A Black and Asian British Regiment: ‘The York Rangers‘ – “a Regiment of Lascars, Mulattoes, &c.” c.1803-1805

By John D Ellis

On a cold January morning a regiment of Black soldiers arrived at Southampton having spent several days marching from London. It was not an unusual sight in Southampton, nor in many a town or city on the south coast of England. During the First World War segregated regiments of both the Indian Army and the British West Indies Regiment left the shores of Britain to serve in France and Flanders. During the Second World War, segregated units of the US Army were stationed in Britain before landing in Normandy to participate in the liberation of Europe. Thus, many a Black soldier had likely travelled a similar route. What made this regiment of Black soldiers different from the others is that the year was 1803 (during the Napoleonic Wars, 1793-1815), and whilst it too was segregated (with White Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers – NCOs), the ‘York Rangers’ was composed of Black and Asian men recruited in Britain.^[1]The ’York Rangers’ is not to be confused with the ‘Royal York Rangers’, 1806-1819.

Chartrand suggests that the uniform of the York Rangers was similar to that of the “5^th Battalion 60^th Foot and consisted of a green jacket with red collar and cuffs and three rows of pewter button on the breast, blue pantaloons and a shako”.^[2]Chartrand, R. “THE YORK RANGERS OF 1803-05”, Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Summer 2002, Vol.80. No.322. pp.162-163.

Whilst the Napoleonic Wars are commonly referred to as being between 1793 and 1815, there were two brief cessations of hostility. The most well-known is the abdication of Napoleon in 1814, which was then followed by the Waterloo Campaign of June 1815. However, less well known is the Peace of Amiens between March 1802 and May 1803. When hostilities between Britain and France resumed in 1803, the former expanded existing regiments of the Crown (either by increasing the numbers of soldiers on establishment, or raising additional battalions), or by raising new regiments for defence of the realm and its overseas possessions.

In August 1803, one newspaper, the Sun (London), informed its readers that “Colonel Stevenson is raising, for the use of the West Indies, a Regiment of Lascars, Mulattoes, &c. in London….”^[4]Sun (London), 19th August 1803. findmypast.co.uk The Sun (London) has no connection with the current newspaper of the same name. Lascars (a term used to describe Indian sailors) had been employed by the East India Company in their armies and on-board their naval vessels for well over one hundred years and as such they were not an unusual sight in London. “Mulattoes” (people of mixed African and European heritage), were also not uncommon, for example, Edward Archer, a ‘mulatto’ servant born in Demerara c.1781, enlisted in the 7^th Dragoon Guards in London in July 1803.^[5]For Edward Archer see: TNA WO 12/412, WO 25/270 and WO 119. Edward Archer was discharged on a pension at Kilmainham, Dublin in 1814. The “&c.” was almost certainly a reference to Black people, thousands of whom were living in London in the late eighteenth century.

The Sun (London) appears to have seen the new regiment as a repository for those ‘people of colour’ who had fallen on hard times, describing its establishment as “…a most meritorious act, and must be truly grateful to every human eye, that cannot look into a street in this populous City, without being offended with many men of that description, in the most deplorable and disgusting state of distress”.^[6]Sun (London), 19th August 1803. findmypast.co.uk

Whilst this was over a decade after the work of the Committee for the Relief of the Black Poor (1786) and the settlement of Black Loyalists, former slaves and the Black poor in Sierra Leone, the solution seemed to be the same: removal from the shores, the only difference being whether that was in the hold of a merchant ship or a troop transport. With parishes only being legally obligated to support the destitute born within their own boundaries, the York Rangers were being used as a ‘social safety net’, with obvious implications for the quality of man being recruited.

Nevertheless, there was some military merit in the raising of the regiment. Several units of Black Loyalists had served during the American Revolution (1775-1783), the West India Regiments had been formed in 1795 specifically for the defence of Britain’s territories in the Caribbean and Indian Lascars and Sepoys had served the ‘Honourable East India Company’ creditably. The fact that Colonel Stevenson was charged with simply placing all of those of Black or Asian origin together in the same unit was in line with the attitude of the military of the time, with little or no distinction being made between the various ‘racial’ or ethnic differences (the British Army of the period made no distinction between soldiers of African or Asian origin serving in Crown regiments, simply referring to them as either ‘Black’ or ‘of colour’). For example, soldiers born in Asia can be identified serving in the West India Regiments: Private Abdam served in ‘6^th WIR’ between 1797 and 1816. Born in the East Indies c.1764, and described as having a Black complexion, he was a labourer by occupation.^[7]For Abdam (Abdaam) see: TNA WO 97/1146/1. Private Sake Cossam served in the same unit for over 18 years. Born in the East Indies c.1776 and described as having a Black complexion, he was a labourer by occupation.^[8]For Sake Cossam see: TNA WO 23/147. Both Abdam and Cossam transferred to the ‘West India Garrison Company’ and were discharged on pensions in 1819.

