Laws and Acts of Her Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Province-Plantations Made from the First Settlement in 1636 to 1705, at 48 (1896)
Abstract
Persons subject to militia service also had to serve on watch and ward (day and night guard duty in towns). Mandatied that each militiaman appear with a "Good & Sufficient muskett or Fuze a Sword or Bayenet, Catooch box or Bandelers wth twelve Bulets fit for his Piece half a Pound of Powder & Six good Flints."
Summary
Militia members were required to appear fully armed and equipped for training days, alarms, and other commanded gatherings, including a musket or fusée, sword/bayonet, ammunition, gunpowder, and flints. Failure to appear properly equipped or to obey a military summons resulted in fines of 3 shillings for training days or 5 shillings for an alarm, plus collection fees.
Law Text
Be it Enacted by y‸e hon‸ble Gouer‸r Councill & houfe of Representatives in this p‸rsent Sesfions afsembled & by y‸e Authority thereof it is hereby Enacted y‸t aft‸r y‸e Publication of this Act if any p‸son or persons Lifted Und‸r y‸e Coland of any Cap‸t or Comand‸r in Chief of y‸e Militia Shall or do not appear Compleat in armes (Viz‸t) w‸th A Good & Sufficient musket or Fuze & Sword or Bayonet, Catoock box or Bandeliers w‸th twelve Bulets fitt for his Peice half a Pound of Powder & Six good Flints Upon y‸e Precife Training Days already p‸scr‸d as well as when their Respective Cap‸t or Coiland‸r in Cheif Shall call them Together Either by Allarum or any oth‸r time or times as Shall by their Command be thought fitt & Expedient for his any Interest During y‸e Times of War & at any Sort of p‸sons or p‸sons Lifted & Shall neglect their respective Dutys & obedience & not appear in Manner Afores‸d Shall forfeit for Each neglect on y‸e Day Appointed for Training or Oth‸r Meetings in Armes Each Sum of Three Shillings in money w‸th Due Fees therfore due & for non Appearance or neglect on any Larum y‸e Sum of five Shillings w‸th Due Fees Arifeing thereon to be taken by Distraint or otherwife y‸e fines for non appearance on y‸e Training days are to be Taken
Description
Categories
MILITIAS, REQUIRED POSSESSION