Draft Notice of John Newton

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Description

On August 14, 1777, two years into the Revolutionary War, the militia captain in Deerfield, Massachusetts, sent this notice to John Newton drafting him for just over 14 months. After volunteers failed to fill the state’s quota of regiments in the Continental Army, the Massachusetts legislature authorized a draft. At that time, draftees were permitted to hire a substitute to serve in their place.

Transcript

Sir

In Consequence of a Resolve of [the] General Court of this State of [the] 8th. [of this month] Requiring one Sixth part of [the] Militia to Be Drafted as a Reinforcement to the American Army – you are Drafted as one of [the] said Sixth part, and (unless you Provide some able bodied man
in you Stead or are Excused, within for twenty four hours after being Notified of Drafted,) to Continue in said Service untill (sic) the Last Day of [November] next [year], unless sooner Discharged – and that you are by said Resolve intitled (sic) to two pounds ten shillings per month in Addition to [the] Continental Pay untill (sic) Discharged – you are hereby Required to be Equipt Compleatly (sic) and hold yourself in Readiness to march forthwith.
Thos. Dickinson Capt

Deerfield Augt. 14th. 1777 ~
To Mr. John Newton

Citation

This primary source comes from the Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

National Archives Identifier: 594847

Full Citation: Draft Notice of John Newton; 8/14/1777; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land File of John Newton; Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800 – ca. 1912; Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/draft-notice-newton/, August 6, 2026]

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