AFRICAN-AMERICANS, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,

&& THEIR LIBERTY

Nytesha Wright & Krystelle West

African Americans in the Revolution War

When it came to fighting between Patriots on one side and the British and Loyalist American allies on the other, African Americans joined the side that offered freedom.

In the North, white Patriots were more committed to the human liberties than the south was.

At the end of the war in 1783, approximately twenty thousand African Americans left with the British forces as they evacuated Savannah and Charleston.

The most famous British appeal to African Americans to fight for the empire in return for freedom came in Virginia.

Black Loyalist

Black Loyalist (contd.)

Other British and Loyalist commanders followed his example of recruiting thousands of black men who worked and sometimes fought in exchange for their freedom.

When the war ended, many black Loyalist, joined white Loyalist in leaving the United States.

Black Patriots Prince Hall:

As a free black man, he was a businessman, an early abolitionist, activist, civic leader, and masonic organizer.

He urged the State of Massachusetts to provide a school for black children.

He also drafted a petition to the state legislature in protest of denying free schools for tax-paying African Americans.

Dunmore: It was Dunmore’s use of African Americans

soldiers that promoted Washington to reconsider his ban on black enlistment.

In 1775 Washington wrote “…If that man Dumore was not crushed before the Spring he will become the most dangerous man in America. His strength will increase like a snowball running down hill…”

Black Patriots (contd.)

A Glimpse Inside The War

LAMUEL HAYNES

•As an adolescent, he frequently conducted services at the town parish.•While serving in the militia, he wrote a lengthy ballad-sermon about the April, 1775 Battle of Lexington.

LAMUEL HAYNES (CONTD.) He accepted a position with a white

congregation in Middle Granville and married a young white schoolteacher, Elizabeth Babbit.

In 1804, he received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Middlebury College, the first ever given to an African American.

PRINCE WHIPPLE•Joined William Whippple on military campaigns to New York.•He was among twenty enslaved men who signed the petition to New Hampshire to abolish slavery.