Swain Report Special: War Office 28, Regimental HQ Papers, Part 4

War Office 28, Regimental Headquarters Papers
Swain Report Special, Installment 4


In this latest addition to his continuing series, Library Research Assistant David Swain expands his finding aid for the War Office 28 records to encompass the records of the King's Royal Regiment of New York, one of the premiere Royal Provincial Corps in Canada. David's hard work continues to bring to light important documents that add to our understanding of the British war effort from Canada, which might otherwise be overlooked. For clarification on the different Loyalist Regiment establishments in Canada at this time, please see Todd W. Braisted's entry from the beginning of April.

WPTIII


British War Office 28—American Headquarters Records
Annotated List of Contents—Part 5 (begin Reel 3)
(end Reel 4)

by David Swain

The David Library holds microfilm copies of the British War Office 28 Records, parts 2 through 10 (1775-1785), contained on 8 reels, as follows:

28.2 Letters, returns, etc (reel 1, 176 documents)
28.3 Letters, returns, etc. continued (reel 2, 197 documents)
28.4 Butler’s Rangers; Canadian Fencible Corps; Jessup’s Rangers; Roger’s Rangers; Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment); McAlpin’s Volunteer Corps (reel 3 (part), 223 documents)
28.5 Royal Regiment of New York, Rogers’ King’s Rangers, Barrack Master General’s Department (reel 3 (part), 33 documents; reel 4, 147 documents)
28.6 Engineers; garrison returns; General Hospital Department (reel 5)
28.7 Montreal; ordnance; Quartermaster-General’s Department; St. Johns; Sorel (reel 5; reel 6)
28.8 Three Rivers, petitions and memorials; Germans; Carleton Isle, Cataraqui, Oswego (reel 6)
28.9 Miscellaneous letters, memorials, order books, etc. (reel 7)
28.10 Miscellaneous returns etc. (reel 8)




Note: The compiler of this annotated list has numbered the microfilmed documents consecutively within each reel. These numbers do not appear on the microfilm and are used here only to maintain a sense of order in the contents.

“Letterbooks” among these documents are not actually bound books but are folders of separate-page letters kept at the time by regiments. The microfilm copies of these letters are mostly in chronological order, with a few exceptions. Apparently at a later time, archivists added consecutive printed numbers to the letter pages within each part. These printed numbers are noted in this list for each letterbook or document set.


28.5. Royal Regiment of New York; Rogers’ King’s Rangers, Barrack Master General’s Department (Reels 3 and 4)

Note: from the Public Record Office: “The pages in this volume are too tightly
bound for all words to be reproduced in entirety”


Summary contents:

Reel 3

* Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1778-1780: 33 documents; documents 1 through 33; printed page numbers 1 through 44

Reel 4

* Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1781-1782 (and into 1783): 43 documents; documents 34 through 76; printed page numbers 45 through 98

* Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1783: 26 documents; documents 77 through 102; printed page numbers 99 through 133

* Royal Regiment of New York, papers concerning the second battalion, 1779, 1781-82 (possibly 1778 as well): 13 documents; documents 103 through 115; printed page numbers 134 through 152

* Roger’s King’s Rangers, field officers letters, 1781-1783: 8 documents; documents 116 through 123; printed page numbers 153 through 162

* Barrack Master General’s Department, 1780-1783: 21 documents; documents 124 through 144; printed page numbers 163 through 184

* Royal Regiment of New York, muster rolls: 35 documents; documents 145 through 179; printed page numbers 185 through 220

* Various: 1 document; document 180; page number 221



Itemized, annotated contents:

Reel 3

Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1778-1780: 33 documents with dates from January 13, 1777 through October 17, 1780 (printed page numbers 1 through 44)

1. January 13, 1777
Copy of document from General Guy Carleton giving Major James Gray of the Royal Regiment of New York, in charge of the District of Montreal in the Province of Quebec, authority to administer oaths of allegiance and related powers

2. August 17, 1778
From Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Johnson of the Royal Regiment of New York, at Quebec, to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Enclosing a monthly return for Johnson’s regiment, including attached royalists, except for McAlpin’s return because they are at Nouvelle Beauce [return not microfilmed]

Note: Sir John Johnson (1741-1830), who lived in the Mohawk River valley before the Revolution, sided with the British when the war began. He recruited several hundred other loyalist New Yorkers into what became the Royal Regiment of New York, a part of the regular British Army rather than a loyalist corps.

