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.