I have 2 of my Rev. War ancestors that very probably would have been eligible for pensions or bounty land. One ancestor, Amos DOLE Sr., died shortly after the Rev. War and filed bankruptcy before his death. His son, Amos Jr. was a pensioner. Hugh HOLMES was in both the Cont. Army and a militia unit in what is now Maine. He died sometime between 1800 and 1810, penniless. How would I determine if either soldier or their widows had filed any type of pension application with the state or federal government? thanks, Charles

The Narrative of the Captivity & Sufferings of Ebenezer Fletcher of New Ipswich Published, Windsor, VT, 1813 (full text online) http://www.fletcherfamily.info/library/1813ef/1813ef.html Starts off: I, Ebenezer Fletcher listed into the Continental Army in Capt. Carr's Co., Col. Nathan Hale Regiment, as a fifter, and joined the Army at Ticonderoga under the command of General St. Clair in the spring of 1777, at which place I was stationed till the retreat of the army on the 6th of July following.... See also the book "Biographical Notes on the Genealogy of the Desendants of Robert Fletcher http://www.fletcherfamily.info/library/1849rf/1849rf.html <A HREF="http://www.fletcherfamily.info/library/1849rf/1849rf.html"> Genealogical Chart of the Descendants of Robert Fletcher</A>

Hello Ed, great photography by Cathy Cooper, thanks for the pictures, but ...... who was the good looking guy? Cheers, John :) the Hessian From: "Ed St.Germain" <Patriot1@americanrevolution.org> Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 4:53 PM Photos of this mornings Christmas Parade in San Bernardino, CA may be viewed at: http://www.americanrevolution.org/xmas01.html Photography by Cathy Cooper. Best regards, Ed

