The Virginia magazine of history and biography (Volume 21) online

Lieutenant-Colonel. — Charles Porterfield, August 14, 1779 — Jan. 10,
1781. Mortally wovmded at Camden, August
16, 1780; died January 10, 1781.
Major. — Charles Magill, ? — April 1, 1781. Supernumerary, April 1,
1781.
Alexander Dick, ?— December, ? 1782.

Illinois Regiment, 1778-1782(?)

This regiment was raised imder an act of Assembly passed in January,
1778, authorizing an expedition for the protection of the western frontiers.
George Rogers Clark was commissioned a lieutenant colonel of Virginia
militia by Governor Henry, and given secret instructions to raise seven
companies of fifty men each for the purpose of attacking the British post
of Kaskaskia. The expedition set out in May, 1778, with three companies.
After the capture of Kaskaskia Clark's force was increased by the en-
listment of a number of the French inhabitants. The regiment was
recruited from Virginia in the spring of 1779, when it numbered 350 men.
In August, 1780 it was reduced to 130 men. It was disbanded January 18,
1783.

Field Officers

Colonel.— George Rogers Clark, 1778-1781. Commissioned lieutenant
colonel in December, 1777; colonel in December, 177 8
and brigadier-general, January 22, 1781. Relieved o
command July 2, 1783.



Virginia's soldiers in the revolution. 343

Lieutenant-Colonel. — John Montgomery, Dec. 1778-1783.
Major. — Joseph Bowman, December 14, 1778 — August 15 (?) 1779. Died
in service August 17, 1779.
Thomas Quick, or Quirk, August 17, 1779-1782(?)
George Slaughter, 1778(?)-1780(?) Promoted to be lieutenant-
colonel. Became supernumerary, December, 1781.
William Lynn, or Linn, 1778(?)-1781. Killed by Indians.
*Walker Daniels.
•English. Conquest of the country northwest of the River Ohio. 1896.



Titles.

The Illinois regiment and the Northwestern Territory.
(Virginia magazine of history and biography, Oct. 1893. v. 1,
p. 127-141).

Includes roll of officers of Illinois regiment, Lieut. -Col. John
Montgomery, and Crockett's regiment, Lieut. -Col. Joseph
Crockett; also list of non-commissioned officers and soldiers,
Illinois regiment.

Soldiers in Capt. Joseph Bowman's and Capt. Leonard Helms
companies in Clark's Northwestern campaign, 1778. (Shen-
andoah Valley pioneers. T. K. Cartmell. [Winchester, Va.,
1909] p. 104).

Pay roll of Capt. Edward Worthington's company of cavalry,
stationed at the Illinois, under command of Col. George Rogers
Clark, commencing June 17, 1778 and ending June 1, 1779.
(William and Mary college quarterly historical magazine.
Oct. 1898. V. 7, p. 120-121).

The army led by Col. George Rogers Clark and his conquest
of the Illinois, 1778-9. A list of the officers, non-commissioned
officers and private soldiers constituting the "Illinois regiment
of volunteers" with memoranda of the land bounty granted to
each. (Publication no. 8 of the Illinois State historical library.
Transactions. Springfield, 111., 1904. p. 166-178).



344 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Appended: Capt. Charloville's volunteers; also A pay roll
of Capt. Joseph Bowman's company from 24 Jan. 1778.

A list of officers of the Illinois regiment, and of Crockett's
regiment, who have received land for their services. A list of
officers of the Illinois regiment who have not received lands for
revolutionary services. A list of non-commissioned officers
and soldiers of the Illinois regiment, and the western army,
under the command of General George Rogers Clark, who are
entitled to bounty in land. A list of Captain Francis Charlo-
ville's volunteers, entitled to two hundred acres of land each.
[Richmond, 1834?]

24p. 4". (Document no. 32, appended to Journal of Virginia
House of delegates, 1833-34.)

Prefixed is a report by J. H. Smith on the "Illinois claims."

Crocketts Regiment, 1780-1782.

This was a regiment authorized by act of Assembly passed in Decem-
ber, 1779, to be raised for the defence of the western limits of the state.
The act provided that the corps of infantry under the command of Colonel
[George] Slaughter should be attached to the new organization. Colonel
Joseph Crockett was commissioned to command the regiment, which
was ordered to reinforce Colonel George Rogers Clark at the West.
Crockett's command served about eighteen months under Clark in the
Northwest against the Indians and in the unsuccessful expedition against
Detroit.

Field Officers.

