The New York Militias - more Revolutionary War Records

 I needed a break from this to get a few things done and then decided to take a break until after I visit my father this coming Saturday.  But...I looked through the rest of the book which is most of the book that consists of the militias that were organized by counties.  But...There are a couple of militias that were in counties that no longer exist.

First, the author's (Comptroller, James A. Roberts) definition of militia:

    "The Militia was called out when wanted, kept as long as wanted, and the soldiers then sent to their homes."

    "The meaning of Militia is -- "The military force of a nation.""

    "The militia of this continent had its origin in a a law promulgated in 1664 by James, Duke of York and Albany, the owner, by a grant from Charles the Second, of a large territory...."

So much for a revolution against the British.

And, a clear proposition of self-interest.

    "The Duke's Laws" as they were called "...provided that "All males above the age of sixteen shall be enrolled and be subject to military duty...."

Each person had to supply pre-defined arms, equipment, supplies and provisions.  Training was specified.  Failure to comply resulted in fines dispersed among the officers.  Queen Anne amended this in 1702, adding the requirement of a horse, tack, clothing and other additional supplies.

    "No mention of compensation for military service was ever made,..."

    "This was the condition of the militia when the ... Revolutionary War...."

The bulk of the book contains the rosters of the various militias of New York.

Looking through these I found the militias of Charlotte and Cumberland (not to be confused with Columbia County).  I initially confused Cumberland County with the current Columbia County, thus the parenthesis.  I had definitely never heard of Charlotte County.

    "Charlotte County was a county in the colonial Province of New York in the British American colonies. It was created from Albany County on March 24, 1772. The county was named for Charlotte, Princess Royal, oldest daughter and fourth child of George III of the United Kingdom. Its boundaries extended far further than any current county. Its western boundary ran "from the Mohawk River to the Canada line, at a point near the old village of St. Regis and passing south to the Mohawk between Schenectady and Albany." Its southern boundary was near present-day Saratoga Springs. Much of western Vermont, then claimed by New York, was also part of the county. Its northern border was also the Canada–US border. Its county seat was Fort Edward." --  Wikipedia

    "On April 2, 1784 the new state's legislature voted to change the name to Washington County, ...." -- Wikipedia

Charlotte County Militia under Colonel John Williams (doctor):  no family names found.

    "Cumberland County, New York was a county in the Province of New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was divided out of Albany County in New York in 1766, but eventually became a part of Vermont in 1777. At that time, Vermont was holding itself out as the Republic of Vermont and was not admitted to the Union until 1791."

Cumberland County Militia under Colonel William Williams: Edwards, Waterman

And, now a break for a few days.  When I get back to this, I'll continue with the very large militias and a few final individual regiments.