Nero Hawley facts for kids

Nero Hawley (born in 1742, died in 1817) was an African-American soldier. He was born into slavery in a place called North Stratford, Connecticut. Nero gained his freedom by joining the Continental Army during the American Revolution on April 20, 1777. He took the place of his owner, Daniel Hawley, in the army. His story is told in a book from 1976 called From Valley Forge to Freedom.

Fighting for Freedom: The Revolutionary War

Joining the 2nd Connecticut Regiment

In the spring of 1777, the 2nd Connecticut Regiment was formed. This group was part of the new army, also known as the Continental Line. It included men and enslaved people, like Nero Hawley, from all over Connecticut. They gathered in Danbury, Connecticut, to get ready for battle. Soon after, they set up camp in Peekskill, New York.

During the summer and fall of 1777, they served along the Hudson River. Their commander was General Israel Putnam. On November 14, 1777, they were ordered to join General George Washington's main army in Pennsylvania. There, they fought bravely in the Battle of White Marsh on December 8. The regiment lost many soldiers in this fight.

Surviving Winter at Valley Forge

Nero Hawley spent the cold winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He was under the command of General Washington. Nero was a private in Captain James Beebe's Company. This company was part of General Jedediah Huntington's Brigade, within the 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

On March 12, 1778, the people of North Stratford (now Trumbull, Connecticut) sent supplies to their soldiers at Valley Forge. Fifteen men from North Stratford were serving there, and three of them were named Hawley: Abraham, Nathan, and Nero. Nero Hawley was present for seven roll calls between December 1777 and June 1778 during that very difficult winter.

Battles and Encampments

On July 28, 1778, Hawley fought in the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. He was part of the 2nd Connecticut Brigade, led by General Huntington. After the battle, they camped at White Plains, New York. They then spent the winter of 1778–1779 in Redding, Connecticut.

In 1779, Nero served on the east side of the Hudson River under General William Heath. He was also part of the Light Company. Later, he joined Colonel Return J. Meigs' Light Regiment. With this group, he fought the enemy at the Battle of Stony Point on July 15, 1779. He spent the winter of 1779–1780 at Morristown, New Jersey, working on the army's outposts. In 1780, he served with the main army along the Hudson River. He spent the winter of 1780–1781 at Camp Connecticut Village.

Life After the War

Family and Freedom

Nero Hawley married Peg in 1761. Peg was an enslaved servant of Reverend James Beebe. They had seven children together. Five of their children were born before Nero joined the army.

Nero became a free man in 1782. However, the children born to Nero and Peg remained enslaved by Reverend Beebe. After Reverend Beebe died in 1785, two of Nero's children were listed in his estate. Nero formally freed all four of his children in 1801. At that time, they were between twenty-six and thirty-four years old.

Later Years and Legacy

After the war, Nero Hawley became a brick maker. On March 14, 1791, he was described as a "free Negro man" in an old church book. He left the Congregational Society of North Stratford and joined the Episcopal Church in Ripton (now Huntington, Connecticut).

Nero's army pension was increased to $3.33 per month on May 26, 1808. In 1813, his pension was increased again to $40 per year. Nero Hawley passed away in 1817 at the age of 75. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Trumbull Center.

Hawley's Descendants

Nero's grandsons, Grant and Peter Hawley, played an important role in their community. In June 1835, they were named trustees of the Zion Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. This happened when the church bought land in Bridgeport, Connecticut to build a church building.

Today, this church is known as the Walter's Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. It is the oldest black church in Bridgeport. In 2010, the church celebrated its 175th anniversary.

Images for kids

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  Nero Hawley's grave at Riverside Cemetery

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  The Daniel Hawley House, built around 1756