Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -

Sale 2708 - Lot 16

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1780.) Payroll for a Vermont militia company answering alarms under Green Mountain Boy Matthew Lyon. Manuscript document, 15¾ x 10½ inches, docketed on verso "Capt Lyon's pay roll"; worn and foxed with minimal loss of text, full separation at horizontal fold. Arlington, VT, 1780
Request Condition Report Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

The Green Mountain Boys evolved as an independent militia force in the early 1770s, defending Vermont's New Hampshire-based claims against incursions from New York. In the early years of the Revolution, they fought valiantly for the Patriot cause. With the declaration of the Vermont Republic in 1777, the Green Mountain Boys were absorbed into the new Vermont army.

This payroll is for a Vermont militia company in the southwestern town of Arlington headed by Captain Matthew Lyon, who had moved to Vermont in 1774 and served as an officer with the Green Mountain Boys. In 1780, he was serving in the Vermont House of Representatives as well as commanding the militia company. He later served in the United States House of Representatives for both Vermont and Kentucky. Another notable name on the list is Lieutenant Jacob Galusha (1750-1834), brother of future governor Jonas Galusha.

This list is headed "A pay abstract for those of the alarm list company in Arlington that have tur[ned] out in alarm, 1780." 38 militia members are listed, along with their role in 4 different alarms: "March Alarm" and three alarms in October. For each, the number of days served and the miles on horse are given. These are each totaled, and then tallied up at the agreed-upon rate for a total amount of pay due.

The March mobilization, for which Captain Lyon and his men travelled up to 7 days and 72 miles, may have been in response to an Indian attack on Little Falls in central New York. The three October mobilizations, for which men travelled up to 12 days and 68 miles each, were likely for the Ballston Raids which hit the upper Hudson Valley from Canada.

Also in This Catalogue