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1778 Revolutionary War Substitute Document, PA

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American Revolution

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Judgment Against a Revolutionary War Enrollee Who Failed to Find a Substitute

August 27, 1778, Rare Substitute Document for Serving in the Revolutionary War, 8th Class of the 3rd Battalion, York County, PA, Fine.
Partly printed Substitute Document for Joseph Updegraff, saddler, with judgment and costs signed by the Justice of the Peace, William Scott. This one-page, 8" x 6" document states that "The constable of York Township John Hay, Lieutenant… obtained judgment… expended in procuring a substitute to serve in the militia in the 8th Class of the 3rd Battalion…" The judgment was for 40 pounds, but "for want of goods take the Bodey and Deliver him to the Keeper of the County Gaol to be dealt according to the Law". The back has some Pennsylvania Dutch/German writing. Small splotch and staining at top of the document, otherwise Fine.
In this case, Pvt. Joseph Updegraff was legally obliged to serve and failed; he could not or would not pay the cost to procure a substitute, so he was put in jail. It appears he may have later served, as Pennsylvania Archive records show a Joseph Updegraff, saddler, was on the Militia payroll as apprehending British deserters and prisoners and bringing them to the stockade, York County, 1784. This is an Extremely Rare Revolutionary War substitute judgment!

The Pennsylvania Militia was organized under an act of March 7, 1777 and it provided for compulsory enrollment by the constables of all able-bodied white males between the ages of 18 and 53. Exemptions were extremely limited, and an estimated 60,000 men were enrolled. A man who failed to report for drill merely paid an Exercise Fine. A militiaman called for active duty who found such duty inconvenient was permitted to hire a Substitute to march and fight in his stead. Frequently no substitute was furnished, but instead a Substitute Fine was paid.

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