Category «Biographical»

Plymouth County Roster of Black Soldiers in the American Revolution

African Americans who Fought in the Revolutionary War From Plymouth County, Massachusetts Taken from recruiting documents in the collection of the Pilgrim Society.  Compiled by Jeremy D. Bangs in 1996, visiting curator of Manuscripts, Pilgrim Hall Museum. Silas Accro, age 29, from Plymouth, Col. Theo. Cotton’s regimentPero Blakely, age 28, from Bridgewater, Maj. Cary’s regimentWilliam …

Lord Rawdon in America

Always to the front in a fight and the last in a retreat, Lord Rawdon proved himself a brilliant and successful partisan leader.                                                                         Sir George Otto Trevelyan Francis, Lord Rawdon[1] epitomized the perfect British officer in the eyes of those fine gentlemen who sat smugly in their distinguished seats in the House of Lords. …

African American Patriot Oliver Cromwell

African American soldier

Then did we see old Bonner  rise, and borrowing Spite from Hell, They stride along with magic eyes, where Sons of Freedom dwell Lemuel Haynes Oliver Cromwell was an African American soldier who participated in nearly every major battle of the Revolutionary War’s northern campaign.   He spent six years and nine months in the New …

Colonel Samuel Selden: Brave in Battle He Died for his Country

Captured at battle of Kip’s Bay and died in captivity on Oct. 11, 1776  Rouse the People to see their Danger. Stir them up by all that is dear in this life. Our Wives, our Children, our property, our Liberty is at Stake… Colonel Samuel Selden Colonel Samuel Selden [1] During the Revolutionary War many men paid an …

General Richard Prescott Is Kidnapped: Capture by African American Jack Prince Sisson

Capture of British General Richard Prescott July 10th 1777 A tawny son of Africa’s race. Them through the ravine led, And entering then the Overing House, They found him in his bed. But to get in they had no means, Except poor Cuffee’s head, Who beat the door down, then rushed in, And seized him in his bed. –Anonymous ballad spread from …

Forgotten Patriots of the American Revolutionary War: Major Thomas Henley and Raid on Montressor’s Island

Sherman's conneticut continentals continue to fire

Forgotten Patriots: Major Thomas Henley & The Raid on Montresor’s Island The genius of America starts as from a trance, at her neglect to guard the lives of a Knowlton and a Henly; and then absorbed in melancholy, sighs, “it was a mistake, they were not to have fallen, only upon the decision of the fate of an empire.”[1] …