"we trust in God, that should the state of out affairs require it, we shall be ready to sacrifice our estates and everything sear in life, yea, and life itself, in support of the common cause."
The militia were farmers who had their own weapons and helped the American army. The minutemen were the more efficient and official, elite force of the army.
The difference was that militia were men with their own weapons that they provided. They also protected their town.
The minuteman were men who were picked to be an elite force who had to be mobile and able to assemble quickly.
Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen. The Minutemen were armed militia to arrive or await a battle. Most minutemen we the ages of 25 years or younger. This all started some time around 1645 and also there was a company in 1689 that selected them.
Sources for information above: http://www.ushistory.org/brandywine/special/art01.htm
