The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution

The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, With Sketches of Several Distinguished Colored Persons: To Which is Added a Brief Survey of the Conditions and Prospects of Colored Americans, or, in brief, The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, is an American History book written by William Cooper Nell, with an Introduction by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was published in 1855 by Robert F. Wallcut. It focuses on African-American soldiers during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. It details "the services of the Colored Patriots of the revolution".^[1]

Among other patriots mentioned are Crispus Attucks, the first person killed in the Boston Massacre; Peter Salem, who was instrumental in the victory at Bunker Hill; and Prince Whipple, who was present at George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware.

The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution is considered by some to be the first black history book founded on written documentation.^[2][3]

Summary

In 1851, ]]William Cooper Nell]], an African-American author, wrote the historical book Services of Colored Americans in the Wars of 1776 and 1812. It became a standard resource for African-American studies. A few years later, Nell wrote The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, which again became standard reading. It was commonly taught in schools during that time.

Contents

The book consists of 18 chapters, with an Introduction by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is 396 pages long and includes sketches of several "Distinguished Colored Persons."

Introduction

The introduction was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe,^[4] an American Abolitionist and author. Her most notable work is probably the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852).

In her Introduction, Mrs. Stowe reveals the purpose behind the book; to shine a light on American Patriots who have been all but forgotten. As well as to eliminate the prejudices of both whites and blacks of the day towards African-Americans. Stowe tells us that both friends and enemies of the race believed they were "deficient in energy and courage. Their virtues have been supposed to be principally negative ones." But she reminds us that the book was written by an educated man of the same race and that it will "redeem the character of the race from this misconception, and show how much injustice there may often be in a generally admitted idea."

She explains that African-Americans were not native to the America and therefore did not have to fight for her freedom. She adds that they were not equals, they were not adopted by this land but that it had in fact enslaved their people. She writes "but for a land which had enslaved them, and whose laws, even in freedom, oftener oppressed than protected. Bravery, under such circumstances, has a peculiar beauty and merit."

Stowe continues her introduction by stating that she hopes this book will give confidence to the race represented in the book. She hopes that people will "emulate the noble deeds" of their ancestors. Wishes that no one would see "dark skin" as a "badge of disgrace".

She concludes her introduction with: "And their white brothers in reading may remember, that generosity, disinterested courage and bravery, are of not particular race and complexion, and that the image of the Heavenly Father may be reflected alike by all. Each record of worth in this oppressed and despised should be pondered, for it is by many such that the cruel and unjust public sentiment, which has so long proscribed them, may be reversed, and full opportunities given them to take rank among the nations of the earth."

Chapter I - Massachusetts

The first chapter focuses on Massachusetts patriots, such as Crispus Attucks who is considered the first casualty of the American Revolution. As well as the African-Americans on Bunker Hill; such as Seymour Burr, Jeremy Jonah, James and Hosea Easton, Job Lewis, Jack Grove, Bosson Wright, and Phillis Wheatley.

Chapter I also has a section called "Action of the Constitutional Convention in regard to Colored Citizens" as well as "Facts indicating improvement."

Chapter II - New Hampshire

Jude Hall—Legislative Postponement of Emancipation—Last Slave in New Hampshire—Senator Morrill's Tribute to a Colored Citizen

Chapter III - Vermont

Seven hundred British soldiers escorted by a Colored Patriot,Lemuel Haynes, Judge Harrington's Anti-Fugitive-Slave-Law Decision

Chapter IV - Rhode Island

Admission of Hon. Tristam Burges—Defence of Red Bank—Arrest of Major General Prescott by Prince—Colored Regiment of Rhode Island—Speech of Dr. Harris—Loyalty during the Dorr Rebellion

Chapter V - Connecticut

Hon. Calvin Goddard's Testimony—Captain Humphrey's Colored Company—Fac Simile of General Washington's Certificate—Hamet, General Washington's Servant—Poor Jack—Ebenezer Hills—Latham and Freeman—Franchise of Colored Citizens—David Ruggles—Progress

Chapter VI - New York

Negro Plot—Debate in the State Convention of 1821 on the Franchise of Colored Citizens—New York Colored Soldiery—Military Convention in Syracuse, 1854—Extract from a Speech of H. Garnet—Cyrus Clarke's victory at the ballot-box—J. M. Whitfield—Statistical and other facts . . . . . 145-159

Chapter VII - New Jersey

Oliver Cromwell, Samuel Charlton—Hagar—Consistent Fourth of July Celebration

Chapter VIII - Pennsylvania

James Forten—John B. Vashon—Major Jeffrey—John Johnson and John Davis—Wm. Burleigh—Conduct of Colored Philadelphians during the Pestilence—Charles Black—James Derham—The Jury-Bench and Ballot-Box—Gleanings

Chapter IX - Delaware

Prince Whipple—The Colored Soldier at the crossing of the Delaware—Proscriptive Law

Chapter X - Maryland

Thomas Savoy—Thomas Hollen—John Moore—Benjamin Banneker—Frances Ellen Watkins

Chapter XI - Virginia

The last of Braddock's Men—Patriotic Slave Girl—Benjamin Morris—Consistency of a Revolutionary Hero—Simon Lee—Major Mitchell's Slave—Gen. Washington's desire to emancipate slaves—Hon. A. P. Upshur's Tribute to David Rich—Tribute to Washington by the Emancipated—Aged Slave of Washington—Insurrection at Southampton—Virginia Maroons in the Dismal Swamp

Chapter XII - North Carolina

David Walker—Jonathan Overton—Delph Williamson—George M. Horton

Chapter XIII - South Carolina

Hon. Chas. Pinckney's Testimony—Capt. Williamson—Sale of a Revolutionary Soldier—Slaves freed by the Legislature—Veteran of Fort Moultrie—Jehu Jones—Complexional Barriers—Revolt of 1738—The Black Saxons—Denmark Veazie's Insurrection in 1822—William G. Nell

Chapter XIV - Georgia

Massacre at Blount's Fort—Monsieur De Bordeaux—Slave freed by the Legislature

Chapter XV - Kentucky

Henry Boyd,Lewis Hayden, The heroic and generous Kentucky slave

Chapter XVI - Ohio

Cleveland Meeting—Dr. Pennington—Extracts from Oration of William H. Day—Bird's-eye view of Buckeye progress

Chapter XVII - Louisiana

Proclamation of General Jackson—Colored Veterans—Battle of Orleans—Jordan B. Noble, the Drummer—John Julius—Testimony of Hon. R. C. Winthrop—Cotton-Bale Barricade

Chapter XVIII - Florida

Toney Proctor

In popular culture

Glenn Beck broadcast a series of specials on his television program Founders Friday, two of which were dedicated to Black Founders. David Barton (founder and president of WallBuilders, LLC) appeared in both episodes, and mentioned The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution.

References

1. ↑ Nell, William C. (1855). The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution. 
2. ↑ Smith, Jessie (2014). Handy African American History Answer Book. Visible Ink Press. 
3. ↑ Smith, Jessie Carney (2003). Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-breaking and Pioneering Historical Events. Visible Ink Press. p. 275. 
4. ↑ Buckley, Gail Lumet (2002). American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm. Random House Trade Paperbacks. ISBN 978-0375760099. 

External links

• The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution (1855)
• The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution public domain audiobook at LibriVox