3. September 16, 1778
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre
Concerning possible exchange of Lieutenant Singleton (British) for Lieutenant Meynard (American)

4. October 16, 1778
From Edward William Gray at Montreal to Le Maistre at Sorel
Has prepared, as requested, a license for Mrs. Myrant to trade with the Indians at Bay de Quainte [an interior post about 235 miles west of Montreal]

5. October 24, 1778
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning the rank of Major Hayes

6. October 24, 1778
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
“The Cressie [?] men belonging to our Rgt is turning troublesome & dangerous”


7. December 7, 1778
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting problems with acquiring firewood, the cost of housing for married officers, and officer houses and kitchen

8. December 7, 1778
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning pay and provisions for “Gentlemen Loyalists” and their families; authorization for subsistence, formerly provided by General Carleton, not included in current general orders

9. February 11, 1779
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Agreeing to keep Charles Rambridge on the regimental roll if he can be “conveniently kept…in any place proper for him”

10. February 11, 1779
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre
Requesting release of “the Harpers” [apparently escaped and captured] whom he thinks know two men who escaped from St. Johns with the Harpers [and must still be at large]; Johnson thinks he can trust the Harpers and requests that they be sent to him to help apprehend the other two men

11. April 5, 1779
From James Gray at St. Sulpice to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting that he has been at home with his family recovering “but slowly” from an illness; seeking extension of his leave time

12. June 24, 1779
From James Gray at St. Sulpice to Le Maistre
Still at home recovering; willing to serve as his physical condition allows; seeking permission to accept a commission from Colonel Barry St. Leger “in the civil line”; reporting that sermons by St. Germain have been trivial, not pro-rebel; opportunities for recruiting

13. September 6, 1779
From James Gray at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Back on duty because of a need for him to return but “far from being thorouly Recovered” and needing to return home

14. [no date; October 6, 1779 written in later in pencil]
From James Gray to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting that one man in the regiment has died; others are ill and not fit for service


15. October 29, 1779
From James Gray to Le Maistre at Quebec
Objecting to the assignment of the regiment to quarter over the winter at Isle Peron and Cul de Sac, the reason being that many of the men are recent recruits and not to be trusted not to defect; reporting a lack of sufficient arms; reporting that one man is confined after attempting to defect

16. November 18, 1779
From James Gray at St. Sulpice to Le Maistre at Quebec
Requesting arms again for the regiment’s men; requesting leave to remain at home over the winter

17. December 13, 1779
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Enclosing a return for his detachment at Carleton Island

18. November 15, 1779
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Expressing concerns about the winter movement of troops; recommending Mr. Patrick Langan to be commissioned an Ensign due to the death of Ensign Kreuser; requesting information about a pay matter concerning Captain Watts

19. December 20, 1779
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Requesting assistance in getting a letter delivered to a person in London; requesting settlement of the ranks among captains in the regiment

20. May 15, 1780
Return of ammunition wanted for the regiment, signed by James Gray

21. May 15, 1780
From James Gray to Le Maistre at Quebec
Enclosing a return of ammunition wanted [document 20]

22. May 18, 1780
From James Gray at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Suggesting his nephew Jacob Tarrant to replace Lieutenant McKenzie who died

23. July 19, 1780
From James Gray at Isle Perrault [?] to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning ranks and appointments

24. July 20, 1780
Return of ammunition wanted, signed by Johnson


25. July 26, 1780
From Johnson at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning organizing the regiment into two battalions; enclosing a return of ammunition wanted [document 24]