First of all let me apologize in advance for any typo's. Second, if you find you have family in the Guard, I highly recommend that you purchase Carlos Godfrey's book The Commander-in-Chief's Guard. There are duty rooster, signature cards and a section with the Records of the Officers and Men. In that section it tells when you ancestor went into the guard, how he served when he was discharged and even (if known) who he married, who were his children and where they lived. It is an excellent book to have! Also, sorry this email is so long but I tried to answer all the questions that I saw on the list while I was gone. Carole Pacific NW jhollin@pacifier.com Ok, here we go: >From the book by Carlos Godfrey. It is a source of much regret that, after a most thorough and diligent search, the descriptive and other rolls of the Commander-in-Chief's Guard for the year 1776 cannot be found. They were undoubtedly destroyed, among other valuable papers of the Guard, during the fire which occurred at the Charlestown Navy Yard in 1815, where they had been carefully preserved by Major Caleb Gibbs while naval-storekeeper at that station. However, through various returns and claims it is believed that 75% of the men composing the command during that period have been accounted for. The subsequent service of all the officers and men while in the Guard, from its reorganization under the special order of April 30, 1777 to June 6, 1783, are full and complete, except the identity of some of those who were either killed, wounded or missing at the skirmish of King's Bridge, July 3, 1781, for which period the roll is unfortunately missing. Thereafter, no further rolls appear; and the three year's! men who were detailed from the New Hampshire Line to form the new and final reorganization of the Guard on June 16, 1783, were doubtless carried on the rolls of their organization as being "On command". First: The history of the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, commencing from its formation under the general order of March 11, 1776, until its dissolution on December 20, 1783, is designed to contain all official orders, returns, court-martial proceedings, sentences, death warrants and casualties occurring ad interim; and the uniforms, duties and pay of its officers and men. As the cops was always attached to the Head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief, its specific movements are traced through the orders contained in Washington's orderly books, and from other authentic sources; all of which is interwoven with such well know historical and pertinent facts as become material to preserve a continuous chronological history of the command. The Commander-in-Chief's Guard, sometimes otherwise officially designated as "His Excellency's Guard" and "The General's Guard," was popularly and synonymously known by the soldiers as "Washington's life Guard" and Washington's body Guard," by which misnomers they continue today to be erroneously recognized in historical works and in the official military records of many states, notwithstanding congress resolved as early as April 15, 1777 that these appellations were improper, and admonished the officers that these practices must cease. Also, it has been inadvertently stated by distinguished authors that the Guard was organized at New York shortly after the siege of Boston, on May 13, 1776, and that the corps consisted of a major's command of 188 men, all of which has been successfully controverted in the history of the command by unquestionable authority. It is true, however, that after Captain Lewis's Troop of Cavalry Guards rejoined their regiment September 26, 1778, small squads of cavalrymen were thereafter occasionally detailed for brief periods to escort Washington upon long journeys, or to serve as an auxiliary guard of his person in times of action, though while in the performance of these special duties they were in nowise whatever considered a part of his regular Guard. The Commander-in-Chief's Guard was organized precisely at the hour of twelve, noon, March 12, 1776, pursuant to a general order issued by General Washington the previous day wherein he directed the formation of a corps of sober, intelligent and reliable men, detailed from the various regiments of infantry then assembled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, to be known as the Commander-in-Chief's Guard. He further specified that the men selected should be between five feet eight inches and five feet ten inches in height, well drilled, and to be handsomely and well built. On the following Caleb Gibbs, of Massachusetts, and George Lewis, a nephew of General Washington, of Virginia, were commissioned captain and lieutenant, respectively, of the Guard, to whom were intrusted the details of the organization. "Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 11, 1776 "The General is desirous of selecting a particular number of men as a guard for himself and baggage. The colonel or commanding officers of each of the established regiments, the artillery and riflemen excepted, will furnish him with four, that the number wanted may be chosen out of them. His Excellency depends upon the colonels for good men, such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honesty and good behavior. He wishes them to be from five feet eight inches to five feet ten inches, handsomely and well made, and , as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable than cleanliness in a soldier, he desires that particular attention may be made in the choice of such men as are clean and spruce. They are all to be at headquarters tomorrow precisely at 12 o'clock at noon, when the number wanted will be fixed upon. The General neither wants them with uniforms nor arms, nor does he desire any man to be sent to him that is not perfectly willing or desirous of being of this! Guard--they should be drilled men." "Head-Quarters, New York, May 16, 1776 "Any orders delivered by Caleb Gibbs and George Lewis, Esquires--officers of the General's Guard, are to be attended to in the same manner as if sent by an aide-de-camp." No further mention of the Guard is found until the middle of June, 1776, when members of it were suspected of being engaged in an alleged conspiracy to assassinate Washington. It is rather remarkable that the first soldier of the Continental army to hang should have been a member of the Commander-in-chief's Guard, who were specially selected for their patriotism and fidelity to duty. After the removal of this treacherous and obnoxious element from the Guard the rest of the men enjoyed the highest confidence and respect of their immediate officers and the Command-in-Chief, and most of them thereafter rendered long, honorable, and faithful service whereby they became eligible to the Badge of Merit, a distinction second in rank to the Purple Heart, of which we shall hereafter speak. On April 30, 1777, the Commander-in-Chief issued circular letters to the colonels of the various Virginia regiments of infantry attached to the main army at Morristown, requesting that four men from their respective command be immediately furnished him for the re-organization of his Guard. Aside from a more uniform height of the men asked than that specified in the general order of March 11, 1776, the letter is particularly noticeable for the reason that Washington had not forgotten his experience with the foreign and treacherous element of his former Guard while at New York in June, 1776, when he expressly