William Rooker (abt. 1750 - aft. 1783)

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Biography

Sergeant William Rooker served with Emmerich's Chasseurs during the American Revolution.

Corporal William Rooker served with British Legion during the American Revolution.

William was born about 1750 (estimated based on his being a sergeant in 1778).

William enlisted in Emmerick's Chausseurs.^[1][2][3][4]

In 1779, Emmerick's Chausseurs were broken up and reassigned to other units - William Rooker transferred to the British Legion cavalry as a corporal under Captain Huck, who had previously been an officer in the Chasseurs. Captain Huck was killed during the Southern Campaign, and command was subsequently assigned to Captain David Ogilvie.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]} He transferred to Captain Richard Hovenden's Troop on Aug 25th 1781 (i.e., during the Virginia Campaign before Yorktown).^{[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]}

Notes

There is no record found to date later than June 1783 that records William's status after the Legion's disbanding. He does not appear to have taken a land grant in Nova Scotia, but may have gone to Britain, to the West indies, or opted to accept the new Republic and stay in the United States.

Sources

1. ↑ Sergeant William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Althouse's Compy. in His Maj. Battalion of Chasseurs commanded by Lt Col A Emmerich - 25th August 1778; National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1891: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4222/pdf/c-4222-00305.pdf
2. ↑ Sergeant William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Althouse's Company of Rifle Men in His Majesty's Battalion of Chasseurs commanded by Lt Col A Emmerich, Kingsbridge, Nov 1778; National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1891: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4222/pdf/c-4222-00334.pdf
3. ↑ Sergeant William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Althouse's Company in the Battalion of Chasseurs commanded by Lt Colonel Commandant Andreas Emmerick, Kingsbridge, January 5th 1779; National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1891: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4222/pdf/c-4222-00354.pdf
4. ↑ Sergeant William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. John Althouse's Company of Rifle Men in His Majesty's Battalion of Chasseurs commanded by Lt Colonel Andreas Emmerick, Kingsbridge, 24th April 1779; National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1891: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4222/pdf/c-4222-00364.pdf
5. ↑ Corporal William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 25th Oct to 25th December 1780, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1883: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00306.pdf
6. ↑ Corporal William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 25th Dec to 24th Feb 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00372.pdf
7. ↑ Private William Rooker, reduced [in rank] 23 Feb, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 24th Feb to 24th Apr 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00394.pdf
8. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 25th Apr to 24th June 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00380.pdf
9. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 25th Jun to 24th Aug 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00418.pdf
10. ↑ Private William Rooker, transferred to Capt Hovenden's Troop 25th Aug 1781, in Muster Roll of Captain David Ogilvey's Troop of British Legion Cavalry, from 25th Aug to 24th Oct 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00402.pdf
11. ↑ Private William Rooker, received from Capt Ogilvey 25th Aug 1781, in Muster Roll of Captain Hovenden's Troop 25th August to 24th Oct 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00400.pdf
12. ↑ Private William Rooker, sick in quarters, in Muster Roll of Captain Hovenden's Troop 25th Oct to 24th Dec 1781, National Archives of Canada, RG 8, “C” Series, Volume 1884: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00330.pdf
13. ↑ Private William Rooker, sick in quarters, in Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Hovenden’s Troop of Light Dragoons Commanded by Lieut. Colonel Tarleton for 25th December 1781 to 23rd February 1782: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00358.pdf
14. ↑ Private William Rooker, sick in quarters, in Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Hovenden’s Troop of British Legion Commanded by Lieut. Colonel Tarleton for 24th Feb to 24th April 1782: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00490.pdf
15. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Hovenden’s Troop of British Legion Commanded by Lieut. Colonel Tarleton for 24th June to 24th Aug 1782: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00482.pdf
16. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Hovenden’s Troop of Light Dragoons for 25th Dec to 23rd Feb 1783: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00557.pdf
17. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Hovenden’s Troop of Light Dragoons for 24th Feb to 24th April 1783: https://data2.archives.ca/microform/data2/dm13/d13/006003/c-4221/pdf/c-4221-00512.pdf
18. ↑ Private William Rooker, in Muster for Huntington [Long Island, NY] dated 2 July 1783. Covering 182 days from 25 Dec 1782 (the time the Regiment came on the British Establishment) to the 24th June 1783 inclusive. Cavalry of His Majesty's British Legion ("Tarleton's Dragoons"), commanded by Lt Col Bannister Tarleton: Public Records Office in Kew (London), Reference WO12/11099: MacDonald, Kim, Barton, Michael, "Cavalry of His Majesty's British Legion: Tarleton's Dragoons. Huntington (1783). Master Index". Internet WWW Page, at URL <www.chignecto.net> call #: cwa-mil-120. (Posted by Kim MacDonald).

• Private William Rooker, sick in quarters: http://www.royalprovincial.com/military/musters/britlegn/blhove1.htm