Here is additional information from Isaac's book on Colonial Virginia. This time on the militia. Lynne Hundley Rhys Isaac, The Transformation of Virginia: 1740-1790 (CHAPTER 5) THE MUSTER FIELD By 1757 the Virginia Militia was regulated by statute. Regulations reinforced the idealized social structure – embodying the expectations and anxieties about relationships between different ranks and races. (pg 104) The first requirement: that county-lieutenant, colonel and other lesser officers must be residents of the county where commissioned. In colonial Virginia, power was decentralized and authority was linked to social relationships. Only a gentleman of known estate, living in close connection with the leading families of the county was able to mobilize gentry, freeholders and tenants. (pg 105) The statute, reflecting the ranked system of dignity, honor and obligation, includes a list of those whose high standing or sacred learning "rendered their mustering among freeholders inappropriate -- unless they were commissioned officers." They were required to make compensation in the form of equipment for a specified number of soldiers – the number depending on the rank of those exempted. Ranking is also reflected in a scale of fines for failure to comply with the mustering requirements (from 20 pounds for a county commander-in-chief to 3 shillings for an ordinary militia man). (pg 105) Exempted both from mustering and supplying equipment: millers, miners, iron founders, overseers of 4 servants/slaves. These exemptions safeguarded the economic enterprises of the well-to-do. Overseers and millers who attended muster despite their exemption were fined 25 shillings. (pg 105) "Imported" servants were not included in the muster and slaves were excluded by the wording: male "persons" since they were legally "non-persons." "Free mulattoes, negroes and Indians" were to appear without weapons and serve as drummers, trumpeters, and "other such servile labor…" (pg 105-6) Patrolling: one officer and 4 militia men were appointed to "patrol and visit" monthly or more often all slave quarters and other places "suspected of entertaining unlawful assembly of slaves, servants or other disorderly persons." Also any "strolling about…without a pass…" The justice of the peace, if he deemed there to be cause, ordered up to 20 lashes on bare back "well laid on." A 1726 law added patrols during Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide holidays when slaves were exempted from labor. (pg 106) Being mustered together under authority and treated by the gentlemen officers (with liquor at the local ordinary) reinforced the bonds of society, but such gatherings were intermittent because of the distances in Virginia. Leading persons were consistently identified by militia rank – reinforcing their status in society. (pg 109) There was serious discontent with militia service because it took men from their crops. Some officers did not call required muster days because that would require them to fine small farmers who couldn't afford to provide their own arms. (pg 110) Following a series of disturbances (1727-30), William Gooch , lieutenant-governor of Virginia, recognized the importance of the militia for public safety and appointed an adjutant to supervise military training. In 1736 and 1740 he attempted to appropriate funds to provide poorer landowners with weapons. (pg 110)