Category Archives: Sarah Piggott

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

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.