The Regiment was authorized on April 23, 1775 in the Massachusetts State Troops as Nixon’s Regiment. Organized in spring 1775 at Cambridge to consist of 10 companies from eastern Middlesex County, Essex and Lincoln Counties, Massachusetts, and Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Adopted on June 14, 1775 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Main Continental Army. It was assigned on July 22, 1775 to Sullivan’s Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. consolidated on January 1, 1776 with Thompson’s Company, Danielson’s Regiment, and consolidated unit re-designated as the 4th Continental Regiment, to consist of 8 companies; an element of Sullivan’s Brigade. Reassigned on August 12, 1776 to Stirling’s Brigade, and assigned to Nixon’s Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reorganized and re-designated on January 1, 1777 as Nixon’s Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. Re-designated on August 1, 1779 as the 6th Massachusetts Regiment. Reassigned on January 1, 1781 from the 1st Massachusetts Brigade and assigned to the 3rd Massachusetts Brigade, an element of the Highland’s Department. Furloughed on June 12, 1783 at West Point, New York. Disbanded on November 3, 1783.