insists that none but native born soldiers be furnished him. This circular address to Colonel Alexander Spotswood reads thus: Morristown, 30 April, 1777 "Sir: I want to form a company for my Guard. In doing this I wish to be extremely cautious, because it is more than probable that, in the course of the campaign, my baggage, papers, and other matters of great public import may be committed to the sole care of these men. This being premised, in order to impress you with proper attention in the choice, I have to request that you will immediately furnish me with four men of your regiment; and, as it is my farther wish that this company should look well and be nearly of a size, I desire that none of the men may exceed in stature five feet ten inches, nor fall short of five feet 9 inches, sober, you, active, and well made. When I recommend care in your choice I would be understood to mean men of good character in the regiment, that possess the pride of appearing clean and soldierlike. I am satisfied there can be no absolute security for the fidelity of this class of people, but yet I think it most likely to be found in thos! e who have family connections in the country. You well therefore send me none but natives, and men of some property, if you have them. I must insist that, in making this choice, you give no intimation of my preference of natives, as I do not want to create any invidious distinction between them and the foreigners. "I am yours,&c, "Go Washington." "Head-Quarters, Valley Forge, March 17, 1778 One hundred chosen men are to be annexed to the Guard of the Commander-in-Chief, for the purpose of forming a corps to be instructed in the maneuvers necessary to be introduced in the army and serve as a model for the execution of them. As the Generals' Guard is composed entirely of Virginians, the one hundred draughts are to be taken from the troops of the other states." Roster of the Infantry Guard Major-Commandant Caleb Gibbs Captains: Bezaleel Howe and Henry Philip Livingston Lieutenants: William Colfax, Levi Holden, Benjamin Grymes, George Lewis John Nicholas Ensign: George Augustine Washington Surgeons: Ebenezer Crosby, Samuel Hanson, Drum-Major; Diah Manning Sergeants John Arnold, Samuel Bliss, Davis Brown, ____Clements, Martin Cole, William Coram, Nathaniel Cunningham, Cornelius Drake, Bildad Edwards, Lewis Flemister, James Frazier, Carswell Gardner, Thomas Harris, Daniel Holt, William Hunter, John Jones, John Justice, William McIntire, Reaps Mitchell, John Morris, William Pace, John Phillips, Thomas Prentiss, David Rice, Peter Richards, William Roach, Nehemiah Stratton, John Sturm, Joseph Timberlake, (he is my connection) John Wilson, Francis Wood, Frederick Young. Corporals. Moses Cutter, John Dent, Ephraim Eddy, Joshua Forbes, Elihu Hancock, John Herrick, Thomas Holland, Joel Holt, Joseph Law, Henry Randolph, Asa Redington, Henry Sparks, Seth Sturtevant, Levi Talbot, Enoch Wells, Samuel Wortman. Drummers John Fenton, Theophilus Frink, William Green, Roger Manning, William Simpson, Cornelius Wilson Fifers Elias Brown, Jared Goodrich, James Johnson, Isaac Manning, Samuel Odiorne, Frederick Parks Privates Asa Adams, George Albin, Thomas Allen, Richard Alling, Stephen Ames, David Ashby, Samuel Bailey, Amos Banker, Andrew Baker, Benjamin Barham, John Barnes, John Barton, William Batchelder, John Bell, Asa Benjamin, John Berry, Nathaniel Berry, James Blair, Robert Blair, Thomas Blair, John Blundin, John Bodine, Benjamin Bonnel, Mills Bourn, James Bradley, James Brooks, Ebenezer Brown, Jedediah Brown, Moses Brown, Zachariah Brown, -----Bullar, John Bush, Lewis Campbell, Ebenezer Carleton, Timothy Carleton, Nathaniel Chapman, Jonathan Chenoweth, Raleigh Christian, Benjamin Church, John Coffin, Lemuel Coffin, John Cole, William Condel, ----Connor, Daniel Cook, Wilmer Cooper, Ebenezer Coston, James Craif, Samuel Craig, Joel Crosby, Aaron Crumbie, Hugh Cull, Abraham Currier, James Dady, Solomon Daley, William Darrah, Joseph Davis, John Daws, William Day, Levi Dean, Joseph Delano, Henry Desperate, Antipas Dodge, John Dother, Charles Dougherty, George Dougherty, James Doughert! y, Jeremiah Driskel, Levi Dunton, Daniel Dyer, Robert Eakin, Henry Eastman, ----Eaton, Benjamin Eaton, John Edge, Clayborne Elder, David Emery, John English, Jacob Erwin, Eliphalet Everett, Laban Fairbanks, George Farmer, William Ferguson, John Finch, Robert Finley, George Fischer, Elijah Fisher, Thomas Forrest, Adam Foutz, William Gilbert, William Gill, Thomas Gillen, James Gordon, Edmund Griffin, John Griffith, Hugh Hagerty, Silvanus Hall, Thomas Harmon, Thomas Harris, William Harris, William Harris, Andrew Harrison, Caleb Hendee, William Henussey, Stephen Hetfield, Thomas Hickey, Spencer Hill, Joseph Hilton, Peter Holt, Philip Holt, Isaac Howell, Thomas Howell, James Hughes, John Hurring, ------Hutchinsoon, Daniel Hymer, Pendleton Isbell, John Ives, Zachariah Jackson, Solomon Janet, Asa Johnson., James Johnson, Levi Johnson, Ephraim Jones, Joseph Jones, William Jones, John Kenney, William Kernahan, John Kidder, Charles King, James Know, Laban Landon, Jasper Langley, Ellij! ah Lawrence, John Leary, Benjamin Lester, Hezekiah Linton, Jesse Linton, William Logan, Simeon Lothrop, John Lovejoy, Seth Lovell, Ephraim Lucas, Michael Lynch, Zenas Macomber, Phineas Mapes, Peter Martin, William Martin, William McCown, James McDonald, James Milsom, John Montgomery, Hezekiah Moor, Jonathan Moore, Dennis Moriarity, -----Morrill, David Morrison, -----Norris, Jesse Nott, Reuben Odell, William O'Neil, John Paddington, William Palmer, Joseph Parker, John Patton, John Pease, Henry Perry, Benjamin Pierce, John Pillar, Shadrack Pinkstone, Thomas Piper, Abner Pitcher, Elijah Pollock, -----Pope, Robert Preston, William Price, Andrew Pritchett, Henry Pullen, John Putnam, Samuel Raymond, Daniel Reed, Samuel Reeves, Samuel Reid, William Reiley, Zebulon Richmond, Timothy Ricker, Dixon Robinson, John Robinson, Christopher Rodamer, Jonathan Rundlett, ----- Sanborn, Elnathan Sanderson, Able Sargent, John Savory, Jacob Schriver, Samuel Sherman, Micajah Sherwood, Joseph Shipm! an, John Shorey, William Simmons, John Slocum, Francis Smith, Jesse Smith, John Smith, Luther Smith, Randolph Smith, Robinson Smith, Samuel Smith, Timothy Smith, Henry Snow, John Standard, John Stockdell, Joseph Stripe, Michael Sutton, William Tanner, Daniel Thompson, Reuben Thompson, Ezekiel Thurston, John Tipper, Michael Titcomb, Zebulon Titcomb, Solomon Townsend, John Trask, Simon Tubbs, Abraham Van Sickle, Jesse Vibbart, Joseph Vinal, Robert Wadsworth, Henry Wakelee, Moses Walton, Benjamin Ward, Daniel Warner, William Warrington, Edward Weed, Edward Whelan, Samuel Whittmarsh, Edward Wiley, John Williams, Joseph Winch, William Wymann. Roster of the Calvary Guard: Captain George Lewis Lieutenant Robert Randolph Quartermaster Sergeant Charles King Sergeants Issac Davenport, Francis Wood Corporal John Druce, Carswell Gardner, James Knox Saddler Jeremiah Low Farrier Thomas McCarty Trumpeter Nathan Pushee. Privates John Blundin, William Boyd, Nathaniel Brackett, Johnthan Bryant, Michael Caswell, Oliver Chapin, John Coffin, Philip Disclow, William Dunn, William Garret, Charles Gavat, Thomas Harris, Caleb Hendee, Daniel Hersey, William Hincher, Samuel Huston, Isaac Kidder, Abraham Lawell, George Layard, Samuel Leverich, Zenas Macomber, Alexander McCulloch, Nathaniel Potter, Samuel Raymond, Samuel Reynolds, Samuel Sherman, Jesse Smith, Simeon Stow, Michael Titcomb, Zebulon Titcomb.

