African-Americans—slave and free —served on both sides during the war. The British actively 
recruited slaves belonging to Patriot masters. Because of manpower shortages, George 
Washington lifted the ban on black enlistment in the Continental Army in January 1776. Small 
all-black units were formed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; many were slaves promised 
freedom for serving. Another all-black unit came from Haiti with French forces. At least 5,000 
black soldiers fought for the Revolutionary cause

Santee, Ceasar 2 regiment  Roll 46       card number     382
Santy, Caesar   3 regiment  Pvt  Roll 46   card number  400
Scipio, Hill              Pvt  Roll 46              card number  2625
Terry, Pompey    Pvt   Roll 51                 card number 3688

Santy, Casar     1   Eaton    Pvt
Seigio, Hill              Yarborough Pvt

Solomon Duncan, a "Free Black" head of a Princess Anne County household of 5 "other free" 
in 1810, was a yellow-complexioned blacksmith who was born in Pasquotank County, 
North Carolina, served in the Revolution, and was living in Princess Anne County when he was 
listed in the size roll of troops who joined at Chesterfield Courthouse.

Lemuel Overton was head of Perquimans County household of 2 "other free" in 1790. 
He was the husband of a slave named Rose and children John and Burdock who were 
emancipated by order of the North Carolina General Assembly. They were probably his slaves 
since the owner's name was not stated. He was living in Pasquotank County on 10 July 1820 
when he appointed James Freeman his attorney to obtain a land warrant for his services as a 
soldier in the 10th Regiment of the North Carolina Line.

Samuel Overton was a "Molatto" Perquimans County taxable in 1771. and head of a Pasquotank 
County household of 3 "other free" in 1790, 4 in 1800, and 13 "free colored" in 1820. He was 
called a "free man of Colour" on 8 March 1825 when he made a declaration in Pasquotank
 County court to obtain a Revolutionary War pension. He claimed that he was ninety-six years 
old, the father of a five-year-old boy David and that he had lost all his property by a fire in July 
1824.

Charles Turner made a declaration in Pasquotank County Court on 4 March 1834 to obtain a 
pension for his service in the North Carolina Continental Line. He was head of a Pasquotank 
County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 and 9 in 1810.








Back to Pasquotank African American Research pages
Back to Pasquotank County Page
© 2005-2011  
Diane Siniard