Black Founders

Included below are accounts and resources honoring the service and actions Black Founders.

As the Flag presented to the Black Bucks by John Hancock portrays, "Black Founders" were the men and women who also aligned in the goal of obtaining independence from England's "trail of abuses" as the Declaration of Independence proclaimed and included "all men are created equal." As Frederick Douglass  stated: "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" -By Frederick Douglass - ...I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost. (See "Patriots of Color" synopsis by George Quintal Jr.)  

 
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See also: The Truth About the Founders & Slavery & Democrat Racism & True History of Slavery & Hindering Black Civil Rights

First: A  Related Resource: Get a FREE copy of “Negroes in the American Army of the Revolution” by George H. Moore

It has been estimated that at least 5,000 black soldiers fought on the patriot side during the Revolutionary War. The exact number will never be known because eighteenth century muster rolls usually did not indicate race. Careful comparisons between muster rolls and church, census, and other records have recently helped identify many black soldiers. Additionally, various eyewitness accounts provide some indication of the level of African Americans’ participation during the war.

Baron von Closen, a member of Rochambeau’s French army at Yorktown, wrote in July 1781, “A quarter of them [the American army] are Negroes, merry, confident and sturdy.” The use of African Americans as soldiers, whether freemen or slaves, was avoided by Congress and General Washington early in the war. The prospect of armed slave revolts proved more threatening to white society than British redcoats. General Washington allowed the enlistment of free blacks with “prior military experience” in January 1776, and extended the enlistment terms to all free blacks in January 1777 in order to help fill the depleted ranks of the Continental Army.

Black Founders Reprinted with permission from The Founders, Religion and Government (Facebook) For many years the actions of black men, women, and children in our nation's founding has been largely ignored. The enslavement of black Americans was prominent, not their contributions. We read about those slaves who joined the British Army to gain their freedom. But what of the thousands of blacks who served this country in her hour of need? Their deeds were no less important than those of their white neighbors. They fought and died on the battlefields. They road the countryside as couriers. They held office. The wrote in support of independence. The led their communities.