Culpeper Minutemen Battalion 1775

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This Free Space is managed by Culpeper Minute Men, a 501c3 non-profit organized to promote and preserve history specific to the CMM Region. We work with many of the societies, institutions and organizations in the six counties that make up the CMM Region today - Orange, Greene, Madison, Culpeper, Rappahannock and Fauquier. Please connect with us through our Facebook page - [Culpeper Minute Men]

The Culpeper Minutemen were unique in the early battles of the American Revolution and in the minute men formation. When Virginia called, they answered with a full cadre of men, well organized, skilled, on-time and prepared to fight. Of the 16 military regions organized in 1775 by the Colony of Virginia, the Culpeper Minutemen was the only Battalion able to accomplish this feat. As they were so uniquely prepared, the units and leaders within this battalion were able to contribute to victory in the first battles of the American Revolution in Nov/Dec of 1775; The Battle of Hampton 1775, and the Battle of Great Bridge. Battle of Great Bridge category

Many of the soldiers and officers moved to the Continental Army and served with great distinction throughout the war.

Other Resources

Excellent interview hosted by the Orange Historical Society with SAR member Bill Schwetke [1]

"In mid-1775, the Culpeper Minutemen militia battalion was created by volunteers from Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier Counties to fortify the revolutionary task force operating at Great Bridge, VA. The minutemen were under the command of Culpeper's John Green and were attached to the 1st VA Regt (Continental Line) under the command of Patrick Henry.

The program will be live streamed on our Youtube History to Go channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@history-to-go8789/streams "

History of the Culpeper Minutemen Battalion 1775

This history was built on the research and efforts of the Culpeper Minutemen SAR, see their webpage for more - [[2]]

At the Virginia convention held May 1775, in Richmond, the Colony of Virginia was divided into 16 districts and each district instructed to raise and discipline a battalion of men "to march at a minute's notice."

Culpeper, Fauquier and Orange counties, forming one district, raised a cadre of 350 men, 150 men from Culpeper, 100 from Orange and 100 from Fauquier, called the Culpeper Minute Men. Organized July 17, 1775, under a large oak tree in "Clayton's old field" (later known as Catalpa Farm).

The Committee of Safety commissioned Lawrence Taliafero, of Orange, to be the Colonel; Edward Stevens, of Culpeper, to be the Lieutenant Colonel; and Thomas Marshall of Fauquier to be the Major of this Battalion. They also commissioned ten Captains for the Companies which were to make up the Battalion, among them were: John Jameson, then Clerk of Culpeper County and a member of the Committee of Safety; Philip Clayton; James Slaughter; George Slaughter; and Capt. McClanahan, A Baptist minister, who regularly preached to his troops.

(It was the custom then to put all the Baptists in one Company, for they were among the most strenuous supporters of liberty, The Methodists went into another, according to the wishes of the Committee of Safety which recommended that the different religious denominations each organize companies of their own kind.)

They adopted uniforms consisting of hunting shirts of strong, brown lines, dyed with an extract of the leaves of trees (probably the broad of oak leaves). On the breast of each shirt was worked in large white letters the words: "LIBERTY OR DEATH." (A wag of the times said that this was too severe for him, but that he would enlist if they could change the motto to "Liberty or be Crippled."

Their flag had a rattlesnake with 13 rattles, coiled in the center, ready to strike. Underneath it were the words: "DON'T TREAD ON ME." On either side were the words: "LIBERTY OR DEATH." And at the top "THE CULPEPER MINUTE MEN." The Minute Men took part in the Battle of Great Bridge, the first Revolutionary battle on Virginia soil.

Sooner after they were formed than the companies of Culpeper Minutemen were absorbed into regiments of the Continental Line, and by Act of Assembly in October 1776, they were dissolved and merged into the militia.

Several original Culpeper Minutemen were sufferers at Valley Forge.

The Culpeper Minute Battalion

19 August 1775-17 December 1776

Third Virginia Convention passed an ordinance on 19 August 1775 ^[1] that grouped counties into military districts, mandated the districts to raise minute battalions, and also raise a company of regulars. The counties of Orange, Fauquier, and Culpeper were grouped together and required to raise a minute battalion of 10 companies of 50 men each. The regulars were to be a rifle company.

Officers were appointed by the newly formed Committee of Safety for the District. Lawrence Talifferro of Orange County was appointed colonel, Edward Stevens of Culpeper was appointed lieutenant colonel, and Thomas Marshall of Fauquier major. In proportion to the population of the counties, four minute companies were to come from each of Fauquier and Culpeper, and two from Orange.

At the beginning of September recruiting for all of the companies, including the company of regulars, was under way. Although company of regulars and the minute companies began their existence together with the meeting of the district committee of safety, they very soon parted ways. Regular companies were to rendezvous at Williamsburg whereas minute companies were to rendezvous at a location set the by the District Committee of Safety, in this case, at the town of Culpeper. Records of the Committee of Safety for 18 September 1775 show the regulars under Capt. John Green drawing 15 rifles ^[2], an indication that they were already in Williamsburg. Indeed, of all of the regular companies in Virginia, Green’s was the first to arrive in Williamsburg and pass inspection. He became the senior captain of the Virginia Continental Line and his company assigned to the First Virginia Regiment on October 21st.

The Culpeper Minute Battalion was reported within a few hours march of Williamsburg by Purdie’s Virginia Gazette reported on October 20th and on October 23rd the captains of the Culpeper Minute Battalion were definitely in Williamsburg starting to draw equipment. ^[3] However, there were weapons for only half the Battalion. On October 24th, five companies of the Culpeper Minute Battalion were ordered to Norfolk with the Second Virginia Battalion under Col. William Woodford.

