Peter Salem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Salem
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Salem c. 1770s
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| Born | October 1, 1750 Framingham, Massachusetts, British America |
| Died | August 16, 1816 (aged 65) Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Buried |
Framingham Old Burying Ground
(42°18′10″N 71°26′17″W / 42.3028°N 71.4380°W) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1775–1780 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | |
| Spouse(s) | Katy Benson (1783–1816) |
Peter Salem (born October 1, 1750 – died August 16, 1816) was an African-American soldier from Massachusetts. He bravely served the United States during the American Revolutionary War. Peter Salem was born into slavery in Framingham. Later, his owner, Major Lawson Buckminster, freed him so he could join the local army. He then became a soldier in the Continental Army and fought for almost five years. After the war, he got married and worked as a cane weaver. A special monument was built for him in Framingham in the late 1800s.
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Peter Salem's Early Life
Peter Salem was born on October 1, 1750. His mother was enslaved in Framingham, which was then part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His first owner was Jeremiah Belknap. Later, Belknap sold Peter to Major Lawson Buckminster. In 1775, Major Buckminster became an officer in the Continental Army. He decided to free Peter Salem so Peter could join the Massachusetts army. This was at the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Peter's last name, Salem, might have come from his first owner, Belknap. Belknap may have named him after Salem, Massachusetts, where he once lived. Another idea is that his last name comes from the Arabic word "salaam," which means peace.
Peter Salem's Military Service
Peter Salem fought in the very first battles of the war. He was at Concord on April 19, 1775. Records show he served for four days in Captain Simon Edgell's local army company from Framingham. On April 24, he joined Captain Drury's company. This company was part of Colonel John Nixon's 6th Massachusetts Regiment.
Fighting at Bunker Hill
Peter Salem was a hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He fought alongside his company in this important battle. Some stories say that Peter Salem shot and badly wounded Royal Marines officer John Pitcairn. Pitcairn later died from his injury. However, this part of the story has been debated by historians. About twelve other free African-American men also fought in this battle. Some of them were Phillip Abbot, Barzillai Lew, Salem Poor, and Titus Coburn.
Peter Salem joined the army again for another year on January 1, 1776. He served in the 4th Continental Regiment. After that, he signed up for three more years. He joined the 6th Massachusetts Regiment under Colonel Thomas Nixon. Colonel Thomas Nixon was the brother of Colonel John Nixon. Peter Salem was honorably released from the army on December 31, 1779. He had served for a total of four years and eight months.
It seems Peter Salem extended his service for two more months. He was with Captain Claye's Company in Colonel Nixon's Regiment. This was from January 1 to March 1, 1780.
Peter Salem also fought in other big battles. These included the Saratoga and the Stony Point.
Peter Salem's Later Life and Death
After the war, Peter Salem lived a quiet life. He married Katy Benson in Salem, Massachusetts in September 1783. Later, he built a small house near Leicester. There, he worked making things from cane.
Peter Salem passed away on August 16, 1816, when he was 65 years old. He was buried in the Old Burying Ground in Framingham. In 1882, the town spent $150 to build a monument to remember him.
Images for kids
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Salem circa 1770s
