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 forward volunteer , total of 12,000 african americans served british 1775 1783. factor had effect of forcing rebels offer freedom serve in continental army; however, such promises reneged upon both sides.

americans gained freedom fighting british became known black loyalists. british honored pledge of freedom in new york city through efforts of general guy carleton recorded names of african americans had supported british in document called book of negroes granted freedom slaves had escaped , assisted british. 4,000 black loyalists went british colonies of nova scotia , new brunswick, british promised them land. founded communities across 2 provinces, many of still exist today. on 2,500 settled in birchtown, nova scotia, instantly making largest free black community in north america. however, inferior grants of land given , prejudices of white loyalists in nearby shelburne regularly harassed settlement in events such shelburne riots in 1784, made life difficult community. in 1791 britain s sierra leone company offered transport dissatisfied black loyalists british colony of sierra leone in africa, promise of better land , more equality. 1,200 left nova scotia sierra leone, named capital freetown. after 1787 became sierra leone s ruling elite. 400 1,000 free blacks joined british side in revolution went london , joined free black community of 10,000 there.