Fluvanna County militia

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.

Size

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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

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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

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

KNOWN MEMBERS
LAST NAME FIRST NAME RANK KNOWN SERVICE
Adams James, Jr. 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777[8]
Anderson Benjamin 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777[8]
Beckley John 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777[8]
Bibee William Lieutenant[8]
Cole James Ensign Mar 1778
Duncan George Captain Sep 4 1777[8]
East James Private
Ford John, Sr. Private[5]
Grant Robert Private
Moreland Dudley Private
Haden Anthony Ensign 1779
Haden Anthony Captain April 2, 1779
Haden Joseph Captain Sep 4 1777
Haden John Mozeley 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Haden John M. Ensign April 2, 1779
Haden William Ensign April 2, 1779
Hall Richard 1st Lieutenant April 2, 1779
Hancock Benj. Ensign April 2, 1779
Haslip Henry 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Henry William Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Johnson William Ensign Sep 4 1777
Johnson Walter Ensign
King Sackville 2d Lieutenant Feb 1 1781[9]
Lee Benjamin Ensign Sep 4 1777
Logan Alexander Private
Martin Benjamin Ensign Sep 4 1777
Martin Henry 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Martin John 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Martin William 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Mays (Mayo?) Joseph 2d Lieutenant May 6, 1779
Moore Jesse 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Moss Alexander 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Napier John Captain Sep 4 1777 — April 4, 1779
Napier Richard Captain Sep 4 1777
Napier Thomas Colonel Sep 4 1777
Omohundro Richard Ensign June 4, 1778
Quarles Tunstall Major
Rice Holman Captain
Rishardson Samuel Captain
Thompson George Major Sep 4 1777
Thompson Leonard Captain Nov 6 1777
Thompson Roger Lieutenant Colonel Nov 6 1777
Thurmond Thomas Captain Sep 4 1777
Tilman Daniel 1st Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Tilman Daniel Captain Dec 3 1778
Tinsdale Thomas 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Williamson John 2d Lieutenant Sep 4 1777
Woody William 2d Lieutenant April 2, 1779
Wynne Thomas Ensign Sep 4 1777

Timeline of Events

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

References

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  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. ^ a b "PennHistoryReview.com". Archived from the original on 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2006-10-09.
  5. ^ a b ForGen.tripod.com
  6. ^ Virginians.com
  7. ^ Fluvanna County, Virginia Order Book, 1779-1782
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p McAlister, J.T. (1913). VIRGINIA MILITIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Hot Springs, Virginia: McAllister Publishing Co.
  9. ^ sites.google.com SackvilleKing
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