Jehu Grant facts for kids
Jehu Grant (c. 1752 – December 28, 1840) was born into slavery in Rhode Island. He lived in Narragansett, Rhode Island when he bravely ran away from his master in 1777. He then served in the Continental Army for eight months during the American Revolutionary War.
His situation was discovered, and he was unfortunately sent back to his master. Later, his master sold him to a man named Grant. With help from Joshua Swann, Jehu's freedom was bought from this new master. In return, Jehu agreed to work for Swann for a certain period of time.
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Life After Gaining Freedom
Joshua Swann moved to Milton (town), New York, in Saratoga County, New York, and Jehu Grant went with him. After their agreed work time ended, Jehu Grant continued to live in Saratoga County. He got married and had several children. Records from 1820 show his household included younger males and females, as well as older adults.
Applying for a Veteran's Pension
In 1832, the United States Congress passed a new law called the Pension Act. This law offered money every year to any veteran of the Revolutionary War who could prove they had served. Jehu Grant was one of many Black veterans, and thousands of veterans overall, who applied for this money.
For many veterans, the only way to prove their service was to tell their own stories. To get the funds, former soldiers had to share their memories with a local court reporter. These stories were then sent to Washington, D.C. for review.
Jehu's Pension Application
When Jehu Grant applied for his pension, he was 80 years old and blind. A neighbor helped him make his appeal.
Jehu explained that he had sent a request to the United States Department of War. He asked for a pension based on the 1832 law, believing he had served for ten months. He said he had joined as a soldier but was asked to work as a teamster (someone who drives wagons) in the summer and a waiter in the winter.
Why His Application Was Denied
Sadly, Grant's application was turned down. A later appeal was also denied. The U.S. government in 1832 would not approve his claim because he had worked as a waggoner and waiter, not as a "proper soldier."
