One of the most fascinating tales concerning the American Revolution, and Loyalists in particular, is the role of African Americans.

Blacks were represented in all geographic areas of America and were a part of everyday life, whether as free people or slaves. Our site covers both the military and civilian aspects of the Black Loyalist experience.

There was but one Provincial regiment in which their service was permitted, that of course being the Black Pioneers. Sir William HOWE banned Black and Mulatto soldiers in any Provincial regiment under his command, ordering the discharge of any who had previously enlisted.

Sadly, we will never know how many men this affected, as their names have been lost to history. Undeterred, many Blacks found their way to freedom within the British lines and still managed to support themselves in a variety of useful functions.

Some found jobs within the various Civil Branches of the Army and Ordnance, while others acted as guides, spies, musicians and sailors. Still others found their way into the different Refugee and Associator corps, where they were able to bear arms alongside white Loyalists.

Throughout the site you will find reference to these Loyalists whose story is only now starting to be known and told. We hope to help you follow their experiences, their successes and their failures, through to the end of the war and beyond.

 Proposed Corps, 1779

 Memorial of Ricketts, et al, n.d.

 Discharge of Lymus, Slave of Paul Hamilton, 1780

 Runaway Notice, 1780

 Dalling's Plan to Attack Nicaragua, 1780

 Dalling's Plan to Settle Nicaragua, 1780

 Furnishing Slaves for Fort Cornwallis, 1781

 Fort Cornwallis Prisoners, n.d.

 Certification that Thomas Williams & Family are Free Negroes, 1781

 The Pilot, Trap, 1781

 Documents Re David George, a Free Negro, 1779, 1780, 1781

 Certification that Ned & Family are Free Negroes, 1779 & 1782

 Documents Re the Michael Thomas Family, 1780 & 1782

 Beheading of Harry, 1782

 Permission for John Williams to go to Nova Scotia, 1783

 Decision on the Claim of Samuel Burke of South Carolina, 1783

 Memorial of William Hanscomb of South Carolina, 1783

 Memorial of March Kingston of South Carolina, 1784

 Petition of Scipio Handley of South Carolina, 1784

 Petition of Thomas Johnson of South Carolina, 1786

 Liberty for James, Rose's Child, n.d.

 Petition of Peter Anderson of Virginia, n.d.

 Losses of James Franklin of Virginia(?), n.d.

 Memorial of Benjamin Whitecuff of New York, n.d.

 Simon Munro's Negroes Killed & Taken, n.d.

 Nomination of Thomas Peters as Attorney, n.d.

 Petition of Shadrack Furman/Firman/Ferman of Virginia, 1787

 Petition of Thomas Peters for Land, 1790