That the unit was to serve in the West Indies (with the North American and African theatres also later mentioned), made sense militarily as Black Loyalists and the West India Regiments had proved their worth serving as ‘light troops’ in North America and the Caribbean respectively. ‘Light troops’ were deployed in a reconnaissance role and as skirmishers. Light troops were therefore ideally suited to the terrain found in the West Indies and North America where, in 1803, the French still possessed several strategically important islands and the USA remained a significant threat to British owned Canada.

Service in ‘the Indies’ (both East and West), was traditionally unpopular amongst European troops due to the high mortality rates and as such was rewarded with a financial bounty to encourage potential recruits and counted extra towards the pension awarded on completion of service – for those who survived it. Black soldiers were viewed as being ‘naturally immune’ to exotic diseases.

Whilst the word ‘segregation’ was not used, being composed of “…Lascars, Mulattoes, &c.” it would effectively have been a segregated regiment, with White Officers and NCOs providing the command and control. The British Empire had many such segregated units, but none are known to have been raised in Britain. In Cardiff, during the First World War, requests by the Black community to form their own ‘Black Battalion’ after being rejected when they tried to enlist to fight were rebuffed by authorities. The idea mooted in the early 2000s of forming a Sikh regiment for the British Army was rejected as being divisive. Thus, the York Rangers (it was also referred to as ‘The Black Corps, Colonel Stephenson’s Black Corps and Colonel Stevenson’s Regiment’), is believed to be the only regiment (as opposed to company or squadron) to be formed from the Black population living in Britain.

Forming a Regiment

Raised in England in July 1803, the regiment was to have a brief existence, being disbanded in 1805. However, newspapers of the time from the archive held by findmypast.co.uk and Rene Chartrand’s brief article “The York Rangers of 1803-1805” provide a chronological narrative of its movements, composition and travails.^[9]Chartrand, R. Op-cit.

January 1804

Southampton, Jan.16: This day a party of the York Rangers (a Black Regiment newly raised, under the command of Colonel Stevenson) marched into this town, from London, to be embarked for Guernsey, from whence they will proceed to North America, to serve in the plantations there.^[10]Weekly Dispatch (London), 22nd January 1804. findmypast.co.uk

March 1804

In March 1804, during a debate in the House of Commons, the York Rangers were named as one of several regiments facing problems competing with militia units for recruits. The latter were offering higher enlistment bounties and as such were attracting recruits needed by regular units for foreign service.^[11]Commercial Chronicle (London), 29^th March 1804. findmypast.co.uk It was not only militia units providing the York Rangers with competition for potential Black recruits. By the 1800s, the Royal Navy and most regiments of the British Army already had an existing Black presence and as such offered an environment with relative equality where ‘racial norms’ had been negotiated. Additionally, this was without the guarantee of a return to Africa or the ‘Indies’ with all the inherent dangers that service there held.

March 1804

According to Chartrand, an inspection of the regiment at the Army Depot, Parkhurst (later Albany) Barracks, Plymouth in March 1804, revealed 159 enlisted men who represented “…a remarkably complex mixture of races and nationalities”.^[12]Chartrand, R. Op-cit.

• NCOs (White): 25
• NCOs (Black): 1
• Old Soldiers (White): 6
• Blacks and Mulattos, French West Indies: 76
• Black, India, Ship Lascars: 34
• Sepoys, Black, India: 4
• Coloured men from Bengal/servants: 2
• Mulatto, Curacao: 1
• German (Trieste): 1
• Mulatto, Ile de France (Mauritius): 1
• American Negroes, sailors: 5
• American Negroes, gardener: 1
• Negro, native of Lisbon: 1
• Negro, native of London: 1

The descriptions used to differentiate between those of African origin (Black, Mulattos and Negroes) and Indian origin (Black, Coloured) reveal that ‘Black’ was clearly used as a collective description, whilst ‘mulatto’ was specifically African and ‘coloured’ Asian (although the latter, or ‘of colour’ was, like ‘Black’ interchangeable).

The presence of both a Black NCO and Old Soldiers (White), indicate that it was not quite a segregated regiment. The latter no doubt being recruited to share their experience and expertise with the new recruits.

The places of origin of many are similar to those found amongst the ranks of the Black soldiers identified as serving in British Army regiments between 1715 and the 1840s.^[13]Ellis, JD. “The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments during the Early Nineteenth Century”, (MA Thesis, University of Nottingham, September … Continue reading However, there are no references to Canadian born Black soldiers (who may well have been classed as ‘American’ during the inspection), nor to men born in Jamaica, an island that provided a significant proportion of the Black soldiers thus far identified.^[14]Ibid.