The next day the Committee of Safety received word that British ships are at Hampton threatening the town. Col. Woodford took a company of regulars and 50 minutemen armed with rifles under Capt. Abraham Buford to defend the town. Because the minute companies were armed with both muskets and rifles, volunteer riflemen from other companies of the Battalion replaced some of Buford’s own men who were not equipped with rifles. Buford’s men were stationed in a house and at a breastwork that had been constructed. Their accurate rifle fire soon had an effect. The sailors were unable to man their guns except where protected by netting. A British pilot boat, the Hawk Tender, was captured. The British lost 2 killed, 3 wounded, and 8 captured. ^[4]

By the end of the first week of November it was clear that half the Culpeper Minute Battalion could not be equipped. On November 8th The Committee of Safety ordered the Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia forces, Col. Patrick Henry, to discharge the remainder of the Culpeper Minute Battalion from duty at Headquarters. 6 The married men were discharged and single men joined other companies. 7 Col. Taliaferro led half the Battalion home while Lt. Col. Stevens remained to lead five companies to Norfolk under Col. Woodford of the 2nd Virginia.

The companies discharged were those of

Capt. William McClanahan, Culpeper

Capt. William Blackwell, Fauquier

Capt. John Williams, Culpeper

Capt. James Scott, Fauquier

Capt. William Payne, Orange

The companies remaining in service were those of

Capt. Abraham Buford, Culpeper

Capt. John Chilton, Fauquier

Capt. John Jameson, Culpeper

Capt. William Pickett, Fauquier

Capt. Joseph Spencer, Orange

By November 15th Woodford’s troops were equipped and on the march.

The land route from Williamsburg to Norfolk had a critical choke point at Great Bridge on the south branch of the Elizabeth River. Governor Dunmore erected a fort here to block Woodford’s approach. Governor Dunmore ordered Capt. Charles Fordyce to attack early in the morning of the 9th.8 The choke point now worked against the British. Fordyce commanded about 120 men, but they could advance only six abreast across the causeway. Most of the defenders held their fire until the British were within 50 yards of the lines. The British were staggered by the volleys that followed. Fordyce was killed with over 14 bullets in his body. The British retreated. Col. Edward Stevens led men of the Culpeper Minute Battalion over open ground in the action. The only American casualty was a Fauquier County private in Capt. William Pickett’s Co., Benjamin Arnold. He was wounded in the wrist. British casualties are more difficult to determine. The British did manage to drag off the bodies of a number of their dead. Col. Woodford initially reported the British casualties at 12 killed and 17 wounded who had been captured, but reported the next day that the British casualties were much higher.9 Leven Powell wrote that the total number of British casualties 102.10 Whatever the number, it was large enough that Dunmore could no longer hold the choke point at Great Bridge. Dunmore retreated to his ships and the fall of Norfolk to Woodford was inevitable. Although it would not be until 9 July 1776 that Dunmore finally was forced from Gwynn’s Island, the British had lost Virginia.

Woodford quickly moved to Norfolk and intermittent fighting occurred between the American forces on land and the British forces on ship. On January 1st the British landed soldiers who set fire to Norfolk. Virginia troops burned most of the remaining houses.11 On January 2nd some of the Battalion was discharged to return home. Two of Capt. Buford’s men were killed on January 21st by a cannonball.12 The balance of the regiment was sent home in late March. Capt. William Pickett’s Company from Fauquier were paid through April 2nd, 1776.13

The Council of the State of Virginia called two battalions of minute men into service on August 10th, 1776. Unlike the order of 1775, the call was made for companies from six different districts. Culpeper was required to provide two companies.14 One was a company commanded by Capt. James Nash and was in service at least from August 19th to August 22nd.15 The other company appears to have been under Capt. Abraham Buford. 16 The men were stationed near Jamestown, where many of the men became sick and some died. 17 The last date of documented active service for the Culpeper Minute Battalion was when Lt. Elijah Kirtley drew rations and forage from October 3rd to November 20th, 1776. 18

Minute battalions throughout the state lost officers and men to the newly forming continental regiments as well as the Virginia State Line in 1776. On 17 December 1776 the House of Delegates passed an ordinance abolishing the minute battalions. 19

Although in existence for only about a year and a quarter, the Culpeper Minute Battalion had a major impact on the American Revolution. It was involved in engagements at Hampton, Great Bridge, and Norfolk and did garrison duty at Jamestown. The engagement at Great Bridge was a strategic victory making it inevitable that Lord Dunmore would have to abandon Virginia. Virginia was free to provide critical troops and provisions both to the North and South until 1781, when the enemy returned to Virginia. Without this support from Virginia, the outcome of both northern and southern battles of the Revolution could have been very different.

1 Scribner, Robert L. and Brent Tarter: Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence, Vol. III, Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 1977, p. 466.

2 Hening, William Waller, Statutes at Large, Vol. 9, Richmond, 1821, pp. 9-34.

3 Scribner, Robert L. and Brent Tarter: Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence, Vol. IV, Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 1978, p. 123.

4 Ibid., p. 263.

5 John Page to Thomas Jefferson, 11 Nov. 1775, in Boyd, Julian P. (ed.): The Papers of Thomas Jefferson Vol. 1--1760-1776. Princeton University Press; Princeton, N.J. 1950.