26. August 3, 1780
From Johnson at La Chine to General Frederick Haldimand [British commander in Canada]
Concerning claims by [loyalist corps commander] Captain Ebenezer Jessup to men from the late Captain Daniel McAlpin’s [loyalist volunteer] corps and stating the opinion that most of these men are “imaginary”; concerning Johnson’s own reorganization to two battalions and his difficulties in organizing his captains by rank; seeking the commanding general’s assistance with his own organizing and personnel matters; enclosing lists of officers for promotion in the first and second battalions [documents 27, 28]

27. [no date]
“Promotions in the first Battalion”

28. [no date]
“Return of Officers recommended for Promotion in the Second Battalion”

29. August 14, 1780
From Johnson at La Chine to Le Maistre in Quebec
Concerning resolution of the ranking dispute among captains; expressing surprise at the rank assigned Captain John Munro; other personnel matters; recommending Ensign Allan McDonell to replace the deceased Lieutenant McKenzie; enclosing a proposal from Samuel Adams

30. August 11, 1780
From Sam Adams at Montreal to Johnson
A loyalist who says he had raised 70 men under authority from General Burgoyne; now his men, whose term of service is up, are willing to join one of the loyalist regiments; requesting that Johnson forward this proposal to the commanding general

31. October 17, 1780
From Major John Ross at Coteau du Lac to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general at Quebec
Enclosing a return for his detachment, which includes many men unfit for service [document 32]

32. October 17, 1780
“State of the Detachment of the Second Battalion…” signed by Ross


33. [no date]
From Johnson to Captain Daniel McAlpin
Requesting that he receive and positively act on an enclosed memorial from two men by adding their names to the recently delivered return [memorial not microfilmed]


Reel 4

Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1781-1782 (and into 1783): 43 documents with dates from January 1, 1781 through June 9, 1783 (printed page numbers 45 through 98)

34. January 1, 1780 [actually 1781]
From Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Johnson, commander of the Royal Regiment of New York, at Montreal to [?; probably Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general]
Concerning an error in the return submitted for December

35. September 6, 1781
From Johnson at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Acknowledging permission for M. Piety [?] to return to England to settle his private affairs; requesting arms for his soldiers

36. September 13, 1781
From Johnson at Montreal to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Enclosing discharges requested for seven men to serve on ships of war [discharges not microfilmed]

37. October 4, 1781
From Johnson at Montreal to Lernoult
Reporting that Major sent down two men of the second battalion who had deserted and had received their punishment; recommending that they be discharged

38. November 4, 1781
From Major James Gray, commander of the first battalion, at Montreal to Lernoult in Quebec
Supporting Johnson’s request for arms

39. [no date]
Scrap of paper listing officers in the 31st Regiment


40. November 13, 1781
Return of the two Companies of the 31st Regiment at Quebec, signed by Major William Cotton

41. [no date]
From Gray to Brigadier General Lispeth, commanding the district of Montreal
Difficulties of moving troops as ordered to outlying posts

42. December 20, 1781
From Gray to Lernoult
Concerning “grand” mistakes in a recently sent list of officers

43. January 7, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning Lieutenant Jonathan Valentine and Lieutenant J. Thomas Prentice’s affair with Pierie [Pierre ?] LePape, which they had wished to be resolved without going to court.

44. January 7, 1782
From Valentine, adjutant in the regiment at Montreal to [?]
Valentine’s deposition concerning the affair with M. LePape, which occurred on the night of August 20, 1781; stating that LePape fired a musket at him, wounding him in the side

45. March 18, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Montreal
Stating the status of the regiment’s arms; asking guidance on what to do with them, enclosing documentation from the quartermaster [document 46]

46. March 15, 1782
From Valentine [the quartermaster] at Isle Jesus to Gray
Explaining that of arms available for the first battalion, 112 were unserviceable; enclosing a return

47. April 2, 1782
Return for the first battalion, signed by Gray

48. April 4, 1782
From Gray to Lernoult via Mr. Valentine
Enclosing a return [document 47]

49. April 12, 1782
From Gray to Lernoult
Concerning the actions of three men sent out by Captain Sherwood


50. June 4, [1782]
Charges against Lieutenant Prentice for “Unmilitary and Ungentlemany Conduct”; from the “proceedings of a Regimental Court martial at St. Vincent”

