Militia Lists

Since the 1500's the UK has been threatened with invasion at regular intervals.

In peacetime Governments have reduced the Armed Forces and then at times of war on the continent they have had to rely on raising a local Militia to counter the invasion threat and the possibility of rioting amongst the British residents.

In most cases a percentage of males in each area were required to serve with the Militia for a given number of days.

As with all things to do with the Military accurate records still exist of the Officers , enlisted men and their suppliers.

These provide a good record for family historians to consult.

The threat of Napoleonic invasion during the late 1700's are especially useful in Southern England where the militia included Cavalry, Infantry and even a marine force called the Fencibles.

The members of the Militia would carry out normal employment and report for training and patrols at regular intervals. They were ready to form a defence force should reports of a foreign approach be received.

Civilians are often included in these lists as Militia Officers were required to make arrangement for supplies and also as part of the defence to have people on standby to drive farm livestock and to load wagons of supplies to move to safer parts of Essex. The names of farmers , carriers and dealers are therefore often to be found.

Some militia or Muster Lists are available on CD rom, some are in books held by Libraries or County Records Offices and some are in the original reports held by County Records Offices or the National Archives.