6 John Pendleton Jr. to Patrick Henry, 8 Nov. 1775, in Scribner, Robert L. and Brent Tarter: Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence, Vol. IV, Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 1978, p. 344.

7 Pension affidavit of David Jameson, 16 Aug, 1832, S-5607, National Archives, Washington, DC; Pension affidavit of William Butler, Nov., 1832, S-15024, National Archives, Washington, DC.

8 For an excellent, well-documented account of the Battle of Great Bridge, see Scribner, Robert L. and Brent Tarter: Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence, Vol. V, Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 1979, pp. 7-9.

9 Woodford to the President of the Convention, 9 Dec., 1775 & 10 Dec. 1775, in Scribner, Robert L. and Brent Tarter: Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence, Vol. V, Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 1979, pp. 90-91, 98-103.

10 Leven Powell to Sarah Powell, 18 Dec. 1775, The Leven Powell Papers, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

11 John Marshall: The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States, Compiled under the Inspection of the Honourable Bushrod Washington, from Original Papers Bequeathed to Him by His Deceased Relative, and Now in Possession of the Author Volume II. The Citizens Guild of Washington’s Boyhood Home, Fredericksburg Virginia: 1926, p. 133. (Originally published 1832). Marshall was a lieutenant in Capt. William Pickett’s Co. of the Culpeper Minute Battalion and an eye witness.

12 Dixon and Hunter’s Virginia Gazette, 27 Jan. 1776.

13 The roll was published in a newspaper article. A clipping of the article, bearing neither date nor the name of the newspaper, is in the National Archives, Record Group 93, Jacket 364-4. The Archives notation states that the clipping appears to have been taken from an original manuscript and does not appear to be that old. The record was deemed not official and not carded, and as a consequence this service is not indexed or abstracted in the National Archives military service records. The notation bears a date of December 7, 1905.

14 McIlwaine, H.R. (ed.): Journal of the Council of the State of Virginia, Vol. 1, Virginia State Library, Richmond, 1931, pp. 115, 116.

15 Ibid., p. 232.

16 Ibid., p. 237. Pension affidavit of William Taylor, 27 Sep. 1832, W-6238, National Archives, Washington, DC. Benjamin Martin testified that he served in the minute men in from August of 1776 to November 1776 under Capt. James Winn. Pension affidavit of Benjamin Martin, 25 Mar. 1832, R-6965, National Archives, Washington, DC.

17 Pension affidavit of William Taylor, 27 Sep. 1832, W-6238, National Archives, Washington, DC. Petition of Benjamin Bohon of Orange Co. to House of Delegates, 30 Oct. 1777, Virginia State Library, Richmond. Petition of Ann Boling of Orange Co. to House of Delegates, Oct. 1777, Virginia State Library, Richmond.

18 McIlwaine, H.R. (ed.): Journal of the Council of the State of Virginia, Vol. 1, Virginia State Library, Richmond, 1931, pp. 237.

19 Hening, William Waller, Statutes at Large, Vol. 9, Richmond, 1821, pp. 198. Journal of the House of Delegates Anno Domini, 1776, Richmond, 1828, p. 99.

Original Members of the Culpeper Minute Men Battalion 1775 for Whom There Is Clear Documentary Evidence

37 officers, 114 men

OFFICERS: RANK COUNTY

TALIAFERRO, Lawrence Colonel Orange

STEVENS, Edward Lt. Colonel Culpeper

MARSHALL, Thomas Major Fauquier

POLLARD, Robert Adjutant Culpeper

POLLARD,Benjamin Deputy Adjutant (volunteer w/o pay) Culpeper

SLAUGHTER, James Quartermaster, Captain, Culpeper

TAYLOR, Charles Surgeon’s Mate Culpeper

Culpeper Co. Companies

BUFORD, Abraham Captain Culpeper

KIRTLEY, Elijah Lieutenant Culpeper

GILLISON, John Ensign, Lieutenant Culpeper

JAMESON, John Captain Culpeper

LONG, Gabriel Lieutenant Culpeper

JAMESON, David Ensign Culpeper

McCLANAHAN, William Captain Culpeper

FERGUSON, Samuel Lieutenant Culpeper

GILLISON, John Ensign, Lieutenant Culpeper

ROBERTS, John Ensign Culpeper

NALLE, ________ Ensign Culpeper

WILLIAMS, John Captain Culpeper

JETT, ------------ Ensign Culpeper

Fauquier Co. Companies

BLACKWELL, William Captain Fauquier

NELSON, William Lieutenant Fauquier

CONWAY, Peter Lieutenant Fauquier

CHILTON, John Captain Fauquier

KEITH, John Lieutenant Fauquier

PICKETT, William Captain Fauquier

MARSHALL, John Lieutenant Fauquier

KEITH, Isham Ensign Fauquier

SCOTT, James Captain Fauquier

Orange Co. Companies BRUCE, ____________ Captain (appointed but did Orange

Not serve due to sickness)

