1782 Georgia Amercement Bill – Effingham County

In the context of the American Revolutionary War era, an “amercement bill” found in government records typically refers to a legal or administrative document listing fines or penalties levied against individuals—often for political or civil disobedience, failure to perform required duties, or loyalist sympathies.

In July, 1782, the assembly considered restoring to Georgia citizenship those loyalists who were not named in 1782 confiscation and banishment act, and appointed county commitees to draw up lists of such people.

The lists of individuals below appear to be of those Effingham County residents who failed to act appropriately during the Revolutionary War. The exact cause is not stated in the records that I have found. This act amerced certain people who had been amenable to British control in Georgia but who were not named in the 1782 confiscation and banishment act.

I expect that the class of persons reflected the seriousness of their violation and may have reflected the cause itself. One being the lesser, two being the greater offense.

This bill is important to genealogists for two reasons:

1. It proves your ancestor was in Effingham County, Georgia, by July, 1872.
2. It probably^[1]See How I Describe Levels of Conviction in Genealogical Research shows that your ancestor DID NOT serve in the Revolutionary War.

A Bill for restoring certain Persons herein after mentioned to the Rights of Citizenship within this State, was read the first time.

The Committee to whom were refered the Cases of Several Persons who had surrendered themselves to Col^o Johnson in Effingham County. Report.

That they find the said Persons ought to to be divided into two Classes Number one and two (Which being taken into Consideration was agreed to.

Number One consisting of thirty three Persons, to find three recruits amongst them, the same to be determined by Lot or otherwise, as they may agree, and the rest to be restored immediately to the Rights of Citizenship. Their names as follow. Vz^t

Number Two, to be put on the Amercement Bill, and to be Amerced agreeable to the rates which other Persons named in the said Bill are Amerced at. Their names as follow, making in all fifty four Persons.

Source: Candler, Allen Daniel, Georgia General Assembly; The Revolutionary records of the State of Georgia; Atlanta, Ga. : The Franklin-Turner Company, 1908.