The two largest groups of soldiers were from the French West Indies and Lascars. It is not known whether the composition of men of the York Rangers was representative of the wider Black population of London c.1803-1804, or simply representative of those living on the streets “…in the most deplorable and disgusting state of distress”.^[15]Sun (London), 19th August 1803. findmypast.co.uk Although the presence of only one Black “native of London” and the absence of Jamaicans suggests that English speaking Black people were either less likely to find themselves destitute than those without English as a first language, or more likely to enlist in either the Royal Navy or Crown regiments of the British Army.

Five of the men inspected in March 1804, (privates James Armstrong, John Baptiste, William Jones, John Tompa and Toussainte Ruppian) were considered unfit to serve, having injuries and ailments ranging from wounds, to visual impairment and consumption.^[17]There were two soldiers in the regiment named John Baptiste (or variations of). The one identified as being unfit, was discharged in March 1804. A Lascar and a labourer by occupation. He was 5 feet 2 … Continue reading The five, most of whom were subsequently discharged, may well have been recruited from amongst the destitute found on the streets of London.

May 1804

‘In our last paper we observed that the re-capture of Goree would render it un-necessary to send out the expedition which was about to sail for that place under Colonel Stephenson. We learned from our Correspondent in the Isle of Wight, that the York Rangers, who were under orders of embarkation for that expedition, are to remain at Newport. Recruiting parties are to be send immediately from the regiment to London, Liverpool, Bristol, St Domingo and Sierra Leone.'^[18]Goree Island, Senegal was a French colony. It was at the centre of the Slave Trade, wealthy and strategically important. Weekly Dispatch (London), 6th May 1804. findmypast.co.uk

That a unit should be raised to serve in one region, the West Indies, and in less than a year find itself potentially being deployed to two different regions, North America and Africa (although the reference to North America and plantations might have meant the West Indies), was not unusual. The belief that Black troops were better suited to serve in such areas probably meant that the War Office viewed them as a unit that could be used with some flexibility. Perhaps of more concern was the fact that the earlier inspection report had confirmed that the York Rangers had fewer than 200 officers and men, perhaps less than half of its intended size. Hence the fact that the new regiment were still sending out recruiting parties, and with some urgency (“immediately”). That those parties should be sent to cities such as London, Liverpool and Bristol confirms that those cities were, even in 1804, identified as having a Black presence. Whilst the need to send recruiting parties to St Domingo and Sierra Leone indicates that the regiment was failing to attract enough Black Britons. No mention is made of Lascars or recruiting in India, although as can be seen, numbers did serve in the regiment.

March 1805

In March 1805 the regiment was stationed on the Isle of Wight and recruiting must have improved slightly, with Chartrand estimating that the York Rangers numbered 230, of whom 200 were probably Black or Asian.^[19]Chartrand, R. Op-cit.

April 1805

The York Rangers were to be reduced yesterday. The men are to be transferred to the African Corps at Goree.^[20]Hampshire Telegraph, 1st April 1805. findmypast.co.uk

It is not known whether the regiment was disbanded because it could not find sufficient recruits, the number of ‘men of colour’ living in London in “the most deplorable and disgusting state of distress” had reduced, or if there was no longer a requirement for it to defend “the plantations” in North America.^[21]Sun (London), 19th August 1803. Weekly Dispatch (London), 22nd January 1804. findmypast.co.uk The latter reason being unlikely as the British were still to see much hard fighting against the French in the West Indies and against the USA in the ‘War of 1812’.

Chartrand suggests that the White officers and NCOs were transferred to British regiments, and that the Black soldiers were organised into two companies and transferred to the ‘Royal African Corps’ (1804-1821) in Goree, Senegal.^[22]Chartrand, R. Op-cit. Whilst some of the Black soldiers may have simply transferred to the Royal African Corps, there is evidence to suggest that not all did: fourteen men were discharged on the 24^th of March 1805 and provided with 14 days pay as ‘marching allowance’ to convey them home.^[23]TNA WO 12/11582. That they could reach home within fourteen days march of the Isle of Wight, suggests that they were resident in Britain or Ireland. The 14 were: Corporals John Charles and John Forbes. Drummer Francis Hiler. Privates Joseph Benura, Joseph Botro, Jean Louis Druzot, John Williams, John Gesson, William Jones, Joseph Gabaille, John Joseph, John Lora, Richard Blakeman and George Powell. A small number of White soldiers did successfully apply for a pension from the Royal Hospital Chelsea including James Bullock, Thomas Hayman and John Forbes. Two men appear to have remained in the Newport area for at least one year after the York Rangers disbanded, with both Anthony Fever and John Mumbuchs marrying in Newport in 1806. Cato Mumford, or at least a man with the same name, joined the Royal Navy and served at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Whilst no Black former soldier of the York Rangers has been identified as receiving a pension after serving with the Royal African Corps, a number do appear to have re-enlisted in the Royal York Rangers and served until the regiment was disbanded after the Napoleonic Wars ended.

