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Some Soldiers of Color of the Revolutionary War
This is a discussion of Soldiers of Color, in the Revolutionary War. I am writing about my ancestors and the Battles they participated in. This is an open discussion board, so please feel free to share information.
I am a descendant of Charles Lewis, who was a Seamen, and Soldier. He and his brother, Ambrose Lewis signed up first as Seamen in Fredericksburg, and then as Soldiers. They were Free Persons of Color, born in King George County Virginia, before going to Fredericksburg. In 1771 the brothers were sentenced to serve twenty year indentures (because of their status as Mulattoes), and sent to Fredericksburg. They were in Fredericksburg working on the Galley Page, when the Revolutionary War broke out. They were beginning Seamen at that time, and remained on the Galley after joining the War. Later they transferred to the Dragon Ship, and continued patrolling along the Rappahannock. The Dragon saw little action, during the Lewis brothers tour. They completed three years service as Seamen, and then signed on as Soldiers.
They signed with Captain Hollidays Company and Militia in Spotsylvania County, under General Gates. The Battle at Camden was a crushing defeat for Gates and the unit. They faced an army of British Soldiers who were better trained and equipped. Many of the young soldiers deserted, or were killed, but Charles and Ambrose stayed and fought. Ambrose Lewis was shot nine times and bayonneted clean through. He was also taken Prisoner on a British Prison Ship, and held until the end of the War. It is more than a probability that the British patched Ambrose up after he was taken prisoner. Thankfully the war did not go on that much longer, as Washington and additional troops were preparing for the biggest battle of the war. They were at Yorktown, and The Siege of Yorktown, would go down as the winning battle of the Revolution. Ambrose Lewis lived a long productive life (b. abt. 1758, d.1834), as did Charles (b. abt. 1756, d. aft. 1808).
John Pinn was a Soldier of Color, who fought at, The Siege of Yorktown. Joining him in battle was his father, Robert Pinn, brothers, Jim and Billy, and Uncle Rawley Pinn. The Pinn's were Natives, who originated from Indian Town in Lancaster County Virginia. Another Native at the Battle was John Redcross, a good friend and in-law of Rawley Pinn. Rawley served out of Amherst County Virginia, where he settled after leaving Lancaster County. He served under Daniel Gaines, in a unit commanded by Colonial William Cabell. The unit marched out of Amherst County in September of 1780, headed for Yorktown. They joined with another unit headed by Colonial Marquis De Lafayette, and continued their journey. Washington's plan was to surrounded the British and his timing was perfect. The British had a false sense of security seeing Washington's small forces. The look on their faces when they were surrounded must have been priceless.
I am a descendant of Charles Lewis, who was a Seamen, and Soldier. He and his brother, Ambrose Lewis signed up first as Seamen in Fredericksburg, and then as Soldiers. They were Free Persons of Color, born in King George County Virginia, before going to Fredericksburg. In 1771 the brothers were sentenced to serve twenty year indentures (because of their status as Mulattoes), and sent to Fredericksburg. They were in Fredericksburg working on the Galley Page, when the Revolutionary War broke out. They were beginning Seamen at that time, and remained on the Galley after joining the War. Later they transferred to the Dragon Ship, and continued patrolling along the Rappahannock. The Dragon saw little action, during the Lewis brothers tour. They completed three years service as Seamen, and then signed on as Soldiers.
They signed with Captain Hollidays Company and Militia in Spotsylvania County, under General Gates. The Battle at Camden was a crushing defeat for Gates and the unit. They faced an army of British Soldiers who were better trained and equipped. Many of the young soldiers deserted, or were killed, but Charles and Ambrose stayed and fought. Ambrose Lewis was shot nine times and bayonneted clean through. He was also taken Prisoner on a British Prison Ship, and held until the end of the War. It is more than a probability that the British patched Ambrose up after he was taken prisoner. Thankfully the war did not go on that much longer, as Washington and additional troops were preparing for the biggest battle of the war. They were at Yorktown, and The Siege of Yorktown, would go down as the winning battle of the Revolution. Ambrose Lewis lived a long productive life (b. abt. 1758, d.1834), as did Charles (b. abt. 1756, d. aft. 1808).
John Pinn was a Soldier of Color, who fought at, The Siege of Yorktown. Joining him in battle was his father, Robert Pinn, brothers, Jim and Billy, and Uncle Rawley Pinn. The Pinn's were Natives, who originated from Indian Town in Lancaster County Virginia. Another Native at the Battle was John Redcross, a good friend and in-law of Rawley Pinn. Rawley served out of Amherst County Virginia, where he settled after leaving Lancaster County. He served under Daniel Gaines, in a unit commanded by Colonial William Cabell. The unit marched out of Amherst County in September of 1780, headed for Yorktown. They joined with another unit headed by Colonial Marquis De Lafayette, and continued their journey. Washington's plan was to surrounded the British and his timing was perfect. The British had a false sense of security seeing Washington's small forces. The look on their faces when they were surrounded must have been priceless.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dianne Welch on
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How did you find so much information. you must really be proud of them. I sure would be. dianne
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Permalink Reply by Anita Wills on
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Diane,
I am thankful that I found so much information on my ancestors. I cannot take credit for it, as many people assisted me all along the way. My most important piece of advice is to have some information on who, what, where, and when. The more succinct your questions are, the more likely you will find answers. Also use the art of communication, and when someone assists you say thanks. You may have to go back to that person later, for more information. I cannot tell you how many conversations I have had with people all over the country. I remember many years ago, when I was a Real Estate Agent, and learning to make Cold Calls. I use to sweat bullets, but now use those techniques when you calling someone, and requesting information. Get comfortable, and no matter what keep at it..., the answers will come.
I hope this was helpful to you. -
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Permalink Reply by Kay Adkins on
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How wonderful! This last 4th of July weekend I went to Gettysburg, Monticello, Mt. Vernon, and Montpelier. Some of the information I came across made me realize how very little I know about the lives, struggles, and successes of Free Persons of Color. Thank you for helping me start to fill that void of knowledge.
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Kay,
I owe a debt of gratitude to those who assisted me in my research. The people who assisted me were an unlikely bunch, folks who I was told would ignore me. They are the hard working clerks, research, and historians who took time out of their busy schedules to assist me. It was a lot of work for me, but without their help it would have been impossible.
Anita -
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Permalink Reply by Toni Feeney on
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I have a site that is a free database that is being built for the 1790 Census: Slave Holders, Other Free Persons and Slaves
Many of these OFPs were in the Revolutionary War and had pensions. The states listed right now are New Hampshire and Vermont, and hoping to add more states as time permits.
The states are broken down into counties and then there are links for the OFPs with biographies for them that might be of interest to some.
This is a work in progress and hoping others might find it of help in their research. If anyone would like to contribute to this free database, please feel free to contact me................Toni -
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