Philip Abbot (also spelt Phillip Abbot or Phillip Abbott) fought and died at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, Charlestown, a hefty stone throw over the Charles River to Boston, Massachusetts. Philip was a slave, owned by Nathan Abbott who survived the carnage. We don’t know much about Philip. Except he was there; fighting tooth and nail, that long, frightening day when farmers, merchants, men of wealth and men far poorer, and over three dozen black men, both slaves and free men, stood firm before professional soldiers, among the finest in the world. These colonial ‘chaw bacons’ would inflict fifty percent casualties against their enemy. They threw the cursed ‘blood backs’ twice down the slopes leading up to the redoubt. A fort these yeomen constructed in just one night; from midnight to dawn.
And of Philip? He died at the time when most of those who were killed defending the redoubt; as the British infantry’s third charge poured over the parapet. A desperate hand to hand combat ensued as enraged redcoats bayonetted or caved in skulls. Or perhaps he met his end after the call to retreat turned into a mad dash for the rear. Many militiamen were shot as they crowed to escaped. In any case, Philip’s remains lay where he fell, in an unmarked grave. His final moments, lost to history. But then pretty much everything a black man did in America’s fight for liberty was lost to history. There was no place in the hearts of a new nation to recognize, or give thanks, to the many Black soldiers who gave their last breath, for so noble a cause as America’s freedom.
Northern Slavery
Often, we hear of slavey and the south in the same breath. But prior to and even right after the American Revolution, the more populous northern colonies relied heavily on slavery, though not usually in large, extensive plantations as in the south. It was not uncommon for several New England families of a single community to own one or two slaves. So too, New York City for decades had the largest population of black slaves per capita of North America; while bankrolling many of the large southern plantations right up to and during the Civil War of the 1860’s.
And we cannot ignore that Rhode Island was the center of the North American slave trade; her ships plying the waves, bringing countless enslaved Afrikaners called ‘outlandish’ to colonial shores. Nicholas Brown Sr. of Providence Rhode Island, inherited and maintained the massive wealth garnished from brokered flesh. He used some of his slave proceeds to established Rhode Island College. It was later renamed Brown University for Brown’s son, proclaimed abolitionist, but whose fortunes benefited from generations of the Brown family slave trade. A University that continues this day to carry a name stained by the pain and unthinkable horrors suffered by thousands upon thousands of Americans.
Sabers Rattled
There was no place in the hearts of a new nation to recognize, or give thanks, to the many Black soldiers who gave their last breath, for so noble a cause as America’s freedom.
Harry Schenawolf, Historian/Author
Eminent African American historian Benjamin Quarles wrote, “Although general policy in early America was to exclude Negroes from militia service, manpower shortages often outweighed the reluctance to give the Negro a gun; hence official attitudes did not always mirror actual practice.” In the spring of 1775, as the caldron boiled over and hostilities between mother England and the rebellious colonial faction of North America seemed like a sure thing, there was a call for volunteers all across New England. African Americans presented themselves, both freemen and slaves, and were accepted among the ranks of patriots.
Therefore, it was common to see African Americans drilling with New England militia prior to Lexington and Concord; the tinderbox that burst in flames of war on April 19, 1775. The British volley that tore into Captain John Parker’s company of militiamen gathered on Lexington Green killed eight and wounded ten. With those shot was slave Prince Estabrook of West Lexington, a member of Parker’s company, the first to face British lead. Among the citizen soldiers who responded to the alarm that early fateful morning, were black freemen totting their firelocks. So too, men hurried to Concord accompanied by their armed slaves; Philip Abbot was one such man.
