Eric - I see the militia records you cite.  I don't see a record of him as captain.  Could you tell us exactly where you find him with that appellation? 



If he were captain of a local militia company, there should be a record of his appointment/commission among the court orders of his county or city.   If he were a sea captain, we would expect him to have spent many years at sea, rising through the ranks, before he would be commissioned.  He would have a much higher status than a militia captain.   A list of naval captains during the War of 1812 (until Feb. 1815) can be found at https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/organization-and-administration/historical-leadership/naval-officers-of-the-war-of-1812/captains-of-the-war-of-1812.html.  No one named Wills there.



Donald L. Wilson, Virginiana Librarian

The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center

for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC)

Prince William Public Library System

Bull Run Regional Library

8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109-2892

703-792-4540   

www.pwcgov.org/library/RELIC 







 

-----Original Message-----

From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Huffstutler

Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 11:24 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Capt. Charles Wills - War 1812 question



Sending the below query for help again since I received no responses... thank you!







"Capt" Charles Wills - War 1812 question





I have a bit of a puzzle that someone here may be able to help with or, have access to various databases on those who served in the War of 1812.





Charles Wills, born c.1776 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia and died 1820 in Richmond, Virginia. I see what appears to be him entered and left as rank "Private" in both COMPANY: 2 REG'T (BALLOWE'S) VIRGINIA MILITIA. and COMPANY: 19 REGIMENT (AMBLER'S) VIRGINIA MILITIA.





The problem is that he is later seen as "Captain" Charles Wills by the time he died. I am seeking when or where this occurred? I know there were local militias such as Camp Holly Springs and Richmond City Militia but unaware if he served in them post war? A few people believe he may have been a ship captain?





Any help greatly appreciated!



Eric



> 



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