Lemuel Haynes: Patriot of the American Revolution

WELCOME TO OUR SHARED HERITAGE!
by Wanda Gibert

Our Shared Heritage is a mini-unit study de-signed to study courageous people of different ethnic backgrounds who may not have been widely recognized for their contributions to our nation and the world. Many may ask the reason for this unit study. By incorporating the study of people originating from other nations and cultures, we may be able to see God’s fingerprint on every man’s life. We are able to see our common sinful bondages and our need for the Savior Jesus Christ. It is through His eyes that we see that all men are worth saving, and can join together as one and combat the lies that the enemy of our soul uses to keep us apart.

Our Shared Heritage features: a short biography, suggested activities that will incorporate different subjects into your studies, resources, and field trips. You may use Our Shared Heritage as a supplement your present curriculum or as a fi ll-in for a week or two. Choose as many or as few activities that interest your family. Feel free to use it as a springboard to launch other exciting adventures your family may enjoy!

“And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having defi nitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fi xed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26–27 (Amplifi ed Version).

Let us join together as we seek to find God’s fingerprint on mankind. Enjoy the journey.

For comments or ideas about Our Shared Heritage, contact Wanda Gibert at: gibert@iche.org.

LEMUEL HAYNES 1754–1833
Patriot of the American Revolution, Author & Clergyman

On the morning of May 19, 1775, a contingent of minutemen, under the leadership of Ethan Allen, commandeered a notable victory when they silently invaded the British-held Fort Ticonderoga and demanded its surrender. As the British commander surrendered, a group of brave patriots stood, waving the fl ag that distinguished them as the Green Mountain Boys. In that group of eye witnesses stood Lemuel Haynes, an African American.

Born in 1753 and abandoned as an infant by his Anglo mother and African father, Lemuel was brought to a Massachusetts farm where he worked as an indentured servant for David Rose. Lemuel spent his days working the farm and in the evenings he poured over books grasping as much knowledge as he could. In 1774 Lemuel became a free man, and at age 21, one of the first decisions he made was to enlist as a “Minuteman” in the local militia.

Unknown to most Americans, more than 5,000 African soldiers, both slave and free, fought voluntarily in the American Revolutionary War. These brave warriors fought for a land which did not aacknowledge them as citizens and equals.

“It was not for their own land they fought, nor even land which had adopted them, but for a land which had enslaved them, and whose laws, even in freedom, oftener oppressed than protected. Bravery, under such circumstances, has a peculiar beauty and merit.”    –An excerpt from Harriett Beecher Stowe’s introduction in Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, by William C. Nell, 1855

Lemuel was so inspired by the Declaration of Independence that in 1776 he wrote an essay about the need to extend freedom to Africans. His essay was entitled Liberty Further Extended.

After the American Revolutionary War, Lemuel returned to Massachusetts, where he studied Greek and Latin and taught school. He had a passion for the study of the Holy Scriptures and read many books on theology. He became a pas-or of the Congregational Church of Middle Granville, and in 1786, he transferred to Tor-rington, Connecticut, becoming the first black minister of a church with a white congregation. Having many of his sermons published during his lifetime, Haynes became a famous sermon writer. He served as a pastor in Vermont until his death in 1833.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Lemuel Haynes demonstrated throughout his life that He was a man of faith, honor and courage. His distinguished life of valiant service to his country and mankind is one which we honor.

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

–Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

BIBLE/CHARACTER

• Courage: “That quality of mind that enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness or without fear.” –Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
• Look up the following scriptures that refer to courage: Deut. 31:6–7, Ps.31:24. What is the key for maintaining courage?
• Look in several dictionaries for the definition of courage.
• Contrast Courage vs. Fear (Use your Concordance).
• How can you apply the principles of courage to your life?

LANGUAGE/SPELLING/WRITING/READING/ORATORICAL SKILLS

• In your best penmanship, copy your favorite scripture about courage & memorize.
• Write a paper about why freedom is important to you, your family, & your country.
• Write a paper about the importance of studying another culture and their contribution to our country.
• Memorize Paul Revere’s speech: “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death.”
• Choose at least three books about the American Revolution and write book reports.
• Copy key words and define.

HISTORY

• Research and dress in period clothing.
• Check out a colonial cookbook from your local library and prepare a meal.
• Research and find at least two other African-American Patriots and note their contribution.
• Research the types of weapons that were used in the Revolutionary War.
• Design a time-line that includes African-American men and women during the Colonial Period.
• Draw a map of the original thirteen colonies and label.
• Make a battle map.
• Make a battle diorama.

SCIENCE / AGRICULTURE

• Study different soils types. Which is best for farming? How can you improve soil conditions?
• Design a colonial garden.

ART / DRAMA/MUSIC

• Design a copy of the Green Mountain Boys flag.
• Check out and listen to period music from the library or purchase from Jas. Townsend.
• Write and put on a skit about Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys.

OTHER NOTABLE COLONIAL AFRICAN AMERICANS

• Benjamin Banneker—mathematician and astronomer
• James Armistead Lafayette—spy for the Continental Army
• Peter Salem—credited for killing Major Pitcairn
• Phyllis Wheatley—poet

BOOKS

• Burke Davis. Black Heroes of the American Revolution. New York, 1976.
• * Jim Haskins. Black Stars of Colonial and Revolutionary Times. New Jersey.
• Otto Lindenmeyer. Black & Brave, The Black Soldier in America. New York, 1970.
• William C. Nell. The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution. Boston,1855.
• R. Conrad Stein. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Cornerstone Series.

PERIOD RESOURCES

• Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc.—Period dress, patterns, music, and accessories. PO Box 415, Pierceton, IN 46562 (800)338-1665.

FIELD TRIPS

• Check your local newspaper for Revolutionary War Re-enactments.
• Feast of the Hunters’ Moon—Over 8,000 costumed participants recreate 18th century life at a French outpost at Fort Ouiatenon Historic Park near West Lafayette, Indiana. September 13–14, 2003 www.tcha.mus.in.us/feast.htm.
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution—1776 D Street N.W., Washington, DC 20006-5303 (202)628-1776—Exhibit: Forgotten Patriots: African Americans and American Indians Service in the Revolutionary War 1775–1783. Exhibit Available thru August 2, 2003.
• City of Chicago Tall Ship Festival—July 26–August 13, 2003. Featured at Navy Pier: Amistad Freedom Schooner.

VIRTUAL RESOURCES

• www.blackpatriots.org—An organization dedicated to the preservation and memory of Black Patriots of the American Revolution.
• www.pbs.org—Home of Africans in America Series.

IMPORTANT DATES IN HISTORY

• 1565—Slaves arrived on the North American mainland at the Spanish colony of St. Augustine.
• 1619—A Dutch ship brings 20 indentured Africans to the British North America colonies at Jamestown, Virginia.
• 1688—In Germantown, Pennsylvania, a religious sect called the Mennonites, sign the first anti-slavery resolution in America.
• 1755—Blacks fight for freedom in Colonial America, joining as Minutemen, joining with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, and fighting the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• 1776—The Declaration of Independence is signed in Philadelphia. It states that all men are created equal.