Delaware in the War of 1812

Online Resources

 * at FamilySearch — index & images
 * at FamilySearch — index & images
 * War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812-1815 at Fold3.com — images
 * War of 1812 Pension Files at Fold3.com — images
 * Delaware in the War of 1812 at Delaware Public Archives — images

Introduction
The declaration of war in June 1812 caused the Delaware government to take action. In November 1812, it activated the militia and began ordering military supplies.

On 26 December 1812, the British declared a blockade of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays though the British Fleet did not arrive in the area until Feb 1813.

During the war, Delaware furnished 3,316 infantry men, 147 cavalry men, 318 artillery men, and 57 men in miscellaneous units for a total of 3,838 men.

State Records
The Delaware Public Archives and the Delaware Historical Society have records of soldiers who served in this war. Delaware in the War of 1812 Delaware Public Archives

Service Records

 * at FamilySearch — index & images. This database gives the name, company, rank at time of induction and at time of discharge of 600,000 men mustered from all states into the armed forces between 1812 and 1825.
 * War of 1812 Service Records ar Ancestry.com — index ($). This database gives name, company, rank at time of induction and at time of discharge of 600,000 men mustered from all states into the armed forces between 1812 and 1825.
 * Henry C. Peden, Jr., The Delaware militia in the War of 1812, Lewes, Delaware : Colonial Roots, 2003 FS Library 975.1 M2phc

Pension Records
A soldier may have been recorded in state records (see below) or in federal records (see US War of 1812 Pension Records).


 * Fold3. Delaware, War of 1812 Pension Files. Organized by surname. Shows entire pension file for those digitized.


 * FamilySearch Historical Records Collection On line Database:

Important National and International Sources

 * United States in the War of 1812 has lists of records, books, etc. for the United States, not just one state. The federal records are listed here rather than on each state page. Two of the most important are:


 * War of 1812, 1812 to 1815 has lists of general books and documentaries, as well as a list battles with links to web sites about the battles, and other information not tied to one country.