Category Archives: Colonial New York

The Fate of the Black Loyalists of Westchester and Dutchess Counties, NY, Part 2

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The American revolution left a profound legacy not only for the birth of this nation but also for those who chose loyalty to the British Crown over rebellion. Among these Black Loyalists ── individuals, both free and enslaved, who faced unimaginable challenges as they navigated the complexities of war and its aftermath. This article continues the exploration of their lives, focusing on those who originated from Westchester and Dutchess Counties, New York. Many lived on estates owned by prominent families, including the Philipse, Van Cortlandt, Schuyler, Livingston, and Beekman Manors.

Drawing from my own family’s deep roots in these counties, this series sheds light on the experiences of individuals whose choices and sacrifices shaped their futures in the face of war, displacement, and resettlement. By chronicling their journeys ── be it evacuation to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or other parts of the British Empire ── this article aims to honor their resilience and contribution to history. These stories remind us of the diverse threads of loyalty, survival, and identity that are woven into the fabric of the Revolutionary era.

The full article can be read here by clicking on the link: The Fate of the Black Loyalists of Westchester and Dutchess Counties NY- Part 2

Part 3 will be published in the next issue of Connecticut Ancestry.

 

A Revolutionary Breakthrough: Discovering Our Van Salee Lineage

Abraham Jansen Van Salee, Abram Jansen Van Salee, African-Native, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Afro-Dutch, Afro-Indigenous, American Revolution, Antonia Freeman Snyder, Black Patriot, Cartagena, Colonial New York, Dewint, DeWints, Enslaved People, Fez, Francisco Bastian, Frans Abrams Van Salee, Fredericus Blauvelt, Freeman, Graham, Isabela Frans Salomons, Jan Jansen Van Haarlem, Johannes DeWint, M23, M23 Haplogroup, Malagasy Diaspora, Manuel de Gerrit de Reus, Margarita Al-Shabi, Moriscos, Mudejars, Netherlands, Piggery, Ramapough Mountains, Rebecca, Reis Morad, Samuel Freeman, Sarah Van Salee, Sealy, Sebastian de Brillo, Selea, Spain, Susanne Simons, Tun Snyder, Van Salea, Van sallea, Van Sile, Van Sorlay, Van Sylle, Van Zylle

Over the past few years, my cousin Andrea and I have made some remarkable discoveries that have taken one of our family lines directly back to New Amsterdam. On June 28, 2023, my first article was published in The Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. You can click here to read it: A Revolutionary Breakthrough_Discovering Our Van Salee Lineage_Teresa Vega

For those wanting to know more about the Munsee and African presence in New Amsterdam/Colonial New York, please consider taking this Walking Tour  that Russell Shorto has put together. I was happy to see Manuel Plaza, named after my 9th great-grandfather, Manuel de Gerritt de Reus, on this list.