7 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, October 1678-November 1683, at 53 (1889); see also 1698 Md. Acts 99

7 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, October 1678-November 1683, at 53 (1889); see also 1698 Md. Acts 99

Abstract

Kept the militia ages "between sixteen and sixty yeares of age." Further required that each "appeare and bring with him one good serviceable fixed Gunn and six shoots of Powder." Troopers were required to bring their own horses, and "to find themselves with sword Carbine Pistolls Holsters & Amunition."

Summary

This colonial militia law requires all able men between 16 and 60 to be enrolled into local militia companies, trained and mustered as needed for provincial defense. Those who fail to appear, refuse enrollment, or show up without a serviceable firearm and ammunition are fined 100 pounds of tobacco per offense if free men.

Law Text

First That every Collonell Major or Captaine of foote already Comissionated or hereafter to be Comissionated by his Lordshipp his heirs or successors Lords and Proprietaryes of this Province or his or their Leivtenant or Cheife Gouernour of this Province for the tyme being shall haue power to inlist such and soe many men inhabiting within this Province not hereafter Excepted in their Severall and Respective divisions between sixteen and sixty yeares of age as they shall thinke fitt by as equall Proportion of the said Inhabitants as possibly they can to be of the Militia or trayned bands of this Province Which said persons soe inlisted they shall muster Exercise & traine upp att such places & att such certain times as to them shall seeme meete or the service safety and defence of this Province shall require or his Lordshipp the Lord Proprietary of this Prouince his heires or successors or his or their Leivten ant Generall or Cheife Governour or Leivtenant Generall or Cheif Gouernour And Councill for the time being shall see Cause to order [...] And that if any man after such notice or sufnons given as aforesaid shall neglect or Refuse to appear att the time and place appointed as aforesaid or that shall Refuse when he hath soe appeared be inlisted into the Militia or Trayned Bands as aforesaid, or that being soe inlisted shall not from time to time as he shall be sumoned or warned as aforesaid appeare and bring with him one good serviceable fixed Gunn and six shoots of Powder shall for every such offence if a ffreeman forfeit and pay the sume of one hundred pounds of Tobacco to the Lord Proprietary[.]