The Revolutionary era took place from 1763-1789. There were many significant African Americans during this time period. James Armistead was a slave of William Armistead in New Kent County, Virginia, volunteered to spy for the Continental army commander General Lafayette. James soon became a servant to British general Lord Cornwallis, who asked him to spy on the Americans. As a double agent, James gave unimportant information to Cornwallis, while keeping Lafayette informed about British troop strength and positions. James Armistead remained enslaved after the war. In 1784, Lafayette wrote to the Virginia General Assembly, describing his valuable service and asking that he be freed. In 1786, he was freed—and from then on, he called himself James
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Colonel Woodford reported that Flora stood bravely “amid a shower of musket balls,” firing at the British at least eight times. He kept the attackers from successfully crossing the bridge. James Forten was a 15-year-old free black who served as a powder boy on the ship Rolay Louis, preying on British shipping. On his second cruise, the ship was battered by three British naval vessels and forced to surrender. As a prisoner, Forten struck up a friendship with the British captain’s son, who persuaded his father to offer the captured teenager a life of ease in England. Forten refused, declaring he would not be a traitor to his country. After seven months, he was set free in an exchange of prisoners and walked home to Philadelphia. He became a successful businessman and leader of the abolition movement.
In 1780, after Elizabeth Freeman’s mistress struck her with a hot fireplace shovel, “Mum Bett” sought refuge with friends. Her owner, John Ashley, filed suit in court to force the return of his “property.” But Mum Bett asked a lawyer to sue John Ashley for her freedom. In court, her lawyer argued that she was legally free because no Massachusetts law had established slavery. The court found in her favor. She adopted the name Elizabeth …show more content…
Salem has been honored for firing the shot that killed Major John Pitcairn, the British officer who led the Redcoats when they attacked his small unit at Lexington. In December 1776, Jack Sisson was among forty American soldiers selected by Colonel William Barton to capture a British general in Newport, Rhode Island. The nighttime raiders crept past British warships and guards. Sisson forced his way into the house, and then the bedroom, in which the general slept. One account says he used his head to open the door! In 1778, Sisson enlisted in the First Rhode Island Regiment.
Colonel Tye was a former slave named Titus fought for the British with the Royal Ethiopian Regiment. Later in New Jersey, he led a number of unofficial soldiers on raids and assassinations. “Colonel Tye” was never an officer in the British army, but became widely known, and was greatly feared, by New Jersey patriots. In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman, and the first slave, to publish a book of poetry. John Wheatley freed Phillis in 1773. She wrote a second book, but died before it was
Colonel Woodford reported that Flora stood bravely “amid a shower of musket balls,” firing at the British at least eight times. He kept the attackers from successfully crossing the bridge. James Forten was a 15-year-old free black who served as a powder boy on the ship Rolay Louis, preying on British shipping. On his second cruise, the ship was battered by three British naval vessels and forced to surrender. As a prisoner, Forten struck up a friendship with the British captain’s son, who persuaded his father to offer the captured teenager a life of ease in England. Forten refused, declaring he would not be a traitor to his country. After seven months, he was set free in an exchange of prisoners and walked home to Philadelphia. He became a successful businessman and leader of the abolition movement.
In 1780, after Elizabeth Freeman’s mistress struck her with a hot fireplace shovel, “Mum Bett” sought refuge with friends. Her owner, John Ashley, filed suit in court to force the return of his “property.” But Mum Bett asked a lawyer to sue John Ashley for her freedom. In court, her lawyer argued that she was legally free because no Massachusetts law had established slavery. The court found in her favor. She adopted the name Elizabeth …show more content…
Salem has been honored for firing the shot that killed Major John Pitcairn, the British officer who led the Redcoats when they attacked his small unit at Lexington. In December 1776, Jack Sisson was among forty American soldiers selected by Colonel William Barton to capture a British general in Newport, Rhode Island. The nighttime raiders crept past British warships and guards. Sisson forced his way into the house, and then the bedroom, in which the general slept. One account says he used his head to open the door! In 1778, Sisson enlisted in the First Rhode Island Regiment.
Colonel Tye was a former slave named Titus fought for the British with the Royal Ethiopian Regiment. Later in New Jersey, he led a number of unofficial soldiers on raids and assassinations. “Colonel Tye” was never an officer in the British army, but became widely known, and was greatly feared, by New Jersey patriots. In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman, and the first slave, to publish a book of poetry. John Wheatley freed Phillis in 1773. She wrote a second book, but died before it was