Slavery and Black Loyalists Loyalist (American Revolution)
a black loyalist wood cutter @ shelburne, nova scotia in 1788 as result of looming crisis in 1775 royal governor of virginia, lord dunmore, issued proclamation promised freedom servants , slaves able bear arms , join loyalist ethiopian regiment. many of slaves in south joined loyalists intentions of gaining freedom , escaping south. 800 did so; helped rout virginia militia @ battle of kemp s landing , fought in battle of great bridge on elizabeth river, wearing motto liberty slaves , time defeated. remains of regiment involved in evacuation of norfolk, after served in chesapeake area. camp had set there suffered outbreak of smallpox , other diseases. took heavy toll, putting many of them out of action time. there slave name of boston king joined loyalists , wound catching smallpox. boston king , other soldiers sick relocated different part of camp did not contaminate healthy soldiers. survivors joined other british units , continued serve throughout war. black colonials first come for