Overview

Born enslaved in Massachusetts, Peter Salem fought as a Patriot soldier in early Revolutionary battles including Bunker Hill. His post-war life reflects the limits of Revolutionary liberty for many Black veterans.

Quick Facts

• Birth: October 1, 1750, Framingham, MA
• Death: August 16, 1816, Framingham, MA
• Identity (Race): Black man
• Enslavement Status: Enslaved at birth; enslaved by Jeremiah Belknap; freed in 1775 to enlist
• Occupation / Primary Role: Laborer; soldier
• Allegiance / Affiliation: Patriot
• Military Role / Rank: Private (Massachusetts militia / Continental service)
• Education: Unknown
• Religion: Unknown
• Spouse: Katy/Catherine (limited documentation)
• Children: At least one daughter referenced in local records (details vary by source)
• Enslaver: Jeremiah Belknap (until 1775)
• Did He Enslave Anyone?: No evidence
• Language: English

Poster Bullets

• Fought in early Revolutionary battles including Bunker Hill (1775).
• Later tradition credits him with the shot that killed Major Pitcairn (attribution debated).
• Like many veterans, faced economic hardship after the war.

Poster Summary

Peter Salem’s service shows Black participation in Patriot ranks at major early battles and the unequal rewards of independence afterward.

Why He Matters

He challenges the myth that the Revolution was fought only by white colonists, and his post-war struggle shows how freedom did not guarantee security.

What Happened After the War

Returned to Massachusetts and worked as a cane weaver/laborer; struggled financially; died in 1816.

QR – Adult Read More

Bunker Hill became a defining early clash. Although the British took the ground, the scale of casualties electrified colonial morale across the colonies, including New Jersey.

Later tradition credited Salem with the shot that killed Major Pitcairn. Historians debate attribution, but his documented presence in the fight is not in doubt.

His freedom in exchange for enlistment reflects a Revolutionary contradiction: liberty rhetoric expanded while slavery persisted.

After the war, Salem worked to support himself in a society that celebrated independence while limiting racial equality.

QR – Kids

Peter Salem was freed so he could fight in the American Revolution. He fought bravely in battles like Bunker Hill.

Something You May Not Know

• New England had slavery, and some men were freed specifically to enlist.
• The “Pitcairn shot” story is famous but debated.
• He struggled financially after the war.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Black soldiers only fought for the British. Reality: Black men fought on both sides, including Patriot ranks at major battles.

Connection to Franklin / Somerset / NJ

News of Bunker Hill traveled through newspapers circulating in NJ, shaping early Patriot confidence before the war reached the Raritan Valley.

Primary Artifacts & Proof

National Park Service – Peter Salem: https://www.nps.gov/people/peter-salem.htm

American Battlefield Trust – Peter Salem: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/peter-salem

NYPL Digital Collections – Illustration: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-2a0a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99