Enlists in Militia
Philip was slave to Nathaniel Abbott of Andover, Massachusetts. A thorough search of archives and internet gives us nothing about his earlier life. We only learn that he was Nathan’s servant; whether that meant man-servant, household slave, or fieldworker, there is no distinction. The Abbott’s clan was an extended family throughout the Andover region. Nathaniel was the third and youngest son of Deacon Joseph Abbott and Deborah Blanchard; the Blanchard’s were another well-known family of the area. Philip’s owner Nathan’s family would be considered well off. As Deacon, Nathan’s father was a well-known member of the Andover community. He was also a member of the town’s Committee of Safety, the military arm of Provincial Legislatures called Committees of Correspondence. Therefore, it is easy to assume that Deacon Abbott was influential in his son’s patriot passions. Whether Philip joined Nathan in his military pursuits willingly or fulfilling his status as slave, we don’t know. We can assume that the pair discussed their beliefs and perhaps were in agreement for the need to bear arms in support of the rebellion.
Both Nathan and his servant Philip enlisted as privates into the company of Captain Benjamin Ames of Colonel James Frye’s Regiment. Also in Ames company was Andover native, freeman Salem Poor, who had purchased his freedom in 1769 at age 22 for 27£; at the time a year’s salary equal to around $5,600 in today’s currency. Poor, who several white officers would later note acted with valor at the Battle of Bunker Hill, would shoulder his musket alongside Philip in Ames’ company.
Lexington Alarm and Siege of Boston
On the evening of April 18th, word spread that the British were out and about. Six companies, including Captain Ames’ company, of the Essex County Regiment under Colonel Frye (called Frye’s regiment) of Andover, were on the road by morning. Two were minuteman companies of fifty men each followed by four foot companies; a total of 335 men. They marched towards Concord; twenty-five miles distant. The Andover troops would arrive foot sore and too late for the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Many would return home; however, a core would remain and those who had left, some would rejoin the assembled militiamen outside Cambridge. These militiamen from the greater Boston region began the Siege of Boston and would become the seed of what would be labeled the Continental Army.
Right after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, April 19th, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised twenty-seven regiments as a provincial army. Most of these militia units had already been formed, but were to be reorganized with additional recruits and labeled. The regiments were mostly organized by mid-May and would later be adopted into the Continental Army and assigned a number, beginning in June, 1775. Colonel James Frey’s Regiment, in which Philip Abbot remained in Captain Ames’ company, was officially formed on May 19th, 1775 and would remain as such until December, 1775 in which it was reassigned into the Continental Army. Frye’s subordinates were Lt. Colonel James Brickett and Major Thomas Poor. Philip and Salem Poor would remain with the regiment camped outside Cambridge. Note: Salem Poor had not been owned by Major Thomas Poor, but was born a slave into John and Rebecca Poor’s farm.
Battle of Bunker Hill
The evening of June 16th, three companies of Colonel Frey’s Regiment assembled on Cambridge Common under the commands of Captains Benjamin Ames, Benjamin Farnum, and Charles Furbush; 177 Andover men in all. With Ames’ company were Nathanial Abbott and his bondsman Philip. They were joined by several other regiments from Massachusetts and Connecticut, under the command of Colonel William Prescott and General Israel Putnam; Prescott, being from Massachusetts, commanded the majority of the men. They were ordered to march across Charlestown Peninsula where they were to construct a redoubt near Charlestown within cannon shot of Boston. Reinforcements the next morning included Colonel John Stark’s regiment from New Hampshire, the largest of rebel militias present at Cambridge.
Called the Battle of Charlestown, the action was to receive its more popular name, The Battle of Bunker Hill; though the redoubt was constructed on Breed’s Hill, a position on the lower or the two hills and more centrally located on the peninsula. Sometime after midnight, June 17th, construction began as hundreds of men with pickaxes and shovels dug a fort atop of Breeds hill overlooking the settlement of Charlestown and the beaches along the harbor. At dawn, lookouts on British warship and sentries in Boston quickly noticed the new redoubt constructed within cannon-range of the North End of Boston. Early cannon-fire upon the fortification quickly awoke the town and countryside. By mid-morning, British Commander-in-Chief General Thomas Gage had decided to assemble troops and mount an attack to clear this threat. Newly arrived General William Howe was put in charge.
