Who was Richard Pierpoint and what did he do?
Richard Pierpoint would have likely acted as his personal servant. In 1776, with the outbreak of the American Revolution, many African American slaves were offered freedom in exchange for fighting on the side of the British. By at least 1780 Pierpoint was one of about a dozen Africans fighting with the Butler’s Rangers regiment.
How is the Richard Pierpoint Heritage Minute made possible?
This learning tool is made possible with generous support from the Government of Canada. This learning tool complements Historica Canada’s Richard Pierpoint Heritage Minute by exploring his life and the experiences and contributions of Black soldiers in the War of 1812.
Where did Richard Pier Point live in Canada?
Pierpoint was an early leader in Canada’s Black community. Taken from West Africa as a teenager and sold into slavery, Pierpoint regained his freedom during the American Revolution. He settled in Niagara, Upper Canada, and attempted to live communally with other Black Canadians.
Where did Richard Pierpoint live during the war of 1812?
Taken from West Africa as a teenager and sold into slavery, Pierpoint regained his freedom during the American Revolution. He settled in Niagara, Upper Canada, and attempted to live communally with other Black Canadians. In the War of 1812, he petitioned for an all-Black unit to fight for the British and fought with the Coloured Corps.
Richard Pierpoint would have acted as his personal servant. In 1776, with the outbreak of the American Revolution, many African American slaves were offered freedom on the condition that they fought on the side of the British. By at least 1780 Pierpoint was one of about a dozen Africans fighting with the Butler’s Rangers regiment.
Was Pierpoint given his freedom in exchange for his service?
In 1775, the royal governor of Virginia granted freedom to all persons enslaved by rebels in that colony in exchange for their military service against those same rebel Americans. Pierpoint may have been promised his freedom in exchange for service, assuming the British officer who had purchased him remained loyal to the Crown.
What role did Richard Pierpoint play in the war of 1812?
Richard Pierpoint. Richard Pierpoint played an important role in the War of 1812 by helping spearhead the creation of an all-Black militia unit that fought in several major battles. This unit, known as the “Coloured Corps,” along with other militia units from the York and Lincoln districts, played a key role in the victory of the Battle…
What happened to Pierpoint in 1760?
In 1760, at the age of 16, slave traders captured and imprisoned Pierpoint. They likely sold him on the coast at Fort James to English traders, who brought him across the Atlantic Ocean to be sold in the British Thirteen Colonies.