May 2026 Program
Navigating Pennsylvania's Revolutionary War Militia Records
Speaker Aaron McWilliams of the Pennsylvania State Archives
The Pennsylvania Revolutionary War militia records are some of the most popular records at the Pennsylvania State Archives. Even so, few fully understand the records or how to interpret them. Navigating Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War Militia Records will provide an in-depth look at the various militia documents found in the collections of the Pennsylvania State Archives and how to interpret them. It will also cover how to access and navigate the records online.
Watch the recorded presentation here.
Aaron McWilliams is head of the Public Services Section at the Pennsylvania State Archives. He is responsible for handling research inquiries at the Archives and frequently represents the agency at genealogical events. His areas of expertise include Pennsylvania state land records, Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War militia, and genealogy.
Watch the recorded presentation here.
Aaron McWilliams is head of the Public Services Section at the Pennsylvania State Archives. He is responsible for handling research inquiries at the Archives and frequently represents the agency at genealogical events. His areas of expertise include Pennsylvania state land records, Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War militia, and genealogy.
Revolutionary War Records at the PSA
The following pages are handouts from Aaron McWilliams’ Program on May 3, 2026.
Phone: (717) 787-8953 E-mail: [email protected] www.pastatearchives.com
Collections:
• Record Group 2 – Records of the Department of the Auditor General
• Record Group 4 – Records of the Office of the Comptroller General
• Record Group 17 – Records of the Land Office
• Record Group 27 – Records of Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary Governments
Indexes:
• Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File (RG-13) – arranged alphabetically by the surname of the individual. The abstract card file contains transcriptions of data extracted from original records in the custody of the Pennsylvania State Archives. The source of the information is cited at the bottom of each card.
• Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth and Sixth Series - the volumes contain transcriptions of Revolutionary War rolls and returns from the Pennsylvania State Archives and other repositories. A name index is available for the Fifth Series in the Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume XV and for the Sixth Series in the Pennsylvania Archives, Seventh Series.
also includes pensioners who served in the Indian War, Whiskey Rebellion, and War of
1812.
Basic Record Types:
• Class Rolls – A list of men, grouped by class, in a company. Class rolls contain the names
of all able-bodied, white males between the ages of 18 and 53 in a given area required to
perform militia service.
• Muster Rolls – A roster of men in a company on active duty. Most muster rolls were done
at time of discharge and contain each soldiers date of entry and discharge from active duty.
• Non-performance/Substitute fines – Fines assessed for not turning out for active duty
when drafted.
• Non-attendence fines – Fines assessed for not appearing for muster and field training days.
• Appeal records – Records related to militia men seeking relief from fines or requirements
under the militia laws.
• Militia Loan Certificates – Certificates issued after the war to militia men and civilians
due money from the State for services render during the war. The certificates were also
issued to individuals due money from forfeited estates.
• Depreciation Certificates – Certificates issued to Pennsylvania Line soldiers in
compensation for depreciation in pay.
Records:
Most of the original records cited in the Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File (RG-13) and many of those published in the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth and Sixth Series are found among the following record series at the Pennsylvania State Archives:
Additional Resources
Pennsylvania Archives, Colonial Records and First Series – These series contain transcriptions of the Committee of Safety, Council of Safety, Supreme Executive Council, Board of War and Navy Board minutes and correspondence. Available online at www.fold3.com & Ancestry.com.
Roach, Hannah Benner. “The Pennsylvania Militia in 1777,” The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23 (1964): 161-229. (available free online with free account through Familysearch.org)
Trussell, John B.B., Jr. The Pennsylvania Line: Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776-
1783. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977
The following pages are handouts from Aaron McWilliams’ Program on May 3, 2026.
Phone: (717) 787-8953 E-mail: [email protected] www.pastatearchives.com
Collections:
• Record Group 2 – Records of the Department of the Auditor General
• Record Group 4 – Records of the Office of the Comptroller General
• Record Group 17 – Records of the Land Office
• Record Group 27 – Records of Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary Governments
Indexes:
• Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File (RG-13) – arranged alphabetically by the surname of the individual. The abstract card file contains transcriptions of data extracted from original records in the custody of the Pennsylvania State Archives. The source of the information is cited at the bottom of each card.
- Available online at www.ancestry.com under the title “Pennsylvania, U.S.,
- Veterans Card Files, 1775-1948”
• Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth and Sixth Series - the volumes contain transcriptions of Revolutionary War rolls and returns from the Pennsylvania State Archives and other repositories. A name index is available for the Fifth Series in the Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume XV and for the Sixth Series in the Pennsylvania Archives, Seventh Series.
- Available online through Hathitrust.org, Ancestry.com, and Fold3.com
- Not all original records transcribed in the published Pennsylvania Archives Series are held by the Pennsylvania State Archives.
also includes pensioners who served in the Indian War, Whiskey Rebellion, and War of
1812.
- Available Online: Google “Revolutionary War Pensioners Index Main Interface”
Basic Record Types:
• Class Rolls – A list of men, grouped by class, in a company. Class rolls contain the names
of all able-bodied, white males between the ages of 18 and 53 in a given area required to
perform militia service.
• Muster Rolls – A roster of men in a company on active duty. Most muster rolls were done
at time of discharge and contain each soldiers date of entry and discharge from active duty.
• Non-performance/Substitute fines – Fines assessed for not turning out for active duty
when drafted.
• Non-attendence fines – Fines assessed for not appearing for muster and field training days.
• Appeal records – Records related to militia men seeking relief from fines or requirements
under the militia laws.
• Militia Loan Certificates – Certificates issued after the war to militia men and civilians
due money from the State for services render during the war. The certificates were also
issued to individuals due money from forfeited estates.
• Depreciation Certificates – Certificates issued to Pennsylvania Line soldiers in
compensation for depreciation in pay.
Records:
Most of the original records cited in the Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File (RG-13) and many of those published in the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth and Sixth Series are found among the following record series at the Pennsylvania State Archives:
- Revolutionary War Accounts and Miscellaneous Records, 1775-1809 (RG-4) – this record series is comprised of muster rolls, payrolls, receipts, returns, and miscellaneous accounts for the Associators, Militia, Line, and Navy units.
- Available online at https://oa-psa.libnova.com/
- Militia Loan Accounts, 1781-1792 (RG-4) - The records relate to monies owed or paid to soldiers.
- Available online at https://oa-psa.libnova.com/browse/collection/121?limit=10
- Depreciation Certificate Accounts, 1781-1792 (RG-4) - Grouped by military unit, and thereunder arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier.
- Available online at https://oa-psa.libnova.com/browse/collection/119?limit=10
- Military Returns, 1775-1790 (RG-27) – returns of milita, line, and Bucks Countyassociates and non-associates.
- Available online at https://oa-psa.libnova.com/browse/collection/289?limit=10
- Donation & Depreciation Lands (RG-17) - land given to veterans of the Pennsylvania Continental Line in western Pennsylvania.
- Available online at www.pastatearchives.com under Research Guides, “Land ecord Indexes”
Additional Resources
Pennsylvania Archives, Colonial Records and First Series – These series contain transcriptions of the Committee of Safety, Council of Safety, Supreme Executive Council, Board of War and Navy Board minutes and correspondence. Available online at www.fold3.com & Ancestry.com.
Roach, Hannah Benner. “The Pennsylvania Militia in 1777,” The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23 (1964): 161-229. (available free online with free account through Familysearch.org)
Trussell, John B.B., Jr. The Pennsylvania Line: Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776-
1783. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977