Authorized on April 23, 1775 in the Massachusetts State Troops as Ward's Regiment. The regiment was organized in spring 1775 at Roxbury to consist of 10 companies from eastern Worcester and Middlesex and Hampshire Counties. Adopted on June 14, 1775 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Main Continental Army. It was assigned to the on July 22, 1775 to Thomas' Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Consolidated on January 1, 1776 with Fellows' Regiment and Benson's and Bradford's Companies, Cotton's Regiment and consolidated unit redesignated as the 21st Continental Regiment, an element of Thomas' Brigade to consist of 8 companies. Reassigned on April 24, 1776 from Thomas' Brigade and assigned to Spencer's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reassigned on August 12, 1776 from Spencer's Brigade and assigned to Parson's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reassigned on September 18, 1776 from Parson's Brigade and assigned to Sargent's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Consolidated (less Clap's and King's Companies) on January 1, 1777 with the 26th Continental Regiment and consolidated unit redesignated Wesson's Regiment; concurrently Claps' Company re-organized and redesignated as Dunham's Company, Bailey's Regiment and King's Company re-organized and redesignated as Alvord's Company, Shepard's Regiment.