Seymour Burr facts for kids

Seymour Burr (born between 1754 and 1762, died 1837) was an African-American man who was enslaved in the Connecticut Colony during the time of the British Colonies in North America and later in the United States. He was owned by a man also named Seymour, who was the brother of Colonel Aaron Burr.

Seymour was known only by his first name until he tried to escape. He wanted to be free more than anything. He joined the British Army during the early days of the American Revolution, because the British promised freedom to any enslaved African-American who fought against the American forces. However, he was quickly caught and forced back to his owner.

His owner was worried Seymour would try to escape again. So, he offered Seymour a deal: if Seymour joined the American Army and gave his "bounty money" (a payment for enlisting) to his owner, he would be set free after the war. Seymour agreed to this important bargain.

When and Where Seymour Burr Was Born

There are different ideas about when and where Seymour Burr was born. Some records say he was born in Connecticut and might have had parents of different races. Other records claim he was born in Guinea, Africa. They say he was captured when he was about seven years old and might have even been from a royal family there.

A document from February 1782, which described enlisted soldiers, listed his birthplace as "Guinea." It also gave his age as both 20 and 28. This means he was likely born in either 1754 or 1762.

Seymour Burr's Time in the Army

It is believed that Seymour Burr fought in important battles like Bunker Hill and at Fort Catskill. He also likely endured the very hard winter at Valley Forge, where American soldiers suffered greatly.

However, official records from Massachusetts show that on April 5, 1781, Seymour joined the 7th Massachusetts Regiment. This group was led by Colonel John Brooks. Seymour served in the army until February 1782.

Freedom and Starting a Family

After his time serving in the army, Seymour Burr finally received the freedom he had always wanted. In 1805, he married a widow named Mary (Will) Wilbore. Mary was the daughter of Nuff Will and Sarah Moho (Mohho), a Native American woman from the Ponkapoag tribe.

Seymour and Mary settled in what is now Canton, Massachusetts. When he married Mary, he also gained ownership of the 6 acres (24,000 m²) of land that her previous husband, Jacob Wilbor, had owned. Seymour also received a government pension because of his military service.

Seymour and Mary had two daughters named Polly (Burr) Croud and Sally (Sarah). Both of his daughters later died in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A history book from 1892 about Canton mentioned that a grandson of Seymour Burr, named Lemuel Burr, lived in Boston, Massachusetts.

This report is supported by other records:

• The 1842 Boston City Directory listed:
  • Burr, Lemuel, barber, 65 Court, house 3 Southac
  • Burr, Sarah, widow, house 16 Belknap
• A report to the Massachusetts Governor in 1861 listed:
  • Sally Burr, age 61, "Punkapogg," State beneficiary
  • Lemuel Burr, age 45, "Punkapogg," Occupation Barber
• Lemuel Burr's family was also listed:
  • Mary Burr, age 39, "Colored"
  • Ann E. Burr, age 14, "Punkapogg"
  • Lemuel D. Burr, age 12, "Punkapogg"
  • Mary M Burr, age 6, "Punkapogg"
  • Sally L. Burr, age 4, "Punkapogg"
• An 1872 Cambridge Directory listed Lemuel Burr as a "Hairdresser."

When Seymour Burr Died

Seymour Burr passed away on February 17, 1837. He was buried in an unmarked grave in either Canton Corner, Canton, Massachusetts, or at the graveyard on Burr Lane, Canton, Massachusetts.

His death notice was printed in a newspaper called the Liberator (Boston, MA) on February 25, 1837. It said: DIED—In Canton, 17th inst. Mr. Semore Burr, (a colored man) aged 98. He was a soldier during the whole of the Revolutionary war.

His wife, Mary, died in 1852. She was either 98 or 101 years old.

See also

• List of slaves