Philadelphia and Lancaster counties militia records

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Scope and Contents note

Administrative Information

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Creator

Lancaster County (Pa.). Lieutenant.

Creator

Lancaster County (Pa.). Sub-Lieutenant.

Creator

Philadelphia County (Pa.). Lieutenant.

Creator

Philadelphia County (Pa.). Sub-Lieutenant.

Title

Philadelphia and Lancaster counties militia records

ID

Am .23

Date [bulk]

Bulk, 1778-1782

Date [inclusive]

1778-1789

Extent

0.4 Linear feet ; 1 box

Author

Finding aid prepared by Cary Majewicz

Sponsor

Processing made possible by a generous donation from George Ahern.

Language

English

Mixed materials [Box]

1

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Scope and Contents note

This small collection mostly consists of journals used to record general returns, returns of absentees, and nonattendance fines of the First and Second battalions of the Pennsylvania Militia, Philadelphia County, between 1778 and 1782 (folders 1-7). There is also one return of absentees, dated 1786 to 1788, for the First Battalion of Lancaster County (folder 9). In a partial journal from 1784 (folder 7) are lists of soldiers by city ward and a summary of the total numbers of men in six county battalions and the artillery battalion. The last folder in the collection (folder 10) contains two bundles of exoneration slips, all dated 1789, for men who were cleared of their muster fines. For the most part, these records were signed and apparently created by county-designated lieutenants and their assistants, sub-lieutenants. These civilian officials were responsible for administering and collecting fines, preparing units with arms and supplies from the state, and made certain that militia units attended their exercises.

For further information on the history and formation of the Pennsylvania Militia see "The Pennsylvania Militia in 1777" by Hannah Roach Benner in The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23, no. 3 (1964): 161-230.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania , 2010

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Provenance unknown.

Processing Information note

This collection was formerly called "Pennsylvania Revolutionary manuscripts."

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

• Pennsylvania. Militia. Lancaster County Battalion, 1st.
• Pennsylvania. Militia. Philadelphia County Battalion, 1st.
• Pennsylvania. Militia. Philadelphia County Battalion, 2nd.

Geographic Name(s)

• Pennsylvania--Genealogy--Sources.
• Pennsylvania--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Registers, lists, etc.
• Pennsylvania--Militia.
• United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Registers, lists, etc.

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Collection Inventory