Was John I a soldier?

Was John Mills #1 in the military?  He was imprisoned guiding British subjects to the loyalist refugee camp on Staten Island. He makes no mention in his land application that he was a soldier.

Appendix B, Old UEL List p 213 shows two John Mills, one in the H District and one in Marysburgh.  John in the H District is ours as the notation is regarding his imprisonment on Staten Island and the certificate confirming this is from John Petit.

  But the information regarding land granted to the Marysburgh John was the Grimsby land received by John I.  I have looked through the original records and determined that this was a transcription error.  I explain this in more detail in the chapter regarding John I’s land in Grimsby – Lot 8 & 9 Concession 5.  No wonder there is so much confusion!

The reference of John of Marysburgh, O.C. 7th July 1796 on the Old UEL typed list, refers to this document:

            The notation beside John Mills name - MS 275 #45 is the document certified by John Petit.  To add to the confusion when John Mills I requested a further 200 acres, the men confirming his eligibility said “…his son the only one of them that was of age fit for that service at his request escaped to the British and joined that army as a soldier at New York.”  

             John's son John would have been the correct age and appears to be the oldest son?  Parker was not far behind, but he only applied for land as a settler.  There must be another son that joined the British Army or the above statement is incorrect.

Is this John Mills ours? Or is he the Marysburgh John?

Muster Roll of Captain Joseph LEE’s Company in the 6th Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers, Commanded by Lt. Colonel Isaac ALLEN, Richmond, September 8th 1777—

Captain Joseph LEE
Lieutenant John VOUGHT
Ensign Cornelius THOMSON
Sgt Peter CYPHER
John MILLS   sick
	“The British presence on Staten Island attracted Loyalist refugees, from New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island.  This once sparsely settled island had now been transformed into a British Garrison and Loyalist refugee camp.” “With the evacuation of New Jersey, the 6th battalion set up quarters on Staten Island, The battalion was foremost in the pursuit of the retreating Continentals, including a bayonet charge on their rearguard, which resulted in the loss of several men. For a small unit, they were paying a heavy percentage in losses. Although their ranks were small, no one could question their bravery. Among the members of this battalion was Captain Joseph LEE, a recent emigrant from England.”(1) Again, not enough information to tie this particular John Mills to our family.

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[1] That Ever Loyal Island: Staten Island and the American Revolution