Amid mounting tensions with Great Britain in 1807, Governor Robert Wright gave commissions to Queen Anne's County residents Richard Ireland Jones, Thomas Emory, and Joseph H. Nicholson to establish militia cavalry units. Jones led Church Hill's First Troop, the True Republican Blues, and equipped his men with uniforms and arms. In March 1812, angered that their commander had not been reappointed his commission, the True Republican Blues disbanded in protest. Though deeply devoted to Jones, they remained loyal to the American cause and later rejoined the cavalry militia under Captain George Godwin. At a March 31, 1812, meeting of the Church Hill Troop of Horse, they declared that the stand of colors presented by Mrs. Juliana Paca would not be unfurled until the Executive complied with the rights of the troops by giving the officers their due grade. Richard Ireland Jones inspired such loyalty that members felt individually injured by the conduct of the Executive and resolved to resent the indignity by disbanding the troop. A letter by troop quartermaster Thomas Crane listed state militia property that remained in Church Hill one month after a British attack in the county in August 1813.