On 1 January 1776 the 8th Massachusetts Regiment re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 16th Continental Regiment an element of Vacant's Brigade. Reassigned on January 24, 1776 from Vacant's Brigade and assigned to Heath's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reassigned on April 4, 1776 from Heath's Brigade and assigned to the Eastern Department. Reassigned on July 11, 1776 from the Eastern Department and assigned to Main Continental Army. It was assigned on August 12, 1776 to Mifflin's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reassigned on August 31 from Mifflin's Brigade and assigned to Sargent's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. ReOrganized and redesignated on January 1, 1777 as Michael Jackson's Regiment, to consist of 8 companies.