51. April 21, 1782
From M. Perault to “Mon General”
Letter in French, complaining about insults on inhabitants by three officers of the regiment

52. April 25, 1782
From Gray at St. Vincent to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning Ensign Smith, who was granted a leave of absence to go on an assignment to St. Johns but does not want to go

53. April 26, 1782
From Gray at St. Vincent to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning the movement of a party to La Chine; concerning the conduct of a young gentleman

54. April 28, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning the movement of troops to La Chine and St. Johns

55. May 10, 1782
From Gray at Isle Jesus to Lernoult at Montreal
Confusion over an order to send Joseph Imprey to attend Colonel Chesir [?]; since the regiment has no Joseph Imprey, seeking clarification on which M. Imprey is being sought

56. May 22, 1782
From Gray to Lernoult
Concerning a memorial from two men charged with being deserters

57. May 26, 1782
From Gray to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning behavior by soldiers harmful to inhabitants

58. May 26, 1782
From Gray to [?; probably Lernoult]
Complaining that the regiment’s men are being treated badly with separate quarters in cantonments; requesting that they be quartered together in barns


59. June 6, 1783 [out of chronological order]
From Prentice at Montreal to “The Gentlemen” of the first battalion of the Regiment
Stating his repentance for his many “errors and indiscretions”; having now been confined for 13 months, seeking the gentlemen’s approval that he has received sufficient punishment; requesting that they consider releasing him

60. June 12, 1782
From R. Duncan at Riviere du Chine [Chien ?] to Gray at Isle Jesus
Concerning efforts to resolve the affair between M. Lavallu and Messrs. Prentice, McAlpin, and Glen; offered Lavallu £20, but he replied that “his accepting any Sum of money wou’d appear mercenary in the Eyes of the General, but that whatever Sum His Excell’y wou’d name, he should cheerfully abide by and accept”

61. June 16, 1782
From Gray at Isle Jesus to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning a memorial from Prentice, “to which I believe his Exc’ll will pay no attention”

62. [no date]
From Gray to [?]
Concerning a man Major John Nairne will not give up; enclosing a letter [not microfilmed]

63. June 24, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning three rebel prisoners and Mr. McAlpin’s conduct and treatment of the prisoners

64. July 4, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning the closing out of the Prentice affair; recommending his nephew Jacob Tarrant for promotion

65. July 11, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning bill from M. Lavallu for £50 in damages, which Gray thought extravagant and instructed Lavallu to present a bill for reasonable expenses

66. July 18, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
The Prentice affair continues; Prentice had agreed to resign but now will not agree with his commission’s being sold; possibility still of a court martial for him, but the regimental officers prefer that the currently negotiated provisions against him be enforced

67. July 18, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning which officers will testify against Prentice in his court martial

68. July 26, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Requesting consideration for Captain Allen McDonell’s son to fill the vacancy in the regiment

69. August 5, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning the Prentice court martial (as part of a general court martial in Quebec); Prentice is determined to stand trial; requests that all but two of the regiment’s officers attend, which Gray finds unreasonable; Gray requesting that the trial be held in Montreal, where the regiment is headquartered

70. August 27, 1782
From Gray at St. Catherine to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning a favor for Chaplain Mr. Doty

71. September 9, 1782
From Gray at Montreal to Le Maistre at Quebec
Responding to order to send 60 men to Isle aux Noix; explaining that he has only a few sick men at headquarters

72. October 21, 1782
From Johnson at Quebec to Lernoult
Offering thanks for receiving orders “relative to the Establishment of my first Battalion, and myself appointed as Superintendent General of Indian Affairs”

73. December 22, 1782
From Gray to Lernoult
Concerning Ensign Smyth’s being taken from his command at Isle aux Noix by his father “to go upon secret service” possibly without an order from the commander in chief to do so; requesting “to know the Truth of this.”

