DESCENDANTS OF THE YORK CHASSEURS

Seeking descendants of York Chasseurs:
a British Regiment disbanded at Quebec,
24th August 1819.

I am compiling, for future publication, the history of the York Chasseurs, a virtually unknown regiment of the British Army that was formed during November 1813 from the ‘Better Class of Culprit and Deserters’ incarcerated within the military Prison-hulks. This ‘Condemned’ regiment, recruited from soldiers sentenced to ‘Unlimited Military Service within any of His Majesty’s Colonies’, served throughout its existence within the fever-ridden Islands of the West Indies. Following the cessation of hostilities with Republican France the York Chasseurs became a victim of British military reduction, leaving Jamaica June 1819 to be disbanded at Quebec 24th August 1819. Although over 1500 soldiers were initially sentenced to serve within its ranks, the high mortality rates consistent with service in the West Indies combined with the undoubted aptitude of the York Chasseurs for successful desertion, ensured there remained only 570 Sergeants, Corporals, Drummers and Rank and File to be disbanded in Canada. On discharge these soldiers were provided with the option of either a Bounty of £10 or the ‘Offer of Waste Land’, with 53 initially opting for the latter. Subsequent research has revealed, however, that the majority of these potential farmers, although allocated land, failed to pursue such a calling.

It is intended that the publication will not merely represent a regimental history but, hopefully, will provide valuable information for the genealogist or military historian who has encountered the York Chasseurs only to discover that further progress proved impossible. Whilst individual profiles of all who served within the regiment, (previous regiments, casualties, desertion attempts (whether successful or not), punishment, promotion, etc.) may be of general interest, arguably, the profiles of those discharged at Quebec may proved to be of particular interest to Canadian genealogists.

I am particularly interested and would welcome correspondence from descendants of any ex-York Chasseurs either listed below or from any correspondent who has encountered a York Chasseur.

• William Bygrove, Corporal. (Previous regiment to be determined). Lot SW 6 Concession 7. Bathurst. Sold out to Robert Clarke, ex Corporal York Chasseurs and appears to have relocated on Lot 12 Concession 12 Bathurst.
  The 1851 census recorded Bygrove as being a widower, having previously married Janet Padgett, daughters Eliza age 13, Isabella age 9 and Edward age 11. The 1861 Bathurst census recorded the presence of Edward and Isabella Bygrove.
  Elizabeth Bygrove married Robert McClary at Perth Free Presbyterian 29th June 1863 and Edward Bygrove married Elizabeth Gamble, (born 1851) at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Perth. 28th June 1871.
• James Carson, Private. (Previous regiment to be determined). Lot SW 12 Concession 11. Beckwith. Sold to William Murphy 1825.
• Robert Clarke Corporal. (previous regiment 2nd Battn 44th Foot). Lot NE 6 Concession 7. Bathurst. Occupied by Ann, Robert and Mary Clarke 1864.
• George Cliff, Private. (previous regiment Life Guards). Lot SW 11 Concession [--] Beckwith. Sold to Henry James 1825.
  The Beckwith census of 1820 recorded Cliff being accompanied by wife, son and daughter.
• Thomas Connor, Private. (previous regiment 87th Foot). Lot NE 11. Concession 10. Beckwith. Sold to Daniel McAra 1827. 1820 Beckwith census recorded Connor being accompanied by wife, son and daughter.
• Richard Crone, Corporal. (previous regiment either 3rd Battn 1st Foot or 3rd Battn 1st Foot Guards). Lot NE 23 Concession 4. Drummond. Sold to John Sheals 1839.
• Dennis Gingley. Private. (previous regiment 2nd Battn 47th Foot). Lot SW 11. Concession 10. Beckwith. Sold to Duncan Campbell 1827.
• Thomas Leonard. Colour Sergeant. (previous regiment 1st Battn 50th (West Kent) Regiment of Foot. Lot 15. Concession 10. Bathurst. Sold to James Irvine 1829. Purchased Lot NE 25 Concession 6. Bathurst 1824.
  Thomas Leonard is of particular interest, born in Gibraltar 1779/80, joined the 1st Battn 50th Foot as a Drummer in 1790, aged 10. Leonard having served 26 years with the Colours, the last 10 as sergeant, with the 50th Foot being present during the Egypt campaign and the Battles of Vimiera, Corunna, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes and Toulouse, inexplicably, at the age of 37 whilst stationed in Ireland July 1816, deserted. Sentenced to serve within the ranks of the York Chasseurs he quickly progressed from Private to Colour Sergeant and, following his discharge at Quebec, appears to have gained respectability as a farmer, retiring with his wife Elizabeth to Perth, Lanark County, in 1854. The Leonard siblings being Ann and Oliver, with possibly an elder son James. Thomas Leonard died in 1868, aged 92, and his tombstone can be viewed within the Craig Street Cemetery, Perth. Awarded a Chelsea Hospital Out-Patient Pension.
• Michael McConnell. Private. (previous regiment 87th Foot). Lot SW 13. Concession 10. Beckwith. Accompanied by wife and son under 7 years. Sold to Patrick Nowlan 1833.
• John McDonald. Private. (previous regiment probably 28th Foot). Lot 8. Concession 10. Beckwith. Sold to Richard Edwards 1828.
• William Melsome. Private. (to determine previous regiment). Lot 8. Concession 11. Beckwith. Sold to James Nash. possibly ex York Chasseurs.
• John Millage. Private (to determine previous regiment). Lot NE 11. Concession 9. Beckwith. Sold to Peter McFarlane 1830.
• James Nash. Private (a Volunteer from 101st Regt of Foot). Lot NE 13. Concession 11. Beckwith. Sold to Bernard McGee 1826, purchased Lot 8. Concession 11 from William Melsome, ex York Chasseurs.
  Accompanied by wife and 2 daughters. In receipt of Chelsea Hospital Out-Patient Pension.
• William Wilson. Private (either Royal Horse Artillery or 2nd Battn 64th Foot). Lot NE 25. Concession 3. Drummond. Sold to Tobias Taylor 1825.
• William Hyland. Regimental Sergeant Major. (ex 2nd Battn 12th Foot). Initially allocated Lot SW 13. Concession 4. Bathurst. Accompanied by wife. Enlisted as Private in 70th Regiment at Kingston 1819/1820. Possible discharged in Canada.
• Edward Duffy. Private. (ex 1st Foot). Resident in Murray Township, Northumberland County 1833.
• John McCarthy. Drummer. (possibly 2nd Battn 44th Foot). Resident of Low County 23rd January 1865. Served in Captain McDonnell’s Company, Glengary Volunteers 1837-1840.