With the 250th Anniversary of America's founding on the horizon, I began thinking that I would apply for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) based upon the service of my ancestor Peter Arnold, a proven soldier Patriot. I have wanted to officially prove our connection to him since I had heard that other earlier generations had tried and failed. Maybe more records have been found since then. The requirements for DAR membership are specific and unfortunately a clear line of paper proof could not be established in two of the early generations between Peter and I, likely the same issues the previous generations ran into. The DAR registrar that I was working with suggested another ancestor of mine who was also a proven Patriot. This one worked. I have sent in my application and am awaiting approval for membership.
I had not looked closely at this family line for service previously because this ancestor, William Haycock, was a Quaker and therefore did not serve in the Army or Militia. His contribution was in paying Supply Taxes during the war years. That is not the picture of a Revolutionary War Patriot that one usually imagines when looking at DAR Patriots, but when you really think about it, there were many ways to contribute to a war effort without actually fighting in it. Armies need money and supplies and food and guns and shelter and medical care. All of these support the effort... and now count as doing the work of a Revolutionary War Patriot. It makes me think about the stories from WW2 with residents buying war bonds, collecting metal and rubber and growing victory gardens, working with the Red Cross as my grandmother did as a young girl during WW1, all in the name of supporting the soldiers and the war.
William Haycock was a farmer and mill owner in Bucks Co, Pennsylvania during the war. His land, mills and livestock were taxed. These taxes were levied by the state/colony of residence, collected by local tax collectors for the state and then the state sent their allotment on to the Continental Congress who then allocated the funds for use in supporting the war.
William was born in 1716 in Marple, then Chester Co, Pa. a son of English immigrants. He married Ann Roberts in 1746 and had 9 children. He died in 1800 at home in Rockhill Twp, Bucks Co, Pa. I have a more detailed story of William and his line down to me written and will post it once I hear from the DAR on my application. In the meantime, I have a few more individuals to work on who were proven soldiers of the Revolution or patriots like William. I won't forget Peter either.
Please give credit and post a link to my blog if you intend to use any of the information written here. My blog posts are © Ann M Sinton 2025. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment