Those who wish to turn service for their country into a country club exclusivity are beneath contempt. Military discipline of the period was harsh, and these fines, while small to our thinking, are quite large. For example, a private in the Union Army during the Civil War made $13 a month, so $1.50 is more than 10% of his salary. I doubt the financial differences were much different four decades before.
Unfortunately, being on the militia roles does not prove service in the militia (all able-bodied white males of a certain age were expected to be part of the militia). Nor does service in the militia prove active service in the War of 1812. The spotty records for the 19th Century leave many such questions even for a war as thoroughly documented as the Civil War, where I'm more well-versed.
Bill Cross
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 6:27 PM
Subject: War of 1812 Documentation
In Orange County Virginia there is an old book with no title page, no page
numbers and on the spine "Orange County Court of Inquiry and County Militia
1813-1858".
At the heading of each group of men, there is a statement similar to this one
on page 21:
"At A. Battalion Court of Enquiry held at Capt. May Burton's Tavern on
Saturday the 11th of November 1815 for the assessment of fines belonging to the 2nd
Battalion and 3rd Regiment Orange Militia. Present Maj. William Dulaney,
Thomas Sorrille, James White, Joab Early, Sandford Beazley, Gilbert H. Hamilton,
Lawrence T. Dade, L. Benjamin F. Porter.
Captain Joab Early's Company
Richard Harvey Regimental .0 75
Peter Gibson Do
.0 75
Bird Snow Do
.0 75
Captain Sandford Beazley's Company,
David Draper Regt. June, August .2 25
William Estes Do August .1 50
Littleton Estes Do
.0 75
John Roberts Do
.0 75 "
There are 25-35 men usually listed in each group. The Order Books for this
period are missing. My question is:
How can I prove to a War of 1812 Society from this book, that these men were
actually involved during this time period, assigned to this company, and were
not criminals because of a $1.50 fine???
I was told by the Society Registrar that "since William Estes was fined
$1.50, we could not consider him a Patriot, because of this fine".
I was also told that the fine was probably for not showing up or not wearing
the proper uniform etc.
My thanks for your response,
Anne
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