Boston Sea Fencibles' Signal Roll

The Boston Sea Fencibles was chartered June 13, 1817 by the Massachusetts legislature. This organization was formed as a naval militia to serve the Commonwealth when needed. Membership was open to those over the age of twenty-one who had commanded a vessel on a foreign voyage or had served as first mate or supercargo on a foreign voyage. This listing gives the names of the members as of August 1824 as well as the number that was to be used on their individual signal flags. The original is in the NEHGS rare books collection, call number Rare Book F73.1/B82.

The orderly book for this organization covers the time from its founding in 1817 to the end of the year 1829. This book is kept in the NEHGS manuscripts collection, call number MSS B.B68 v.2. In addition to minutes of meetings and lists of members, this volume contains many original signatures of the members of the organization.

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