Appointment of Captain Edward Worthington of the Illinois Battalion
1/24/1780
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This document is the appointment paper for Captain Edward Worthington. It was signed by Thomas Jefferson and provides instructions to Worthington to proceed to recruit men for the infantry of his battalion. Specific information on the bounty paid and clothing provided, the land allotment each recruit is entitled to after the war, and pension provided for recruits disabled through their service is also provided.
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The year was 1780. The British were launching an invasion of the South. And, like many states, Virginia was having problems raising troops. On January 24, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson authorized Captain Worthington of the Illinois Battalion to recruit men to serve in the state militia. As this appointment details, recruits were offered a signing bonus of $750 and more.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury.
National Archives Identifier: 601154
Full Citation: Appointment of Captain Edward Worthington of the Illinois Battalion; 1/24/1780; Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Record Group 217. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/appointment-of-captain-edward-worthington-of-the-illinois-battalion, April 30, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.