Resources
We invite those interested in learning more about the E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative’s ongoing efforts to recover, center, and remember the American Revolution’s Patriots of Color to consult the following list of resources on African American, American Indian, and multiracial contributors to the War effort.
This expanding list features published scholarly books, monographs, articles, genealogy guides and tutorials, museum exhibits and directories, databases and archives, historical film links and recommendations, and recent news pieces, among other sources, which you are encouraged to pursue. Be sure to bookmark and check this space in the future for new resources and developments as they become available.
Featured Collaboration – 10 Million Names
The 10 Million Names initiative was launched by American Ancestors with the goal of finding the names of nearly 10 million people of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America. As this goal specifically overlaps with our aim to honor Black patriots (both freed and enslaved) who fought in the American Revolution, DAR is proud to be a founding collaborating institution to the 10 Million Names project. We have shown our support by sharing financial resources and data from our Patriots of Color database.
External Resources
Historical Archives and Databases
Library of Congress William A. Gladstone Afro-American Military Collection »
National Museum of African American History & Culture Collection, US Military, American Revolution »
Museum of the American Revolution, Patriots of Color Archive »
National Archives
Articles and Exhibits
History Channel Documentary: Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution (account required) »
George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Native Americans in the Colonial Era »
American Battlefield Trust
- Roles of Native Americans during the Revolution »
- Fighting For Freedom: African Americans Choose Sides During the American Revolution »
- Women in the American Revolution »
- The American Revolution Experience Online Exhibition »
Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Museum of the American Revolution
Genealogy
Enoch Pratt Free Library: African American Genealogy »
National Indian Law Library: Tracing Native American Family Roots »
U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs: Genealogy »
Fold3 by Ancestry – US, Black and Indigenous Soldiers in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 »
New England Historic Genealogical Society – African American Genealogy »
International African American Museum – Center for Family History »
Genealogical Societies
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) »
The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAGHS) »
Society of the First African Families of English America (SOFAFEA) »
Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (SDUSMP) »
National Archives
News Articles
PBS
NPR
‘Black Patriots’ Were Heroes Of The Revolution — But Not The History Books »
Courier Post
Black soldier who crossed Delaware with Washington will be honored in New Jersey »
Smithsonian Magazine
Black Soldiers Played an Undeniable but Largely Unheralded Role in Founding the United States »
Diary Sheds Light on Deborah Sampson, Who Fought in the Revolutionary War »
Jamestown Press
Local enslaved men fought in Revolutionary War »
WHYY, PBS, NPR
Indigenous people recount ancestors’ role in Revolutionary War »
MetroWest Daily News
244-year-old remains to be moved from museum to Natick Praying Indian Burial
Ground »
The Trumbull Times
Slave, soldier, emancipator: The incredible life of Trumbull’s Nero Hawley »