PAYNE, William Captain Orange

BURNLEY, Garland Lieutenant Orange

SPENCER, Joseph Captain, Quartermaster Orange

MADISON, Ambrose Lieutenant Orange

WELCH, Nathaniel Ensign Orange

Later Companies (1776), possibly crossing county lines

EDMONDS, Elias Captain Fauquier

NASH, James Lieutenant, Captain Orange

MEN: RANK COUNTY

ADAMS, Littleton Private Fauquier

ALLAN (ALLEN), James Private Fauquier

ALLAN(ALLEN), Moses Corporal Fauquier

ALLEN, Vincent Private Culpeper

ALLEN, William Private Fauquier

ANDERSON, Spencer Private Fauquier

ARNOLD, Benjamin Private Fauquier

ASBERRY, William Private Fauquier

ATKINS, Ambrose Private Orange

ATKINS (ADKINS), Edward Private Orange

AYLOR, Jacob Private Culpeper

BAAR, Issac Private Fauquier

BAKER, Samuel S. Private Fauquier

BALLARD, Phillip Private Orange

BARKER, Peter Corporal Fauquier

BLACKWELL, David Private Fauquier

BLACKWELL, Joseph Private Fauquier

BLISS, William Drummer Fauquier

BOHON, Benjamin Private Orange

BOHON, John Private Orange

BOHON, William Private Orange

BOLING, Jesse Orange

BOLING, William Orange

BRONAUGH, William Private Fauquier

BROWN, Jeremiah Private Fauquier

BROWN, Jonathan Private Fauquier

BROWN, William Private Culpeper

BUFORD, Simeon Private Culpeper

BURK, Samuel Private Fauquier

BURTON, William Sergeant Orange

BUTLER/BUTLAR, William Private Culpeper

CAMPBELL, William Private Orange

CORBIN, Lewis Private Culpeper

COWHERD, Jonathan Private Culpeper

CRUMP, Travis Private Fauquier

DARNALL, Rawley/Rolley Private Fauquier

DICKERSON,John Private Fauquier

DULIN, John Private Fauquier

ELLIOTT, Samuel Private Fauquier

FAYN, William Private Fauquier

FEWELL/FEWEL/FUEL, Henry Private Fauquier

FILBERT, Fewel Private Fauquier

FINNILL, John Orange

GAINES, Richard Private Culpeper

GRANT, Daniel Private Fauquier

GRANT, John Private Fauquier

GRESPY, Martin Private Fauquier

HAMRICK, Benjamin Private Fauquier

HAMRICK, Siars/Siras/Silas Private Fauquier

JENNINGS, Berryman Private Culpeper

JESSOPS, Jacob Private Fauquier

JETT, Thomas Private Fauquier

JOHNSON, Yellis/Kelles Private Fauquier

JONES, Charles Private Fauquier

JONES, John Private Fauquier

JONES, Henry Private Fauquier

JONES, William Private Fauquier

KERWIN, Andrew Private Fauquier

LANTER, Thomas Private Orange

LAWLER/LAWBER, Thomas Private Fauquier

LEE, William Private Fauquier

LINTON, Michael Private Fauquier

LONG, Richard Private Culpeper

LONG, Robert Private Culpeper

LUCAS, Francis Private Culpeper

MADDOX, Ezekiel Private Fauquier

MADDOX, Henry Private Fauquier

MADDOX, John Private Fauquier

MARSHALL, Thomas Jr. Private Fauquier

MARTIN, Benjamin Private Fauquier

McQUEEN, Alexander Private Culpeper

MILES, Charles Private Culpeper

MILLER, William Private Fauquier

MINOR, Jeremiah Private Orange

MOFFETT, Henry Private Fauquier

MONDAY, George Private Fauquier

MONROE, James Private Fauquier

NICHOLAS, Samuel Private Fauquier

NORMAN, Hugh Private Fauquier

O’BANNON, Andrew Private, Wagon Master Fauquier

O’REAR, Daniel Private Fauquier

PAYNE, William Private Fauquier

PRICE, John Private Orange

RANSDALE, Thomas Private Fauquier

RANSDALE, William Private Fauquier

RICE, William Private Fauquier

RIDDLE, William Private Fauquier

SEATON, George Private Fauquier

SIMS, Reuben Private Culpeper

SINCLAIR, John Private Fauquier

SLAUGHTER, Phillip Private Culpeper

SMITH, Gerrard/Jared/Garret/,Garnett Private Fauquier

SMITH, Spencer Private Fauquier

SMITH, William Private Fauquier

SMITHER, William Private Orange

SOUTHARD/SOUTHERD,William Private Fauquier

STIVER(S), Reuben Private Orange

TAYLOR, Francis Private Orange

TAYLOR, Thornton Private Culpeper

TAYLOR, William Private Culpeper

TAYLOR, William Private Orange

TILMAN, Thomas Private Orange

TOMLINSON, George/Ambrose Private Orange

TWISDALE, William Private Orange

UTTERBACK, Harmon Private Fauquier

WALLS, Reuben Private Culpeper

WATKINS, Benjamin Fauquier

WEALEY, Daniel Private Fauquier

WHITE, William Private Fauquier

WHITECOTTON, Axton Private Fauquier

WILLIAMS, James Culpeper

WINFIELD/WINKFIELD,William Private Fauquier

WITHERS, James Sergeant Fauquier

WITHERS, William Private Fauquier

WITHERS, William Sergeant Fauquier

WITHERS, William Private Fauquier

WITHERS, William Ramblin/Hamblin Private Fauquier

Capt. John Green’s Co., 1st Virginia Regiment (1776), Continental Army, American Revolution category1st Va. Regt. Officers and Men for Whom There Is Clear Documentary Evidence

