The militia of the Revolution was organized by an act of the Provincial Convention passed August 22, 1775. Ulster County was divided into four regimental districts. The second district comprised the precincts of New Windsor, Hanover and Wallkill. At first there were twelve companies in the regiment, of which Hanover furnished five, commanded by Captain Matthew Felter, William Jackson, James Milliken, John J. Graham and John Gillespie. In 1777 the number of companies was reduced to nine, four of which were in Hanover, under Captains Felter, Milliken, Hendrik Van Keuren and James McBride. An eminent historian said of the second regiment of Ulster County militia that "it gave, perhaps, more fighting men than were drawn from other similar organizations," and that "no other regiment of militia was more active from the beginning until the end of the war." There was fight in it from start to finish. "As a rule circumstances would not admit of the calling out of an entire company from its beat at one time; some must remain at home; but portions of this regiment were in almost constant motion, some going, others returning." From December, 1876, to April 12, 1778, less than 16 months, the militia of Hanover and adjoining precincts were called out twelve times and spent 202 days in the field. Although the records of churches and traditions give glimpses of controversies, the inhabitants of Hanover precinct acted with great unanimity and showed an intense patriotic spirit during the War for Independence. The pledge of association, dated May 8, 1775, in which they pledged their "support to the Continental Congress in resisting the oppressive acts of the British Parliament," and in the most solemn manner resolved "never to become slaves," was signed first by Dr. Charles Clinton and received 342 signatures. The history of the men of Montgomery in the Revolution, who they were, and what they did, if it could be written, would be a story of toils, privation and exposure of great interest to the present generation. In few sections of the State did the burden of the war bear more heavily than in the valleys of the Wallkill and the Hudson, and in no portion was it borne with more unflinching determination. But this history cannot be written. The names of many of these men and their deeds have sunk into oblivion. A few of those preserved by history and tradition, together with the places where they lived, are mentioned. To locate the places definitely the names of the owners at the present (1908), are given.