Sorry all, I was in Vegas for my Anniversary and just got back to see all the posts. Malinda, You are exactly right. In the first set some of them plotted to kill Washington, that is why the second set who served during most of the war were all from Virginia, Washington figured they would be more loyal to him. Earl Just who or what are you looking for. I have the book "The Commander in Cheif's Guard by Carlos Godfrey" which list's all but about 15 of the men who served in George Washington's personal Guard. As for the Oberlin Brothers, They are not listed in the book as being part of "The Commander in Chief's Guard". I would be glad to do any lookup's that anyone might require. Carole Pacific NW jhollin@pacifier.com

I need help. I have a copy of a 1783 discharge document. I am interested in knowing where to find any records for this person and if there is any information on his specific unit or group. The paper says: "Copy of Judge McIntoshs discharge...this is to certify that Peter McEntosh a private in the dragoons in the first partisan legion under my command has served faithfully & bravely to this day is hereby discharged from the service of the United States in pursuance of order received from the Commander in Chief, bearing date the third instant. I further certify that Peter McEntosh a private in the Dragoons having been enlisted in the State of Virginia is intitled by the Resolution of Congress of the 13th February 1779 to the benefits that have been,or here after shall be granted by the said State to the Noncommisioned officers and Solderis of the said Line. Given under my hand and seal at YorkTown this fifteenth day of November 1783 Commander (here is some name or title not legibleNOTE: this is actually what it says so they could not read that name) Brigadier General Entered in the Books of the Legion Attest Godfried Swartz Adjutant of the Legion Thank you for any thoughts on this julie

