John and any others interested: I asked the somewhat the same question about a year ago and received a reply from Mark Frost and to summarize his note: The ranks of the militia were filled by volunteers but if there was a shortage names/numbers were drawn. If one didn't wish to serve you could pay to send a substitute or pay a fee to avoid service. The members of the militia served NOT in their home county and required about 20 days a year training and sometimes a few months of active service a year. I recently found evidence through the PRO online catalogue (Procat reader) http://catalogue.pro.gov.uk/ of militia service of someone I am researching. Unfortunately the cost of obtaining the record was very costly (UK around 70-80 pounds and well over $100 US where I live) and I was told by another researcher that very little personal information is included in the record except name, place of birth (but not date of birth), length of service and usually dates of enlistment and discharge and perhaps age at discharge. You might try to access the site and search the catalogue to ascertain if the name you are looking for comes up. Perhaps others have more useful information or suggestions. Nancy Vogt USA