It is the Details of Genealogy Research that Makes the Difference
Georgia Militia Records 1775-1838
If you could not locate your ancestor's pension record, did you search the local militia records? Georgia Pioneers has images of the accounts rendered in “Military Affairs" 1775-1829. This valuable resource includes battalion payrolls, provision reports, issued rations, applications for raising volunteer companies, and other internal affairs.
But mainly, its records disclose the presence of militia soldiers and where they served. When I first examined these records (accessible indexes provided), I assumed that my ancestor would be part of a Greene County, Georgia Regiment. However, his record reflected that he first soldiered in Wilkes County. This data provided several more counties to search, and it was in the deed records and county digests helped to put the puzzle together.
One assumes that the county of enlistment and service was the first homeplace of the family.
Adult men were required to belong to the local Militia and typically served until age fifty-five. It is reasonable to assume much of the population enlisted in the militia where they resided. Federal Records provide pension records of those who served in the Continental Army. Thus, researching militia records could help locate certain families.
Lots of stuff going on in these records. Widows explained their situation; their special needs were expressed in letters, details of certain soldiers’ experiences, etc.
Suggestion: The 1800 census reflects a son between sixteen and twenty-six. However, was not found in later census records. Possibilities of a son or brother of your ancestor. A search of the militia records in the county where the family resided could reveal more details. In other words, the militia records are another means (besides the census) of locating family members.
The following is an example of the service of Daniel Southerland marked 1775-1793 and recorded in "Military Affairs.”
Daniel Southerland's Services in the Revolution
General Rutherford, Colonel Martin, Colonel Pacely, Major Owuns, and John Nelson.
I entered into service at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, and marched from there to the head of Catawba (River) to a place called the Pleasant Gardens in the Indian Nations.
2nd was under Colonel John Dooly and Capt. George Dooly. Entered service upon a march in Guilford County, North Carolina, to Fort Dooly in Georgia in Wilkes County.
3rd under Capt. ONeal and Capt Buchears, William Jones, Lieutenant, entered service at Guilford Courthouse and marched from there to Camden at Gates Defeat. Regiments broke twice and were made up under the General---; went to the Shallow pond of the Adkins.
4th. under Col. Isaacs and Major John Meade, Capt. May, Lieutenant Samuel Post Entered service at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. I marched to Randolph and Chatham and then back to Guilford.”
A letter dated Augusta, December 11, 1788, from D. Hillhouse
"Sir, the expense and trouble of wagoning corn from Allen's Mill in Wilkes County to the Frontiers urges me to apply to your Honour to have Early's Mill appointed for a Magazine to receive the corn in the upper part of Wilkes, which is not only the most convenient but much the safest place as no trusty person lives near Allen's Mill. Many persons took corn out last year as they pleased and never have accounted for the same."
The context of these records helps explain the militia's activities during the war. Here is what is available to members of Georgia Pioneers.