Photos of this mornings Christmas Parade in San Bernardino, CA may be viewed at: http://www.americanrevolution.org/xmas01.html Photography by Cathy Cooper. Best regards, Ed -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

I quickly went to the NY State Library online catalog and did a quick search. The results show that NY State has State Association of Cemetery Superintendents. In addition there is American Legion representation as well as the federal government participating as 1) the National Cemetery System, and 2) Veterans Administration, Dept. of Memorial Affairs. These are the books referring to Revolutionary soldiers: American Revolutionary War soldiers' and patriots' graves in the Town of Riverhead, New York / researched and written by Georgette L. Case State of the research : Naval Hospital Cemetery historical documentation, Naval Station Brooklyn, New York / prepared by TAMS Consultants, Inc. and Joan H. Geismar, Ph.D Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York National Cemetery System (U.S.) Calverton National Cemetery ... Calverton, NY United States. Veterans Administration. Dept. of Memorial Affairs. Index to the burial places of Revolutionary patriots in and around Ontario County, New York / Preston E. Pierce American revolutionary war patriots buried in the Town of Brookhaven / prepared by research of Harry W. Huson Revolutionary soldiers buried in Cattaraugus County, 1947 Daughters of the American Revolution. Olean Chapter 386 (Olean, N.Y.) Identification and marking of the graves of the soldier dead in the cemeteries of Monroe County, New York State / by Flower Committee of the Grand Army of the Republic Grand Army of the Republic. Flower Committee. The American cemetery : an address delivered at the dedication of Green Hill Cemetery, at Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N.Y. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1858 / by A.D. Mayo. Mayo, A D (Amory Dwight), 1823-1907. Maybe that will help you get started. Betty