4 Officers, 15 Men

GREEN, John Capt. Culpeper

TAYLOR, Richard 1st Lt. Orange

EUSTACE, John 2nd Lt. Prob. Culpeper

LEE, John Ensign Fauquier

ALLEN, John Private Culpeper

BARBEE, Daniel Private Culpeper

BLACKWELL, Thomas Private or Sergeant

COLVIN, John Private Culpeper

FIELD, Henry (III) Private Prob. Culpeper

FREEMAN, John Private Culpeper

GIBBS, Churchill Private Culpeper

GIBBS, Julius Private Culpeper

GREEN, Robert Culpeper

McCLANAHAN, Thomas Private Fauquier

MOTHERSHEAD, Nathaniel Orange

REED, John Private Culpeper

SAUNDERS, Joseph Culpeper

TRIPLETT, George Private Culpeper

WARD, John Private Culpeper

Men Associated with but Not in the Culpeper Minute Battalion and Other Revolutionary Services Proven

ASHBY, John Express Rider Fauquier

BARBOUR, James County Lieutenant of Culpeper Culpeper

CAMP, Thomas Wagon Master (Civilian) Culpeper

FIELD(S), Henry Jr. Paymaster (Civil Position) Culpeper

MADISON, James (Jr.) County Lieutenant of Orange Orange

Also a member of the Orange Independent Co.

Men in Other Military Service Sometimes Confused with Culpeper Minute Battalion Services

GRAVES, Thomas Private, Culpeper Independent Co. Culpeper

Marched to Fredericksburg at the Powder Alarm

JOHNSON, George Captain, 2nd Virginia Regiment Fairfax

SPICER, William Private, Dunmore’s War (1774) Culpeper

TALIAFERRO, William Captain, 2nd Virginia Regiment Caroline

Additional Men of Interest Documentary Evidence Is Not Clear Regarding

Culpeper Minute Battalion Service

BLACKWELL, John, Captain Fauquier

Definitely in Williamsburg and associated with the CMM. Likely a subaltern under Chilton, under whom he served as Lt. in 3rd Va. Regt., but probabably not a captain.

CARTER, Thomas Neale Battalion Surgeon Williamsburg

A Dr. Carter was reimbursed for medicines provided to the CMM, but Scribner and Tarter say he was James. Evidence that a Dr. Carter was in the battalion has not been found.

TRIPLETT, Francis Captain Fauquier

Fauquier militia major. Asserted by secondary sources to have been a Battalion Captain. Evidence that he was in the Culpeper Minute Battalion has not been found.

DILLIARD, William Signed (‘X’) Williamsburg Public Store Day Book for Culpeper Minute Battalion.

GAINES, James Asserted on the Web to have been Culpeper a minuteman

NORRIS, William Signed Wmsburg Public Store Fauquier Day Book for Capt. Scott. Likely a subaltern.

PENDLETON, .Henry Asserted on the Web to have been a Culpeper minuteman. Was in Williamsburg associated with CMM.

PENDLETON, Nathaniel Asserted on the Web to have Culpeper been a minuteman.

PENDLETON, William Asserted on the Web to have Culpeper been a minuteman.

ROBERTSON, William Signed Williamsburg Public Store Day Book for Capt. Williams

SLAUGHTER, Thomas Signed Williamsburg Public Store Day book for Culpeper Minute Battalion.

TAYLOR, Thornton Appears to have been resident of Caroline Co. at Time of this minute service.

TEASONS, William Took delivery on fabric from the Williamsburg Public Store for which Capt. Williams signed.

WALDEN, Ambrose Appears to have been resident of Caroline Co. at time of his inute service.

"The Original" Culpeper Minute Men Battalion

OFFICERS & MEN

Summer, Fall, Winter 1775

OFFICERS: RANK COUNTY REMARKS (*partial genealogy found)

BARBOUR, James Lieutenant Culpeper d. 1775 He was LT in Culpeper Country Militia at the time of forming the Battalion, assisted chief recruiter John Green in securing men.

BLACKWELL, John, Captain Fauquier d. before 1783; 1777, served in Cpt John Chilton's Co. at Brandywine; recommended for rank LT Col. While serving in 2nd Bn Fauquier Militia; as Lt Col commanded 1st Bn Fauquier Militia after oath Sep 1778

BLACKWELL, William Captain Fauquier Mar. 2 Mar 1795 Ann Edwards in Culpeper Co.

BUFORD, Abraham Captain Culpeper

CARTER, Thomas Neale Battalion surgeon

CHILTON, John Captain Fauquier b. 1739; 29 Apr 1776, in 3rd VA Regt Continental Line (CL); Killed at Brandywine 11 Sep 1777

EDMONDS, Elias Captain Fauquier 1776-7 in Fauquier Militia; was Lt Col in 1st VA State Regt of Artillery; served as Colonel in Fauquier Militia

FIELD, Henry Culpeper Battalion paymaster; served in Cpt George Slaughter's Co, attached to 8th Regt, CL; died of sickness during war*

GREEN, John Captain Culpeper Formed as separate Rifle Company with the Battalion and served with the Minute Men units at Hampton, VA, Nov 1775. The company became part of the VA Regt of Foot; died in service unmarried; not to be confused with Col John Green who died 18 Nov 1793 *

JAMESON, John Captain Culpeper b. 1751, d 20 Nov 1810, buried ìcedar Groveî, Culpeper; 13 Jun 1776, 3rd Troop of Horse; 31 Mar 1777, promoted to Maj while in 1st Cont. Dragoons; 2 Apr 1777, transferred to 2d Cont Dragoons; 21 Jule 1778, wounded at Valley Forge; 1 Aug 1770, promoted to Lt Col; 1780 stationed in NY; Clerk of Culpeper County 1772-1880; Captured British spy, John Andre' who had msg from Benedict Arnold betraying American cause; member of VA Society of Cincinnati

