 The company was formed at the instigation of a black settler in Upper Canada, Richard Pierpoint, who had served as part of Butler's Rangers during the American Revolutionary War.On the outbreak of the War of 1812, he petitioned Major General Isaac Brock, commanding the British Forces in Upper Canada, to form a militia corps from black settlers in the Niagara Peninsula.Brock initially turned down Pierpoint's request as it was considered unnecessary.