Thanks much for the additional information Malinda. I just received word that there is a book listing the guards. Sure will save me decades of time for other ancestor searching. The book is: The Commander-in-Chief's Guard: Revolutionary War Carlos E. Godfrey 302 pp., Illus. (1904), 2001. ISBN 0806305185, available for puechase from 2 locations. I'll check the sites you listed, and thanks again for your sending them to me. Earl. In a message dated 11/28/01 5:51:43 PM, mthiesse@swbell.net writes: << HI Earl, No problem. The names Francis (male) and Frances (female) run in several of my lines. If they don't run in your lines, it's very easy to guess wrong about the spelling. In the letter/order Washington seems to be directing the selection of the Life Guards using Francis Moreland as both a participant as well as role model. This letter doesn't specifically refer to them as the Commander-in-Chief's Life Guards. This particular letter is dealing primarily with Quartermaster duties (which the Life Guards also saw to IIRC). In another letter relating to a 1778 Court Martial of George Albin. He was sentenced to receive 100 lashes in the "presence of the old and new Guards". Francis Moreland was named as a member of the Guards . Here's a better portal and path WASHINGTON Papers http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gwhtml/gwhome.html Query box http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mgwquery.html Search result http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query New Address for the Washington to Stephen letter http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/P?mgw:1:./temp/~ammem_QJ7L:: This is the page that mentions Francis Moreland ...it is now Image # 33 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mgw2&fileName=gwpage003.db&recNum= 32&tempFile=./temp/~ammem_QJ7L&filecode=mgw&next_filecode=mgw&itemnum=1&ndocs= 100 >>

Sorry Jan, I looked at the material and focused on it....adn re-acted to it. I'll be more circumspect in my replies in the future. Thank you for going to the effort of finding so much stuff for us. ~malinda Jan Heiling wrote: > Hi Malinda, > > malinda wrote: > > > There's another interpretation that might be placed on you"facts"...if , > > indeed, they are true...about any height requirements. I haven't seen > > them...but I haven't seen everything. > > Please differentiate between fact and supposition when posting...if > > you can cite your source, I would like to know what it was. > > <snip> > Sorry ... I thought it was clear in my thread to Janice that we were talking > about www searches. > The two that I included in the post are excerpts from the websites indicated > at the end of each excerpt, so that those with interest could go and read. > The first one being what the genealogist had found for their ancestor and > their interpretation of it. > > Jan > > > > > > > Thank you, > > ~malinda > > > > Jan Heiling wrote: > > > > > Hi Janice, > > > > > > I also did some searches ... there are quite a few that will pop up and > > > I thought this first one was of general interest. > > > Jan > > > ------------ > > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all > > > over six feet tall > > > and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > > > Pennsylvania Archives > > > and war records do not support this assertion. These records are > > > historically accurate, and > > > also all the General's guards were, by directive, not over five feet ten > > > inches tall. George > > > didn't want to appear smaller than his men. It's also well documented > > > that General > > > Washington thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although > > > excellent fighters, not > > > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his > > > service when he was > > > in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry Schaeffer > > > (Schaefferstown) was > > > reputed as "close" to George Washington. It may have been through Henry > > > that the > > > Oberlins were connected to the general. > > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > > > > > The assembly of the various American and British re-enactment units is > > > being > > > coordinated by Capt. Sal Tarrantino of Farmington, > > > leader of the Second > > > Connecticut Regiment of Light Dragoons, which remains > > > in commission and at the > > > service of the governor of the state. The Regiment was > > > raised in the Windsor and > > > Farmington Valley area and included many Windsor men. > > > They served as Gen. > > > Washington's personal bodyguards and were with him > > > through most of the War, > > > including the Surrender at Yorktown. Because of the > > > Windsor connection, Capt. > > > Tarrantino has for some time wanted to produce a > > > re-enactment in town. His unit > > > will be joined by many other area re-enactment > > > companies, all portraying their > > > members in meticulous historic detail. > > > http://www.ctssar.org/branches/wolcott.htm > > > > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > > > ============================== > > > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Wonderful....thank you very much. Janice Farnsworth

Hello again, In the Washington book I cited earlier today there is a full physical description of him written by 'his old friend and companion-in-arms, George Mercer, said of Washington in a letter written in 1760:' .... This letter, as well as other cited sources for his description, plus discussion, can be found at this address: http://classicals.com/federalist/GeorgeWashingtonhall/messages/396.html Jan "Ed St.Germain" wrote: > "someone said: "...George Washington was a very tall man ...at least > 6'2"....perhaps 6'4"..." > > He was tall for the 18th century. The only measurement in the historical > record was post-mortem, for the benefit of the casket-maker. The corpse > laid out was six-one. > > Best regards, > Ed > -- > For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice > should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

