Researching Black Patriots and Loyalists During the Revolutionary Era

The American War of Independence was not only a fight for freedom from a world superpower. For the thousands of Black soldiers who fought for the patriot cause, and even more—tens of thousands—for the Loyalists, emancipation was on the line. In this online lecture, we will provide a brief history of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War and their motivations for joining either side; and discuss several resources, records, and strategies for piecing together the service and stories of individuals.

Speaker: Danielle Rose, 10 Million Names Volunteer Manager
Danielle Rose oversees the many dedicated volunteers who assist with creating database content for the 10 Million Names Project. She also collaborates with partner organizations and independent researchers who share content with the project. Danielle frequently participates in American Ancestors educational programs by providing lectures on African American genealogy. Prior to joining American Ancestors, Danielle worked with the National Parks of Boston where she researched the service and lives of Black Patriots in the Revolutionary War. She also worked as a museum educator in Miami, Florida before relocating to Boston. Danielle holds a B.A. in History from the University of Florida and M.A. in Public History from Northeastern University.

This program is co-hosted with the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.

This program is funded in part by an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.