Re: Edward Oder--Stafford Co., VA--1846
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In reply to:
Re: Edward Oder--Stafford Co., VA--1846
Ken Oder 3/28/09
Dear Mr. Oder,
Thanks so much for responding to my query about Edward/Edbert Oder.The state militia records are on file in the Library of Virginia in Richmond.I've abstracted the names from those pertaining to Stafford County--about 1500 names in all.My goal is to provide brief biographical footnotes for as many of the men as possible.Edbert is the only one of the Oders listed.Most of the militia records fall into three general categories:commissions, some payment records for the War of 1812, and lists of men who failed to appear for the required summer monthly musters.This last group is, by far, the largest and is where Edbert's name appeared.A man was fined $2.00 for each muster he missed, a considerable sum.The lists of absentees were turned over to the county sheriff who was responsible for collecting the fines.This fine money seems to have been a large portion of the militia's operating budget.
Thanks again!
Jerrilynn