Of the American line: Riflemen as snipers were thrown into the town of Charlestown on the right of Breed’s Hill. The redoubt sat atop Breed’s Hill and was defended by Massachusetts militia under the direct command of Prescott. On the hill’s left was a dug cannon emplacement, the cannon would be poorly manned and useless during the battle. Next to that, a long fence ran down to the beaches, this would be defended by men of Connecticut, mainly under Colonel Thomas Knowlton’s command. The fence ended at a gravely section that stretched to the water, here Colonel Stark would command the lower portion of the fence the water, digging a hasty stone and gravely barrier to the water. This was a critical position as the British General Howe’s plan called for his light infantry to rapidly assault the beach area and flank the American line.
As to General Putnam, he spent most of his time racing his horse back to Cambridge to seek more men and supplies, while nagging Prescot for tools and men; insisting on constructing a secondary defensive line on Bunker Hill, higher and set back from Breed’s Hill. Accounts of his heroics and command of troops during the battle were, how do they say it in England…Bullocks! They were pure romantic fantasies embellished to enhance 19th century book sales. When the battle began, Putnam was never seen among the men in action. He was safely tucked out of range of both cannon and muskets on Bunker Hill, along with more than half of the men sent to defend the American line.
The British assembled on the beaches and after a quick supper and rest, they formed in line and stormed all the works. The fire from the Americans was devastatingly accurate, mowing down the first attack. Particularly along the fence and down to the beach where Stark set his men in three ranks for repetitive volleys that devastated light infantry and grenadier assaults, leaving few men standing to pull back. Howe rallied his men and tried a second assault with the same results. By then, marines under Major John Pitcairn arrived at Charlestown; Pitcairn had been the commanding officer at Lexington Green on April 19th when his troops opened fire. For this assault, Howe faked his attack on the American left and put all his efforts into a third and final assault on the redoubt; having his men strip down gear and haversacks and rushing up the final slope in a bayonet attack.
This third and final assault on the redoubt was successful. So too, the Massachusetts defenders in the fort were running low on ammunition so their fire was not as intense as earlier. Once the British poured over the rim of the redoubt, there was total and complete chaos. It was a mob brawl. Muskets caved in skulls and bashed brains. Shots fired at close range, ripping terrible holes and gouging chunks of flesh. The British, enraged by seeing so many of their friends fall in their attempts to storm the works, took out revenge on all who fell wounded by running them through with their eighteen inch spears. Fight or flight took hold as many militiamen either stood their ground before the red tide or turned and crowded towards the redoubt’s exit in the back.
Colonel Prescott stood among those defending the redoubt even as the British continued to surge over the fort’s rim. It is here most likely that Philip Abbot fell. Nathan escaped the slaughter, though he did not record how he did so nor what occurred in the final moments of Philip’s life. We can only speculate what occurred: that either Philip fought alongside Prescott’s initial resolve to fight to the end and was killed doing so, that he was wounded and killed by vengeful redcoats, or that he was pulling back when Prescott called a retreat and killed as the fate many militiamen suffered – including General Joseph Warren, shot in the head as he was trying to escape.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a Pyrrhic victory for the British that resulted in nearly 50% casualties; 226 were killed and 828 wounded, including 92 officers. Many of those wounded would later succumb to their injuries. It would be among the highest casualty rate suffered by one side of the entire war. The rebellious militia’s loss was slightly under 30% at 140 killed, 270 wounded, and 30 taken prisoner. Most of the patriot casualties occurred in the redoubt in the final minutes when the fort was overrun. Captain Ames’ Company lost 3 killed and 8 wounded including one who would die later from his wounds. The four of Ames’ company who lost their lives and listed on the tablet at the Bunker Hill Memorial were: Philip Abbot, Joseph Chandler, William Haggett, and Jessie Holt. The wounded included several officers of Colonel Frye’s regiment; Colonel Frye himself and Captains Farnum and Furbush. The victorious British buried the dead militiamen in and around the redoubt, in unmarked graves at or near the present-day Monument at Charlestown.
