When historians, (you, me, re-enactors, academics, etc) attempt to better understand the past, one of the materials that is used is surviving documentation.
Having said that, I am sharing a transcription of the Constitution for the Dayton Rifle Company. The document was written and agreed to in August of 1809. It can help us understand some basics (clothing, gear, rules) for rifle companies of this era. Here is the transcription:
Constitution For the Dayton Rifle Company
August 17th 1809
We the undersigned do bind ourselves to support the following as the Constitution of said Company:
Section I
The Captain and Lieutenant shall appoint the non-commissioned officers.
Section II
A candidate for membership in this company must be recommended by two members and voted in by the members present ballot, and if two-thirds of the members then favor his admittance, he shall become a member by equipping himself according to the Constitution and signing the same.
Section III
After signing the Constitution, each member shall equip himself according to the same within six weeks after signing and all who do not uniform within the time aforesaid shall pay a fine of twenty-five cents for every Battalion and Regimental muster until they are completely uniformed.
Section IV
Deep blue hunting shirts, pantaloons with white fringes, bearskin over their hats, a white plume, a white vest, and white neckcloth shall be the complete uniform.
Section V
Six months after signing the Constitution, each member shall equip himself with a good rifle, shot pouch, powderhorn, tomahawk, and scalping knife.
Section VI
If an officer of said Company comes on parade not equipped according to the law, he shall for neglect pay a fine of fifty cents.
Section VII
Every member coming on parade not having his uniform and equipment in complete order shall pay a fine of twelve and one-half cents.
Section VIII
An officer of said Company behaving indecent when on parade shall pay a fine of one dollar.
Section IX
A person wishing to quit the Company, must have consent of a majority, or continue in the Company.
Section X
A member frequently misbehaving may be balloted out if two-thirds of the members of said Company then present vote against him.
Section XI
At the mind beat of the drum, or first calling of the role, any officer refusing to attend, or failing to be present, shall pay a fine of twenty-five cents. A private failing as aforesaid shall pay a fine of twelve and one half cents.
Section XII
The commanding officer of the day shall issue a warrant directed to any constable of the said township which warrants, or warrants shall be given to the orderly sergeant of said Company, who shall see that the same is collected, and he shall keep an account of money received and expended. He shall pay out none without a written order from the commanding officer.
Section XIII
Should the Captain transgress the laws, the Lieutenant who is highest in command shall issue a warrant against him accordingly as is pointed out in Section XII.
Section XIV
All fines and forfeitures shall be collected to section the twelfth and be appropriated to the use of Company as the officers may direct.
August 29, 1809
Officers
William Vancleaf –Captain
Joseph Keamp –Lieutenant
William Hamen –Ensign
Lewis Davis –First Sergeant
John Enoch –Corporal
Musicians
John Jordun
Silas Rice
Daniel Stutsmen
Isaac Conover
John Baker
Mathew Thomson
Wm B. Guy
Adam Deam
John McClain
Thomas Reed
B.Tannott
B. Dilley
John Davis
James T. Snodgrass
Samuel Dille
John Kyle
John Wolf
John Bauker
Daniel Neff
Lewis Neff
James Willison
Jacob Houser
Joseph Maccron
Isaac Kemp
David Kemp
Philip Wagner
John Rench Jr.
Samuel Kemp
William Freybeck
John Burns
Henry Deam
Jacob M. Crain
Peter Fackel
Michael Heckman
Jonathon Mayhill
Abraham Neff
Tom Homer
Machal Radeback
Abraham Enoch
Daniel Flower
James B. Hill
Jacob Wilson
Peter Carter
James Brown
Matthew Thomson
Will Thomson
Josiah (X) Clawson
John Johnston
Phillip Wagner
James R. Guy
John Wert
D. Gabbry
James Johnson
Peter Carter
John Hanley
George Saylor
L.W. Reynold
Jacob Fockel
John Willson
Jacob Hettan
Abraham Capel
Peter Curtner
Frederick Hoover
Andreas Westfall
James Roof
Jacob Arnold
George Kephart
Conrad Wolf
Jacob Enoch
James S. Fox
Henry Slusser
John Arnold
William Mason
Thomas McParker
Thomas Jimason
The transcription of this document was copied from the Hayner Cultural Center Genealogy Room, which was managed by the Troy Ohio Historical Society. The Hayner Genealogy Room is now defunct and their collection is in the Troy History Library. A special thanks to Juda Moyer, who shared this document with me in the late 1990’s…
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