Identifying the Men of the York Rangers, 1803-1805

Methodology

Military Records: The monthly muster rolls and paylists of the York Rangers was the main source used to identify the men of the York Rangers. I am grateful to David Gleave for taking on the task of trawling through the surviving muster book at ‘The National Archives’, Kew, in what quickly became clear was a mammoth endeavour. Although the York Rangers were only in existence for a short time, the muster rolls were monthly, as opposed to quarterly. This meant that the task of identifying every single person in the unit and then noting rank, pay and duties for two years of service would be problematic. David and I agreed to take two ‘snap-shots’ of the men in the regiment, once in 1804 and once again in 1805. Whilst this would not provide a continuous record of service for every single individual in the unit, it would provide an over-view and act as a starting point for others who wished to discover more about individual members of the regiment. The name of each man was entered into the databases of military records held by both ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk. As a result, over thirty French Prisoners of War were identified joining the regiment in addition to several men who received pensions at the end of their service. One man, Drummer Cato Mumford, was identified in Royal Navy records. As might be expected due to issues of rank and longevity of service, there were more references found to White SNCOs than to the Black rank and file of the regiment.

Two additional White members of the regiment were identified in pension records, who did not appear in the ‘snapshot’ and may well have been two of the ‘Old Soldiers’ enlisted to help train the new recruits:

• John Marra was born at Ballyloughnane, Burr (Birr), King’s County c.1753 (now County Offaly). He had served with the 5^th Dragoons between 1777 and 1802, being discharged on a pension as a sergeant. He re-enlisted in the ‘York Rangers’ in January 1804 and served until May 1804. He then served in the ‘7^th Royal Veteran Battalion’ (no dates were given), until being re-admitted to pension on a pension of 1s/1 and 1/2d per day in December 1809 in consequence of rheumatism and asthma. In December 1809 he was 51 years of age, 5 feet 11” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion. He was a blacksmith by occupation.^[24]See: WO 121/169.
• Lawrence Hammond. Hammond had been in Captain Thwaities’s Company (when and in what rank was not recorded). Lawrence Hammond was born in Cambridge c.1747. He had previously served in the 1^st Foot Guards (Grenadiers) for 11 years. He served for 1 year and 1 month in the York Rangers, being discharged with an ulcerated leg. He retrospectively applied for and was awarded a pension of 9d per day in April 1807. In 1807 he was 60 years of age, 5 foot 8 and ¾” tall with grey hair, grey and a dark complexion. He was a barber by occupation.^[25]See: WO 121/82. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/trafalgarancestors/advanced_search.asp

Civilian Records: Once an individual was identified to have served in the regiment then their names were entered into the databases of ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk. This was problematic as names were Anglicised or written phonetically if the soldier was a Lascar or had a French name. As a result, only two men were identified in ‘marriages’ in parish registers. However, and as can be seen, the search for Cato Mumford produced some interesting results.

Composition

The Non-Commissioned Officers

All bar one of the NCOs were White, and it has not been possible to identify the Black NCO referred to during the 1804 inspection. However, pension records indicate that some NCOs must have been coming towards the end of their service when they joined the York Rangers and capable only of administrative rather than campaign duties.

The Rank and File: Drummers and Privates

Some soldiers possessed forenames and surnames which appear to be ‘Lascar’ or Indian names such as Seak and Alley. Chartrand suggests that they had “drifted” from the ships of the ‘Honourable East India Company’ docked in Britain.^[26]Chartrand, R. Op-cit.

Many of the soldiers have French forenames and surnames and may, as Chartrand suggests, have “…left Haiti with the British forces in 1798” or accompanied the British when Martinique was handed back to the French in 1802.^[27]Ibid. Others with French names were almost certainly the former French Prisoners of War held at Mill Prison, Plymouth.^[28]Unfortunately, most POWs only had their first names recorded, rather than their full names, and consequently it has not been possible to identify all of them in the ranks of the York Rangers. French … Continue reading One Prisoner of War each came from the Impatient and L’Atalante, the former being a man-of-war taken off Brest in June 1803, and the latter a privateer taken in the Channel in July 1803. Both enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in November 1803. Two former crewmen of Le Pilade, a transport captured off Brest in September 1803, enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803. Five former crewmen of Le Nautour, a man-of-war captured off Vigo in November 1803, enlisted in the ‘Black Corps’ in January 1804. Eleven former crewmen of La Franchise, a man-of-war captured in May 1803, enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in November 1803. Thirteen former crewmen of the General Mereau, a privateer captured in August 1803, enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803.

