For Historic Beverly’s July First Friday program, and in recognition of this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, this talk explores the stories of Black soldiers from Beverly during the American Revolution through research conducted using Historic Beverly’s archival collections and ongoing historical research efforts.

Participants will learn about the lives and military service of Black men connected to Beverly, including enslaved individuals who fought during the Revolution in pursuit of freedom. Drawing from archival documents, military records, and local history, the program highlights the importance of telling a fuller and more inclusive history of the Revolutionary era and the people who shaped it.

The presentation also examines how these stories have historically been overlooked and why preserving and sharing them remains an important part of understanding Beverly’s past.

Image credit: Jean Baptiste Antoine de Verger “Soldiers in Uniform,” Public Domain.