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1781 Revolutionary War List Including TWO African Patriot FREE BLACK Soldiers!

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
1781 Revolutionary War List Including TWO African Patriot FREE BLACK Soldiers!
American Revolution
1781 Revolutionary War 40 Continental Soldiers Listing of Blankets Supplied Including Two African American Patriot Free “BLACK” Soldiers “Prince Johnson” (Negro) and “Isaac Nelson” also Listing “Selah Hart”
July 16, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document, “Appraisal” of the Town of Farmington, Connecticut’s furnishing soldiers with blankets raised for the Continental Army, Listing Two African American Patriot Free “BLACK” Soldiers “Prince Johnson” (Negro) and “Isaac Nelson” also Listing later Brigadier-General “Selah Hart,” Received by the Connecticut Pay Table Committee, Very Fine.
July 16, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, important Black History related Manuscript Document, measuring 8.25” x 13.25”, 2 pages, Hartford, Connecticut. Being a State of Connecticut Pay table to the Selectmen of the Town of Farmington for furnishing their local Soldiers with blankets raised for their Continental Army troops. Listing of 40 soldiers, each named, receiving blankets with appraised values to be assessed against the town’s quota of expenditures in contribution to the War effort. This extensive list including African American Patriot Prince Johnson (listed here as a NEGRO) in the famed Captain David Humphrey's Company of all Colored Troops, and Isaac Nelson in Connecticut 3rd Regiment. It also lists the famed Officer, captured Prisoner of War, and later commissioned Brigadier-General, Selah Hart. Docketed on reverse for pay by the State Treasurer, Hartford, reading in full: “Farmington S(elect) Men for Blankets furnished Cont.(inental) Soldiers - £94..3..6 - July 16, 1781”. Minor folds, edge losses.
The reference book titled, “Forgotten Patriots” by Eric G. Grundset:

Records “Prince Johnson” as a "FREE Black" from Farmington, Connecticut. Johnson loyally served in Captain David Humphrey's Company of ALL Colored Troops! David Humphrey enlisted the First Colored Troops in the service of the United States, his Second Company of the Fourth Regiment, formed in 1781. This historic Black Soldier Company, consisting of 48 Black Privates and NCOs, being formed in October of 1780 and served until November 1782.

In “Forgotten Patriots”, he also lists “Isaac Nelson” as an African American. Isaac Nelson was enlisted in Captain Allyn's Connecticut 3rd Regiment Commanded by Colonel Samuel B Webb on December 27, 1780 for 3 Years. The “African American Burials of Connecticut” has Isaac Nelson listed as a “BLACK, Revolutionary War Veteran.” Nelson himself provided no information to the 1805 Census taker, except that he was “FREE”. In 1790 Nelson lived in Farmington, CT with 3 other People of Color. His most recent residence was in Hartford, CT whereas his longest place of residence was listed as Farmington, CT.

In the book titled, “Life and times of David Humphreys, Soldier--Statesman--Poet, belov'd of (George) Washington," by Frank Landon Humphreys, he lists “Prince Johnson” under:

"The following is the roll of Captain Humphreys' consolidated negro company in 1781-83; as given in the official record of Connecticut men in the Revolution, published by the Adjutant-General, Hartford.”

Selah Hart's military career began before the American Revolution. He entering the military as Ensign in 1762 during the French and Indian War period. Hart quickly shot up in the ranks to Lieutenant in 1763, and Captain in 1764. It was then in 1776 when Selah Hart joined the American Revolution Patriot's cause, being appointed to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and shortly after to the rank of Colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment Militia of Connecticut.

Hart’s forces were sent to defend New York, and it was during a skirmish that Selah was cut off and Captured by British forces on August 27th, 1776. When General George Washington evacuated New York, Hart was cut off and captured by a body of the enemy's forces which had ascended the Hudson River and had landed above him. The cruelties which American prisoners suffered in those days were also suffered by Colonel Hart for nearly two years, during most of which time his wife knew not whether he was living or dead.

Selah was later freed in an officer's exchange with the British, and in 1779 he was Appointed Brigadier-General of the Sixth Brigade of Militia for Connecticut. Selah Hart now commissioned a Brigadier General, served in that capacity until the close of the Revolutionary War. After the War, Selah was sent as a Delegate to the State Convention for the Adoption of the Constitution of the United States, and continued to be an influential citizen in Connecticut.