Salem Poor was born a slave in Massachusetts. After purchasing his own freedom, he went on to play a pivotal role as a revolutionary soldier in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Early Life
Salem Poor was born in 1747 in Andover, Massachusetts on a farm owned by John and Rebecca Poor. In 1769, he purchased his freedom for 27 pounds, a significant sum akin to one year’s wages. In 1771, Poor married Nancy Parker, a free biracial woman. The couple had a son, Jonas, who was baptized in September of 1776.
Revolutionary War
In 1775, Poor enlisted in the militia, joining Captain James Frye’s regiment of Massachusetts Minutemen. His regiment, along with two more, were ordered to Charlestown, Massachusetts to defend Breed’s Hill from British forces. Poor distinguished himself during the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, helping the Patriots repel several attacks by the much larger British army.
Following his heroic actions, Colonel William Prescott and 13 regimental commanders signed a testimonial that was sent to the commonwealth’s General Court, which read:
A Negro Man Called Salem Poor… in the late Battle of Charleston, behaved like an Experienced Officer, as Well as an Excellent Soldier, to Set forth Particulars of his Conduct Would Be Tedious, Wee Would Only begg leave to say in the person of this Sd. Negro Centers a Brave & gallant Soldier—the Reward due to so great and Distinguish a Character, We submit to the Congress.
According to his service record, Poor reenlisted several times. He fought in key battles at Saratoga, Monmouth, and Valley Forge before being discharged in March of 1780.
Later Life
In 1780, Poor married Mary Twing, a free African American. Five years later, Poor placed an advertisement in the Boston Gazette “disavowing his wife’s debts and forewarned all persons from trusting Mary….” He subsequently married a white woman, Sarah Stevens, in 1787.
Poor married a fourth and final time in 1801. He died in 1802 at the age of 55. His gravesite at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is now part of Boston’s historic Freedom Trail. Poor was also honored with a stamp in the “Contributors to the Cause” series created for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.
