It seems like your ancestor’s military headstone should be usable to “prove” service for a Revolutionary War Society. After all, it was government issued… However, it’s not. Why? Military headstones for Revolutionary War veterans are “derivative” sources. The marble headstones we view as the standard military headstone began to be used only in 1873. ThatContinueContinue reading “Why can’t I use a photo of my Revolutionary War ancestor’s military headstone as “proof of service”?”
Category Archives: Revolutionary War history
How old were those who fought in the American Revolution?
To identify “service” during the American Revolution, we generally look at those born between the 1710s and the 1760s. However, that’s all types of service. If we narrow it down to military service, what ages are involved? Militia service requirements provide a good guideline for the Army. Connecticut required men to serve between ages 16ContinueContinue reading “How old were those who fought in the American Revolution?”
Men of what age were likely to have served as soldiers during the American Revolution?
It’s a good rule of thumb that if your ancestor was “of age” during the American Revolution, they likely participated in the Revolution in some way. Yet, many of us look for soldiers. How do we determine which ancestors were likely to have fought? Local law can actually be a hint. Connecticut, for example, requiredContinueContinue reading “Men of what age were likely to have served as soldiers during the American Revolution?”
Revolutionary War taxes, Boston
The Boston Public Library has digitized tax lists for 1780, 1782, and 1783. Although these tax lists are from the Revolutionary War period, they can’t automatically be used as “proof” of service for the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution. Why? Because we don’t know when and how the tax money was employed. ToContinueContinue reading “Revolutionary War taxes, Boston”
America250 prep: Resources on the American Revolution in Connecticut
This list will be updated. Check back for changes. I welcome suggestions and additions! Books: Anderson, Virginia DeJohn. The martyr and the traitor : Nathan Hale, Moses Dunbar, and the American Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. A dual biography, this text examines the Revolution and its impact from both sides. Baker, Mark Allen.ContinueContinue reading “America250 prep: Resources on the American Revolution in Connecticut”
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