Salem Poor, Continental Soldier
Salem Poor was born enslaved in the 1740s in Andover, Massachusetts. In 1769, Poor purchased his freedom from his enslavers for 27 pounds (approximately $5,300). In 1771, he married Nancy Parker, and they had a son, Jonas. In March 1774, the Massachusetts Committee of Safety permitted freed Blacks to serve in the Patriot militia as Minutemen. Poor enlisted in the First Andover Company as a private and trained to be ready in a minute's notice. In June 1775, Poor enlisted under Captain Samuel Johnson in the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment in anticipation of a British attack after the retreat from Lexington. At the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 16, 1775, Patriot forces held the fortifications until the third assault. During the battle, Poor is credited with killing British Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie and other British soldiers. Poor's bravery at the battle garnered fourteen officers' support, including Colonel William Prescott, who petitioned the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
"To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: the subscribers beg to 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' company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experience 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."
Of the 2,400-4,000 colonists who participated in this battle, no other man was singled out in this way. Poor participated in other decisive battles in the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of White Plains in 1776, Battle of Saratoga in 1777, and Battle of Monmouth in 1778. Poor died in 1802 and was buried at Copps Hill Burial Ground in Boston. On March 25, 1975, Poor was honored with a 10 cent postage stamp by the United States Postal Service's Bicentennial Celebrations.
