By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

Before the American Revolution, numerous freed African Americans supported the anti-British cause. One of the most notable figures was Crispus Attucks, a multiracial sailor who had escaped slavery and is believed to be the first person killed in the Boston Massacre in 1770. Both free and enslaved Black Americans also served in local militias, particularly in the North, defending their communities against Native American attacks.

As the Revolution unfolded, some Black men had already joined the rebels as minutemen — members of organized militia companies in New England trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies during the war. These minutemen were renowned for their readiness to mobilize at a moment’s notice. They were prepared to be called into action if British troops in Boston initiated hostilities.

In 1775, General Washington initially prohibited African Americans from serving in the Continental Army, but later reversed his decision due to pressing manpower needs. Some slave owners permitted enslaved individuals to enlist in exchange for promises of freedom, although many were returned to slavery after the war’s end.

In 1775, during the battles of Lexington and Concord, Black men answered the call and fought alongside Patriot forces. Among them, Prince Estabrook was wounded, standing out as one of the few Black soldiers engaged in the Battle of Lexington. At the Battle of Bunker Hill, Black soldiers fought bravely alongside their white compatriots, including notable figures like Peter Salem, Salem Poor, Barzillai Lew, Titus Coburn, Alexander Ames, Cato Howe, and Seymour Burr.

Many of them, whether enslaved or free, were eager to join the Patriot cause, hopeful that it would lead to their freedom or the expansion of their civil rights. Beyond their roles as soldiers, Black men also served as guides, messengers, and spies during the conflict. Throughout the war, approximately one-fifth of the soldiers in the northern army were Black. At the pivotal Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which marked a decisive victory for the American forces in the war, about one-quarter of the entire American army consisted of Black men.

Among the celebrated Black patriots was Jack Peterson from New York, whose quick thinking played a crucial role in repelling British forces. Peterson’s actions disrupted Benedict Arnold’s treacherous plans and directly contributed to the capture of Major Andre.

Due to shortages in manpower at sea, both the U.S. Navy and the British Navy enlisted Blacks into their ranks. In contrast to concerns in southern colonies about arming enslaved individuals for the army, there were fewer hesitations about employing Black men as pilots and ammunition handlers on ships. In state navies, several Blacks even rose to the rank of captain; South Carolina counted a substantial number of Black captains among its maritime forces.

However, not everyone supported the cause of the aspiring United States. In 1779, a British Army officer issued the Philipsburg Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people owned by Patriots, regardless of age or gender, would be accepted at British lines. This led to a significant increase in the number of enslaved Blacks fleeing to join the British forces, resulting in the formation of many regiments during this period. One of the largest regiments composed of escaped African Americans was the Black Company of Pioneers, a unit specializing in pioneer work.

Among those who joined the British was Harry Washington, a 40-year-old stablehand and one of seventeen enslaved people from Mount Vernon who escaped a British warship. In 1782, during the Siege of Charleston, Harry contributed by constructing defensive earthworks. While most “Black Loyalists” were assigned to non-combat support roles, by the war’s end in 1783, Harry was among 3,000 African Americans evacuated by the British to settle in Nova Scotia in Canada.

On the other side of the war stood James Lafayette, a pivotal figure as a spy for the Patriots during the American Revolution. Born into slavery in Virginia, Lafayette defied the odds by learning to read and write both English and French. He played a crucial role as a spy, operating undercover as an escaped enslaved man to gather British intelligence, initially under Benedict Arnold and later under General Cornwallis. His intelligence gathering was instrumental in providing critical details of British troop movements before the Battle of Yorktown.

Despite his contributions, James was not freed at the war’s end like some enslaved men who fought for the American cause. This was because he was considered a spy rather than a soldier, and therefore not covered by the Virginia Assembly’s act that freed certain enslaved individuals who had fought in the war.

The desire for freedom among Black women did not begin with the American Revolution but was significantly amplified by it, motivating thousands to seek liberation from slavery during this period. The presence of British troops presented opportunities with less oversight, enabling enslaved women to align themselves with the ideals of liberty espoused by white revolutionaries in their struggle against oppression.

For those who remained enslaved and did not flee, many were hired out and played vital roles in supporting the Patriot war effort. Their labor was essential and underscored their substantial contributions to the fight for American independence. These women’s efforts, whether through seeking freedom or supporting the war effort, left a lasting impact on the Revolutionary War era and the quest for equality and liberty in American history.

Elizabeth Freeman made history as the first African American woman to successfully file a lawsuit for her freedom in Massachusetts in 1781. Lawyers in the area strategically chose her case as a “test case” to challenge the constitutionality of slavery under the new Massachusetts Constitution. This landmark case marked the beginning of a series of “freedom suits” that ultimately led the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to abolish slavery in the state.

Evidence suggests that Freeman became aware of these legal arguments when her master hosted political gatherings at his home and when constitutional documents were read aloud in public. Amidst the turmoil of the war, the jury ruled in Freeman’s favor, granting her freedom and awarding her 30 shillings along with trial costs.

Another one of these staples is Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved African American living in Boston, who had a knack for literary talents. She took up the pen and became one of the earliest published female authors in America, as well as the first African American woman to achieve this distinction. Her collection of poems, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” published in 1773, gained popularity on both sides of the Atlantic.

Wheatley’s poetry often centered on themes of patriotism and human virtues. In 1775, she penned a notable poem dedicated to George Washington titled “To His Excellency, George Washington,” which she personally read to him in 1776 at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he was leading the Continental Army in besieging the British.

Wheatley’s visit was at Washington’s invitation, highlighting her significance and recognition even during the revolutionary era. In 1778, upon the death of her master, Wheatley obtained her freedom. Her literary accomplishments not only paved the way for future African American writers but also contributed to the broader cultural and intellectual landscape of America during the Revolutionary War period.

The American Revolution was not merely shaped by African Americans; they actively influenced its course, altering outcomes and motivations for those striving for freedom. From early dissent against British rule to pivotal moments on the battlefield, Black individuals played pivotal roles with lasting impact.

Both free and enslaved people made significant contributions as soldiers, laborers, and intellectuals, highlighting their desire for freedom and civil rights while challenging societal norms and advocating for abolition. The “Founding Era” showcased African American influence that catalyzed broader aspirations for equality and justice in American society, and eventually, around the world.