In May 1804, the Weekly Dispatch suggested that recruiting parties were to be sent to “London, Liverpool, Bristol, St Domingo and Sierra Leone”.^[29]Weekly Dispatch (London), 6th May 1804. findmypast.co.uk Five officers were indeed in Canada, however, there is no evidence in the musters that any officer or enlisted men were sent to either St Domingo or Sierra Leone. The regiment did send recruiting parties to recruit in London, Liverpool and Bristol – in addition to Glasgow, Hull and Leeds. Whilst commanding the recruiting party in the Leeds and Hull area, Captain George Sanders Thwaites of No.1 Company courted and married his fiancée’ there.^[30]George Sanders Thwaites was commissioned in 1795. After joining the York Rangers, he spent much of 1804 recruiting in the Leeds and Hull areas of Yorkshire. At Holy Trinity Church, Hull, in October … Continue reading
Some success was had by the recruiting party in Bristol, who in January 1805 recruited ten men for the regiment.^[31]TNA WO 12/11582. An eleventh recruit, Michael Carbon, died before he could join the regiment.^[32]TNA WO 12/11582.

Muster Roll and Paylist of the York Rangers^[33]Muster Roll and Paylist of the York Rangers, 1804-1805. TNA WO 12/11582.

The Battalion Headquarters had a command staff, all of whom were White. The regiment was organised into ten companies which were known either by their number or by the name of the captain commanding them (e.g. ‘No.1 Company’ was ‘Captain Thwaities’s Company’). The order the companies appear in the muster rolls (and numbered 1 to 10) is: Thwaites, O’Hara, Ware, Conran, Waters, Roberts, Givins, Vyvyane, Adams and ‘Vacant’ (No.10 Company having no captain).

Each company possessed officers, NCOs, corporals, drummers and privates. For enlisted men, pay was on the basis of rank, role and experience. Typically, and by rank for a 31-day month: Sergeant £2/8s/5 and 1/2d. Corporal £1/16s/9 and 3/4d. Drummer £1/15s/6 and 1/4d. Private £1/11s. The pay of the Black soldiers in the York Rangers appears to have been the same as that of their White peers in other regiments.

The roll below is taken from TNA WO 12/11582. Where additional information has been identified for a soldier it has been referenced.

Regimental Staff

Colonel Charles Stevenson. Lieutenant Colonels Brisbane. Transferred from the 69th Foot. William McLeod. Transferred from the 69th Foot. Samuel Swinton. Transferred to the 2nd Garrison Battalion. Major George Hill. Adjutant Jonathon (John) Leech. Quarter Master Archibold Morrison. Surgeon John McMahon. Assistant Surgeon Gabriel Allard. Recruiting at London. Transferred to the Royal African Corps. Paymaster Peter Cockburn. Officers en-second Major John Dickson. Asst-Surg. George Hicks.

 No.#1. Captain Thwaites’ Company

Captain George Sanders Thwaites. Lieutenants. Ensigns. Charles Higgins. Sergeant Major. William Ryan. Company Sergeant Major. Douglas McMiugh. Sergeants George Day. William Dawkins. David Scott. Recruiting at Leeds and Hull. Corporals. Silvan Wanton. Recruiting at Leeds and Hull. Promoted to sergeant. Drummers or Fifers. John (Jean) Joseph. Formerly a Seaman.

Privates John Azar (Jean Azors). Formerly a Seaman. A Seaman on Le Nautour, a man-of-war captured in November 1803. Enlisted in the ‘Black Corps’ in January 1804. Thomas Anthony. Joseph Bowier. Promoted corporal. John Baptist. John Brown. Enlisted Headquarters, February 1805. Munot Fraudell. Louis Figereuox. John Francis. Stephen Gregger. John Luffith. John Lawrence. Deserted, 17th March 1805. John Mumble. John Maselin. Recruiting at Leeds, then in Glasgow in 1805.   Eameu Molie. An Emun Molloy enlisted in the ‘Royal York Rangers’ at Bristol in March 1805 around the time the ‘York Rangers’ were disbanding. Born in Bengal and a labourer by occupation. Discharged as a private on a pension of 5d per day, August 1819, due to a reduction of the regiment. On discharge he was 46 years of age, 5/6” tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. His conduct had been good. See: WO 97/1163/103. Dean Mummard. Simon Markin. George Murice. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Nicholas. John Pierre. John Thompson.

#2. Captain E O’Hara’s Company

Captain E. O’Hara. Recruiting at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lieutenant D. Urquart. Ensign Sergeants James Bullock. James Bullock was born at Norwich c.1758. He enlisted in 1780 and between then and 1806, served in the 64th Foot (11 years), 86th Foot (9 years), the ‘Prince of Wales’s Fencibles’ (2 years), the 5th Royal Veteran Battalion (1 year), the York Rangers (1 years) and the Royal African Corps (2 years). James Bullock had spent 14 years of his service as a sergeant, but when the Royal African Corps disbanded he was reduced to the rank of private. He was discharged on a pension of 1s/2 and 1/2d per day as a private in November 1806, being “asthmatic and weakly, and likely to be so through the remainder of his life”. On discharge he was 48 years old, 5/6” tall with a pale complexion, dark hair and grey eyes. He was a baker by occupation. See TN WO 121/164. John Forestier. William Oakey. Recruiting at London. Corporals John Charles. Leon Faurneau. John Lambly. Joined with recruits from London, November 1804. Drummers of Fifers Nessasile Hexe (Necessile Here)

Privates Thomas Azor. Seak Barcusela. John Burlington. John Brown. Seda Bellisle. Robdula Chamrue. John Davis. Joined with recruits from Twickenham, February 1805. John Dequaster. John Decruz. Francoise Enemie. Francis Nicholas. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Hanlake Knowles. John Lambly. Merjoy Mumbux. Seak Mumbux. Newld. Mahomith. Dean Mummard. John Peter. Gabriel Sprowhill. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805.