Lieutenant-Colonel. — Joseph Crockett, 1780 — January, 1782.
Major.— George Walls, 1781(?)-1783.



Illinois Troop Light Dragoons, 1779-1782 (?).

Authorized for service in Illinois by act of Assembly passed at the
session beginning in May, 1779. The act provided for a troop of thirty-
two men, to be officered by a captain, lieutenant and cornet. Lieutenant
John Rogers was commissioned captain of the troop, which marched to
join Colonel G. R. Clark in the fall of 1779. The troop appears to hav«
been in service till the close of the war.



Virginia's soldiers in the revolution. 345

Officers

Captain.— John Rogers, 1779-1782.

Lieutenant. — James Merriwether, 1779? — January 1, 1781. Entered

continental service, 1781.
Comet.— John Thurston, 1779(?)— ?

Titles.

The last pay abstract of a troop of light dragoons in the ser-
vice of the commonwealth of Virginia under the command of
Capt. John Rogers, Oct. 1, 1781-Feb. 14, 1782. (WiUiam and
Mary college quarterly historical magazine, Oct. 1899. v. 8,
p. 103-104).

With record of Rogers' services in the Revolution.

Convention Guards Regiment, 1778(?)-1781.

This was a regiment raised for guarding the British troops captured
at Saratoga, during their dentention in Virginia. In view of the pros-
pective transfer of the prisoners, the Virginia House of Delegates, on
December 19, 1778, passed a resolution empowering the governor to raise
a regiment of 600 men to act as a guard. On January 9, 1779, Congress
adopted a resolution providing that a battalion of 600 men, properly
officered, should be raised by the governor and council of Virginia for
the same purpose. Enlistment was to be for one year, on continental
establishment, the oJBicers to be appointed by the Virginia authorities.
The regiment appears to have served from January, 1779 to June 5, 1781,
when it was discharged.

Field Officers

Colonel.— Francis Taylor, March 5, 1779— June 15, 1781.
Lieutenant-Colonel.— Francis Taylor, December 24, 1778— March 5, 1779.
William Fontaine, March 5, 1779T-June 15, 1781-
Major.— William Fontaine, December 24, 1778— March 5, 1779.
John Roberts, March 5, 1779— May 1, 1781.

Spotswood's Legions, 1781-1783.

An act of Assembly passed in June, 1781, authorized the formation of
two legions, to consist each of six companies of infantry and one troop of
cavalry of 100 men each. These were to serve during the war, but ont
to take the field or do duty except in case of actual or threatened invasion.

Brigadier General Alexander Spotswood was placed in command of the
legions. They appear to have served from the summer of 1781 to
November 4, 1783, when they were disbanded by the governor.



346 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.



Field Officers of First Legion.

Lieutenant-Colonel commanding. — John Taylor, 1781 —
Major.— William Lindsay, 1781—
Robert Forsyth, 1781—

Field Officers of Second Legion.

Lieutenant-Colonel commanding. — Everard Meade, 1781-
Major.



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT, 347



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT.



Virginia Seventeenth Century Records



From the Original in the Collection of the Virginia Historical
Society



Commissions and Instructions to the Earl of Orkney for the
Government of Virginia



(Continued)



83. That we may be the better inform'd of the Trade of
our said Colony, You are to take especial Care that Due en-
terics be made in all Ports of our said Colony of all Goods and
Commodities their Species and Quantities Imported or Ex-
ported from thence, with the Names Burden and Guns of all
Ships Exporting and Importing the same, also the Names of
their Commanders and likewise expressing from and to what
Place the said Ships do come and go (a Copy whereof the Naval
Officer in each respective District is to furnish you with) and
you are to transmit the Same unto us Our Commissioners of
our Treasury or our high Treasurer for the time being, and to
our Commissioners for Trade and Plantations Quarterly, and
Duplicates thereof by the Next Conveyance.



348 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

84. You are to take especial Care all Tobacco ship'd in
Virginia from what part soever do come they pay Virginia
Duties.

85. You are likewise to Examine what Rates and Duties
are Charged and Payable upon any Goods Imported and Ex-
ported within otir Colony of Virginia, whether of the Growth
or Manufacture of our said Colony or otherwise and to use
your best Endeavours for the Improvement of the Trade in
those Parts.

