service

Is that service right?: Militia Elections

The presence of multiple men of the same name in your ancestor’s community can make confirming Revolutionary War service challenging. How do you know that it was your ancestor who served and not the other man of the same name? Learning how the militia functioned in your state can help. In New England, militia officersContinueContinue reading “Is that service right?: Militia Elections”

I joined the Daughters of the American Revolution. How do I find a qualifying ancestor for another society?

Many people start the lineage society application process with the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution. The fact that these societies allow applicants to reference previously submitted applications makes that first application seem manageable for most. But when it comes to doing a second application for a pre-Revolutionary WarContinueContinue reading “I joined the Daughters of the American Revolution. How do I find a qualifying ancestor for another society?”

Who was Private Cuff Liberty?

In 2020, the Daughters of the American Revolution launched the E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative in order to increase awareness of under represented patriots, including indigenous, African American, and female patriots. Connecticut’s African American patriots are currently named in some of their publications, including Forgotten Patriots. Yet, there is much more to their stories. AccordingContinueContinue reading “Who was Private Cuff Liberty?”

Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?

To join the Colonial Dames, you have to be descended from an ancestor that fulfilled a certain role or held a certain position. For two out of the three Dames societies, the roles and positions considered to make an ancestor “eligible” depend on the ancestor’s colony of residence. If your ancestor is from Nantucket, thingsContinueContinue reading “Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?”

What was the 1780 beef tax?

In order to furnish the Continental Army with supplies, the 1780 Massachusetts legislature passed a tax specifically designed to provide beef. This tax was allowed to be paid in either money or in cattle. Because this was a payment of tax specifically in support of the Revolutionary cause, it can be considered qualifying service forContinueContinue reading “What was the 1780 beef tax?”