The
Queens Rangers”
Saturday, November 23rd, 4pm-6pm
The Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage
Association will host:
Joseph Wroblewski, Ed. D.
Member of the N.J. Historical Commission's Committee planning
for the observance of the 350th Anniversary of the founding of New Jersey.
During the American War of Independence 1775-83 the British Army
authorized the raising of a number of regiments from the colonial population
who remained loyal to the Crown. Colonel Robert Rogers, a celebrated officer in
the earlier French-Indian War, formed the Queen’s Rangers in New York in August
1776. It was named in honor of Queen Charlotte the wife of King George
III. Rogers, due to personal problems,
resigned and eventually the Regiment came under the command of an Englishman,
Major John Simcoe. The Queen’s Rangers fought in the pitched battles of
Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and continued to be engaged in patrols,
skirmishes and raids throughout the Delaware Valley from Philadelphia and Bucks
County to across the river from Salem in Southern New Jersey; on to Perth Amboy
and Springfield in North Jersey.
In 1780 the Rangers
were transferred to the Southern Theater of Operations and were present at the
British surrender at Yorktown. Following the surrender at Yorktown, the Regiment eventually took
up land grants in New Brunswick (Canada) and were later reconstituted to help
build what is now Toronto. The Regiment survives today as part of the Canadian
military as the Queen’s York Rangers, and is still practicing
their original function as a reconnaissance unit. Learning about this unique
group of Americans, who remained loyal to the King during the War of
Independence, should prove to be both thoughtful and interesting.
A brief business meeting will precede
Dr. Wroblewski’s talk.
Members and guests welcome. Site parking at 71 Somerset Street
New members welcome at this time.
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