County Militia of Massachusetts Province 1776-1777

This is part of an effort to identify Massachusetts units that might have brought John O Dirlam to Blandford, or brought him to the attention of someone in the Snow, Gibbs or Watson families in Blandford, Becket or Leicester.

After Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised 27 regiments. These regiments were adopted into the first establishment of the Continental Army in June 1775. Referred to by the names of their colonels, they were numbered one way by the state and another by the Continental Army. At the end of 1775 the army was reorganized, and again at the end of 1777.

All of these county militia regiments were disbanded in October or November of 1777, although some were called again later by the province.

Berkshire County Militia

Ashley's Regiment of Militia also known as the 1st Berkshire County Militia Regiment, was named after its commander, Col. John Ashley (1736-1799) of Sheffield. The regiment was called up in Berkshire County, Massachusetts in July 1777 and sent for a month to Fort Edward and on September 19, 1777 as reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment marched quickly to join the gathering forces of General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. The regiment served in General Paterson's brigade. Burgoyne's Army surrendered on October 17, 1777 and the regiment disbanded the next day.

Browns' Regiment of Militia also known as the 2nd Berkshire County Regiment, also called Col. John Brown's Detachment of Berkshire County Militia, was named after its commander. Brown (1744-1780) lived in Pittsfield, and died in battle at Stone Arabia, New York (west of Albany).

Simonds' Regiment of Militia also known as the 3rd Berkshire County Regiment, was named after its commander, Col. Benjamin Simonds (1726-1807) of Williamstown. The regiment was raised in Berkshire County. The Regiment was at Fort Ticonderoga during the winter of 1776-1777. Simonds' Regiment was called up in the summer of 1777 during the Saratoga Campaign, fighting at the Battle of Bennington with General John Stark's Brigade of New Hampshire Militia. Many volunteers also joined the regiment at this time including William Easton, and the "Fighting Parson," Thomas Allen. Simonds' Regiment attacked Friedrich Baum's redoubt from the south during the battle as Stickney's (11th NH), Hale's (15th NH) and Hobart's (12th NH) attacked form the east and Nichols' (5th NH) attacked from the west. The regiment continued on to the Battle of Bemis Heights and the surrender of British General John Burgoyne's army. The regiment was also called up in response to Carleton's Raid and the Royalton Raid of 1780.

Hampshire County Militia

Woodbridge's Regiment of Militia / 1st Hampshire County, and Woodbridge's (25th) Regiment and The 25th Regiment of Foot, was named for its commander Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge (1739–1819) of South Hadley. On April 20, 1775, the day after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the regiment was formed and marched to Cambridge, near Boston, and participated in the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The regiment spent part of the summer and the fall of 1776 as part of the Fort Ticonderoga garrison. The regiment was called up at South Hadley on August 16, 1777 to reinforce the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment joined General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. They served in General Warner's brigade. The regiment was disbanded October 18, 1777 after Burgoyne's surrender.

May's Regiment of Militia / 2nd Hampshire County was called up at Southampton on September 20, 1777 to reinforce the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment joined Gen. Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. They served in General Nixon's brigade. The regiment was disbanded October 18, 1777, after Burgoyne's surrender.

Wright's Regiment of Militia also known as the 5th Hampshire County Militia Regiment, was named after its commander, Col. Phineas Wright (1710-1795). The regiment was called up at Northfield on September 22, 1777 to reinforce the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment joined General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. They served in General Nixion's brigade. The regiment was disbanded October 18, 1777 after Burgoyne's surrender.

Northfield is located in Franklin County, created from the northernmost third of Hampshire County in 1811.

Wells' Regiment of Militia also known as the 5th Hampshire County Militia Regiment was called up at Shelburne, Massachusetts on September 22, 1777 to reinforce the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. They joined General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. They served in General Fellow's brigade. The regiment was disbanded October 18, 1777 after Burgoyne's surrender.

Shelburne is located in Franklin County, created from the northernmost third of Hampshire County in 1811.