 #3. Captain Ware’s Company

Captain Thomas Ware. Recruiting at Bristol. Lieutenants AB. Higgins. Joined with recruits from London. Ensigns John Ware. Also served with No. 8 Company. Sergeants John Rhodes. Corporals James Bathgate. Jonathon Hudgson. Michael Smith. Drummers or Fifers

Privates Thomas Anthony. Seadie Bellawle. Joseph Botro. John Baptiste. Pharasi Bara. George Cezard. John Francis. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Jean Cyphan. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Nicholas Gerland. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Francis. Seak Jeanize. Bustine Leandrew. Louis Marie. William Meads. John Mummard. Peadw. Prassies. John Roberts. Died October 1804. John Robinson. John Russell. John Sindo. Jean Sobol. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805.

 #4. Captain William Conran’s Company

Captain William Conran. Recruiting at Leeds and Liverpool. Lieutenant Ensign James German (Germain). Recruiting at Quebec. Sergeants John Miller. Joined with Recruits from London, November 1804. Transferred to Royal Garrison Battalion. William Newman. Corporals Joseph Anthony. Recruiting at Leeds and Liverpool. James McKenzie. Transferred to 98th Foot. Drummers or Fifers James Henry.

Privates Peter Alexander. John (Joseph) Antonio. Jaques Barthelleny. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Sea Callow. John Decruise. John Esop. Anthony Fever. At Newport, in June 1806, an ‘Anthony Feaver’ married Isabella Porter. See: England, Phillimore Marriage Registers, 1531-1913. Hampshire Marriage Registers, Vol 14. findmypast.co.uk John Gabaille. Discharged March 1805. Seak Hallie. Joseph Hall. John Joseph. Discharged March 1805. Francis (Francois) Jockaim. Peter Nicholas. Pierre Nicolas was a Seaman on the General Mereau, a privateer captured in August 1803. He enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803. George Norues. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Mathew Pride. Recruiting at Leeds and Liverpool. John Robinson. John Silvest. James Smith. Transferred from the 4th West India Regiment. Transferred to the 98th Foot. John Walton.

  #5 Captain John Waters’ Company

Captain John Waters. George Papkin (Parkin). Ensigns M. De Salubury. Recruiting at Quebec. Sergeants James Craven. John Hill. Corporals Thomas Verner. Drummers of Fifers Hepz. Anthony.

Privates Mumd. Alley. William Augustine. Robert Banbury. Domingo Cruz. Henry Du Plas. Recruiting at Bristol. John Eremie. Louis Ferriere (Herriere). John Jacobs. A John Jacobs, (born in Pondicherry, East Indies c.1777) enlisted in the ‘Royal York Rangers’ at London in September 1805. He was discharged as a private on a pension of 5d per day, September 1819, due to the disbandment of the regiment. On discharge he was 42 years of age, 5/56” tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. His character had been uniformly good. See: WO 97/1163. Manuel Joseph. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Pierre Leander. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Lora. John Manwell. Marsel Martin. Recruiting at Bristol. Samuel Mexico. Died February 1805. Peter Mitchell. Seamue Molie. Felix Moralier. Died November 1804. John Peter. Seak Ramiue.

 #6. Captain Roberts’ Company

Captain CJ Roberts. Lieutenants Louis Herriett. Noted as ‘Absent without leave’. Sergeants Michael McAnulty. Hugh McKay. Arrested for debt and held in Winchester Gaol, February 1805. George Thompson. Corporals Nicholas Baptiste. Recruiting at Bristol. John Grudge. Promoted to sergeant. Recruiting at Bristol. Transferred to 98th Foot. Drummers or Fifers Peter Gilbert.

Privates Joseph Anthony. Joined from Twickenham, February 1805. John Arsendor. Jean Ballazard. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Celestine Dabodi. A Celestine Dabbudee, a seaman, was captured at sea by HMS Caster in July 1803 on the privateer Represeulle and sent as a Prisoner of War to Norman Cross. See: ADM 103/346. John Dart. Anthony Decruise. Thomas Deas. Pierre Francaise. A Seaman on La Franchise, a man-of-war captured in May 1803. Enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in November 1803. Louis Lidor. Peter Louis. A Seaman on La Franchise, a man-of-war captured in May 1803. Enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in November 1803. Jaques L’Ouseau. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Nicholas Luben. A Nicholas Lubin was a Seaman on the General Mereau, a privateer captured in August 1803. He enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803. William Milord. Peter Mitchell. A Pierre Michel was a Seaman on the General Mereau, a privateer captured in August 1803. He enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803. Siden Molie (Molis). Jean Moreau. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Mumbucks (Mumbanks). John Mumback was discharged being unfit in March 1804. He was described as 25 years of age, 5/4 and 3/4” and a “mulatto”. At Newport, in March 1806, a ‘John Mumbucks’ married Sarah Voysey. See: TNA WO 28/88. England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. FHL: 1470881. www.ancestry.co.uk Provided by James Raynor. Siard Mummard. Mumd. Pearingey. George Russ. Recruiting at Leeds.

