Salem Poor
Salem Poor (* 1758 in Massachusetts, then a colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain, USA Today, † 1802 in Boston) was an African- American soldier who was decorated for bravery in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Poor was born a slave and had 1769 ransomed for 27 pounds. He married early and lived in Andover (Massachusetts ). In 1775 he joined the Massachusetts militia ( police ). In the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, he distinguished himself by excellent performances. His contribution was so extraordinary that he was mentioned in the following words in a petition to the government of Massachusetts, which was signed by 14 of his officers: " A negro named Salem Poor of Col. Fryes Regiment, Captain Ames ' company, acted recently in the Battle of bunker Hill as an experienced officer and an excellent soldier. It would be too long-winded to describe his heroic contribution in more detail. We can only say that we find the essence of a brave and gallant soldier in the person of the said negro. "
It is made out to be, he would have James Abercrombie fatally wounded by a musket shot junior.
On July 10, 1775 George Washington decided to stop the recruitment of African- Americans; on November 12 of the same year he gave instructions that prohibited blacks to serve in the Continental Army. Despite the exclusion of recruiting was up to this time those who had already served some time been allowed to remain. The British governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, offered on November 7, post haste all those blacks the freedom to who would be willing to fight for the British Army. Thousands of blacks fought on the side of the British.
Washington, who had himself held slaves, immediately changed his position and ordered all recruiters take every black man who wanted to fight. Poor was resumed and served with the Patriots until 1776. He was involved in Valley Forge probably on winter storage 1777-78 and fought in the Battle of White Plains.
Poor married twice and died in 1802 in Boston.
Salem Poor was in 1975 honored with a stamp in the contributors -to-the - Cause - series at the 200 - year celebration of the United States.