On December 5, 1775, a petition signed by fourteen white officers was issued to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, recognizing the exemplary service of African-American Salem Poor at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The petition stated that he had “behaved like an experienced officer” and that in Poor “centers a brave and gallant soldier.” QUOTE: To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man, called Salem Poor, of Col. Fryes regiment, Capt. Ames company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier. To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious. We would beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro, centres a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress. (Cambridge, Dec. 5, 1755. A Reading on Slavery, from the Early Presidents. Opinions of the Early Presidents, and of the Fathers of the Republic, upon Slavery and upon Negroes as Men and Soldiers.) memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/murraybib:@field%28NUMBER+@band%28lcrbmrp+t2308%29%29 Not much is known of Poor’s life; he was born enslaved in Andover, Massachusetts around 1747, and bought his freedom in 1769. In 1775, he enlisted in the Continental Army and fought at Bunker Hill, Monmouth, and Saratoga. He was one of approximately 5,000 African Americans that fought for the patriots in the Revolutionary War. thefederalistpapers.org/history/salem-poor-heroism-at-the-battle-of-bunker-hill army.mil/article/97705/Black_Soldiers_in_the_Revolutionary_War/ Photo 1: The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunkers Hill, June 17,1775 (1786) by John Trumbull Photo 2: In 1975, Poor was honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative postage stamp in the “Contributors to the Cause” series.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 13:07:30 +0000
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