Our Founders

Lemuel Haynes, Our African-American Founder

February 19, 2023 TFP Staff 2

Lemuel Haynes: Pastor, Patriot, Poet On July 18, 1753, Lemuel Haynes was born to a white mother “of respectable ancestry” and an African father in West Hartford, Connecticut. His parents abandoned him as a child, giving him to a local deacon in Middle Granville, Massachusetts. Lemuel’s parents had an agreement with Deacon John Haynes that their son would work on Haynes’ farm until age 21 in exchange for housing and education. His Youth Thus, Lemuel spent his youth as an indentured servant working on a Massachusetts farm to earn his keep. He worked on the farm by day and studied at night.  With a basic education, Lemuel developed a passion for books, especially for the […]

History

The 1st Regiment of Rhode Island

February 18, 2023 Peter Crowell Anderson 0

1st Regiment of Rhode Island and The Role of Slaves in the American Revolution The story of the 1st regiment of Rhode Island and of the role of slaves in the Revolutionary War is not one commonly told, but should be.  In January 1778, General Washington had given his approval for Rhode Island’s plan to raise an entire regiment of black soldiers. Over the next five years, 250 former slave and freedmen served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The 1st Rhode Island Infantry Regiment The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment from Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Like most regiments of the Continental Army, the unit went through several incarnations and name changes. It became well known as the “Black […]

History

Peter Salem Poor ~ Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World?

February 16, 2023 Peter Crowell Anderson 0

Revolutionary Hero & Former Slave…Peter Salem Poor The First Battle of the American Revolution was at Concord Massachusetts on April 19th 1775. The first shot of that Battle has been called “The Shot heard around the world”. That first shot may have been fired by this man. Peter Salem Poor one of the original Boston Patriots who would go on to fight with George Washington throughout the rest of the American Revolution. Here is his citation for Gallantry from the Revolutionary Army: “The Reward due to so great and Distinguished a Character.  The Subscribers beg leave to Report to your Honorable. House (Which We do in justice to the Character of so Brave a man) that […]