Revolutionary War

What was the Loyalists Claims Commission?

The American Loyalists Claim Commission was a commission created by the British government to address claims of property damage by loyalists during the American Revolution. Established by act of parliament in July 1783, the commission paid out its final claims in 1789 ( Maya Jasanoff, Liberty’s Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World (Albert A.ContinueContinue reading “What was the Loyalists Claims Commission?”

Militia or Continental Line?

Land was the biggest driver behind your (non-officer) ancestor’s decision to serve in the militia versus on the Continental Line. In the colonies, land ownership was heavily tied to agriculture. Farming requires oversight, especially New England’s smaller farms. A farm owner would have wanted to onsite as much as possible. Militia service demanded – atContinueContinue reading “Militia or Continental Line?”

Danbury, the American Revolution, and missing Connecticut records…

If you go to review the Danbury, Connecticut records on FamilySearch , you’ll note that many of the records seem to begin in the late 18th century even though the town was settled by Europeans in 1685. There is records loss in records typically held by the town clerk. Why? According to the town clerk’sContinueContinue reading “Danbury, the American Revolution, and missing Connecticut records…”

The Continental Navy: a timeline

Important Dates in the History of the Navy 26 Aug 1775: Creation of the Rhode Island State Navy. 5 Sep 1775: Commissioning of the Hanna, officially under the control of the Army. 13 Oct 1775: The Continental Congress authorized the outfitting of two ships, for “intercepting vessels coming out with stores and ammunition.” This dateContinueContinue reading “The Continental Navy: a timeline”

Ships of the Continental Navy

Did an ancestor serve in the Continental Navy? This is a partial list of the known Navy ships: Alfred Columbus Andrew Doria Cabot Providence (built in RI) Hornet Wasp Fly Hancock (built in MA) Boston (built in MA) Warren (built in RI) Trumbull (built in CT, spent two years trapped on the sandbar in theContinueContinue reading “Ships of the Continental Navy”