74. December 23, 1782
From Gray at Isle Jesus to Lernoult at Quebec
Requesting approval to apply to the commander in chief for a commission for his son, for which he already has Johnson’s approbation

75. June 9, 1783
From Captain John Munro at Montreal to Lernoult
Complying with the request to submit the officers’ charges against Prentice but stating the officers’ opinion that Prentice should be shown leniency and not subjected to a trial

76. [no date]
List of officers in both battalions affected by promotion possibilities


Royal Regiment of New York, field officers letters, 1783: 27 documents with dates from January 1, 1783 through December 18, 1783 (printed page numbers 99 through 133)

77. January 1, 1783
From Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Johnson at Montreal to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general
Concerning a resignation and several promotions; enclosing a list of officers for promotion [document 78] and Captain Joseph Anderson’s request to resign [document 79]

78. December 24, 1782
From Captain Joseph Anderson at Coteau du Lac to [?]
Requesting leave to “Quit my Commission”

79. [no date]
Return of officers in the regiment for promotion

80. January 2, 1783
From Major James Gray, commander of the first battalion, to Lernoult
Concerning a commission for his son

81. February 8, 1783
From Gray at Terre Bonne to Lernoult
Concerning a commission for Chesterton McDonell as lieutenant in Butler’s Rangers; having only heard about it but having received no orders, is requesting to know the truth

82. February 4, 1783
From Gray to [?]
Since Major Nairne has found no use for an officer for the working party at Isle aux Noix, requesting that no officer be assigned there

83. February 26, 1783
From Gray at Terre Bonne to Lernoult at Quebec
Requesting return to the regiment of a man named McKlachy, he having been sent to Sorel, since he is the regiment’s only gun smith

84. February 28, 1783
From Gray at Terre Bonne to Lernoult
Sending a revised return leaving out two volunteers included by Johnson whom Gray thinks are still boys
85. April 17, 1783
From Johnson to [?]
Concerning promotions, including errors in dates in the lists of promotable officers for the first and second battalions; enclosing a corrected list [document 86] and a memorial [not microfilmed]

86. [no date]
List of promotable officers

87. April 29, 1783
From John Herms [?] at Montreal to Gray
Concerning his having employed four Canadians to look for deserters, whom he paid; seeking payment for his expenses.

88. April 30, 1783
From Gray to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing one of the last returns he will send; thanking Lernoult for his favors, especially support for a commission for his son, although not successful; promising to meet his outstanding obligations

89. April 30, 1783
From Gray to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning efforts to search for and capture a “Nest of Deserters from the Service” hiding out in the back country; seeking reimbursement to Captain John Munro for the costs he incurred in commanding this expedition

90. May 29, 1783
From Johnson at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning promotions among the officers

91. June 5, 1783
From Gray to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning the charges against Prentice, which Brigadier General Barry St. Leger has and, at his order, Gray has not sent to Lernoult

92. August 16, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning two colonial men who Gray had accepted into the regiment to become noncommissioned officers, but who have not worked out; seeking an arrangement to send them to another regiment

93. August 20, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning the two men who didn’t work out, their behavior has been unacceptable; requesting again that they be removed from this regiment; enclosing documentation on the two men [document 94]
94. [no date]
Documentation on the two men, signed by Jonathan Valentine, regimental adjutant

95. August 28, 1783
From Johnson at Montreal to Lernoult
Having received the command to discontinue all recruiting efforts among provincials and to recall all recruiters, Johnson will notify all the provincial corps to ensure their compliance

96. September 4, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Again seeking support for a commission for his son, especially in light of “My long services, and losses by this [?] war, [which] robed me of a good living”

97. September 22, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Informing Lernoult that Gray has a private soldier named John Mosier confined for mutiny; suggesting that he be tried at the upcoming general court martial at St. Johns.

