Muskets, 1744
Distribution of muskets by the British Government to the inhabitants of Guernsey, October 1744. Said to come from a manuscript in the hand of George Syvret, dated 1817.
Distribution of 1000 muskets and accessories sent to the inhabitants of Guernsey, by Order of His Majesty, dated 7th November 1744. From notes in the Musket Drill for the Guernsey Militia (early 18th century).
| Parish | Muskets | Bayonets & belts | Cartouches | Musket balls in pounds | Flints | Recipients |
St Peter Port (1) St Peter Port (2) | 300 300 | 300 300 | 300 300 | 1800 1800 | 3000 3000 | Mr. Thomas Priaulx, representing Mr Daniel Carey, absent, and Mr. Nicholas Dobrée, son of Samuel, constables |
| St Sampson | 50 | 50 | 50 | 300 | 500 | Messrs Pierre Ogier & Jean Mollet, do. |
| Vale | 65 | 65 | 65 | 390 | 650 | Nicolas Le Patourel and Nics. Sauvarin, do. |
| Câtel | 100 | 100 | 100 | 600 | 1000 | Hellier De Jersey & Nics. Marquis, do. |
| St Saviour | 100 | 100 | 100 | 600 | 1000 | Chas. De Lisle & Nicolas Simon, do. |
| St Peter in the Wood | 110 | 110 | 110 | 660 | 1100 | Jean Paint & Hellier Lenfestey, do. |
| Torteval | 50 | 50 | 50 | 300 | 500 | Jean Gallienne & Nics. Simon, do. |
| Forest | 50 | 50 | 50 | 300 | 500 | Charles Allez & Hellier Rouget, do. |
| St Martin | 115 | 115 | 115 | 690 | 1150 | Jean Ollivier & Nics. Thoume, do. |
| St Andrew | 60 | 60 | 60 | 360 | 600 | Jean Le Pelley & Jean Le Mesurier, do. |
| TOTAL | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 6000 | 10000 | 1st issue of flintlock muskets to the militia, from MS book by George Syvret, 1817. |
For more numbers concerning the early militia, see, for example, The Diary of Pierre Le Roy, entry for 16th September 1656, listing the militiamen by parish at the pan-island Grand Muster, before Colonels Bingham and Squire. Sir Peter Osborne also reviewed the militia in 1621. See Groves' history of the Royal Guernsey Militia.
Edith Carey, 'Notes from a MS book lent me by Mrs Mollet of La Villette,' in Folk Lore: Stories from the country people, Vol I:
28 August 1621, all men of the island reviewed by the Governor. The number of men per parish was as follows: St Sampson, 57; Vale, 114; Torteval, 45; Saint Saviour, 130; Forest, 60; St Pierre du Bois, 120; St Martin, 136; Câtel, 120; St Andrew, 63; Town, 312. Total: 1157.
Guernsey Historical
A correspondent writes: The following extract with reference to the forwarding of arms at a remote period will doubtless be interesting to some of your readers. In 1224 the Constable of the Tower of London was ordered to deliver without delay to Galfridus de Lusy, the English Governor, 20 cross-bows and 5,000 arrows (cuarrelles). In 1225 an order for 10 cross-bows and 2,000 arrows was given. In 1226 20 cross-bows and 5,000 arrows were also forwarded. In King Edward III's reign in 1328, for the supply of the castles of the islands, 120 shields painted with the King's arms, 100 cross-bows and 20 others were sent. In 1226 the balies of Southampton delivered five cartloads of lead for the use of the castles.