86. AND WHEREAS Orders have been given for the Com-
missionating of fit Persons to be Officers of our Admiralty and
Customs in our Several Plantations in America, and it is of
great importance to the Trade of this Kingdom, and to the wel-
fare of Our Plantations that illegal Trade be every where dis-
couraged, you are therefore to take especial Care that the Acts
of Trade and Navigation be duly put in execution, and in Order
thereunto you are to give Constant Protection and all due In-
couragement to the Officers of our Admiralty and Customs in
the Execution of their Respective Offices and Trusts.

87. AND WE FURTHER WILL AND REQUIRE You
to be aiding and Assisting unto such Persons as are or shall be
appointed by our Commissioners of Our Treasury to be Agent
in the West Indies or such other Agent as shall be appointed in
his Room in the discharge of his Office according to such In-
structions as he hath receiv'd from our Principal Commission-
ers for that Purpose, also for preventing Imbezelments and
Recovering of Prize Goods which may happen to be Imbezel'd
or Conceal'd, as well as the Execution of all Orders to him or
them directed in Relation to Prizes by any Court of Admiralty
Legally Established by Our Commissioners of our Admiralty in
our said Plantations And you are likewise to Transmit unto
Our Commissioners of our Treasury from time to time exact
Accounts of all Occiirances concerning Prizes that happen to
be brought into that our Colony of Virginia under your Govern-
ment in the Same Manner as you are required to do in other
Matters under your Care.



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT. 349

88. AND WHEREAS We have been Inform'd that the Fees
for the Condemnation of a Prize Ship in our Cotirts of Admiralty
in the Plantations are considerably greater than those demanded
on the like occasions in our High Court of Admiralty here,
And Whereas we are willing that our Subjects in the Planta-
tions shou'd have the same ease in the Obtaining Condemna-
tions of Prizes there as in this Kingdom. You are to Signifie
our Will and Pleasure to the Officers of our Admiralty Court in
Virginia that they do not presume to demand or Exact other
Fees than what are taken in this Kingdom which amotmt to
about Ten Pounds for the Condemnation of each Prize accord-
ing to the List of Fees herewith deliver 'd to you.

89. You are from time to time to give an x\ccount as before
directed what Strength your bordering Neighbors have be they
Indians or others, by Sea and Land, and of the Condition of their
Plantations and what Correspondence you do keep with them.

90. You shall take Especial Care that God Almighty be
devoutly and duly served throughout your Government, the
Book of Common Prayer as by Law established read each
Simday and Holy day and the Blessed Sacraments administer'd
according to the rites of the Church of England.

91. You shall be carefull that the Churches already built
there be well and Orderly kept, and that more be built as the
Colony shall by the Blessing of God be improved, and that be-
sides a Competent Maintenance to be Assign'd to the Ministers
of each Orthodox Church a convenient House be built at the
Common charge for each Minister and a competent Portion of
Glebe Assign'd him.

92. And You are to take Care that the Parishes be so
bounded and Settled as you shall find most convemient for the
accomplishing this good Work.

93. You are not to refer any Minister to any Ecclesiastical
Business in that our Colony without a Certificate from the
Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London of
his being conformable to the Doctrine and Discipline of the
Church of England, and of a good Life and Conversation, and
if any Person preferr'd already to a Benefice shall appear to
you to give Scandal, cither by his Doctrine or Manners, you



350 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

are to use the proper and usual Means for removal of him and
to supply the Vacancy in such Manner as we have directed.

94. You are to give Order forthwith (if the same be not al-
ready done) that every Orthodox Minister within your Govern-
ment be One of the Vestry in his respective Parish, and that no
Vestry be held without him except in Case of Sickness, or that
after Notice of a Vestry Summon'd he omit to come.

95. You are to Enquire whether there be any Ministers
within your Government, who Preaches and Administers the
Sacraments in any Orthodox Church or Chappel without being
in due Orders, and to give an Account thereof to the said Lord
Bishop of London.

96. And to the end the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the
said Lord Bishop of London may take Place in that Our Colony
so far as conveniently may be. We do think fit that you give all
coimtenance and encouragement to the exercise of the same,
excepting only the Collating to Benefices, granting Licences
for Marriages and Probates of Wills, which we have reserved to
you our Governor or Commander in Chief of our said Colony
for the time being.

97. We do Further direct that no School Master be hence-
forth Permitted to come from this Kingdom and to keep School
within our said Colony without the Licence of the said Lord
Bishop of London, and that no other Person now there or that
Shall come from other Parts be admitted to keep School with-
out your Licence first Obtain'd.

98. And you are to take especial Care that a Table of Mar-
riages Establish'd by the Cannons of the Church of England be
hung up in every Orthodox Church, and duly observ'd & you are
to Endeavour to get a Law pass'd in the Assembly of that
Colony (if not already done) for the Strict Osbervation of the
said Table.

