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Black History Month : Black Founders

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In celebration of Black History Month the Ridgewood blog recognizes the contributions of Black Founders and Patriots who fought and contributed to the founding of this Great Nation .

Samuel and Elizabeth “Phoebe” France

Samuel Fraunces was a mulatto, a person with one whie and one black parent, from Jamaica. His was most likely born in 1734, though it could have been as early at 1722. At some point in his life he immigrated to the colonies and settled in New York City, eventually becoming the owner of a tavern. It was rumored that during the Revolutionary War, his tavern was used as a meeting place for Patriots. On December 4, 1783, George Washington delivered his farewell to his officers at Fraunce’s Tavern. Apparently Washington and Fraunces had a personal and business relationship. The two dined together at the Old 76 House in Tappan, New York, and Fraunces cooked for Washington at the DeWint House, which is also in Tappan. Fraunces also served a steward to President Washington in New York City, and in Philadelphia from 1791 to 1794. George Washington Parke Custis, Martha’s grandson, remarked on Fraunces at a state dinner, “Fraunces in snow-white apron, silk shorts and stockings, and hair in full powder, placed the first dish on the table, the clock being on the stroke of four, ‘the labors of Hercules’ ceased.”

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Fraunces is also known to have helped feed the 13,000 American prisoners of war kept around New York City, including those kept on the notorious prison ships.

Fraunces and his wife, Elizabeth Dailey, had seven children, one by the name of Elizabeth, but called Phoebe. During the Revolution, Washington came to stay at a place called Mortier House in New York Cith. He wrote to ask Fraunces to find for him a housekeeper. Fraunces sent his daughter Phoebe. It is possible that he sent her because he had heard a rumor that an attempt was to be made on Washington’s life, or it may be that Phoebe discovered this plot while working at Mortier House. Either way, one of Washington’s body guards, Thomas Hickey, was executed for attempting to poison the general. Phoebe and her father are credited with discovering the plot, and Fraunces is credited with removing the poisoned peas intended for Washington’s dinner. Phoebe was ten years old at the time of Hickey’s execution in June of 1776.

Jordan Freeman and Lambert Latham

In 1781, at the Battle of Groton Heights near New London, Connecticut, 185 Patriots, black and white, tried to hold off the 1,700 British led by that turncoat, Benedict Arnold. So heavily outnumbered, the Americans had no chance for victory, but refused to just surrender. They retreated to nearby Fort Griswold. The British stormed the fort. The Patriots ran out of ammunition and began fighting with bayonets, the butts of their muskets, and pikes. During this last stand, Jordan Freeman speared Major Montgomery who was leading the bayonet charge on the fort. About the same time, Lambert Latham picked up the American flag which had been shot off of its poll, and held it above his head.

Finally, the British were able to capture the fort. A British captain asked who was in charge of the fort. Colonel William Ledyard answered, “I did once. You do now.” As he stepped forward he offered his sword to the British officer, a sign of surrender. The officer took Ledyard’s sword and thrust it into his body to the hilt. Lambert . . . retaliated upon the [British] officer by thrusting his bayonet through his body. Lambert, in return, received from the enemy thirty-three bayonet wounds, and thus fell, nobly avenging the death of his commander.

The British response to the death of their captain and other officers was to slaughter every man, including Freeman. A plaque at the fort honors these men for their bravery.

Freeman had been the slave of Ledyard, but had been freed. Freeman stayed living near his former master, married, and enlisted when the fighting began, serving side-by-side with his former master.

12 thoughts on “Black History Month : Black Founders

  1. This is all well and good to inform the public so they can learn of our history. But all. Kidding aside, what about all the other races when is their month just curious.

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  2. Yeah ! When is my month sucker.

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  3. Well Irish month is coming up in March.

  4. The pandering goes on for 12 months of the year with EVERYTHING seen through the prism of race with the liberal media and the Biden puppet administration.
    The best remarks were made by Morgan Freeman in an interview with Mike Wallace with respect to this being unnecessary and a tool to divide.
    By the way, why is there no reference being made to blacks being in 100 percent of television commercials and being used in the ‘voice overs’ as well.
    Wheres asian history month? Indian history month? Latin history month? Hasidic history month?
    Give it a break

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    1. Because all of these things pandered to us to “unite” are actually tools to create division.

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      1. …by design

  5. This is worth a watch . Morgan Freeman is a well respected black man.
    He’s not a divider like Obama, Sharpton, Abrams etal
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeixtYS-P3s

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    1. To the ftards who voted thumbs down on Morgan Freeman… He’s a uniter not a divider… and he was born here. Take that and stuff it in your tailpipe

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  6. Bigots.

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    1. ass kisser
      hows those BLM riots doing

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  7. EVERY month is Black History Month.

    It’s Settled Science.

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