Peter Salem

 The life of Peter Salem is an extremely interesting one because he was not only a participant in the Revolutionary War; he was also one of the relatively few African Americans to do so. He further participated in some of the most significant battles in the war as a member of different militias. Salem was a unique individual during this period because he is noted to have been extremely dedicated to the Revolutionary cause.

Salem was born into slavery in 1750 to a slave woman and was owned by Jeremiah Belknap, who later had him sold to Lawson Buckminster. While not much is known of his life prior to the Revolution, there have been suggestions that he may have been a Muslim, although this is disputed by some scholars (Rashid, 2013, p. 78). What is well known is that Buckminster, his new owner and a major in the Continental Army, released him from slavery so that Salem could enlist.

Salem was a participant in the first battles of the conflict, which took place at Concord in 1775. This is attested to through the presence of his name in the role of Captain Edgell’s militia company where he served for four days (Quarles, 2012, p. 10). Salem is also noted to have been a participant in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he is considered one of its most important heroes. He was also a participant in the Battles of Saratoga and Stony Point, and was later honorably discharged.

Following his time fighting in the Revolutionary War, Salem got married to Katy Benson at Salem, Massachusetts, and built a cabin close to Leicester. He lived the rest of his life peacefully and gained employment as a cane weaver. His death came about in 1816 and he ended up being buried at Framingham (Quintal, 2004, p. 190). The life of an individual that had played a significant role in the Revolution, which led to the independence of the United States from Britain, came to an end.

Peter Salem fought in some of the most significant battles of the Revolution and he gave almost five years of service to the cause. He not only showed his commitment to the Revolution through extending his commission despite its having expired, he is also considered to have made some important achievements, such as mortally wounding the British Marine Major John Pitcairn at the Battle of Bunker Hill (Nell, 1855, p. 21). His efforts seem to have played a substantial role when it came to the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

In conclusion, the life of Peter Salem is one that is characterized by his considerable dedication. It is this dedication that ensured that he became one of the most prominent participants of the Revolutionary War. Salem ended up in a situation where despite being born into slavery, he went on to fight side-by-side with other Revolutionaries towards the achievement of American freedom. A consequence is that Peter Salem became one of the most important heroes of the Revolution and his place in American history was secured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Nell, W. C. (1855). The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution: With Sketches of Several Distinguished Colored Persons: to which is Added a Brief Survey of the Condition and Prospects of Colored Americans: Lulu. com.

Quarles, B. (2012). The Negro in the American revolution: UNC Press Books.

Quintal, G. (2004). Patriots of Color:" a Peculiar Beauty and Merit": African Americans and Native Americans at Battle Road & Bunker Hill: Government Printing Office.

Rashid, S. (2013). Black Muslims in the US: History, Politics, and the Struggle of a Community: Springer.