Thursday, February 9, 2017

What's up next?

Having wrapped up the Mary Wright maiden issue without a clear-cut decision, it's time to move on to a new topic. I will be taking a look at my ancestors' service during the Revolutionary War.

Rev War service included more than seeing action in battle between 1775 and 1783. The types of patriotic service included:

1) Serving in a Continental Line unit; this was the regular army. You had to serve with the Continental Army to qualify for a government pension. [DAR & SAR eligible]

2) Serving aboard a naval or privateer vessel. Most of the "US Navy" at the time was made up of privateers. Privateers were considered pirates by the British.

3) Serving in a Militia company. The militia was volunteer and generally unreliable in combat. Guerilla-style militia companies were successful, especially in the Southern campaign.

4) Patriotic service included supplying troops with food, supplies, clothing, wagons, livestock and anything else that might contribute to the cause. [DAR & SAR eligible]

5) Serving in Provincial, State or Continental Congresses. [DAR & SAR eligible]

and then there's the other side:

1) Loyalists/Tories: those who remained loyal to the Crown. Many served in Loyalist militias.

2) Hessians: German soldiers hired to serve the Crown.

3) British regulars.

I just wanted to mention the last three; I sort of have one distant cousin who fits here.

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