98. October 9, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Informing Lernoult that Mosier, once sobered up after his crime, has asked to be discharged; requesting approval for this instead of court martial

99. November 27, 1783
From Johnson at Montreal to Lernoult
Seeking to fill the vacancies in his two battalions; requesting that his son Richard Johnson not be forgotten for promotion; enclosing a list of volunteers in the regiment [document 100]

100. [no date]
List of volunteers of the regiment, signed by Johnson

101. December 15, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing a memorial from Lieutenant McKenzie to have his pay approved and a petition from two other men; supporting each [memorial and petition not microfilmed]

102. December 18, 1783
From Gray at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Sending in two corrections in a recent return; asking what he should do with Mosier

Royal Regiment of New York, papers concerning the second battalion, 1779, 1781-82 (possibly 1778 as well): 13 documents with dates from July 4, 1779 through May 22, 1782 (printed page numbers 134 through 152)

103. July 4, 1779
Monthly return of the company commanded by Captain Robert Leake, at St. Genevieve, signed by Leake

104. January 12, 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Johnson at Montreal to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general at Quebec
Enclosing return of the officers and volunteers in the regiment, with dates of commissions and time of service

105. April 19, 1782
“Return of the Loyalists attached to the 2nd Batt’n” of the regiment, including women and children, signed by Leake

106. May 3, 1782
“Present State of the 2nd Battalion”, signed by Leake

107. May 5, 1782
Names of Officers and Men of the 2nd Ball’n…left in Canada”, signed by Leake

108. May 22, 1782
“List of Officers of the 2nd Ball’n”, at Montreal, signed by Leake

109. [no date; penciled note: March 9, 1778]
List of “Promotions in the first Battalion”

110. [no date]
“Return of Officers recommended for Promotion in the Second battalion”

111. [no date]
“Return of Officers recommended for promotion in the Second Battalion” [different from the previous one]

112. [no date]
“Officers for promotion in the first Battalion”, from Johnson to Le Maistre


113. [no date]
Notice to “Loyalists” of recruitment for Lieutenant Colonel James Rogers’ Corps of Rangers, authorized by General Sir Henry Clinton, which will include three companies, one of them commanded by Rogers; also combining the four-year-old but undermanned corps of Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Jessup and of Lieutenant Colonel John Peters, along with Lieutenant Thomas Fraser’s men; both Jessup and Peters will be removed to the Company of Pensioners because of their poor health; also Captain Leake’s corps will be incorporated with Sir John Johnson’s second battalion, along with 24 men attached to Mr. McAlpin; including lists of officers and supernumerary officers proposed for Major Edward Jessup’s Corps and a list of “Gentlemen Submitted from their pretention and characters to be Appointed Officers in the Corps of Loyalists to be Commanded by Major Jessup”

114. [no date]
Report to General Frederick Haldimand of a board charged “to enquire what method would prove best to render the number of Loyalists in this Province service to his Majesty”; recommending that Rogers’ Corps remain a separate corps from the other loyalist corps

115. [no date]
A document labeled at the top “G. O.” [probably general order] approving the list of gentlemen [not included here] to serve as officers in Major Jessup’s corps and authorizing Sir John Johnson to raise a second battalion to his corps


Roger’s King’s Rangers, field officers letters, 1781-1783: 8 documents with dates from June 29, 1781 through August 29, 1783 (printed page numbers 153 through 162)

116. June 29, 1781
From Major James Rogers at St. Johns to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general
Sending, by order of Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger, his sergeant major, who is well acquainted with the circumstances of prisoners belonging to the King’s rangers now at Quebec [microfilmed twice]

117. July 21, 1781
From Rogers at St. Johns to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Requesting assistance in procuring arms for his corps and clothing for new recruits


118. September 1, 1781
From Rogers at St. Johns to Lernoult
Requesting to know whether troops of his sent to Quebec should be retained on the corps’ returns; other personnel matters; note on address side: “requires no answer M. R. having had frequent answers from C’t Mathews on the Subject”

119. November 16, 1782
From Rogers at St. Johns to Lernoult
Encloses list of officers with dates of their warrants [not microfilmed]

120. July 7, 1783
From seven officers of the corps at St. Johns to Rogers at St. Johns
Concerning “the scandalous report of Captain James Breckinridge’s ungentelmanlike behavour lately at Dutchmans Point”; requesting that he be relieved of duty with them

121. July 23, 1783
From Rogers at St. Johns to Lernoult
Reporting having put Breckinridge under arrest in response to the complaint made to him by his officers

