SOLD – Revolutionary War Musket Carried by Capt George Lambert, Bedford, Virginia

SOLD – Revolutionary War Musket Carried by Capt George Lambert

American stocked Revolutionary musket, branded ‘GL’ initials on the stocked, was carried by Captain George Lambert, Bedford, Virginia. The musket was likely stocked by a committee of safety gunsmith working in the Bedford County, Virginia using an English lock. The barrel is a large 70 caliber of French or Dutch ca 1730’s origin, the lock is an original 1740’s flintlock,the sideplate, trigger guard and butt plate were made by the American gunsmith, the barrel bands are French or Dutch and the musket is stocked in cherry.

The sock has the initials ‘JM’ branded in the stock behind the trigger guard and is attributed to Joseph Marcum, Rev War Bedford County, VA Gunsmith. (see photo of road sign near Bedford, VA).

Captain Lambert was attached to the Virginia 14^th Regiment while commanding his company of soldiers recruited from Bedford County, Virginia.

The 14th Virginia Regiment was an infantry unit authorized on September 16, 1776, for service with George Washington’s Continental Army. Officially organized in February 1777, it consisted of ten companies raised from multiple counties, including Halifax, Pittsylvania, Hanover, and Bedford. The regiment fought bravely across major northern campaigns, endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge, and was later re-designated and sent south, where most of the unit was captured by the British at the Siege of Charleston. Captain Lambert and many of his company avoid capture by early retreat before the British encirclement and escapes across the Cooper River.

Captain George Lambert Revolutionary War Pension

George Lambert, a resident of Russell parish in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia, born in Albemarle County and state of Virginia on the 28th Oct. 1748 (O.S.) [Old Style, i.e. Julian Calendar] aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7^th 1832.

That he was commissioned an ensign in the regular army of the United States in Bedford County Virginia, on the 15th August 1775, under Capt. William Campbell and Lieut. Daniel Trigg, and served in the 1st Regiment of the Virginia line under the following named officers to wit: Patrick Henry Colonel – William Christian Lieutenant Colonel – Francis Eppes Major – William Campbell Captain, and Daniel Trigg Lieutenant – He marched from New London, Va. [now in Campbell County], to Williamsburg.

In the fall of 1775, his company commanded by Capt. Campbell, was detached and sent to great Bridge, and was in the action at that place [9 Dec 1775] under Col. [William] Woodford. He was next in the attack on upon Gwinn’s Island [sic: Gwynn Island] to drive Dunmore from thence in the summer of 1776 [July 8-10]. He served as ensign until his men’s times of enlistment expired, which was one year – when about the 1st Sept. 1776, He was appointed 1st Lieutenant, and acted in that capacity in the 2d. Va. Regiment under Col. Woodford, in recruiting men in Portsmouth Virg’a. for Capt George Nicholas – for three months – from 1st September 1776 until 1st December following; when he returned from Portsmouth to the headquarters of the army at Williamsburg the 1st Dec. 1776 – learning that a company was about to be raised in Bedford County Virginia, for continental service.

He obtained leave of General Andrew Lewis to return to Bedford County Virginia, and offered for the Captaincy of said company, to which he was elected almost unanimously (only one vote against him) and was accordingly commissioned as captain of said company in the regular service of the United States on the fourth Monday [23rd] in December 1776, which could not have fallen later in the month that the 28th.

In the spring of the year 1777, his company being attached to the 14th Regiment of the Virginia line marched from New London Virginia [in present Campbell County] through Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Dumfries (Va), Alexandria, Georgetown, Bladensburg (D.C.) Baltimore, Snowden’s Iron works, Charlestown, Havre De Grace, Head of Elk [now Elkton MD], Wilmington, Chester, Philadelphia, Bristol, Trenton, Princeton, to Middlebrook, New Jersey.

He served under the following named officers to wit: Gen’l. Washington, commander in chief, Nath’l. Greene [Nathanael Greene], Major Gen’l. of Division ___ [George] Weedon, Gen’l. of Brigade, Charles Lewis, Col of the 14th Regiment of Va. Line, Abram Buford [Abraham Buford] Lieut Col., and George Stubblefield Major – under the said officers he served in the battles of Brandywine [11 Sep 1777] & Germantown [4 Oct 1777].

He left the service sometime in February 1780 [see endnote] – he cannot recollect the precise day. He served in the army of the United States not less than the periods mentioned below, to wit – one year ensign – three months a first Lieutenant – and three years and two months as Captain. in the whole four years & five months, for which he claims a pension.

He served as captain at least three years and two months, as will appear by a patent, which issued from the General land office of the United States on the 28th Sept. 1830 in his name for 1000 acres of land in Ohio being a part of a military land warrant No. 6550.

He resided in Bedford County Virginia when he entered the service of the United States, and he resided there ever since the revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.

Death: George Lambert Bedford County December the 22d 1832

Wonderful and historic Rev War musket!