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The standard source of Rev War info in PA has traditionally been a series of books which are part of the Pennsylvania Archives. You will see references such as PA(5), VI, meaning Fifth Series, Sixth Volume.
There is now a card file index online through the Pennsylvania State Archives ARIAS system which adds other records such as payments.
You can imagine what a temptation it has been in the drive to connect an ancestor with a record to point to a list and say, "There he is". I have seen such a Pennsylvanian who allegedly went to Massachusetts to join a local militia. The PA militia system was very local. You served where you resided. (That applies to local militia, not Continental Line.) The point is that, beyond a name on a list, some other circumstantial evidence is needed.
The PA Archives records are based mainly on surviving muster lists or payrolls. Perry County had not at the time been formed from Cumberland Co, PA, where there were unrelated Crocketts southeast of Carlisle at Boiling Springs. But the settlers in the mountains north of Carlisle (now Perry, Juniata, etc) had their own organizations.
To make a tight case, you would probably have to become more familiar with which outfits served where and when. The PA militia system included almost every male who was not too old, too young, disabled, exempt because of profession or position, or willing to pay to be left out. Even if one only paid fines for skipping drill, militia duty can sometimes be proved. The units were split into units called "classes" so some groups would be called, if needed, while the others continued to keep the farms going at home. However, in the case of the Crocketts, there appear records of actual service, in the sense that Crocketts were in groups which were called up. I once tried to establish where the captains lived, and I feel confident that these are the Cumberland-now-Perry County, PA, Crocketts. I have included in brackets what I believe are the home locations of captains, but this is from my research, not official records.
Military Records:
* 1777, October 23 (called up): Fourth Battalion, 2nd Company, 4th Class, in service. Captain Philip Matthias; First Lieutenant, Alexander Robertson; Second Lieutenant, John Reed; Ensign, Joseph McCoy.
[Captain Philip Matthias was from Greenwood Twp as were the Crocketts.]
William Crocket, private (served)
On card file, spelled "Crochet".
(Penna Archives 5th Series, VI, 246)
* 1780: Marching Roll of Captain George Heay's Company of the Seventh Battalion, Class Third. Captain Bole's Company, Class Third.
[Captain David Boal was from Greenwood Twp, modern Perry Co, where he died at home in 1824.]
Jn'o Crocket
(not on card file)
* 1780, May 1
Captain David Boal's (Bole's) Company, Second Company, Seventh Battalion of Cumberland Co, Militia, commanded by Colonel Purdy.
[Captain David Boal was from Greenwood Twp, modern Perry Co, where he died at home in 1824.]
Sam'l Crocket, first class
* 1781, June 27 (called)
Seventh Battalion, 2nd Company, 1st Class
Samuel Crocket (served)
* 1781, August 3--1781, Oct 2
Captain Hugh McAllister's Company
[McAllister was from Fermanagh Twp, modern Juniata Co, adjoining Perry Co.]
Samuel Crocket/Crockit, private
* 1786, March: Samuel Crockett, Cumberland Co, PA, militia. Paid £10.10.0 by certificate 11,122. Recorded Book B, page 45 Militia Loan of 1 Apr. 1785 & 30 Mar. 1785, "Public Debt", Records of the Comptroller General at D.(epartment of) P.(ublic) R.(evenue).
Organizational activities are known from soldiers narratives, especially pension applications. For example, while working on the Samuel Utter connection, probably Samuel-and-John-and-William-and-James's brother-in-law, I found statements that Abraham Utter served in Cumberland Co, PA militia under Captain McCallister and Lt John Reed. He joined at Colonel Purdy's and went to Penns Valley and Potter's Fort. He served next under Captain Horrell. He mentions one sergeant Saml Utter in the course of his statements leading a militia company which relieved his company. Going by the Penna Archives, all of this is reflected only in PA(5), VI, 56, Cumberland Co, PA Militia, 1778, Captain Horrell: Abraham Utter, Samuel Utter. This is to give some idea of how little the militia rosters can tell you about what really was going on.
This is the family of William and Margaret Crockett of Wildcat Creek of formerly Greenwood Twp, Cumberland Co, PA, but present-day Greenwood Twp, Perry, Co, PA.
Greenwood was the fourth township formed in Cumberland Co, in 1767, and was divided into several townships and boroughs over time. Most of it went to Perry Co which was created in 1820. A little went to original Mifflin Co in 1789 from which Juniata Co was formed, so that today Greenwood Twp, Perry Co adjoins Greenwood Twp, Juniata Co. Wildcat Ridge runs about ten miles east to west through the present-day Greenwood Twp, Perry Co. On its south is Perry Valley, which formerly was called Wildcat Valley, and that valley is bounded on the south by Buffalo Mountain. Wildcat Run is in the southwestern corner of present-day Greenwood, on the east side of the Juniata River. Millerstown would have been up the Juniata River a few miles from that area. A Cocalamus Creek is in the northwest part of the township.
William and Margaret Crocket [b 1734, Ireland] are believed to have been parents of Samuel, James, John, and William. James died 2 Sept 1795 in Cumberland Co, PA. Three moved to Robertson Co, TN, where in 1797 Samuel witnessed deeds in Robertson Co, TN for William Crockett and John Crockett. I have seen Jane given as one of the daughters as wife of James Shannon but have not found any more. Mary is thought to have married Samuel Utter (lawyer, who co-administered William's estate).
There was once a posting where Jinny Jackson Smith was looking for male heirs of James and William. James died in 1795 without heirs. I have notes that William junior and Rosanna named children: (1) William (after William's father and self); (2) Margaret (after William's mother and sister); (3) John (after William's brother); and (4) Mary (after William's sister). However, my primary interest is in documenting this family in PA. I'm not much help after that.
I can get the Penna Archives series, volume,page references for you. If you have more questions, I am at familydog@comcast.net
All Best,
Don Maring
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