Ulster County militia

Ulster County militia
Unit name	Ulster County militia
Dates	18th century–1783
Country	Province of New York
Allegiance	Patriot colonists
Branch	Militia
Type	County militia
Size	Company and battalion formations
Garrison	Kingston, New York
Notable commanders	Jacobus Swartwout; Marinus Willett; Peter G. DeWitt

Ulster County militia was a colonial-era county militia formed in the Province of New York and active during the American Revolutionary War. Raised from residents of Ulster County, New York, the unit provided local defense, participated in campaigns across the Hudson River Valley, and engaged Loyalist and British forces in frontier actions. Its membership overlapped with civic institutions in Kingston, New York and nearby towns, drawing officers from families prominent in Dutchess County, New York, Orange County, New York, and Sullivan County, New York.

Origins and Organization

Ulster County militia traces roots to 17th- and 18th-century militia laws in the Province of New York under governors such as Lord Bellomont and William Cosby. By the 1760s county militia structure followed the Militia Act of 1757 (New York) model with companies organized in towns like Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Shawangunk, Milton and Hurley, New York. Officers were elected at town meetings influenced by families such as the Van Buren family, Vanderbilt family branches, Hasbrouck family, and Bevier family. The militia reported to the New York Provincial Congress and coordinated with Continental formations including the New York Line, 3rd New York Regiment, and 2nd New York Regiment for regional defense. County records show liaison with provincial bodies like the Committee of Safety (New York) and supply arrangements via the New York Provincial Convention.

Role in the American Revolutionary War

During the American Revolutionary War, the militia served as local garrison, escort, and scouting forces supporting the Continental Army commands of George Washington, Philip Schuyler, and Horatio Gates. Units from Ulster County augmented operations during campaigns such as the Saratoga campaign, the Siege of Fort Stanwix (1777), and actions along the Hudson River Valley campaign (1777). The militia engaged in counterinsurgency against Loyalist militias and raiding parties associated with Sir John Johnson and Barry St. Leger. Coordination occurred with units from Dutchess County, New York, Westchester County, New York, and frontier militias that included members from Tryon County, New York and Albany County, New York.

Operations and Engagements

Companies mobilized for specific operations such as patrols around Kingston, New York—evacuated and burned during the Burning of Kingston (1777)—and support for expeditions to Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton (Hudson River) during British incursions. Elements participated in the defense following the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery and skirmishes near Esopus Creek and the Shawangunk Ridge. Detached companies scouted along the Kaatskill Creek corridor and escorted supply convoys from ports at Poughkeepsie, New York and Albany, New York to Continental depots. The militia engaged in anti-raider patrols countering Joseph Brant and the Iroquois Confederacy allies in frontier clashes that touched Mohawk Valley settlements. At times Ulster County men reinforced Continental units at winter cantonments including Jockey Hollow and supported foraging and recruitment drives tied to the Comte de Rochambeau link-up in 1781.

Leadership and Notable Members

Command and officer ranks included local magistrates, landowners, and merchants. Prominent figures associated with the militia’s leadership and service include Jacobus Swartwout, who held command responsibilities and coordinated with George Clinton, and Marinus Willett, who operated in the Hudson Valley and worked with Benedict Arnold early in the war. Other notable members and associates appeared among the Hasbrouck family, Bevier family, Van Keuren family, and legal figures who served on revolutionary committees such as James Clinton, John Jay, and county delegates to the New York State Constitutional Convention. Liaison and intelligence links tied officers to Continental staff officers from the New Jersey Line and local partisan leaders who coordinated with Francis Marion-style irregulars in other theaters. British and Loyalist opponents of Ulster County militia leadership included John Burgoyne, Sir Guy Carleton, and partisan leaders like William Tyron.

Uniforms, Arms, and Equipment

Militiamen were typically armed with muskets and sidearms similar to those used by the Continental Army, including the Brown Bess musket and assorted hunting rifles procured locally. Uniforms were variable: some officers adopted continental-style coats influenced by supply through Fishkill Supply Depot and West Point logistics, while rank-and-file frequently wore civilian garments sourced via local clothiers in Kingston and trade with merchants tied to New York City. Accoutrements included cartridge boxes, bayonets, and powder horns; artillery support in the county drew on field pieces moved between river fortifications such as Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton (Hudson River). Ammunition and provisions flowed through networks involving the Committee of Safety (New York), private contractors, and Continental sutlers.

Postwar Disbandment and Legacy

After the Treaty of Paris (1783), county militia companies demobilized as veterans returned to civic life in Kingston, New York, New Paltz, and surrounding towns. Veterans and officers participated in state institutions including the New York State Assembly and in land settlement projects affecting Catskill Mountains communities and the Hudson Valley. The militia’s wartime service influenced local memory preserved in municipal records, family papers of the Hasbrouck family and Bevier family, and monuments in Ulster County, New York towns. Postwar militia laws in the New York State Militia system incorporated lessons from county service, affecting subsequent militia responses during events such as the Shays' Rebellion and the formation of the New York National Guard.

Category:Military units and formations of the American Revolutionary War Category:History of Ulster County, New York