99. You are to take Care that Drunkenness and Debauch-
ery, Swearing and Blasphemy be discountenanced and Pun-
ished. And for the further Discountenance of Vice and en-
couragement of Vertue and good living (that by such Examples
the Infidels may be invited and desire to Partake of the Chris-
tian Religion) You are not to Admit any Person to Publick



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT. 351

Trusts and Employments in our said Colony whose ill fame
and Conversation may Occasion Scandal.

100. And you are to Suppress the Ingrossing of Commod-
itys as tending to the prejudice of that freedom which Trade and
Commerce ought to have and to Settle Such Orders and Regu-
lations therein with Advice of our said Coimcil as may be most
Acceptable to the generality of the Inhabitants.

101. And Upon Several Representations made concerning a
Trade with the Indian Natives, it has been thought fit to per-
mit a free Trade between our Subjects of Virginia and the In-
dians, and We being willing to continue the same Permission
to all our Subjects or that Colony, You are therefore to Signify
the same to the next Assembly, and to give them to understand
that out of our great Care for the Welfare of that Colony, We
have preferr'd the Particular Benefit of our Subjects before any
other Advantage that might accrue unto us by restraining that
Trade with the Indians, Whereof we expect they shoul'd have a
due Sence and provide by some Means for the better Support
of the Government.

102. You are to give all due Encouragement and Invita-
tion to Merchants and others who shall bring Trade to oiir
Colony or any way contribute to the Advantage thereof and in
Particular to the Royal Affrican Company.

103. And as we are willing to recommend unto the said
Company that the said Colony may have a constant and Suffi-
cient Supply of Merchantable Negroes at Moderate Rates in
Money or Commodities so you are to take especial Care that
Payment be duly made & within a competent time according
to their Agreements.

104. And whereas the said Company have frequently great
Simis of Money owing to them in our Plantations in America,
they have been much hindered in the recovery of their Just
debts there, and discouraged in their Trade by the too fre-
quent Adjournments of Courts, and it being absolutely nec-
essary that all Obstructions in the Course of Justice be Ef-
fectually remov'd, You are to take Care that the Courts of
Justice be duly and frequently held in our Colony and Dominion
imder your Government, so that all our Subjects in the said



352 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Colony, and Particularly the Royal African Company may
enjoy the Benefit thereof, and not receive any undue hinderance
in the recovery of their Just Debts.

105. And you are to talce care that there be no Trading
from Virginia to any Place in Africa within the Charter of the
Royal African Company otherwise than prescribed by Law.

106. And we do further expressly Command and require
you to give unto us, & to our Commissioners for Trade & Plan-
tations an Account every half Year of what Number of Negroes
the said Colony is Supply 'd wdth, that is what Number by the
African Company, and what by Seperate Traders, and at what
rates Sold.

107. You are likewise from time to time to give unto us
and to our Commissioners for Trade and Plantations as afore-
said an Account of the Wants and Defects of our said Colony,
what are the Chief Products thereof, new Improvements are
made therein by the Industry of the Inhabitants or Planters, and
what further Improvements you conceive may be made, or
Advantages gain'd by Trade, & which way we may contribute
thereimto.

108. You are not to grant Commissions of Mark or Re-
prizal against any Prince or State or their Subjects in Amity
with us, to any Person whatsoever without our Special Com-
mand.

109. Whereas great Inconveniencies do happen by Mer-
chants Ships and other Vessels in the Plantations wearing the
Colours bom by our Ships of War under Pretence of Com-
missions granted to them by the Governors of the said Planta-
tions, and that by Trading under those Colours not only
amongst our Own Subjects, but also those of other Princes and
States and committing divers Irregularities, they do very much
dishonour our Service, For prevention whereof you are to
oblige the Commanders of all such Ships to which you shall
grant Commissions to wear no other Jack than according to
the Sample here described, that is to say, such as is worn by our
Ships of War with a distinction of a White Escutcheon in the
middle thereof and that the said Mark of distinction may ex-
tend itself to one half of the Depth of the Jack and one third
of the Fly thereof.



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT. 363

110. Our Will and Pleasure is That Appeals be permitted
to be made in Cases of Error from the Courts in our said Colony
unto you and our Council there in General Court Sc in Your
Absence from that our Colony to the Commander in Chief for
the time being, and the said Council in Civil Causes, where-
in such of our said Council as shall be at that time Judges of
the Court from whence such Appeals shall be made to You our
Governor and Council, or to the Commander in Chief for the
time being, and Council in General Court as aforesaid shall not
be admitted a Vote upon the said Appeal, but they may Never-
theless be present at the hearing thereof to give the reasons of
the Judgment given by them in the Cause wherein such Appeal
shall be made.

