Maryland Historical Society

Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 (Archives of Maryland, Xviii) (#3750) Maryland Historical Society

This is the standard on the more than 20,000 Maryland troops in the Revolutionary War, and as such it is a book of the greatest genealogical and historical magnitude.

The plan of the work is archival, that is, lists and documents are printed as found, with a general index of names at the back of the book. This is perhaps the best method of documentation possible because it enables the researcher to detemine the names of men associated in any command. The records drawn on for this compilation derive chiefly from muster rolls, payrolls, and Land Office records, thus rendering evidence of unassailable authority for Continental service in the American Revolution. Lists enumerated include the Flying Camp, Maryland Troop Musters, the German Regiment, Artillery Rolls, Rolls of Men in Lee's Dragoons and Pulaski's and Armand's Legions, Naval Rolls, Invalid Returns, and Rolls of Escaped and Exchanged Prisoners. While tabular information given for each soldier varies according to command, it generally includes full name, rank, dates of enlistment and discharge, and miscellaneous remarks such as whether wounded, killed, or missing. A few rolls are more detailed, giving birthplace, age, height, and comments on personal appearance.