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.
↑ 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
↑ 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).
Is William your ancestor? Please don't go away! Login to collaborate or comment, or contact
the profile manager, or ask our community of genealogists a question.