Category Archives: Netherlands

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

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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

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.