Home / Scharf, J. Thomas, ed. History of Westchester County, New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I. Philadelphia: L.E. Preston & Co., 1886. / Passage

History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

Scharf, J. Thomas, ed. History of Westchester County, New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I. Philadelphia: L.E. Preston & Co., 1886. 368 words

expected from a com m unity in wliich the revolutionary party had scarcely a Corporal's Guard," except of those who were office-holders or office-seekers? -- but as soon as two Compauics had been organized, the County Committee "took the liberty, with all " submission, to recommend Samuel Drake, to be " Colonel ; ' Lewis Graham, to be Lieutenant-Colonel ; " Abraham Storm, to be First Major; ' Samuel Lyon, " of Northcastle,to be Second Major; Elijah Miller, to " be Adjutant ; ' and Josiah Mills, to be Quarter-mas- " ter* ;" and thus the re-organization of the Militia of Westchestor-county and the organization of her fighting population were completed.

There was one feature in the Provincial Congress's enactment for the reorganization of the Militia which was oppressive on the great body of the working classes, who were unable to bear the burden it imposed ; and it was made the subject of serious complaint to those of the well-born whom, in many instances, they had, unwittingly, placed in authority -- revolutionary authority -- over themselves. Reference is made to the requirement tliat every one, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, should furnish him.self with a good musket and bayonet, a sword or tomahawk, a cartridge-box and belts, twenty-three rounds of cartridges, twelve Hints, and a knapsack ; in addition to which he was to keep, in reserve, a pound of gunpowder and three pounds of bullets, of proper size for his musket. These he was recpiired to have and to keep, continually ; and he was recpiired, also, to parade, for drill, on the first IMonday of each month. Heavy penalties wereimpo.sed on those who should fail to discharge all these re(iuireraent,s ; with levies on the properties of the delinquents, if they possessed property, or, in the absence of property, they were to be imprisoned " until sucli fine, together " with the charges, should be paid," which meant, at that time, an imprisonment in a cold Jail, without any other food than that which the prisoners' friends or the charitable could provide; without the slightest opportunity to earn anything, from which to support themselves or pay the fines; and the starvation of