Peter Salem, an African American born into slavery, emerged as a significant figure in the American Revolutionary War. Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, on October 1, 1750, he was initially enslaved by Jeremiah Belknap and named after Belknap’s hometown of Salem. His life took a dramatic turn as the colonies moved towards revolution, leading him to fight for the very ideals of liberty and independence that were denied to him. So, What Did Peter Salem Do In The Revolutionary War? His actions ranged from participating in pivotal early battles to serving throughout the long conflict, demonstrating courage and commitment to the Patriot cause.
Peter Salem’s journey to becoming a Revolutionary War soldier began with his emancipation. In early 1775, Belknap sold Salem to Lawson Buckminster. When Buckminster was commissioned as a Major in the Continental Army, he made the crucial decision to emancipate Salem. This act allowed Salem to enlist in the Patriot militia and join the ranks of the Minutemen, citizen soldiers prepared to fight at a moment’s notice. He joined other Black Minutemen, including figures like Titus Coburn, Salem Poor, and Seymour Burr, highlighting the participation of African Americans in the fight for American independence from the outset.
Salem’s military service commenced with the very first armed conflicts of the war. He fought at the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the engagements that marked the start of the Revolutionary War in April 1775. However, it was at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 where Peter Salem’s actions became most prominently noted, though also shrouded in some historical debate.
It is widely recounted that during the intense fighting at Bunker Hill, Peter Salem shot and mortally wounded British Major John Pitcairn. Pitcairn was a significant figure, known for his role in the events leading up to Lexington and Concord. Eyewitness accounts from the time, such as that of Aaron White in 1807, directly credit Salem with this act:
The British Major Pitcairn had passed the storm of our fire and had mounted the redoubt, when waving his sword, he commanded in a loud voice, the rebels to surrender. His sudden appearance and his commanding air at first startled the men immediately below him. They neither answered or fired, probably not being exactly certain what was to be done. At this critical moment, a negro soldier stepped forward and, aiming his musket at the major’s bosom, blew him through
Samuel Swett, another eyewitness, also supported the claim that Salem fired the fatal shot. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this account is not without dispute. Some British accounts suggest Pitcairn was shot multiple times by different soldiers, and discrepancies exist regarding Pitcairn’s exact location when he was hit. Regardless of the definitive truth, the story of Peter Salem shooting Major Pitcairn became a powerful narrative for the American Patriots. It served as a morale booster, a symbolic victory amidst the overall British victory at Bunker Hill. News of Pitcairn’s death, whether attributed to Salem or not, galvanized support for the American cause.
Beyond Bunker Hill, Peter Salem continued his dedicated service in the Continental Army. On January 1, 1776, he reenlisted in the 4th Continental Regiment for another year. During this period, he participated in the New York Campaign, including the Battles of Harlem Heights and Trenton under the command of General Nathanael Greene. His commitment led him to reenlist again on January 1, 1777, this time for a three-year term. Throughout these years, Salem saw action in several more significant battles, including the [Battle of Saratoga](/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/saratoga], [Monmouth](/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/monmouth], and Stony Point. After being honorably discharged in 1779, his service was still not over. He reenlisted once more under Colonel Nixon, serving from January to March 1780.
After his extensive military service concluded, Peter Salem transitioned back to civilian life. He moved to Salem, Massachusetts, and in September 1783, married Katy Benson. They established a home near Leicester, Massachusetts, where Salem worked as a cane weaver. Life after the war presented financial challenges, and Salem supplemented his income through gardening and furniture repair. Sadly, Peter and Katy had no children, and faced economic hardship in their later years. Peter Salem eventually passed away in a poorhouse in Framingham on August 16, 1816, at the age of 66. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Old Burying Ground in Framingham.
Despite the humble circumstances of his death, Peter Salem’s contributions to the Revolutionary War were not forgotten. In 1882, the townspeople of Framingham erected a monument to honor his service. His legacy is further cemented by his depiction in John Trumbull’s famous painting, “The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill,” where Salem is shown in the foreground, rifle in hand. The Daughters of the American Revolution further recognized his importance by marking his home in Leicester as a historical monument in 1909.
In conclusion, what Peter Salem did in the Revolutionary War was to serve with dedication and bravery as a soldier in the Continental Army from the very beginning to near the end of the conflict. He participated in numerous key battles, and is notably credited with a pivotal moment at Bunker Hill. Peter Salem’s life exemplifies the contributions of African American patriots to the fight for American independence, and his story continues to be a vital part of the narrative of the Revolutionary War.
