Hugh Sergeant was born at Stone (Scotland?) about 1729. He
enlisted at the age of 24 in 1753. He listed his occupation as an unskilled
laborer. He was the senior sergeant of the Grenadier Coy when the Royal Irish
arrived at Philadelphia in July 1767. Sergeant was sent on command to Ft. Pitt
with Cpt. Edmonstone, his company commander at the time, sometime in the early
fall. He was still on command when the Royal Irish were inspected in October 1767.
Sergeant remained with the Grenadier Coy throughout
its Illinois service being posted at Ft. Chartres, Cahokia and returning to
Philadelphia with the Grenadiers. When the Royal Irish returned to Philadelphia
in late 1772, the regiment was significantly reduced in strength, so a
recruiting party was to be sent to England. Lt. Bewes of the Grenadier Coy was
to command the party. Sergeant was sent as his second in command. However, to
reduce the impact on the Grenadier Coy, Sergeant was transferred to Cpt. Robert
Hamilton’s battalion coy. He never really served in Hamilton’s Coy as he
remained on recruiting duty for the next two years. He was originally
transferred to Hamilton’s Coy on 27 January 1773 and was still listed on
recruiting duty on 8 February 1775.
He returned to the Royal Irish at Boston most likely
in June 1775. At that time, he was posted to Cpt. Richardson’s Coy and was
present with the company when they were mustered for pay at Boston on 2 October
1775. Sergeant returned to England with the cadre of the regiment in February
1776. He was discharged and recommended Chelsea Hospital that summer. He was
interviewed by the Chelsea Board on 16 August 1776 and was admitted as an out
pensioner as having been worn out in His Majesty’s Service.[1]
