> -----Original Message----- > From: Michael McAlonie [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 21:07 > To: [email protected] > Subject: [NYWASHIN] Revoltionary war units > > > What units of Revolutionary War Albany County Militia (1776 > timeframe) would have been from the Cambridge NY area? > > Would it make sense for someone from Cambridge to be in the > 12th Reg. Albany County Militia, commanded by Col. Jacobus > Von Schoonhoven from the Halfmoon NY area? > > any help is appreciated, > Thanks, Mike A source that I have used is The Revolutionary War Rosters. They came from "New York in the Revolution, Berthold Fernow; originally published as Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of NY, Vol. XV, Albany, NY 1887; Reprinted for Clearfiled in 1999 by Genealogical Publications Co, Baltimore". However, keep in mind that it has been suggested by some that these Revolutionary War rosters may be flawed. In the Colonial times there was a Provincial law that said that all men between the ages of 16 and 45 had to be members of the militia. That rule carried over to the new States and when a survey of men in that age group was made for each town then they were automatically assigned to the appropriate militia group. i.e. they may have been on a roster but only if they are also on a muster roll or payroll as well would they have actually served. When I used this source I was only interested in information about Schoharie, Rensselaerwyck and Cambridge. I made my notes in that context so what now follows is incomplete with respect to Levies and Regiments outside of those three regions. My notes show the information in the rosters was as follows: Roster for the Levies. Levies were raised from the militia ranks for the purpose of defending the frontiers. These drafted militiamen, serving for a period of eight months or less, were posted at outlying blockhouses and forts. These rosters show who was allocated but may not necessarily show service. The Regiments of the Albany County Militia. These rosters show who was allocated to which regiments but may not necessarily show service. The 16th Regiment was also referred to as the "Cambridge Regiment". No return of the 16th as arranged in October, 1775, has been preserved. [I have three pages showing the roster for the sixteenth which I will try and send privately to Michael - image files will not post to the list.] Commisioning of the Levies. This provides the dates of formation. Roster of New York State troops. This provides the rank, regiment and company of the individual troops.