The Regiment was authorized on January 8, 1776 in the Rhode Island State Troops as Babcock's Regiment. Organized on January 18, 1776 at Newport to consist of 12 companies. Redesignated on May 1, 1776 as Lippitt's Regiment. Adopted on May 11, 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Eastern Department. It was assigned on October 14, 1776 to McDougall's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Nixion's Brigade re-designated 22 December 22, 1776 as Hitchcock's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Disbanded on January 18, 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey.