Search Northamptonshire Militia Lists 1762-1819

Each result provides a transcript of the following details about your ancestor. The transcripts were created from the original militia lists held by the Northamptonshire Archives. The 1762 list covers most of the county as does the 1771 and 1781 although some returns have not survived. There are lists for the Supplementary Militia for the Wellingborough and Brackley areas in 1797, Towcester area in 1796 and 1817, Kettering and Wellingborough areas for 1803, Higham Ferrers hundred for 1774 and Daventry 1819. Surviving records for 28 parishes in the Northampton area are covered by the Posse Comitatus of 1798. Generally, those recorded are aged 18-45 and eligible to be balloted for service in the local militia.

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Militia lists were recorded annually and sent to either the Justice of the Peace or the Lord Lieutenants. The lists are valuable for genealogists and military historians. Unfortunately, not all of these lists have survived.

The Militia Act of 1757 required each county to raise an assigned quota of able-bodied men to serve in the militia. The act was passed as a reaction to the French invasion during the Seven Years War. The militia was responsible for the defence of Great Britain and Ireland. They never served abroad. Men were between the ages of 18 and 45 and served for a minimum of 28 days a year, over three years. The men’s names were chosen by ballot; however, for those who could afford to, a person could pay a substitute to take his place. In Northamptonshire, the militia usually met in Northampton; however, in 1771, an outbreak of smallpox meant the militia was separated into two units. One was stationed at Kettering and the other was stationed at Wellingborough.