Daily AncestorMinuteman
A minuteman was a member of a picked New England militia company of the Revolutionary era, trained to be ready to march at a minute's notice.
Massachusetts towns had long chosen some militiamen for quick response, and after the Powder Alarm of 1774 minute companies were organized across the colony. Minutemen were younger, often no more than 30, trained more, and stayed part of the militia regiments. They made up about a quarter of the militia and were among the first to fight in the Revolution.
Minuteman service did not qualify a man for the Society of the Cincinnati, which was limited to Continental officers.
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Daily Ancestor. "Minuteman." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/military/minuteman. Last checked 2026-10-12.