Salem Poor – From Slave to Hero
The saga of Salem Poor is a compelling testament to courage, resilience, and the complex tapestry of early American history. Born into the shackles of slavery, he not only secured his freedom but also distinguished himself as a valiant soldier during the American Revolution, most notably at the Battle of Bunker Hill. His story, though marked by hardship and eventual obscurity, serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions of African Americans to the fight for American independence.
Early Life and Emancipation
Salem Poor entered the world as a slave in 1747, his birthplace a farm in Andover, Massachusetts. The farm was owned by John Poor and his son, John Poor Jr. The circumstances of his early life remain somewhat shrouded in the mists of time, but it is believed that the Poor family, like many New England households, may have treated their enslaved individuals more as live-in servants than as chattel. This nuanced dynamic could have provided Salem with opportunities and a degree of familiarity uncommon in harsher systems of enslavement. Regardless, the desire for freedom burned within him.
On July 10, 1769, Salem Poor achieved a pivotal turning point: he purchased his freedom from John Poor Jr. The sum of 27 pounds was a significant investment, equivalent to a year’s salary for the average working man. This act of self-liberation speaks volumes about his determination and the value he placed on autonomy.
Family Life and Prelude to War
Following his emancipation, Salem Poor began building a life as a free man. In August 1771, he married Nancy Parker, a maidservant employed by Captain James Parker. Nancy herself possessed a mixed heritage, being of both Native American and African American descent. Together, Salem and Nancy established a home in Andover, and in approximately 1775, they welcomed a son named Jonas into the world. This period represented a brief window of domesticity and familial connection before the looming storm of revolution irrevocably altered the course of their lives.
The Call to Arms and Bunker Hill
The growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain soon reached a boiling point. In May 1775, Salem Poor answered the call to arms, enlisting in the Massachusetts militia. He served under Captain Benjamin Ames in Colonel James Frye’s regiment, joining the burgeoning ranks of colonists opposing the British troops occupying Boston. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and a sense of impending conflict.
On June 16, 1775, Frye’s regiment, along with two others, received orders to march from Cambridge to Charlestown, near Boston. This contingent, numbering approximately 850 men, including Salem Poor, was tasked with constructing a redoubt, a fortified position, atop Breed’s Hill, adjacent to the more well-known Bunker Hill. The following day, June 17, 1775, marked the commencement of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a pivotal clash in the early stages of the American Revolution.
Heroism Amidst the Chaos
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a brutal and bloody affair. Facing a determined British assault, the American militia, including over 100 African American and Native American soldiers, fought with tenacity and courage. Among them was Salem Poor, who distinguished himself with exceptional bravery.
Salem Poor is best remembered for his actions during this battle. He is credited with killing British Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie, a significant blow to the British forces. Moreover, he reportedly took down several other British soldiers, further cementing his reputation as a formidable warrior. The ferocity and effectiveness he displayed under fire were remarkable, transforming him from a former slave into a symbol of patriotic defiance.
A Soldier’s Recognition
The valor of Salem Poor at Bunker Hill did not go unnoticed. Later that year, fourteen officers, including Colonel William Prescott, submitted a petition to the General Court of Massachusetts, seeking recognition for his extraordinary conduct. Their statement, a testament to his character, reads:
"To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man, called Salem Poor, of Col. Frye’s regiment, Capt. Ames’s company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier. To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious. We would beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro, centers a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress."
This remarkable commendation stands as a unique honor. No other soldier of the American Revolution received such a formal and laudatory recognition of their battlefield prowess. It highlights the profound impact of Salem Poor‘s actions and the respect he earned from his fellow officers.
Shifting Policies and Continued Service
Despite the demonstrated bravery of soldiers like Salem Poor, the Continental Army initially grappled with the issue of African American enlistment. General George Washington, in November 1775, issued orders prohibiting black men from serving in the Continental Army. This decision was influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including concerns about social order and the potential for slave uprisings.
However, this policy proved to be short-lived. In response to Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, offering freedom to slaves willing to fight for the British, Washington reversed his stance. He ordered recruiters to enlist any black men who desired to fight for the American cause. This pragmatic shift recognized the strategic importance of harnessing the potential of the African American population.
Following this policy change, Salem Poor promptly re-enlisted in the militia. He served at Fort George in upstate New York under General Benedict Arnold in 1776. His military service continued with participation in the Battle of White Plains on October 28, 1776, and the Battles of Saratoga in September and October 1777. He endured the harsh winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1777-78 and fought in the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Salem Poor continued to fight with the Patriot forces until his discharge on March 20, 1780.
Later Life and Obscurity
After his military service, Salem Poor‘s life took a difficult turn. In 1780, he married his second wife, Mary Twing, a free African American. The couple briefly relocated to Providence, Rhode Island, but the marriage dissolved by 1785. In 1787, he married a white woman named Sarah Stevens.
The later years of his life were marked by hardship and instability. In 1793, he spent several weeks in the Boston Almshouse, a refuge for the poor. In 1799, he was briefly jailed for "breach of peace." He married for the fourth and final time in 1801. Salem Poor died in poverty in Boston in 1802. He was buried on February 5, but the precise location of his grave remains unknown.
Legacy and Remembrance
Despite the hardships he faced in his later life, the legacy of Salem Poor as a war hero endures. In 1975, on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring his heroism. This act served as a powerful recognition of his contribution to the cause of American independence and a reminder of the often-overlooked role of African Americans in the nation’s founding.
The story of Salem Poor is a complex one, filled with both triumph and tragedy. From his humble beginnings as a slave to his valorous actions on the battlefield, he embodies the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of freedom. While his later life was marked by poverty and obscurity, his name remains etched in the annals of American history as a symbol of courage and a testament to the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s struggle for independence.