JOHNSON, George Captain Fauquier

KIETH, Isham Ensign Fauquier b. 1735 d. 1787; in Cpt William Pickett's Co; Mar 1776, was 2nd Lt 3rd VA Regt; Jan 1777 was 1st Lt 3rd VA Regt CL; resigned Apr 1778 because of eye damage caused by smallpox

MARSHALL, John Lieutenant Fauquier Initially was body servant and drill master. Was son of Major Thomas Marshall. Promoted to Lieutenant in Cpt William Pickett's Co; Jul 1776, 1st Lt, 3rd VA Regt CL; Dec 1776 Lt/Cpt 15th VA Regt, CL (Morgan's Rifle Regt); 30 Nov 1777, Deputy Judge Advocate; Jul 1778 promoted to Cpt; Sep 1778 transferred to 7th VA Regt, CL; 12 Feb 1781 resigned

MARSHALL, Thomas Major Fauquier b. 1730 d. 1802; 13 Feb 1776, 3rd VA Regt CL; 13 Aug 1776, Lt Col; 21 Feb 1777, Colonel; Nov 1777, 1st VA State Regt of Artillery; served to end of war

McCLANACHAN, William Captain Culpeper b. 1730 d. 1802; Raised Company from among his parishioners Called "Fighting Baptistsî After term of service with Minute Men returned as Justice of Peace and minister of Upper Carter's Run Church

NELSON, William Lieutenant Fauquier d. Feb 1777; was in Cpt William Blackwell's Co; Feb 1776, Cpt John Ashby's Co, 3rd VA Regt, CL; died in battle at Brandywine *

PAYNE, William Captain Fauquier Probably not the Cpt William Payne that had the Falmouth Blues that fought at Yorktown and died in Fauquier County nor the Pvt William Payne in Cpt William Pickett's Co.

PICKETT, William Captain Fauquier b. 1742, d. 1814; 1778-9, served as Major in 2nd Fauquier Militia; Mar 1778 recommended but not promoted to Lt Col; daughter married Cpt William Helm

POLLARD, Robert Culpeper b. 3 Jul 1756, d. 10 Oct 1842, son of Richard & Elizabeth (Coleman) Pollard, mar. 10 Jul 1774 Joel Underwood, Battalion Quartermaster

SCOTT, James Captain Culpeper His Company with a detail of horseman drove British from Suffolk, VA in Nov 1775

SLAUGHTER, James Captain Culpeper d. 17 Nov 1833; Mar 1776, was Quartermaster for the CMM Battalion; later was Lt Col *

Spencer, Joseph Captain Orange b. abt 1744, mar. ? Moore, daug of Frances Moore; was Baptist preacher; was Cpt in 7th VA Regt; Lt Col in VA militia

STEVENS, Edward Lt. Colonel Culpeper b. 1744 d. 17 Aug 1820; Mar 1776, commanded 5 Co of CMM Battalion in the field; was in the battles of Brandywine, Camden, Guilford Courthouse and the siege at Yorktown. Promoted to Col before 4 Feb 1777; became General; buried Culpeper Masonic Cemetery

TALIAFERRO, Lawrence Colonel Orange b. 9 Dec 1734 Orange county, son of Francis & Elizabeth (Hay) Taliaferro; Commander of the Battalion

TALIAFERRO, William Captain Orange His company was transferred to Col William Woolford's 1st VA Regt; 1777, promoted to Col; 1777, captured and died as POW

TRIPLETT, Francis Captain Fauquier 1777, was Adjutant Fauquier Militia; Mar 1778, served as Cpt Fauquier Milita in place of Cpt William Ball, promoted Sept 1778; Dec 1780, was serving as Maj in Fauquier Militia at Cowpens; Jun 1781 appointed Col and served in Morgan's VA State Regt; served to end of war

Williams, John Captain Orange 7 June 1776, promoted to Battalion Major; married 5 Mar 1778, Orange county

MEN: RANK COUNTY REMARKS (*partial genealogy found)

ALLAN, Moses Sergeant Culpeper Cpt John Blackwell's Co

ALLEN, James Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

Anderson, Spencer Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

ARNOLD, Benjamin Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

ASBERRY, William Private Fauquier b. 1724, d. Sep 1793 Fauquier County, Son of Henry & Hannah (Hardwick) Asbury; was in Cpt Blackwell's Co according to his widow, Jean Ankrum

ASHER, John Private Culpeper

ATKINS, Ambrose Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.; b. abt 1754, Orange Co; son of James and Elizabeth Smith Atkins; 1776 was in Capt John Scott's Co; 1777 moved to Culpeper Co. and in Capt. John Slaughter's Co.; 1781 drafted but substitute obtained; mar. Frances Mansfield daug. of Jacob & Mary Mansfield

ATKINS, Edwards Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

BAKER, Samuel S. Private Fauquier Cpt Blackwell's Co.

