I have Stratton's "plymouth Colony Its History and People." There are lists in the appendix for those that are able to bear arms. What were the requirements to make the list? thanks, Charles

You had to be between 16 and 60, male, and presumably physically fit enough to hold up a gun--being alive might have been good enough. charles s brack jr wrote: >I have Stratton's "plymouth Colony Its History and People." > >There are lists in the appendix for those that are able to bear arms. What >were the requirements to make the list? > >thanks, Charles > > > > >

Charles, The Plymouth Able to Bear Arms lists have an interesting English parallel. While I've never seen it called Able-to-Bear-Arms, in times of crisis in England, Freeman (the citizens of a parish, i.e. those who could vote by right) could be called to arms. Freeman included all freeholders (men holding land in free tenure) and certain craft guilds (certain craftsmen and shop keepers). When a call was made, those affected were also required to turn out all able bodied copyholders, that is those men who were living on their freeholds under renters agreements. These were generally their laborers but could be independent farmers, craftsmen or shopkeepers who were not employed by the freeholder but not holding land in free tenure. In addition, freeman of Yeoman class by a peculiar condition of their land tenure, were not only required to turn out able bodied men living on their properties, they were required to arm them. Thus, in Plymouth, when a call to arms was made, many more would have turned out than simply those on the Able-to-Bear-Arms list. Upon receiving a call, all were to report for duty to the nearest Crown military officer (with their men if any). Bill Churchill -----Original Message----- From: charles s brack jr [mailto:jitsu@gru.net] Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 4:12 PM To: MAPLYMOU-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [PLY/MA] Able to Bear Arms Lists--1600s I have Stratton's "plymouth Colony Its History and People." There are lists in the appendix for those that are able to bear arms. What were the requirements to make the list? thanks, Charles ______________________________