The Valley Forge Muster Roll, a project of the Valley Forge Park Alliance, is dedicated to those who were at winter quarters from December 19, 1777, to June, 19, 1778. The Continental Army used monthly muster rolls to track the army’s strength. Each roll contains names, ranks, dates of enlistment, and other notes on soldiers’ assignments, activities, or conditions.
New entries are welcomed based on providing the following kinds of primary documentation. You may also contact us to provide additional information about individuals that are currently listed on the Valley Forge Muster Roll.
Suggested Documentation
To be added to the Valley Forge Muster Roll please provide the following documentation:
- Payroll stub
- Application for a Pension
- Discharge papers
- Original Muster Roll records
Please send documentation to musterroll@vfparkalliance.org or mail to:
Valley Forge Park Alliance, Attention: Muster Roll, P.O. Box 117, Valley Forge, PA 19481
For additional information in authenticating your ancestry, please visit www.fold3.com.
Quote of the Month
In an effort to weed out Loyalist sympathizers during the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army.
General Orders
Head-Quarters V. Forge Thirsday May 7th 1778.
C. Signs Grantham Gates.
Parole Guilford—
William Barber Esquire is appointed Aide de-Camp to Major General Lord Stirling, vice Major McWilliams who has resigned and is to be respected accordingly.
The Honorable Congress have been pleased by their resolution of the 3rd of February last to require all Officers as well civil as military, holding Commissions under them to take & subscribe the following Oath or Affirmation according to the Circumstances of the Parties.
“I [ ] do acknowledge The United States of America to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States and declare that the People thereof owe no Allegiance or Obedience to George the Third King of Great-Britain and I renounce refuse and abjure any Allegiance or Obedience to him, and I do swear (or affirm) that I will to the utmost of my Power support, maintain & defend the said United States against the said King George the third, his heirs and Successors & his and their Abettors, Assistants and Adherents and will serve the said United States in the Office of [ ] which I now hold with Fidelity according to the best of my skill and understanding. Sworn before me at [ ] this day of [ ] A.D.[”]
Additionally, Nathanael Greene collected signed oaths from his Deputies.
Major General Greene is to administer the same Oath and to grant the like Certificates to the Officers in his department.
The Commissaries of Provisions both Issuing and Purchacing and to the Commissary of Forage and his Deputies; besides which he is to administer to the said officers the following Oath and to grant duplicate Certificates.
I [ ] do swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully truly and impartially execute the Office of [ ] to which I am appointed and render a true Account when thereunto required of all publick Monies by me received or expended and of all stores or other effects to me intrusted which belong to The United States and will in all respects discharge the Trust reposed in me with Justice and Integrity according to the best of my Skill and understanding.
https://founders.archives.gov/
Commemorate your distinguished heritage with personalized products specific to your ancestor.
To purchase: Click here to search the Muster Roll for your ancestor. Click MORE DETAILS. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view information that will appear on your personalized Muster Roll Certificate and/or Muster Roll Mug.
Please visit Shop to view and purchase other encampment related products.
SUPPORT THE MUSTER ROLL
This project, a fully volunteer operation needs your support so that all of the soldiers that encamped at Valley Forge will be remembered well into our share future. We welcome your support to maintain the Muster Roll as a free service so that everyone can discover or add to the legacy of the brave Americans at Valley Forge.
Add your name to the Honorary Muster Roll when you make a tax-deductible contribution of $20 or more. Thank you for your generosity.
Yours in Service to our Shared Heritage, the Valley Forge Park Alliance.