BALLARD, Phillip Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

BARKER, Peter Corporal Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

BLACKWELL, David Fauquier b. 1753 d. 1841; Cpt John Chilton's Co; 1777, Fauquier Militia; Sep 1780, Commissary, Cpt John Brett;s Co, Lee's Legion

BLACKWELL, Joseph Private Fauquier b. 1755 d. 1826 (brother was Cpt John Blackwell); Cpt William Blackwell's Co; 1776, Cadet, Cpt John Ashby's Co., 3rd VA Regt; Feb 1777, 2nd Lt, Cpt Thomas Blackwell's Co, 10 VA Regt; Nov 1777, 1st Lt; May 1780, prisoner of war at Charleston, exchanged Jun 1781; 1779, was appointed Captain and Co Comdr when Cpt John Chilton was killed at Brandywine; Jan 1783 retired *

BLISS, William Fauquier Drummer, Cpt william Pickett;s Co; deserted

BOHON, Benjamin Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

BOHAN, John Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

BRANDON, Francis Private Culpeper

BRONAUGH, William Private Fauquier b. 21 Feb 1767, Fauquier County; mar. Lucy Bryan 12 Mar 1792; was in Cpt William Pickett's Co.

BROWN, Jeremiah Private Fauquier b. 1757 d. after 1833; Cpt William Blackwell's Co; 1777, drafted Cpt Samuel Blackwell's Co, Fauquier Militia, Col William Edmonds Regt.; 1781, drafted Cpt Thomas Helm's CO., Fauquier Militia; hired Joseph Brown as a substitute when he became sick at Williamsburg.

BROWN, Jonathan Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

BROWN, William Private Culpeper Married in Culpeper 9 Feb 1786, Lucy Campbell

BURK, Samuel Private Fauquier b. 1757 d. 1841; Cpt william McClanahan's Co; transferred to Cpt Abraham Buford's Co; 1777, Private in Cpt Rucker's Co to Delaware Forts; 1781, Pvt in Cpt John Ball's Co, Fauquier Militia

BURNLEY, Garland unk Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co., may have been a LT

BURTON, William Sergeant Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

CAMP, Thomas Culpeper b. 1753, Culpeper, d. 1801, son of Ambrose & Ann (Marshall) Camp, spouse-Elizabeth Pollard

CAMPBELL, Owen Private Culpeper There were two by this name, one married Jemima Lear, 1787

CHATTERBOX, James Private Culpeper Supposedly drummer boy for the Battalion.

CONWAY, Peter Private Fauquier Cpt William Blackwell's Co.

CRUMP, Travis Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

DARNALL, Rawley (Rolley) Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co; mar. 5 Apr 1788-Winifred Brown

DULIN, John Private Fauquier b. 1743 d. after 1827; Cpt william Pickett's Co; Apr 1776, Enlisted in Cpt John Chilton's Co, 3rd VA Regt; Bef Jun 1776 in Cpt John Ashby's Co; Sep 1777, discharged after Brandywine from Cpt Ashby's Co by Col Thomas Marshall

FEWELL, Henry Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

FILBART, Fewel Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co.

FINCHAM, John Culpeper

GARNER, Jonas Private Fauquier b. abt 1740 Fauquier County, d. 1830; son of Vincent & Jemima (Williams) Garner, spouse-Elizabeth; was in Cpt William Pickett's Co

GRANT, Daniel Private Fauquier b. 2 Jan 1759, d. 21 Feb 1831; Cpt William Pickett's Co; after 1775, Pvt in Cpt Gabriel Long's Co, Morgan's Rifle Regt.; Service Certificate issued by Brig Gen. William Woolford *

Grant, John Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1 Jun 1777, Pvt in Cpt William Blackwell's Co, (#6), 11th VA Regt

GRESPY, Martin Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

JAMESON, David Culpeper b. 19 Aug 1752, d. 2 Oct 1831 at his home at "Redwood"; commissioned Aug 1780; marched to Carolinas; served as Lt Col in Brigade of Col Stevens; obituary Star Exponent, also article 21 Oct 1898, buried in Culpeper Masonic Cemetery

JENKINS, Richard Private Culpeper (The younger) married daughter of the older

JENKINS, Richard Private Culpeper (The older) married Rachel Sisk

JENKINS, Richard Private Culpeper Nicknamed "Jaw Dick", marched prisoners to Winchester. His pension file explains the nickname: ". . .being very much pressed by hunger, as the company was passing along a road which bordered on a large turnip patch, he reached down and pulled up a turnip but did not break the ranks, for which offence Maj. Welsh of our Regiment gave him a blow which broke his jaw bone, that the blow was inflicted with a large seasoned grape vine. . .he has lost a part of his jaw bone which proceeded from the before mentioned blow, and has suffered much from it. . . "

JENKINS, William Private Culpeper

Jennings, Berryman Private Culpeper Cpt William Picket's Co; Nov 1777 recommended for Ensign in Cpt thomas Bronaugh's Co, oath taken May 1778; died in service 1782 at Guilford Court house, NC; mar. 28 Sep 1779-Susanna Duff, son of Augustine & Hannah (Williams) Jennings

JESSOPS, Jacob Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

JETT, Thomas Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett;s Co; 1777, Pvt in Cpt Elias Edmond's Co, 1st VA Regt. Of Artillery

JOHNSON, Yellis Private Fauquier b. 1 May 1754, Hunterdon, NJ; d. 24 Mar 1823; son of Tunis & Jeremiah (Fosre) Johnson, Mar. 6 Feb 1777-Nancy Jeffries; was in Cpt William Pickett's Co

JONES, Charles Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

JONES, Gabriel Private Culpeper d. 1776 in service; 1776, served as Cpt in Col George Gibson's State Line Regt; 1776, joined State marines *

JONES, John Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co; Oct 1779, Sgt in Corps of Guards, service certified; mar. 2 Nov 1790 Sarah Berry

JONES, William Private Fauquier b. 1759 d. 1834; Cpt William Pickett's Co; 20 Apr 1776, enlisted at Fauquier CH; May 1781, re-enlisted as Sgt in Cpt William Triplett's Cav Co of Col Francis Triplett's Regt; 15 Jul-17 Oct 1781, POW at Yorktown

