It was authorized on 16 September 1776, in the Continental Army under Colonel Marshall at Boston, Massachusetts, as eight companies of volunteers from Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Bristol, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties of the colony of Massachusetts and Cheshire county of the colony of New Hampshire.
On 13 August 1777, the regiment was assigned to 3d Massachusetts Brigade in the Northern Department.
On 20 November 1778, the brigade was reassigned to the Highland's Department and on 12 May 1779 was re-organized to nine companies.
On 1 January 1781, the regiment was reassigned to the 1st Massachusetts Brigade of the Highland's Department.
[1] Colonel Thomas Marshall was commanding officer of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment from 6 November 1776 until 1 January 1781.