Madison County Militia Settlements

Collection

Identifier: 2003A011

Scope and Contents

The Madison County Militia Settlements is a collection of receipts from three different Regiments; the 7th Regiment, the 19th Regiment, and the 35th Regiment, and their paymasters. The collection also includes Muster Rolls, and other Settlements from unknown Regiments. The collection includes Settlements and Muster Rolls dated between 1806 thru 1861 and several documents that are not dated. There is a gap in the 19th Regiment Settlements between the years of 1806 -1818. The Muster Rolls and the Settlements from the unknown Regiments are mostly undated. The Muster Rolls usually have the name of the highest officer in charge.

Dates

Creation: 1801 - 1861
Acquisition: 2002-06-24

Biographical or Historical Information

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The need for an effective military establishment in Kentucky was first voiced in the New Commonwealth's Constitution. The framers of the constitution, many of them veterans of the Revolutionary War, included in the document a provision that "The freemen of this Commonwealth shall be armed and disciplined for its defense...". Since Colonel Isaac Shelby, the new states first governor, had a military background, he enhanced the organization of a defense system. On June 24, 1792, "An Act to arrange this state into Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Battalions and Companies, and for other purposes was put forth". This act passed due to the newly enacted Federal law for better arrangement of the militia of the various states. It provided for two Divisions, four Brigades, and fifteen Regiments. This was the beginning of the Kentucky Militia. This information and more details can be found in the book The "Cornstalk" Militia of Kentucky 1792-1811, 1957. By G. Glen Clift. Special Collections call number UA212.C5 1982.

Note written by Shelley Chafins