I have some information on this branch, but not much.
I believe your Edward Goucher is related to my Stephen Goucher. They may also be related to a Joseph Goucher sho settled in St Johns. Edward & Stephen settled in Nova Scotia after the great Loyalist flight to Nova Scotia after the Revolutionary War. I have traced them back from Nova Scotia to New Jersey. Unfortunately, I'm stuck at that point.
Evidence of settlement in Nova Scotia:
“History of the County of Annapolis: including Old Port Royal and Acadia” by William Arthur Calnek
Page 517: “Goucher. Edward and Stephen Goucher came to the county in 1783. They may have been sons or brothers of the Jospeh Goucher, a Loyalist, who was a grantee of St John at the same period. Stephen named a son Joseph. Stephen Goucher, b 1762, m 1785, Mary Gage, b 1764, d 1848.”
“Edward Goucher married Hannah Wilson, and had children…”
Page 232: “ I have the Governor’s warrant to lay out 250 acres for Stephen Gouger, 200 for Edward Gouger, 100 for James Parks, and 100 for Benjamin Artin – 650 in the whole – which is to be laid out to the northward and adjoining land granted to Colonel Beverly Robinson and others, on Wilmott mountain, between them and the Bay of Fundy.”
Page
Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia” by Marion Gilroy
Page 13:
In 1788, Edward was granted 200 acres in Wilmot, Nova Scotia. Stephen was granted 250 acres. They were both Loyalists, both Corporals with the New Jersey Volunteers, 1st Battalion.
Both books can be found in Google Books.
Enlistment in New Jersey Volunteers
Here you can find Edward Gouger in the lists for the New Jersey Volunteers
http://www.royalprovincial.com/military/musters/1njv/njvmill... He was stationed with Millidge’s Company, commanded by Lt. Col. Joseph Barton on Staten Island, 9/11/1780.
This list shows that Edward Gouger was present on a ship headed for Anapolis:
http://www.royalprovincial.com/military/rhist/njv/njvretn1.h... “Return of a Detachmt. from the 1st Battn. New Jersey Volunteers with their Families & Servants who Embark on board the Brig Olive Branch for Anapolis Royal 7th Septr. 1783
Corpl. Edwd. GOUGER - 1 Men, 2 Women, 1 Children above Ten, 1 Children under ten, 4 1/2 Rations Pr. Day”
A history of the 1st Battalion can be found here:
http://www.royalprovincial.com/military/rhist/njv/1njvhist.h...Many who enlisted came from Monmouth county, NJ, so this may be a starting point.
I believe Stephen at least, changed sides during War, starting out with the colonists, and deserting to the Loyalists. I have found a muster roll for Stephen Gauger, who was a drummer and then a corporal for the Continental Troops, in Spencer’s Regiment. He appears in the rolls from 1777 to 1780 only.