James Biser Whisker

The Pennsylvania Colonial Militia in Peace and War James Biser Whisker

Unlike the other colonies, Pennsylvania had no compulsory militia law until after the defeat of the British Army under General Braddock in 1755. The fair treatment accorded the native aborigine by William Penn combined with a general control over the tribes which inhabited Pennsylvania tribes by the English-allied Iroquois had produced relative quiet up until that point. The Quaker dominated legislature was utterly opposed to any sort of military arrangement, although it did allow Benjamin Franklin to create a private voluntary militia. Ravages on the frontier compelled the Quakers to end their opposition and a milita law was passed. The Pennsylvania colonial militia assisted in the expulsion of the French from western Pennsylvania and responded to renewed problems with the Amerindians during the Conspiracy of Pontiac, as well as other smaller engagements.