Aftermath
Among the three dozen African Americans, both freemen and slaves, who fought at Bunker Hill in the name of liberty: Barzillai Lew, Philip Abbot, Alexander Ames, George Middleton, Isaiah Bayoman, Cuff Blanchard, Titus Coburn (slave in Andover), Grant Cooper, Caesar Dickenson, Charlestown Eaads, Alexander Eames, Asaba Grosvenor, Blaney Grusha, Jude Hall, Cuff Haynes, Cato Howe, Caesar Jahar, Pompy of Braintree, Salem Poor (of Andover), Caesar Post, Job Potama, Robin of Sandown, Peter Salem, Sampson Talbot, Caesar Brown, Cato Tufts, and Cuff Whitemore. So too Caesar Bason who, like Abbot, fought and died that day. Many of these men would carry on and with the Boston Siege and join the ranks of the Continental Army.
Nathaniel Abbott, Philip’s owner, reported he lost a coat during the retreat from Bunker Hill. He was discharged from Ames’ Regiment on August 20, 1775. He would later enlist in the Continental Army as 1st Lieutenant and later Captain in the 11th Massachusetts Regiment, first under Colonel Ebenezer Francis, and later under Colonel Benjamin Tupper. He would serve in the northern war, fighting a rearguard action during the retreat from Ticonderoga, participating in the Battle of Hubbardton, Vermont. He was at Saratoga in 1777 before his unit marched to join Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. He would take part in the Battle of Monmouth the following year. Afterwards, there is no record of Nathaniel Abbott on the regiment’s roster. After the war, he relocated his family to Wilton, New Hampshire where he applied his trade as a shoemaker until death in 1791.
Philip Abbot’s Legacy
…where Blacks take center stage as among the most fervent, patriotic, and resilient stewards of democracy in the nation’s history.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, Historian/Author
There would be no praise for Philip Abbot. No recognition. No claim of heroism. No place in history. He was just one man. One black man. Who gave all he had. All he would ever have. And died in the name of liberty. Not just for himself. But liberty for all. No matter the color of one’s skin. Philip Abbot’s legacy was far more personal. In many ways, far more meaningful than the accolades heaped upon our Founding Fathers. His would remain silent. For generations of Americans, there would be no place for a black soldier in history. No place for proud, glorious memorials of sacrifice. In fact, no such thing as African American History. Not until minorities rose to be noticed and the march of Civil Rights took hold, nearly 200 years after Philip Abbot’s supreme sacrifice for America’s Liberty. Yet even to this day, African American history is under attack by partisan right politics veiled in hypocrisy, misinformation, and just plan bigotry.
In an article on democracy published with CNN on January 28, 2023, Joseph Peniel’s quotes Nikole Hannah-Jones, the celebrated writer and activist with ‘The 1619 Project:’ “Our only way forward is by looking back at not so much what we sometimes refer to as ‘legacies’ but through confronting a history that actively marginalizes Black life and in so doing represents an existential threat to America’s democratic future. The stories ‘The 1619 Project’ shares with viewers are fundamentally American ones, where Blacks take center stage as among the most fervent, patriotic, and resilient stewards of democracy in the nation’s history.”
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RESOURCE
Abbott, Tim. Walking the Berkshires. Feb. 21, 2007: “Too Late for Lexington But Not for Bunker Hill : Nathaniel Abbott and the Andover Minutemen”
African American Registry (AAREG) Nov. 2005: “Barzillai Lew, Colonial Soldier born”
Boston National Historical Park “Phillip Abbot”
Coughlin, Bill. American Soldiers Killed June 17, 1775 Marker. May 20, 2009:
Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution April, 1775 – 1783. 1914: National Capital Press, Inc., Washington DC.
Lanning, Lt. Col. Michael Lee. Defenders of Liberty. African Americans in the Revolutionary War. 2000: Citadel Press & Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, NY.
Memorial American Patriots Who Fell at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. 1889: Printed by Order of the City Council, Boston, MA.
Peniel, Joseph. “Opinion: How ‘The 1619 Project’ reveals democracy’s only hope for the future. January 28, 2923: CNN News.
Quarles, Benjamin. The Negro in the American Revolution. 1961: The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC.
Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. 1891: Wright A. Potter Printing Col, State Printers, Boston, MA.