The families of Edward Jessup’s Loyal Rangers were major contributors to the settlement of eastern Ontario. Of the original thirteen townships, four were primarily settled by Loyal Rangers, yet the history of this important regiment has largely disappeared.

There are two sections to this book. The history element goes back to the very beginning when men were preparing for military service. A great deal of attention is given to General John Burgoyne’s expedition of 1777, as the several units that were brought together to create the Loyal Rangers in 1781 had served separately under Burgoyne, and the majority suffered for it. The history follows the aftermath of Burgoyne’s surrender and finishes with details of the war’s final two years and the subsequent disbandment and settlement.

The second section is a Loyal Rangers’ Master Roll, which was assembled by examining a great many original and secondary sources. The roll records the details of seven hundred and sixteen men whose names were found on Loyal Rangers’ returns of 1781 to 1783.