It is important to realize that the Commander-in-Chief's Guard was the most elite unit in the Continental Army, and people then, like today, will exaggerate their service. Somewhere along the line, a member of von Herr's unit (Provost Guard) did this, hence the confusion regarding the units service. It may well have been unintentional, as in telling a story of riding with General Washington and "protecting him" - passed on thru the Generations he became a member of the "Guard". A recent article in Military History magazine alluded to the Provost Guard being Washington's personal guards, but it was in fact false. Frequently attached to headquarters and no doubt, when there was no other cavalry around, the Provosts would furnish mounted escorts for General Washington. Major Caleb Gibbs, Commandant of the Commander-in-Chief's Guard made mention of it on occasion and in the negative, as he was concerned about the appearance of General Washington being escorts by the Provost, as they were most often seen by the Army escorting Prisoners. In the final days of the war, when the army was being disbanded, the Provost Guard was discharged on June 13, 1783, at New Windor (or nearby), however a small detachment of a Sergeant, Corporal and eight troopers was retained as couriers and were placed under the command of Headquarters. It is possible that they escorted General Washington to Mount Vernon, but he did not mention the name of the unit so doing. His baggage was escorted by members of the last Commander-in-Chief's guard, all from a New Hampshire Regiment. There were other names that come close to "Washington's Body Guards." There are Washington's Life Guards, Lady Washington's Horse; Commander in Chiefs Guards. All of these, the horse part anyway, came from The Third Continental Light Dragoons or Baylor's Dragoons and mostly from the First Troop of the 3rd LD Best regards, Ed -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

"someone said: "...George Washington was a very tall man ...at least 6'2"....perhaps 6'4"..." He was tall for the 18th century. The only measurement in the historical record was post-mortem, for the benefit of the casket-maker. The corpse laid out was six-one. Best regards, Ed -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

Someone said: "...all the General's guards were, by directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear smaller than his men..." What diective was that? Do you have a citation? Best regards, Ed -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

>From "Washington The Man and The Mason" by Charles H. Callahan,copyright,1913,by Alexandria-Washington Lodge,No.22, 3rd. edition... Tuesday,December 17th.1799, Mr.Stuart,adjtant of the Alexandria regiment,came to view the ground for the procession. About 1 o'clock the cofffin was brought from Alexandria. Mr.Grater accompanied it with a shroud. The body was laid in the coffin. The Mahogany coffin was lined with lead to be soldered on after the body should be in the vault. The coffin was put into a case,lined and covered with a black cloth. Wedensday,December 18th. About 11 o'clock numbers of people began to assemble to attend the funeral,which was intented to have been at 12 o'clock;but as a great part of the troops expected could not get down in time,it did not take place till 3o'clock. Eleven pieces of artillery were brought from Alevandria;and a schooner belonging to Mr. Hamilton, came down and lay off Mount Vernon to fire minute guns. About 3 o'clock the procession began to move. The arrangements of the procession were made by Colonels Little, Simms,Deneale,and Dr.Dick. The pall-holders were Colonels Little, Payne, Gilpin, Ramsey and Marsteller. Colonel Blackburn preceded the corpse. Colonel Deneale marched with the military. The procession as followes: Troops, horse and foot. The Clergy,namely,The Reverend Messrs.Davis ,Muir ,Maffitt,and Addison. The General's horse, with his saddle, holsters, and pistols, led by two grooms, Cyrus and Wilson, in black. The body, borne by the Freemasons and Officers. Principal Mourners,namely, Mrs.Stuart and Mrs.Law, Misses Nancy and Sally Stuart, Miss Fairfax and Miss Dennison, Mr.Law and Mr.Peter, Mr.Lear and Dr.Craik, Lord Fairfax and Ferdinando Fairfax. Lodge No.22 Corportation of Alexandria. All others persons; preceded by Mr. Anderson and the Overseers. When the body arrived at the vault,the Rev.Mr.Davis read the service,and pronounced a short address. The Masons performed their ceremonies,and the body was deposited in the vault. After the ceremony,the company returned to the house,where they took some refreshment,and retired in good order. Best regards, Ed -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

