In the winter months of 1973-74, Danvers Town Archivist Richard B. Trask, and Danvers fireman, Robert G. Osgood, both members of the Danvers Bicentennial Committee, talked over the possibility of establishing a recreated eighteenth-century militia organization in Danvers. They had often seen other recreated militia and minuteman companies in various parades, and decided to try to create a Danvers company.

An article was placed in the local papers, inviting interested persons sixteen years of age or older to attend an organizational meeting on February 20, 1974, at the Historical society, Memorial Hall, at 13 Page Street. The article stated that it was the organization's objective to recreate the militia as historically accurately as possible, containing a diversity of uniforms and accountrements typical of the period. "The militia will train in the eighteenth-century manner, participate in the area Bicentennial activities and be an educational activity for both the enjoyment of the participants and for the enlightenment of the community as to the militia's original purpose, its historical impact, and the clothing of the period."

The first meeting brought forth about thirty people from all walks of life. Osgood and Trask outlined their proposal, explained the importance of accuracy in recreating a company, and outlined the history of the Danvers militia and alarm companies. Of those present that night, fourteen went on to be regular members and became the nucleus of the Danvers company. A committee composed of Trask, George Meehan, and August Schildbach was appointed to come back with a tentative by-law.

The next meeting of the group was not to take place until April 23, 1974, but during the interim much was happening. Catalogs of reproductions equipment and clothing were acquired from many sources and serious research into the eighteenth-century records of the town was begun by Trask.