Types of Civil Service Accepted by the DAR

Over the next several posts, I will attempt to describe the various types of service acceptable by the Daughters of the American Revolution for Patriots. Patriots within the DAR must have, "with unfailing loyalty to the cause of American Independence, served as a sailor, soldier, civil officer, or rendered acceptable patriotic service."

The DAR requires that applicants trying to prove a "new" Patriot submit proof of their ancestor's service as well as their residence during time of service. Federal records are acceptable. Contemporary letters from the ancestor or a person who knew the ancestor personally are acceptable. But rather than discuss the types of sources one can use to prove service, I want to focus instead on the types of service possible.

The first type I hope to describe is civil service. This requires that the Patriot conducted business under the authority of the new federal, state, county, and/or town governments while being loyal to America's separation from the crown.

Civil service is said to begin after the royal governor(s) were removed from power and when a statewide American government was formed. Also, Americans must have gained control of the area. Cities and states still being occupied by the British are not eligible locations for civil service to have been performed.

Now I will offer some examples of offices or officials that qualify as civil service positions with the DAR.

• State Officials (other than Governor and members of the legislature) (see Hugh Alexander Sr.)
• County and Town Officials
• Assessor (see Henry Abrahams)
• Auditor (see Charles Abercrombie)
• Constable (see Ephraim Abbott)
• Entry Taker (see John Adair)
• Judge (see John Baptiste Alarie)
• Juror (see Jabez Abbott)
• Justice of the Peace (see Jacob Abbott)
• Moderator (see Stephen Alvord)
• Overseer of the Poor (see Philip Conrad Aumiller)
• Selectman (see Isaac Abbott, Sr.)
• Sheriff (see Samuel Abel)
• Surveyor/Overseer of Highways/Roads (see Daniel Abbey)
• Town Clerk (see Jacob Abbott)
• Town Officer (see Joseph Abbott)
• Town Treasurer (see Joshua Abel)

This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a general idea of the types of positions eligible.

See Debbie Duay's website for a full list of current Revolutionary War Service Sources.