would
be the Capt. of the 4th Battalion of that county. When the 5 class was
called up the Captain would be the Capt. of the 5th Battalion of that
county, and so on.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Driskill" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 3:52 PM
Subject: [PALANCAS] Pennsylvania State Archives


> Good rainy Monday afternoon fellow researchers,
>
> In the PA Digital State Archives I found an exciting card. It says at the
bottom of the card "The Basic Record PROVES Active Duty." It also gives
the Commander of my ancestor and said his duty was a" touer of Duty to Bucks
County". Finally it says, General Return Muster Roll (5th, 6th, & 7th
classes). 1781.
>
> A (5) VII, 134-1
>
> Does someone know what the last sentence above means?? Will the
Pennsylvania State Archives have a copy of his service record?
>
> Thank you so much for any help.
> Margaret
>
>
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