Category Archives: Angenieje Weaver

The Life and Times of Black Patriot Samuel Freeman: Born Free and Enslaved During the American Revolution

Manhattan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

On April 5th, 2024, I was inducted into the Daughters of the America Revolution (DAR)
for the wartime service of my 5x great-grandfather, Samuel Freeman (1754–c.1840)—a significant milestone.2 Born free, Samuel Freeman was enslaved twice during the conflict, escaped captivity to become a fugitive, and ultimately secured his freedom by serving in Lt. Col. Johannes Hardenbergh’s New York Militia until the end of the war. When I first applied to the DAR, we knew of his military service and his life after emancipation.
This article brings his story into sharper focus, exploring his origins, his path to freedom, and the life he built afterward.

For those interested in New Amsterdam/New Netherlands and Colonial New York History from a global and local perspective, I highly recommend Black Gotham Experience walking tours.  Click here.

The article can be read here: Teresa Vega_Life_and_Times_of_Black Patriot_Samuel_Freeman