Ed. I appreciate your very informative answer to Michele s querry on the Northampton Militia. This gave me more information than I had found before. My ancestor was the Major James Boyd listed in 4th Battalion June 1777. I wonder if you or any of the other list members can tell me, if it was customary to join the militia of your "home" county (Northampton), even if the soldier was actually residing in another county and had begun to make home there? Or, would they have actually have had to be residing in Northampton at that time? Also, would it have taken quite a bit of service to attain the rank of Major, as it would today, or were the title of rank given more easily at that time? Thanks for any more insights anyone may have about this. Diane in Iowa, USA mailto:meregra@cableone.net icq# 8679306