1785-99 Md. Laws 455
Abstract
Raised the minimum age to eighteen and lowered the maximum age to forty-five.
Summary
This militia provision requires officials to register all able-bodied white men ages 18–45 for militia service, while identifying those exempt or conscientiously opposed to bearing arms. It also imposes a $10 penalty on anyone who falsely claims to be outside the eligible age range to avoid enrollment.
Law Text
II. Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That fit and proper persons in each county of this state be appointed by the governor and council to make true and exact lists of the names of all able bodied white male citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, (except as in the before recited act and as herein after excepted,) distinguishing in the said lists the quakers, menonists and tunkers, and persons conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, and the apprentices and their trade, and the name of the master to whom they are apprenticed, and cause the said lists to be completed on or before the tenth day of April next, and shall return the same to the commissioners of the tax of the several and respective counties of this state, on or before the said tenth day of April next.
[...]
V. And be it enacted, That if any such person, of the age of eighteen years and upwards, when called on as aforesaid, shall not inform the person so to be appointed, that he is of the age of eighteen years and upwards, and if any such person, under the age of forty-five years, when called on as aforesaid, shall inform the person so to be appointed, that he is of the age of forty-five years or upwards, every such person, so offending, shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten dollars for every such offence.
Description
Categories
MILITIAS