The Regiment was authorized 8 January 1776 in the Continental Army as a regiment to be raised from the troops in service in Canada and assigned to the Canadian Department. Organized 15 April 1776 at Quebec Canada, as Nicholson's Regiment, to consist of 8 companies from New York. Relived 2 July 1776 from the Canadian Department and assigned to the Northern Department. Disbanded 31 December 1776 at Albany.