#7. Captain James Givins’ Company

Captain James Givins. Absent. Recruiting at Upper Canada. Lieutenant Ensign William Bird. Sergeants John McGreggor. Recruiting at Leeds and Liverpool. Transferred to Royal Veterans Battalion. James Murray. Corporals William Gibbs. Transferred to 98th Foot. William McDonald. Alexander Sombas (Somba). Promoted to sergeant. Drummers or Fifers Peter Benjamen.

Privates Hyder Alley. James Armstrong. James Armstrong was discharged being unfit in March 1804. Born at St Michaels, Barbados and a sailor by occupation. He was a “mulatto”, 38 years of age and 5/4 and 1/4” tall. He had served five years in a man-of-war (in the Royal Navy) and was unfit due to being wounded in the right arm, right leg and other places. He appears to have remained with the regiment, but deserted in March 1805. See: TNA WO 28/88. Richard Blakeman. Discharged March 1805. John Chalton. Punchio Decruise. Seak Decue. Charles Donies. Jean (John) Marie Du Roche. Promoted to corporal. Frederick Guilleaume. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805.  Pierre Jivierre. John Johnson. Charles Junbert. Francis Mouton. John Petter. George Powell. Joseph Savaille. ‘Savielle’ a Seaman on La Franchise, a man-of-war was captured in May 1803. He enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in November 1803. A Joseph Savill enlisted in the ‘Royal York Rangers’ at London in March 1805 around the time the ‘York Rangers’ were disbanding. Born in Amboyne, East Indies c.1780 and a labourer by occupation. Discharged as a private on a pension of 5d per day, March 1819, due to the disbandment of the regiment. On discharge he was 39 years of age, 5/5 and 1/2” tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. His character had been good. See: WO 97/1163.

 #8. Captain Vyvyanne’s Company

Captain Richard Vyvyanne. Lieutenants John McPherson. Ensigns John Ware. Also served with No. 3 Company. Sergeants John Hogg. Transferred to 98th Foot. Corporals James Bathgate. Transferred to 98th Foot. Anthony Mason. Promoted to sergeant. Transferred to 98th Foot. Drummers or Fifers James Jackson.

Privates Hepz. Andrews. William Baxter. John (Jean) Calla. A Seaman on Le Nautour, a man-of-war captured in November 1803. Enlisted in the ‘Black Corps’ in January 1804. Michael Chozie. William Cordienne. John Decruise. John Louis Durot. Discharged March 1805.  John Eado. William Irvin. John Jacque. A Seaman on Le Pilade, a privateer captured in November 1803. Enlisted in ‘Colonel Stephen’s Black Corps’ in October 1803. John Joseph. Promoted to corporal then sergeant. Joseph Marrey. Louis Paul. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Peters. Toussainte Ruppian was discharged being unfit in March 1804. Born at St Domingo, he was described as a “Creole”. A former Prisoner of War, he was unfit due to consumption. See: TNA WO 28/88. Francis Silva. John Simmonds. John Williams. Discharged March 1805.

#9. Captain John Adams’ Company.