KERWIN, Andrew Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

LAWLER, Thomas Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

LAWSON, Robert Fauquier

LEE, William Private Fauquier Cpt william Pickett's Co; mar. 15 Dec 1788 Molly Burns

LINTON, Michael Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

LONG, Robert Private Culpeper b. abt 1754 Culpeper, d. 25 Feb 1828, Orange County; son of Benjamin & May (Bond) Long

MADDOX, John Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

MADISON, Ambrose Orange b. 27 Jan 1755 at Montpelier, d. 1793; son of Col James & Eleanor Rose (Conway) Madison; served as Cpt in VA CL; was in Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co., may have been LT in Culpeper Minute Men Battalion*

MADDUX, Ezekiel Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

MARSHALL, Thomas Jr. Private Fauquier b. 1761 d. 1817; Cpt William Pickett's Co; Apr 1780, served as Cpt in 1st VA State Regt of Artillery; Feb 1781 Regt paymaster; May 1782, Supernumerary

MARTIN, Benjamin Private Fauquier b. 1758 d. after 1833; Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1776 enlisted in Cpt James Winn's Co, Fauquier Militia; 1777 served as Cpl in Cpt Benjamin Harrison's Co, Fauquier Militia; 1780, served as substitute for James Kemper in Francis Triplett's Co; was Cpl in Cpt John Comb's Co at Cowpens; discharged 1781

MILLER, William Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

MOFFETT, Henry Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1777, Sgt in 3rd VA Regt CL

MONDAY, George Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co; mar 6 Jun 1785 Isabel Myrtle

MONROE, Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

NICHOLS, Samuel Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

NORMAN, Hugh Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

O'BANNON, Andrew Private Fauquier d. 1813; Wagonmaster, Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1777, enlisted Cpt John Chilton's Co, 3rd VA Regt, CL as regimental wagonmaster; served at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth

O'REAR, Daniel Private Fauquier b. 1759 d. 1834; Cpt William Blackwell's Co; enlisted in Cpt John Ashby's Co, 3rd VA Regt, CL; Sep 1779 enlisted Cpt Richard Allen's Co, Col Wade Hampton's Regt, SC Militia; Ordnance Sgt, Cpt John G Lowman's Co, Col William's Regt; May 1780, POW at Charleston, SC

PAYNE, William Private Fauquier b. 1759 d. 1834; Cpt William Pickett's Co; Sep 1778, was Sgt in Cpt Hezekiah Turner's Co, Fauquier Militia; 1780-1781, Sgt in Cpt John O'Bannon's Co, Fauquier Militia

PRICE, John Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co; b. abt 1759

SINCLAIR, John Private Fauquier Cpt william Pickett's Co

SISK, Timothy Private Culpeper

SLAUGHTER, Phillip Private Culpeper b. 2 Dec 1758, d. 4 Dec 1849; Cpt John Jameson's Co; wrote diary of C.M.M. Battalion operations; 1776, LT in 11th VA Regt; Cpt, 7th VA Regt; 1777 served in Col Morgan's Rifle regt, was in Cpt Gabriel Long's Co., Joined Gen. Washington's Army in NY; Paymaster, VA CL; 1778 promoted to Cpt; *

SMITH, Gerrard Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

SMITH, Spencer Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

SMITH, William Private Culpeper b. 1755, d.1850 Culpeper; in battle of Great Bridge; marched to Charleston, SC; in battle of Brandywine and at Valley Forge; 1799 with Col George Rodgers Clark to falls of Ohio for 2 yrs; mar. 20 Dec 1792 Dinah Yager

SOUTHARD, William Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

STIVERS, Reubin Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's Co.

TAYLOR, Francis Private Orange Cpt Joseph Spencer's CO., Appointed Cpt of Orange Co. Militia

TOLIDER, Lawrence Orange

UTTERBACK, Harmon Private Fauquier b. 1755 d. 1854; Cpt William McClanahan's Co

WEALEY, Daniel Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

WHITECOTTON, Axton Private Fauquier b. 3 Feb 1741, Stafford, d. aft 1832; son of George Whitecotton; was in Cpt William Pickett's Co

WINKFIELD, William Private Fauquier Cpt William Pickett's Co

WITHERS, James Private Fauquier b. 22 Sep 1757, d. 16 Oct 1836, Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1777-1778, Ensign Cpt John Lee's Co, Col George Gibson's 1st VA State Regt; 1779, served as LT in Cpt Winsor Brown's Co, Col Gibson's Regt; 1781 served as Pvt (sic) in Cpt Armstead White's Co, Culpeper Militia; served in battle of Long Bridge *

WITHERS, William Private Fauquier b. 1754, son of Thomas, d. 1809; Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1781, Pvt in Cpt John Ball's Co, Fauquier Militia

Withers, William Sergeant Fauquier Son of John; Cpt William Pickett's Co; Nov 1777 was recommended as 2nd Lt in CPt Thomas Bronough's Co, Fauquier Militia

WITHERS, William Private Fauquier Son of Keene; Cpt William Pickett's Co

WITHERS, William Ramblin Private Fauquier b. 1758; Cpt William Pickett's Co; 1776, Sgt in Cpt Peter Grant's Co, Grayson's Additional Continental Regt; 1779, was LT in Cpt James Winn's Co, Col William Crawford's Regt at Fort Pitt; 1781, was LT in Cpt Felix Worley's Co, Col Charles C. Pinckney's SC Regt