Patriot and former slave who was one of about 500 African-Americans who served in the Revolutionary War. Peter Salem was born a slave in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1750. He was later freed by his owner in order to fight in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and joined Edgell's minuteman company. On June 17, 1775, Salem fought at Bunker Hill where he is remembered for shooting and killing British Major John Pitcairn through the head as he was rallying the British troops. Soon afterward, soldiers of the New England army raised money to reward Salem for his bravery and the hero was presented to Gen. George Washington as the man who killed Pitcairn. He remained in the army for several years, long enough to fight in the bloody battles of Concord, Saratoga and Stony Point. After the war Salem settled in Leicester, Massachusetts and built a cabin. There he spent the rest of his life barely earning a living weaving cane seats for chairs. Peter Salem died in the Framingham poorhouse on Aug. 16, 1816 and was buried in and unmarked grave at the Old Burying Ground in Framingham. In 1882, the city of Framingham erected a monument in his honor.
Patriot and former slave who was one of about 500 African-Americans who served in the Revolutionary War. Peter Salem was born a slave in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1750. He was later freed by his owner in order to fight in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and joined Edgell's minuteman company. On June 17, 1775, Salem fought at Bunker Hill where he is remembered for shooting and killing British Major John Pitcairn through the head as he was rallying the British troops. Soon afterward, soldiers of the New England army raised money to reward Salem for his bravery and the hero was presented to Gen. George Washington as the man who killed Pitcairn. He remained in the army for several years, long enough to fight in the bloody battles of Concord, Saratoga and Stony Point. After the war Salem settled in Leicester, Massachusetts and built a cabin. There he spent the rest of his life barely earning a living weaving cane seats for chairs. Peter Salem died in the Framingham poorhouse on Aug. 16, 1816 and was buried in and unmarked grave at the Old Burying Ground in Framingham. In 1882, the city of Framingham erected a monument in his honor.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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