122. August 29, 1783
From Rogers at St. Johns to Lernoult
Acknowledging having received the commander in chief’s August 25 notice to discontinue recruitment of provincials

123. [no date]
List of officers in Rogers’ Corps with the number of men enlisted by each officer


Barrack Master General’s Department, 1780-1783: 21 documents with dates from March 17, 1780 through December 24, 1783 (printed page numbers 163 through 184)

124. October 1, 1780
“Return of Barrack Masters in the Province of Quebec”; signed by Deputy Barrack Master General Richard Murray

125. March 17, 1780
“Proposed Mode for Supplying the Garrison of Sorell with wood”

126. November 3, 1780
From the Barrack Office at Quebec
“Return of Wood drawn for in the Garrison of Quebec”; signed by Murray


127. [no date]
From Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger at St. Johns
“Return of Exchanged Prisoners of his Majesty’s Regular Regiments and Provincial Corps by last Cartel from Vermont”; signed by St. Leger

128. October 16, 1781
“Return of Barrack Masters in the Province of Quebec”; signed by Murray and by General Frederick Haldimand

129. November 3, 1781
“Return of Officers and Men, who will probably Draw Fire wood and Candles, during the Winter in the Engineers Department”; at Quebec; signed by Captain and Commander of Engineers William Twiss

130. [no date]
List of men, by rank, serving in the Engineers Department; signed by Twiss

131. November 11, 1781
State of the [Hessian] infantry regiment commanded by Prince Frederick of Brunswick; at Quebec; signed by Lieutenant Colonel Christian Julius Practorius [written in French]

132. [no date]
Scrap of paper with a list of the number of troops, by rank, in Prince Frederick’s regiment

133. November 14, 1781
“State of the Garrison of Quebec, Specifying the Consumption of Fuel during the Winter”; includes the Engineer’s Department, 31st regiment, Prince Frederick’s regiment, and Mirbach/Jung-von Lossberg’s [Hessian] regiment

134. November 14, 1781
“Return of Wood to be drawn for in the Garrison” at Quebec

135. November 14, 1781
“Return of Officers & Men in the underment’d Corps [?] in the Garrison of Quebec”

136. [no date]
Scrap of paper with a list of the number of troops by rank in Lossberg’s regiment

137. June 1, 1782
“List of the Barrack Masters in the Province of Quebec”


138. August 15, 1782
From Diedrick Brehm, barrack master general at Quebec
“Return of Barrack Masters in the Province of Quebec”; signed by Brehm

139. July 24, 1783
From Brehm
“Return of Barrack Masters in the Province of Quebec”; signed by Brehm

140. November 5, 1783
“Return of the Number of Men that can be Lodged in the different Barracks”; at Quebec; signed by Murray

141. [December 24, 1783]
“State of the Garrison, Staff, and others who will be Intitled to Receive Fuel etc. from the Barrack Master, at Three Rivers after the 24th December 1783”

142. December 24, 1783
“General Return of Barrack Beding & Stores at the different Garrisons in the Province of Quebecv & the Frontiers thereof”; at Quebec; signed by Brehm; garrisons listed include Quebec, Three Rivers, Sorel, Montreal and Chambly, St. Johns, Isle aux Noix, Oswegatchie, Carleton Island, Oswego, Cataraqui, Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimackinac

143. [no date]
“The Hessian Regiment of Lossberg with their Artillery is divided in the following Parishes for their Winter Quarters”

144. [no date]
“Return of Wood wanted for the 44th & Lossbergs Corps for 12 Winter weeks”


Royal Regiment of New York, muster rolls: 35 documents with dates mostly of February 23, 1777 and January 21, 1778 (printed page numbers 185 through 220)

145. February 23, 1777
Return of Major James Gray’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Gray, Lieutenant William Morrison, and Ensign Edward Wall; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Gray, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”

146. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Richard Browne’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Browne and Lieutenant James McDonell; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Browne, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”

147. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Patrick Daly’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Daly, Lieutenant Richard Walker, and Ensign Thomas Crothers; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Daly, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”

148. February 23, 1777
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Jonson’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Lieutenant George Singleton and Ensign William Byrne; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Singleton, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”

149. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Stephen Watts’ Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Lieutenant Kenneth McKenzie; including “Officers Certificate” signed by McKenzie, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”

150. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Daly’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Daly, Walker, and Crothers; “Paymaster Generals Roll”

151. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Watts’ Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by McKenzie; “Paymaster Generals Roll”

152. February 23, 1777
Return of Major Gray’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Gray, Morrison, and Wall; “Paymaster Generals Roll”

153. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Browne’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Browne and James McDonell; “Paymaster Generals Roll”

154. February 23, 1777
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Lieutenant George Singleton and Ensign William Byrne; “Paymaster General’s Roll”


155. February 23, 1776 [actually 1777]
Return of Captain Watts’ Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by McKenzie; “Comptrolers Roll”

156. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Browne’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Browne and James McDonell; “Comptrolers Roll”

157. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Daly’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Daly, Walker, and Crothers; “Comptrolers Roll”

158. February 23, 1777
Return of Major Gray’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Gray, Morrison, and Wall; “Comptrolers Roll”

159. February 23, 1777
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Singleton and Byrne; “Comptrolers Roll”

160. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Daly’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Daly, Walker, and Crothers; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Daly, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”; “Commissary Generals Roll”

161. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Browne’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Browne and James McDonell; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Browne, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”; “Commissary Generals Roll”

162. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Watts’ Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by McKenzie; including “Officers Certificate” signed by McKenzie, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”; “Commissary Generals Roll”


163. February 23, 1777
Return of Major Gray’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Gray, Morrison, and Wall; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Gray, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”; “Commissary Generals Roll”

164. February 23, 1777
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; signed by Singleton and Byrne; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Singleton, “Commissarys Oath”, and “Proof Table”; “Commissary Generals Roll”

165. February 23, 1777
Return of Captain Watts’ Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; “The Call Roll or Officers Return Roll”

166. December 24, 1776
Return of Major Gray’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; “The Call Roll or Officers Return Roll”

167. December 24, 1776
Return of Captain Browne’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; “The Call Roll or Officers Return Roll”

168. [no date]
Return of Captain Daly’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; “The Call Roll or Officers Return Roll”

169. February, 23, 1777
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s Company of the regiment for 189 days of service, from June 19, 1776 through December 24, 1776; at Point Clair; “The Call Roll or Officers Return Roll”

170. January 22, 1778
Return of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at Longeuil; signed by Johnson, Captain Lieutenant Joseph Anderson, and Acting Commissary H. Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Johnson and Anderson, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”


171. January 21, 1778
Return of Major Gray’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Gray, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”

172. January 21, 1778
Return of Daly’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by Daly, Lieutenant William Crawford and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Daly, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”

173. January 21, 1778
Return of Watts’ Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by Captain Samuel Anderson and McKenzie and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Anderson, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”

174. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain Samuel Anderson’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by Anderson, McKenzie and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Anderson, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”

175. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain Alexander McDonell’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by McDonell, Crothers, and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by McDonell, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table” [microfilmed in reverse order]

176. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain Alexander McDonell’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La Prairie; signed by McDonell, Lieutenant Thomas Crothers, and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by McDonell, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table” [second return for the same company, same place, same date, but slightly different contents compared with document 175]

177. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain John Munro’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; at La [Prairie]; signed by Munro, Morrison, and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Munro, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”


178. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain Richard Duncan’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; signed by Duncan, Lieutenant Thomas Gummersel, and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by Duncan, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”

179. January 21, 1778
Return of Captain James McDonell’s Company of the regiment for 183 days of service, from June 25, 1777 through December 24, 1777; signed by McDonell, Lieutenant William Morrison, and Dickson; including “Officers Certificate” signed by McDonell, “Commissarys Oath” signed by Dickson, and “Proof Table”


Various: 1 document with the date October 7, 1781 (page number 221)

180. October 7, 1781
From Captain Azariah Pritchard [of Rogers’ Corps] at St. Johns to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general at Quebec
Concerning Thomas Wooster, brought in a prisoner, who, with his son, Thomas Jr., are both “true Friends to Government”



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