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Revolutionary War Company Payroll-BLACK SOLDIER

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Black History

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Revolutionary War Black Soldier Recorded on a Company Payroll

1779, Pay Abstract Identifying "Prince Perry"--A Black Revolutionary War Soldier, [Rhode Island], Choice Fine to Very Fine.
This 12.75" x 16" roster is a "Pay Abstract of Cap. James Webb Company in Col. Henry Sherburne's Regiment for the Month of March 1779." Interestingly, one "'Prince' Perry" is included on the register. That his name appears as such undoubtedly means that this soldier was African American. Sherburne commanded a regiment of Rhode Islanders, which makes the presence of an African American soldier less surprising. That being said, the incidence of African American soldiers serving in the regular Continental Army (as opposed to local militias) was quite low, making this a truly rare item. The pay abstract itself exhibits a fold down the center (most likely created so that the payroll could fit in a dispatch pouch) and has some foxing and browning about the edges.



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