trainband

IPA: trˈeɪnbænd

(now historical) A company of trained civilian militia operating in England and North America between the 16th and the 18th centuries.

Examples of "trainband" in Sentences

In the early American colonies, the trainband was the most basic tactical unit.
"Humph! To-morrow you will deliver ten guns to the captain of the trainband at the court-house.
At noon of May 31, 1689, Leisler summoned the citizens to arms by beat of drum, mustering his own trainband before his house.
Except the malefactors whom we have described, and the diseased or infirm persons, the whole male population of the town, between sixteen years and sixty, were seen in the ranks of the trainband.
And he proceeded to write some sentences, which he handed in to the clerk, who read out in his calm voice: "John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown; a trainband captain eke was he of famous London town."
AT noon of on autumnal day, more than two centuries ago, the English colors were displayed by the standard-bearer of the Salem trainband, which had mustered for martial exercise under the orders of John Endicott.
In Weaver v. Ward,/1/the defendant set up that the plaintiff and he were skirmishing in a trainband, and that when discharging his piece he wounded the plaintiff by accident and misfortune, and against his own will.