- Call Number:
- HIL-MICL FC LMR .G7W3M8C3
- Category:
- Military
- Creator:
- Great Britain. War Office.
- Material Description:
- 1 microfilm textual records 35 mm
- Background:
When Britain found it necessary to withdraw troops from Canada due to the Napoleonic Wars, the British government authorized the formation of provincial regiments in each of the North American Colonies. In New Brunswick, the Royal New Brunswick Regiment was formed in 1793, and in Nova Scotia the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment was formed in the same year. In Upper Canada, the Queen's Rangers was formed in 1792, and in Lower Canada the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment received their beating orders from Governor Carleton in 1794.
Between 1794 and 1799 detachments of this regiment were involved in the construction of Fort St. Joseph on an island between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, and Fort Malden near Amherstburg on the Detroit River. In 1802, the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment was disbanded after the Treaty of Amiens restored peace in Europe.
- Contents:
The microfilm reel containing the muster rolls of 1794 -1795 for the Royal Canadian Volunteers begins with the following: Muster Rolls of His Majesty's Regiment of Royal Canadian Volunteers for 150 Days Commencing from the First Beating Orders by Right Honourable Guy Carleton Lord Dorchester Commander-in-Chief for Raising the Said Regiment Being the 28th July to December 1794, Inclusive. The second muster roll is for a period of 182 days from the 25th December 1794 to 24th June 1795; and the third and last muster roll on the reel is for a period of 183 days from the 25th June to 24th December 1795.
Each muster roll lists the officers and the dates of their commissions followed by lists of sergeants, drummers, corporals, and private men with the dates when they enlisted and attested. Other information includes such terms as: deserted, dead, furlough, recruiting, sick, prisoner, on command, or other details that apply to individual situations.
- Originals:
The original records are held by the Public Record Office in London, now The National Archives, Kew.
- Archival Ref. No.:
PRO WO 12/10522
- Finding Aids:
"The Royal Canadian Volunteers 1794-1802: An Historical Sketch" by J.L. Hubert Neilson available online through Canadiana.