Salem Poor purchased his freedom in 1769 at age 22. It cost him 27 pounds (equivalent to $5,800 today) which was an average yearly wage for a working man. In May, 1775, he enlisted in the militia. He was one of three dozen blacks who participated in the Battle of Breed’s Hill. He was credited with mortally wounding Lt. Col. James Abercrombie when he jumped into the redoubt yelling “Surrender, you rebels!” (The British claimed that Abercrombie was killed by friendly fire.) After the battle, William Prescott and thirteen other officers cited him for heroism. They averred that he “behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier.” He was described as “brave and gallant.” He continued to serve and was at the Battles of White Plaines and Saratoga. He survived Valley Forge and fought in the Battle of Monmouth.
Peter Salem was emancipated by his master when his master became a major in the Continental Army and Peter enlisted as a free man. He was at Concord when the war started. He then continued with his unit to Breed’s Hill. He was credited with mortally wounding Major John Pitcairn, although three other colonists claimed the kill. It is possible Pitcairn was hit by more than one bullet. He is believed to be the black in John Trumbull’s 1786 painting, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill. He was in the Continental Army until 1780 and participated at Harlem Heights, Trenton, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Stony Point.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Poor
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/salem-poor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Salem
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