Salem Poor
By
John C Abercrombie
Salem Poor was born a slave, however at the age of 22 he was able to purchase his freedom. The amount of his freedom amounted to about a year’s wage.
Most slaves were not paid for their labor, and therefore unable to save money to pay for their freedom. It was against the law to teach them to read, write and learn math, so it was difficult for a slave to gain their freedom.
Slaves were often contracted out to others; however, the wages went to the owner, not the slave. The slave had no standing under the law as they were considered property and not human beings.
Poor had to have much hope, vision, and fortune on his side to accomplish such a feat as being able to work and purchase his freedom.
As a free man, Poor was able to enlist in the Massachusetts Minutemen under Captain James Frye. The regiment was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill and this is where Poor distinguished himself. Poor is credited with killing Colonel James Abercrombie, a British officer.
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John C Abercrombie
Amazing Black History
To find additional information about Colonel Abercrombie, click the link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Abercrombie_(British_Army_officer,_born_1732)
After the battle, 14 White officers honored Poor for his exemplary heroism. Of the 4,000 soldiers at the Battle, none were singled out as Brave and Gallant on the same scale as Salem Poor.
https://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/salem_poor.html
After Bunker Hill, Poor remained in the military for many years and fought bravely at Saratoga and Monmouth. He survived the brutal winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
In John Trumbull’s famous painting “Battle at Bunker’s Hill” General Warren is shown and has been fatally wounded in the center left, and Colonel Abercrombie is lying dead at his feet.
On March 25, 1975, “Salem Poor- Gallant Soldier” was honored with his image on a ten-cent postage stamp, as part of the Postal Service Revolutionary War Bicentennial Series of stamps entitled “Contributors to the Cause.”
For additional information on Salem Poor, click the link below.
http://fromafricatoamerica.com/Revolution_war/salem_poor_patriot.html
While little is ever mentioned about the patriotism of Blacks, it has been there from the very beginning of the country. Black patriots have given free for the right to fight for this country in exchange for the dignity they so rightly deserve. However it the respect, the fight for equality has been largely ignored. We have assembled a list of books that should start you on the road of discovery.
We depend on your support which we get by you using our links and sharing the site and posts. We thank you for your continuing support! Thank you!
The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution
While every schoolchild in America has heard of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette little is known of the African-American contribution to the American Revolution..
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The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution
William Cooper Nell, a nineteenth century abolitionist, wished to reexamine our understanding of this famous war and highlight to the world the black soldiers who fought and died for the cause of American Independence.
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Surveillance System
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America’s Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes & Early Leaders with 21 Activities (For Kids series)
ABH – Black Founding Fathers For Kids
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Sheets
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American Founders: How People of African Descent Established Freedom in the New World
ABH – Founding African Americans
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Magnifying Glass with Light for Reading
ABH – Magnifying Glass with Light for Reading
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Brave black patriots (Heroes and heroines of the American Revolution)
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Gift Card
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Standing in their own Light
is the story of African American Patriots in the American Revolution and covers campaigns and commanders. Printed by the University of Oklahoma Press.
ABH – Standing in their own Light
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Scales for Body Weight
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Come All You Brave Soldiers: Blacks In The Revolutionary War
ABH – Come All You Brave Soldiers
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Text to Speech Reader
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From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution
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Keurig Coffee Maker
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Black Patriots in the American Revolutionary War: The Untold Story
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Hydroponic Growing System
>ABH – Hydroponic Growing system
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Black Patriots and Loyalists:
Fighting for Emancipation in the War for Independence
ABH – Black Patriots and loyalists
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Massager for Neck and Back
ABH – Massager for Neck and Back
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Salem Poor
The story of Revolutionary War hero Salem Poor.
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Salem Poor, an American Hero
A special thank you to Mr. Brian Sheehy and Mr. Ed Bell for their amazing support on this project!
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Salem Poor Rejoins a Desegregated Continental Army
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WETHEPEOPLE: History Podcast #1 Salem Poor
This podcast will discuss the life of Salem Poor, a slave who bought his freedom and rose to greatness in the Continental Army Make sure to Like and Subscribe for more content and hit that notification bell so you get updates on when we post!
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Peter Salem Revolutionary War Hero
Filmed during the February Meeting of the Bedford Historical Society during Black History Month, 2001, the Bedford Historical Society was honored to welcome a presentation of Peter Salem, a Revolutionary War Hero, portrayed here by Ranger Bruce Harris of Minuteman National Park.
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Salem Poor was the definition of a soldier during the American Revolutionary War, serving with distinction yet he is omitted from the pages of our history books. It is increasingly difficult to understand the mind of authors, historians, academicians and others who seem afraid to even acknowledge the accomplishments of an entire race of people no matter how deserving they may be.