Captains & Colonels
Miscellany Mondays
Question from a reader: "What is the history of Revolutionary War titles and honorifics? Many settlers were called Captain and some even Colonel. Some of these were doubtless linked to Militias but the use of Captain was pervasive."
The short answer: A few different titles were common and almost always indicated a person's rank while in service or their status as a veteran.
Read on for the longer answer....
23 Andover veterans are remembered at Andover’s Revolutionary War memorial at the corner of School and Central streets.
Andover was an active participant in the Revolutionary War and the cause for independence.
Most Andover men enlisted as privates, but a few carried their titles from the French and Indian War into the Continental Army. Others received appointments for their involvement in the colonial independence movement.
From Sarah Bailey’s Historical Sketches of Andover and town records, we can infer that a Captain held one of the most important ranks at the local level, as he led his company of around 60 fellow citizens into battle.
A record of military officers from Andover in 1775 lists:
10 captains
3 colonels
1 brigadier general
1 surgeon
This list of military officers makes sense for 700 enlisted soldiers.
However, a survey of gravestones in Andover tells a different story.
Andover and North Andover burials include:
at least 39 with the title “Captain"
6 with the title “Colonel"
3 with the title “Ensign”
6 with the title “Private”
These numbers include people who served in pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary Wars.
South Church Burial Ground
Where did all these extra people with titles come from?
It likely stems from promotions during or after the war. Soldiers earned promotions for serving for a certain period of time. The Continental Army encouraged men to serve longer by providing pay and adding benefits when promoted.
Many of the captains buried in Andover and North Andover may have earned promotions late in the war and never had the chance to serve in their new role. In that sense, the rank of captain was honorary. Most of the Continental Army disbanded after Great Britain recognized America's independence.
Colonel, on the other hand, has an explicit history as an honorific title aside from its traditional use. The Continental Army bestowed this title upon land-owning men who funded local or state militias. They had no obligation to serve. This tradition has its roots in England during the Middle Ages.
For example, Colonel Samuel Johnson served as a civil officer. He represented Andover in the Massachusetts General Court.
The title is still used today by some states as a broad honorary award or distinction. One of the most famous examples is “Colonel Sanders” from the KFC fast-food chain.
Revolutionary War veterans, at least in Andover, rarely used the title “Private." It doesn’t hold distinction beyond veteran and was unnecessary in muster rolls. Out of 6 instances of the title “Private” used in Andover cemeteries, 5 died during the war, indicating the title’s importance during, but not after the war.
Titles might not be as pervasive as we may think. About 700 men enlisted including 335 who marched to Lexington. That’s about 25% of Andover’s population at the time!
If you spot one of these titles prefixed to an Andover citizen from the 18th century, it is safe to assume they had something to do with the American Revolution.
"South Church Burial Ground," by local artist JWM, was on display in the History Center's 2018 juried art show, Places.
Many thanks to volunteer Floyd Greenwood for researching and writing this Miscellany Mondays question!