This image shows a Norfolk militia private around 1759.Northumberland militia
In 1779 the Northumberland militia had nine companies, each of around 64 men, with usually 1 lieutenant, 3 sergeants and 2 drummers. A tenth company was formed by Captain Edward Dale in 1779. The commanding officer in 1779 was the Right Honourable Lord Algernon Percy, Colonel, of the ancient Percy family of Northumberland.
The annual returns give the number of men at different heights, (hardly 5 % were over 5 foot 10 inches, average around 5 foot 6), their nationality (one sixth were from Scotland), years of service ( a wide spread from 4 to 20 years, but 2/3rds of them had 3 years or less) and age (mostly 20 to 35, but a few up to 45).
There was a grenadier company of the tallest men, (although average still only 5 foot 10 inches) , these were the elite of the regiment. The shortest men were put in a "light" company, mostly under 5 foot 6.
This image shows a Norfolk militia private around 1759.
At the annual inspections, the men were judged on marching, firing, manoeuvers, and the state of their arms, accoutrements and clothing.
The equipment returns show that each man had a firelock, a bayonet, a cartridge box, a waist belt, pouch with shoulder belt, and sling. The grenadiers had a sword and a match case. The mens' clothing stock was one coat, one set of breeches, one shirt, one pair of shoes, one pair of stockings, one hat or cap, and one roller (scarf). This was still the time of the "lace wars" when clothing was still fairly soft and comfortable, before the rigid "stocks" which held men's heads upright in the time of the Napoleonic wars.
In the 1778 inspection just after they had been called up, the firearms were those they had received in 1759, the time of the last invasion alarm, although they were still described as good condition. The accoutrements (belts, pouches and slings) were described as "bad" condition, presumably also 20 years old. The clothes were all new or a year old. The inspection report was mostly very good, although their marching was very slow. The men were "a very good body of men, straight and well limbed, some few short, but the Grenadier company very fine". However the non-commissioned officers who should have set a good example were "some very old and very indifferent in their appearence" !
In the 1779 inspection, the regiment was able to report they had received new equipment in September 1778 and after a year of training they were at a very high standard, with no word of critisism. Even the non-commissioned officers were now "remarkably good appearance, smart, attentive and expert". Overall, the comment on the regiment was "Great pains and attention have been taken upon this regiment, which is a very fine one. It is not so tall as the 2nd regiment of York, but it is more steady under Arms. I hold this regiment fit for any immediate home service".
Sources -
Records at the National archives , Kew, London :-
Use the Records Information leaflets, and the online search catalogue. Unfortunately few of the actual records have yet been loaded to the web, but you may be able to ask for documents to be scanned and sent to you, otherwise you will need to go to Kew, London, to see these documents.
Publication from the Federation of Family history societies, "Militia lists and Musters" , search for it here http://www.genfair.co.uk/search.php
If you have an interest in the Northumberland Militia, please email me, at simon @ cains . myzen . co .uk ( without the spaces)
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