Fluvanna County militia

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The Fluvanna County militia was a component of the Virginia militia during the American Revolutionary War. It was based in Fluvanna County, Virginia for the majority of the war and only saw action near the end of the conflict, in 1781.

Contents

Size

It is unknown how many people made up the Fluvanna militia at various points throughout the war. Six companies are listed as the station of Revolutionary War forces in local documents. [1] As of January 13, 1781 Thomas Jefferson knew there to be 260 men enlisted in the militia. It is known that Thomas Jefferson asked for one quarter of the county's militia, 65 men, to fight at Green Spring, West Virginia in 1781, near the end of the war. [2]

What is known is that Fluvanna was the site of Point of Fork Arsenal, a major center of arms manufacturing for the Virginia government during the Revolution. [3]

Origins

Like other county militias, the Fluvanna militia was formed as a local branch of the Virginia militia. It was led by Captain Richard Napier.

In order to join the militia, men were required to take a "Test Oath" renouncing King George III and pledging themselves to defend the Commonwealth. [4]

Known members

This is a list of known members of the militia and their rank, if appropriate. [4] [5] [6] [7]

KNOWN MEMBERS
LAST NAMEFIRST NAMERANKKNOWN SERVICE
AdamsJames, Jr.2d LieutenantSep 4 1777 [8]
AndersonBenjamin1st LieutenantSep 4 1777 [8]
BeckleyJohn1st LieutenantSep 4 1777 [8]
BibeeWilliamLieutenant [8]
ColeJamesEnsignMar 1778
DuncanGeorgeCaptainSep 4 1777 [8]
EastJamesPrivate
FordJohn, Sr.Private [5]
GrantRobertPrivate
MorelandDudleyPrivate
HadenAnthonyEnsign1779
HadenAnthonyCaptainApril 2, 1779
HadenJosephCaptainSep 4 1777
HadenJohn Mozeley1st LieutenantSep 4 1777
HadenJohn M.EnsignApril 2, 1779
HadenWilliamEnsignApril 2, 1779
HallRichard1st LieutenantApril 2, 1779
HancockBenj.EnsignApril 2, 1779
HaslipHenry2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
HenryWilliamLieutenantSep 4 1777
JohnsonWilliamEnsignSep 4 1777
JohnsonWalterEnsign
KingSackville2d LieutenantFeb 1 1781 [9]
LeeBenjaminEnsignSep 4 1777
LoganAlexanderPrivate
MartinBenjaminEnsignSep 4 1777
MartinHenry1st LieutenantSep 4 1777
MartinJohn2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
MartinWilliam2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
Mays (Mayo?)Joseph2d LieutenantMay 6, 1779
MooreJesse2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
MossAlexander1st LieutenantSep 4 1777
NapierJohnCaptainSep 4 1777 — April 4, 1779
NapierRichardCaptainSep 4 1777
NapierThomasColonelSep 4 1777
OmohundroRichardEnsignJune 4, 1778
QuarlesTunstallMajor
RiceHolmanCaptain
RishardsonSamuelCaptain
ThompsonGeorgeMajorSep 4 1777
ThompsonLeonardCaptainNov 6 1777
ThompsonRogerLieutenant ColonelNov 6 1777
ThurmondThomasCaptainSep 4 1777
TilmanDaniel1st LieutenantSep 4 1777
TilmanDanielCaptainDec 3 1778
TinsdaleThomas2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
WilliamsonJohn2d LieutenantSep 4 1777
WoodyWilliam2d LieutenantApril 2, 1779
WynneThomasEnsignSep 4 1777

Timeline of Events

1775Capt. Thos. Holt was recruiting men in this County for several months. [8]
1777Capt. Joseph Hayden's Company was in service about three months. [8]
17 —Capt. Saml. Richardson's Company was in service at Hampton. [8]
17 —Capt. Samuel Richardson's Company was in service at Williamsburg. [8]
1779Capt. Samuel Richardson's Company was in service at Albemarle Barracks. [8]
1779Capt. Joseph Hayden's Company was in service about Williamsburg. [8]
1780Capt. Anthony Henderson's [Haden's] Company was in service at Albemarle Barracks. [8]
1780Capt. Levi [Leonard] Thompson's Company was in service at Cabin Point. [8]
1781Capt. Anthony Hayden's Company was in service at the time of Tarleton's Raid. [8]
1781At least one of the militiamen was engaged in making gun stocks for the army. [8]
1781Capt. Richard Napper's [Napier's] Company was at the Siege of York. [8]

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References

  1. "History Fluvanna". FluvannaChamber.org. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  2. Ford, Paul Leicester, ed. (1893). The Writings of Thomas Jefforson, 1776-1781. Vol. 2. G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 412.
  3. "Virginia Campaign". wscottsmith.com.
  4. 1 2 "PennHistoryReview.com". Archived from the original on 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2006-10-09.
  5. 1 2 ForGen.tripod.com
  6. Virginians.com
  7. Fluvanna County, Virginia Order Book, 1779-1782
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 McAlister, J.T. (1913). VIRGINIA MILITIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Hot Springs, Virginia: McAllister Publishing Co.
  9. sites.google.com SackvilleKing