A short service history and master roll of James Rogers' 2nd Battalion, King's Rangers

After more than thirty years of studying the loyalist regiments that served in Quebec during the American Revolution, author Gavin k. Watt concluded that Major James Rogers’ 2nd battalion, King’s Rangers was sadly overlooked and required additional attention. Major James Rogers' command of the 2nd Battalion of the King's Rangers in the American War of Independence/American Revolution, resulted in the forfeiture of his lands in Vermont. In 1784, he led a party of about 300 disbanded King's Rangers and their families to the Third Township of Cataraqui, later known as the Township of Fredericksburgh, in Lennox County, Ontario, where they were granted land. Rogers, who first settled in Fredericksburgh, where he became lieutenant-colonel of the militia, lived for a time in Prince Edward County, Ontario but returned to Fredericksburgh before his death on September 23, 1790. There are two main sections to this book. First is a brief service history of the 2nd battalion from its creation in 1779 until disbandment in 1783. Second – by consulting original and secondary sources, Watt prepared a Master Roll of three hundred and fifty-eight men listing alternate spellings of surnames and given names, rank, enlistment date, company, service details, age, height, place of origin, trade, wife and family, and place of settlement. Of course, not all of these details could be found for every man, but the roll is pleasingly complete. The King's Rangers saw extensive service in a wide range of duties, and could boast more than its fair share of notable characters. The majority of the King’s Rangers settled in Canada after the war and added their skills and vitality to the new settlements.