111. And Inasmuch as it may not be fit that Appeals be
too frequently and for too Small a Value brought unto Our
Governor and Council, as aforesaid. You shall therefore with
the Advice of our said Council propose a Law to be pass'd
wherein the Method and Limitation of Appeals unto Our Gov-
ernor and Council may be Settled and Restrain'd in such Man-
ner as shall be most Convenient and easy to Our Subjects in
Virginia.

112. And if eiiher Party shall not rest Satisfy 'd with the
Judgement of you or the Commander in Chief for the time
being & Coimcil as aforesaid, they may then Appeal unto Us
in Our Privy Council, provided the Sum or Value so appeal'd
for unto us do exceed £300 Sterl and that such Appeal be made
within one fortnight after Sentence and good Security given
by the Appellant that he will Effectually prosecute the same,
and Answer the Condemnation as also pay such Costs as. shall
be awarded by us in Case the Sentence of you the Governor or
Commander in Chief for the time being and Council be Affirmed,
& provided also that Execution be not Suspended by reason of
any such Appeal unto Us.

113. You are also to Permit Appeals unto Us in Council
in all Cases of Fines imposed for Misdemeanors, provided the
Fines so impos'd amount to, or Exceed the Value of £200 the
Appellant first giving good Security that he will Effectually
prosecute the same, and Answer the Condemnation of the



354 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Sentence by which such Fine was impos'd in Virginia in case
the said Sentence shall be coniirm'd.

114. You are for the better Administration of Justice to
Endeavour to get a Law pass'd (if not already done) wherein
shall be Set the Value of Men's Estates either in Goods or
Lands under which they shall not be capable of Serving as
Jurors.

115. You are to take Care that no Courts of Judicature be
adjourned but upon good Grounds, and whereas Complaint
hath been made that the Orders of Coiut are entered in the
Absence of the Magistrates and sometimes penn'd in Private
at the Magistrates House, you are to take care to prevent the
said abuses, and particiilarly that no Orders of any Court of
Judicature be enter'd or allow'd which shall not be first read
and approv'd of by the Magistrates in Open Coiirt, which Rule
you are in like manner to see observ'd with relation to the Pro-
ceedings in Our Council of Virginia and that all Orders there
made be first read and approved in Council before they are
enter'd in the Council Books.

116. You shall Endeavour to get a Law pass'd (if not al-
ready done) for the restraining of any Inhuman Severities
which by ill Masters or Overseers may be used towards their
Christian Servants, and their Slaves, and that Provision be
made therein that the Wilfull killing of Indians and Negroes
may be punish't with Death, and that a fit Penalty be impos'd
for the Maiming of them. And you are also with the Assistance
of the Council and Assembly to find out the best Means to
facilitate and encourage the Conversion of Negroes and Indians
to the Christian Religion.

117. And whereas an Agreement has been formerly made
with the Indians of Virginia and of New York for their Peace-
able living with Our Subjects and Submission to Our Govern-
ment, We do hereby approve the Same, and do require you
to endeavour as much as in you lyes that the said Agreement be
Punctually observ'd and renew'd if it shall be Necessary, as
conducing to the Welfare of our Colony under your Government.



THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT, 355

118. You are to Endeavour with the Assistance of our
Council to provide for the raising of Stocks and building Pub-
Hck Warehouses in convenient places for the employing of Poor
and indigent People.

119. You are to propose an Act to be pass'd in the Assembly
wherby the Creditors of Persons becoming Bankrupts in this
Kingdom and having Estates in Virginia may be reliev'd and
Satisfy'd for the Debts owing to them.

120. In Case of Distress of any other of our Plantations
You shall upon the Application of the Respective Governors
thereof to you, Assist them with what Aid the Condition of
Our Colony under Your Government can Spare.

121. You are to take Care by and with the Advice and As-
sistance of our Council that such Prisons there as want Repara-
tion be forthwith repair'd and put into and kept in such a
Condition as may Sufficiently Secure the Prisoners that are or
shall be there in Custody.

122. And for as much as we have thought fit for the Dignity
of the Government that a House be built for our Governor or
Commander in Chief, for defraying of which Expence a Levy
has been made, You are to hasten the Building and fitting up