Captain. John Adams. Lieutenant. Ensign. Baillie. Recruiting at Anapolis, Canada. Sergeants. John Brown. Thomas Hayman (Hyman). Recruiting at London. Thomas Hayman was born in Northeim, Hanover (Hannover) c.1778. He served in the Royal Artillery (in Flanders) between 1792 and 1794, Rohan’s Hussars between 1794 and 1800, and the York Rangers between 1803 and 1805. He was discharged from the York Rangers when it disbanded. His original records were lost and then re-issued in 1810. As a result, some of his service details are either illegible or incorrect. In 1810, Charles Stevenson appears to have been asked to confirm Thomas Hayman’s service details, which he did – signing the record personally. Discharge on a pension confirmed in February 1810, when it was noted that he had “lost his left leg from a wound received at St Domingo when in the Rohan Hussars” in addition to being “otherwise disabled”. On discharge (in 1810) he was 32 years of age, 5/11 and 1/2” tall with dark hair, dark eyes and a fair complexion. He was a labourer by occupation. See: TNA 97/1163/70.  Corporals. John Forbes. John Forbes was born in Edinburgh c.1753. He enlisted c.1776 and spent 29 years and 6 months in line regiments and an ‘invalids’ unit. He was discharged as a corporal on a pension, March 1805, being worn out in service. On discharge he was 52 years of age, 5/8” tall with brown hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. He was a labourer by occupation. See: WO 121/74. Harman Foscape. Drummers or Fifers. Cato Mumford. Cato Mumford appears to have become a Rating in the Royal Navy: In 1805 Ordinary Seaman Cato Mumford served on HMS Agamemnon at the Battle of Trafalgar. It was noted that he had joined from “Resolute G.Bg”, was 38 years old and had been born at Rhode Island, USA. (The Mumford family were one of the earliest English settlers on Rhode Island). In 1808-1809, ‘OS’, (Ordinary Seaman) Cato Mumford, serving on HMS Theseus, paid an allotment to his wife Sarah in Portsmouth. The marriage was noted as ‘improper’ – suggesting that it was a common law or Catholic relationship. It was recorded that his previous ship, as early as 1806, had been HMS Tonnant. See: ADM 27/14 and ADM 27/16. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/trafalgarancestors/details.asp?id=1400   There was a prominent African-American named Cato Mumford from Rhode Island, but it is not known if it was this man: Initially serving as a sailor on the Brig Blaze Castle, he then served as a private soldier in the ‘Colonial Army’ during the American War of Independence. In 1793, Cato Mumford was one of 17 free Black men and women identified as subscribers to the Reverend Samuel Hopkins’s “A System of Doctrines Contained in Divine Revelation, Explained and Defended”. Although owning slaves himself, Samuel Hopkins (1721-1803) was one of the first Congregational ministers to denounce slavery. Apparently, rewarded with his freedom in return for his military service, in 1798 Cato Mumford and his family only avoided being driven out of Providence (accused of having no legal right to remain), after the intervention of Colonel Joseph Nightingale, under whom he had previously served. See: www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/massachusetts-office-of-the-secretary-of-state/massachusetts-soldiers-and-sailors-of-the-revoluntionary-war-a-compilation-from-ssa-57/page-30-massachusetts-soldiers-and-sailors-of-the-revoluntionary-war-a-compilation-from-ssa-57.shtml Also www.brown.edu/academics/public-humanities/about/history/black-labor-nightingale-brown-house#_edn32

Privates. Seak Buxoo. John Cauton. John Charles. A Josef Charles was a Seaman on Le Nautour, a man-of-war captured in November 1803. Enlisted in the ‘Black Corps’ in January 1804. Antonio Diesse. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805.   John Francis (1). John Francoise (2) John Gesson. Discharged March 1805. Sylons Hickson. Hasson Mohamovith. Mearue Monnue. Golaw Mosinea. Peter Ono. John Suckell. Charles Thompson. Recruiting at London. John Tompaugh. John Tompa was discharged being unfit in March 1804. Born in Calcutta, he was a Lascar. He was discharged having lost a joint in the right toe which rendered him “lame”. See: TNA WO 28/88. Francis Vandimere. Recruiting at London. John Williams.

 #10. Vacant Company.

Captain. Lieutenants. John Grant. Det. Recruiting at London. Ensigns. RW. McDonald. Sergeants. Samuel Denton. Transferred to 98th Foot. James Davis. Recruiting at London. Transferred to Royal Garrison Battalion.  Corporal. John Burk. Transferred to Royal Garrison Battalion. Seak Mummo. Drummers or Fifers. Anthony Roberts.

Privates. Peter Azor. Joseph Anthony. Pierre Alexander. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. Joseph Benwa. Alexis Charles. John Daley. Jock. G. Decruz. Joseph Gordon. Andrew Hattington. Died January 1805. John Here. William Jones. William Jones was discharged being unfit in March 1804. Born at Philadelphia and a labourer. He had black hair, black eyes and a black complexion and was 56 years of age. He had previously served for seven years in the 2nd West India Regiment and was unfit for further service being blind in one eye and weak in the other. He was examined at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in May 1805 and awarded a pension of 6d per day. He gave Tower Hill as his intended place of residence. See: TNA WO 23/140, WO 28/88, WO 116/12 and WO 121/74. Simon Jennings. A Simon Jennings enlisted in the ‘Royal York Rangers’ at London in March 1805 around the time the ‘York Rangers’ were disbanding. Born in New York c.1754-1760 and a labourer by occupation. Discharged as a private on a pension of 6d per day, July 1815, being worn out. He had served in the West Indies for 7 years and 7 months. On discharge he was 55 years of age (61 years was initially noted), 5/6” tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. His character had been good. He is believed to have died in 1817. See: WO 97/1163/129 and WO 120/30. James Johnson. John L’Amie. Seak Mashob. John Peters. Enlisted December1804. George Robson. On duty with Colonel Stevenson. Louis Segur. Enlisted Bristol, January 1805. John Soldier.

 Acknowledgement.

This article could not have been written without the contribution of David Gleave.