To all, I appreciate all the discussion of Washington's life guard. My ancestor, Peter Rogers was a member of the guard. He was at Valley Forge during the winter of 77-78, and fought at Monmouth. He joined the Life Guard immediately after Monmouth from the 4th CT line. It has been handed down to me that he was General Washington's chaplain from June 1778 to May 1779. Any ideas on how I might substantiate this claim? Steve Stephen Rogers von Hitritz Richmond, VA ----- Original Message ----- From: "malinda" <mthiesse@swbell.net> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 3:57 PM Subject: Re: [A-REV] Washington Guards > This quote is from someone who didn't cite his sources. He also interjected his > own > interpretation with regard to the height issue ...which interpretation is totally > lacking > any documentary support. > > Washington's military assessment of militiamen, perhaps especially the frontier > version, are well documented...and considered militarily correct. The Washington > Papers are on line at the Library of Congress site. > > ~malinda > > Farns10th@aol.com wrote: > > > Oberlin Website was cited: > > > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over > > six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > > Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These > > records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by > > directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear > > smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington > > thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not > > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service > > when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry > > Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It > > may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general. > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 >

This quote is from someone who didn't cite his sources. He also interjected his own interpretation with regard to the height issue ...which interpretation is totally lacking any documentary support. Washington's military assessment of militiamen, perhaps especially the frontier version, are well documented...and considered militarily correct. The Washington Papers are on line at the Library of Congress site. ~malinda Farns10th@aol.com wrote: > Oberlin Website was cited: > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over > six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These > records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by > directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear > smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington > thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service > when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry > Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It > may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general.

Hi Malinda, malinda wrote: > There's another interpretation that might be placed on you"facts"...if , > indeed, they are true...about any height requirements. I haven't seen > them...but I haven't seen everything. > Please differentiate between fact and supposition when posting...if > you can cite your source, I would like to know what it was. <snip> Sorry ... I thought it was clear in my thread to Janice that we were talking about www searches. The two that I included in the post are excerpts from the websites indicated at the end of each excerpt, so that those with interest could go and read. The first one being what the genealogist had found for their ancestor and their interpretation of it. Jan > > > Thank you, > ~malinda > > Jan Heiling wrote: > > > Hi Janice, > > > > I also did some searches ... there are quite a few that will pop up and > > I thought this first one was of general interest. > > Jan > > ------------ > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all > > over six feet tall > > and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > > Pennsylvania Archives > > and war records do not support this assertion. These records are > > historically accurate, and > > also all the General's guards were, by directive, not over five feet ten > > inches tall. George > > didn't want to appear smaller than his men. It's also well documented > > that General > > Washington thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although > > excellent fighters, not > > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his > > service when he was > > in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry Schaeffer > > (Schaefferstown) was > > reputed as "close" to George Washington. It may have been through Henry > > that the > > Oberlins were connected to the general. > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > > > The assembly of the various American and British re-enactment units is > > being > > coordinated by Capt. Sal Tarrantino of Farmington, > > leader of the Second > > Connecticut Regiment of Light Dragoons, which remains > > in commission and at the > > service of the governor of the state. The Regiment was > > raised in the Windsor and > > Farmington Valley area and included many Windsor men. > > They served as Gen. > > Washington's personal bodyguards and were with him > > through most of the War, > > including the Surrender at Yorktown. Because of the > > Windsor connection, Capt. > > Tarrantino has for some time wanted to produce a > > re-enactment in town. His unit > > will be joined by many other area re-enactment > > companies, all portraying their > > members in meticulous historic detail. > > http://www.ctssar.org/branches/wolcott.htm > > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Oberlin Website was cited: http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general.