Have You Heard about the Non-military Stories
of Your (Genetic or Communal) Ancestors? 

Latest Changes: 2022-01-17 created / 2022-01-18 expanded / 2022-02-08 retitled /

Of Whom Do We / Should We Sing?

In addition to Washington and Rochambeau most of the individuals who were and are are noted in historical documents, in histories, and on monuments for the American Revolution were relatively wealthy men of European descent. They managed the large farms, trading companies, and affairs of towns, cities, and states. Before the printing press was invented, such stories would be memorized and elaborated into sagas that were told or sung by traveling bards.

At the time of the American Revolution newspapers were being started all over the British colonies. People who never had a voice before now could have their thoughts read (and copied) over large areas. People whose knowledge of the world was limited to the town in which they lived now could hear (sometimes exaggerated) news from around the world. These would not be recent happenings, since news by ship took weeks to cross the oceans.

These "sung" individuals made the plans, negotiated international agreements, led the battles, and organized the groups that implemented these actions. They were, however, a small minority of the people who participated in the American Revolution (or in any history), and whose participation was vital to the success of the military, political, economic, and social aspects of the struggle. Women, slaves, serfs, children, minority ethnic groups (by religion, skin color, place of origin, gender affiliation) did not hold significant individual power, although they often played significant roles in assuring the success of a battle, a program, or a community.

These "un-sung" patriot ancestors may have been
-- participants in the march with Washington and Rochambeau
-- participants in other allied military operations
-- suppliers of food, fodder, materials, or lodging for the allies
-- part of the international diplomatic and financial
        effort to support the struggle for U.S. independence
-- others affected by the struggle for U.S. independence.

A patriot may not be your genetic ancestor, but instead a communal ancestor -- one who was part of the same community group as you are. These historical notes on some individual triumphs and tragedies that happened during the American Revolution illustrate the breadth of the struggle for the pursuit of happiness. Although much has been achieved, the struggle continues both in the U.S. and around the world. We can sing about them all.

In the future we plan to invite the submission of short stories of all patriots for posting on this archives website. These personal stories will bring to life and to respect the many personal contributions -- military and non-military -- of the Revolutionary-era struggle to achieve personal liberties and national independence for the United States.


Where can you find the stories of these "un-sung" individuals?

BOOKS such as :
=> Patriots of African Descent in the Revolutionary War: Part 1 by Marion Lane.
RE-ENACTMENT VIDEOS such as :
=> How Mumbet sued for -- and won -- her freedom in 1781, based on the new state constitution of Massachusetts. Her case set a precedent that led to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS such as:
=>"Origins and Descendants of People with African Ancestry in Early Delaware", by Paul Heinegg (private communication).

One of these stories in this collection is for Thomas Clark, born 4 July 1759, married Elizabeth Morris ("Mustees, free"), on 1 July 1773 in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a soldier in the Revolution from Sussex County who died about 1819. On 13 August 1833 his children and legal heirs filed for and were granted Bounty Land for his service.
PENSION and BOUNTY LAND APPLICATIONS such as:
=> Search http://Fold3.com for "Revolutionary War" + Delaware + "Thomas Clark" + "Elizabeth Rigwald" About the 9th hit is for documents that he was a private in the Delaware Regiment under Col. Hall. In 1834 his heirs were awarded a Bounty Land Warrant: B.L. Wt. 2047-100.


Youth Historical Cartoons

Numerous examples of individual actions supporting the cause of independence may be found in Liberty's Kids, an American animated historical fiction television series (40 episodes, twenty minutes each), originally broadcast in 2002 on PBS Kids. This follows the adventures of three teenagers (one American, one British, and one French) and a free African man from the beginning to the end of the American Revolutionary War.

All episodes are available to view on Amazon Prime. Several episodes are on https://www.schooltube.com. They are under copyright.