Palatine Arms Question

[Morgan]

This doesn't seem to fit in to any of the other forums so I'll thorw it out here to see if anyone can help answer the question.

In 1711 the Palatine immigrants began something of a rebellion against Gov. Hunter. Their sustenance had been cut off and the naval stores project had been suspended due to lack of funds or continuing credit for Gov. Hunter. After a meeting with them, where many showed up armed and angry Hunter fled. After calling in re-inforcements from Albany, prior to another meeting the troops were sent in the contain and forcibly dis-arm the Palatines.

My question is, where did these arms come from? The Palatines were wholly dependent upon the Crown/Gov. Hunter for provision, and as far as I can tell no arms were made part of that provision. About 300 had accompanied Col. Nicholson on the Montreal Campaign...would they have been allowed to retain the arms furnished to them for this? I cannot see that they would have brought arms with them from Europe, most of them being poor and desitute before embarking on the journey to the New World. What type of arms would they have aquired and where would they have aquired them?

Anybody have ideas or information on this?

Morgan

[Loyalist Dave]

Hunter dispatched a company of 60 soldiers to put down what they thought might become an armed rebellion, not what was an armed rebellion.  The land that had been set aside for the refugees was not useable, so Hunter tried to secure additional land.  Apparently the Palantines were not foresters, but were farmers, and many of their youngsters were apprenticed in Albany, while they were relocated to a pine forest area a good distance from Albany, where they were expected to produce products from pine trees.  There was an unconnected "slave revolt" as well in NY and the militia turned out to put it down, so there were locals with arms.  So perhaps the Palatines were not in possession of arms, but you don't have to be too sharp to hit a lone militia man in the head with a rock, and take his firelock, eh?

LD

[Morgan]

Actually I have found reference to the fact that Hunter proposed to issue 600 firelocks, powder and shot to the Palatines to allow them to be a buffer zone on the frontier.  I have not verified that yet, but it would give an answer to where and how they obtained weapons.

It is referenced to "Colonial History of the State of New York", V, 113-4.

Morgan

[mario]

Actually I have found reference to the fact that Hunter proposed to issue 600 firelocks, powder and shot to the Palatines to allow them to be a buffer zone on the frontier.  I have not verified that yet, but it would give an answer to where and how they obtained weapons.

It is referenced to "Colonial History of the State of New York", V, 113-4.

Morgan

"Buffer" wasn't neccesarily an armed resistance. Merely a "they'll kill them instead of us because they're closer" zone.

Palatines obtained weapons just like any other settler, trade, purchase, etc. There are all sorts of different arms here in the valleys from the F&I/RevWar. Brit, Dutch, American...

Mario

[Morgan]

"The stores formerly sent to New York being exhausted by the intended Expedition to Canada, and that People being to be planted on the Frontiers it will be absolutely necessary they be armed with 600 Firelocks & Bayonetts at least, from Her Majesty's Stores here, and a proporitionable quantity of powder and shott, and other ammunition stores according to custome. "
Excerpt from a letter from Robert Hunter to the Lords of Trade, Nov 30, 1709 Colonial History of the State of New York, V, 113.

Thanks to Pichou for providing me a link to the document!

Morgan