Lot 254
Juba Freeman, A Black Revolutionary Soldier, Receives His Pay. Partly-printed Document Signed, 6½ x 8 in., Hartford, Dec. 27, 1784. "Received of Pay-Table Committee, their Order on the Treasurer of this State, to secure the Payment of Twenty-Two Pounds nine shillings and nine Pence being the Balance due to Juba Freeman on the first Day of January 1784, as stated by the Committees of the State and of the Army." Richard Law, Freeman's former master, signs that he has received the Money "In behalf of Juba Freeman."
In 1777, Juba, a slave from Milford, Connecticut, enlisted in a segregated regiment of the Colony of Connecticut. A photocopy of Juba's enlistment (present) shows that half of Juba's pay went to his master, perhaps to purchase his freedom; that document was signed with Juba's mark as "Juba Negro." Following his emancipation, Juba took the name "Freeman" and is referred to by this name in the present document. Freeman is buried in Milford Cemetery.
The British promised runaways freedom for joining their ranks. American military leaders were reluctant at first to enlist African Americans, although black men had fought with the Continental Army at Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. By war's end, some 5,000 black soldiers had fought for the American cause.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Realized $590 |
