Joseph Ranger (seaman) facts for kids
Joseph Ranger was a brave sailor who lived around the 1700s. He was a free Black man who fought for America during the American Revolutionary War. He joined the Virginia State Navy when the war began. Joseph served on four different ships until 1787. This made him the Black Virginian sailor who served the longest during that time.
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Joseph Ranger was born in Virginia around 1760. By 1776, he was living as a free Black man in Northumberland County. Many free and enslaved Black people in Virginia knew a lot about sailing. They were good at navigating the rivers and coasts. Joseph Ranger likely had this experience too.
Before the Revolutionary War, Virginia started its own navy. This navy would help the main American navy. It would also protect Virginia's waters from the British Royal Navy. Virginia gathered about 40 ships. Most of these were regular trading ships that were changed for war. Even though some leaders worried about giving weapons to Black soldiers, they really wanted experienced Black sailors for their navy.
Joseph Ranger joined the Virginia Navy in early 1776. He started as an ordinary seaman, which is a basic sailor rank.
Serving During the Revolutionary War
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Joseph Ranger's first ship was the Hero. This ship was a row galley, which means it used oars and sails. It was built to patrol the James River. The Hero could move easily in the river because it didn't sit deep in the water. It had a crew of about 50 sailors. Many ships in the Virginia Navy had mixed crews of different races. The Hero had one of the highest numbers of Black crew members.
Life Aboard the Dragon
After three months, Ranger moved to a ship called the Dragon. This ship was built in Fredericksburg. Joseph served with four other Black sailors on the Dragon. The ship had about 100 crew members in total. A historian named Luther Porter Jackson wrote about Ranger's time on the Dragon. He said that Black and White sailors shared meals and spent time together. They also often received the same food supplies. For example, during one month, Ranger got the same amount of "pork, flour and spirits" as everyone else.
At some point during his four years on the Dragon, the ship was sunk. But in 1780, it was brought back up. It was then changed into a fire ship. A fire ship was filled with flammable materials and set on fire. It was then sent towards enemy ships to burn them.
Surviving Battles and Capture
After the Dragon became a fire ship, Ranger moved again. This time he served on the Jefferson, which was a brig (a type of sailing ship). He served on the Jefferson for one year. In 1781, Ranger survived a big attack. The British destroyed the Jefferson and most of the Virginia Navy ships. This happened during the action at Osborne's on the James River.
After that, Ranger served on the Patriot for about six months. Then, he and the rest of the crew were captured by the British. But after Lord Cornwallis surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown, Ranger and the other captured sailors were set free. Joseph Ranger served on four different ships during the war. This was more than any other Black sailor in the war.
After the War: Continued Service and Rewards
Even after the war ended, Virginia's leaders worried about more British attacks. The Congress of the Confederation allowed Virginia to keep two navy ships. These were the Patriot and the Liberty. They were among the few ships that had not been destroyed. Joseph Ranger worked on both of these ships. He stayed in the navy until it was officially closed down in 1787. His eleven years of service were the longest for any Black sailor in the Virginia Navy.
Land Grants for Veterans
During his time after the war, the Virginia government started giving land to soldiers and sailors who fought. They gave plots of land in two areas to the west. These areas are now parts of Kentucky and Ohio. Joseph Ranger received 100 acres of land. This was the usual amount given to privates and seamen.
Historians believe that Ranger likely sold his land. Most people who received land did this instead of moving their families far away. Ranger also continued to earn a salary. Records show he was paid 2.50 pounds for a month's work in 1786. He earned enough money to buy his wife's freedom. He had other enslaved family members he could not help.
Later Life and Legacy
As veterans of the Revolutionary War grew older, the United States government began to give them pensions. Pensions are regular payments for past service. Laws were passed in 1818, 1820, and 1832 to give out this money. To get a pension, veterans had to prove they served in the war.
Joseph Ranger went to an Elizabeth City County court in 1832 to prove his service. After that, he received 96 dollars every year. He was one of thirteen Black Virginian veterans to get a federal pension that year.
We do not know when or how Joseph Ranger died. Historian Sarah J. Purcell wrote about Ranger's service. She said it shows how important African Americans were to American military forces. This was true even in states like Virginia, which had very strict rules about slavery.
