Part of a series of articles titled 12 Soldiers of the Revolution.
Article
Peter Salem: A Legacy of Courage and Freedom
The statue of Peter Salem, erected in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, honors the patriotism and heroism demonstrated by this African American soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. Salem’s actions on the battlefield saved the lives of countless Americans and has inspired every generation since.
DOI / Andrew King
Biography
Peter Salem (ca. 1750–1816), also known as Salem Middlesex, was a soldier, weaver, and Revolutionary War patriot from Framingham, Massachusetts. Born into slavery, he was initially owned by Captain Jeremiah Belknap and later sold to Major Lawson Buckminster.
In 1774, as tensions and violence with Great Britain were growing, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress reorganized part of the militia into elite “Minuteman” companies—volunteers who drilled frequently and pledged at only a minute’s notice to mobilize and counter British threats. Buckminster emancipated Salem so that he could enlist as one of these Minutemen.
In the spring of 1775, Salem joined Capt. Simon Edgell’s company of Framingham Minutemen, fighting in the opening battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19. He then transferred to Capt. Thomas Drury’s company, which was part of Col. John Nixon’s 5th Massachusetts Regiment.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Salem became prominent during the June 17, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill. The name of this battle is somewhat misleading since it actually occurred at nearby Breed’s Hill, the confusion originating mainly from a British map that mistakenly confused Bunker and Breed’s Hills.
At the battle progressed, the Americans withstood numerous frontal assaults by the British. When American ammunition waned, however, the British began to breech the fortifications. Salem rushed forward with his regiment to strengthen the American lines. The British were led by Marine Major John Pitcairn, who previously led the British advance at Lexington.
Pitcairn pressed hard against the retreating Americans and a slaughter of American troops seemed imminent—until Salem fired the shot that mortally wounded him. This shot temporarily halted the British advance, allowing the fleeing Americans to escape. The battle was considered a strategic American victory, as the British suffered almost twice as many casualties as the Americans.
Salem became a lasting part of Revolutionary history. His action was later depicted in John Trumbull’s famous 1786 painting The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill.
Continued Military Service
Salem continued serving throughout the war, reenlisting multiple times. He participated in the battles of Saratoga, Monmouth, Stony Point, and others. He ultimately received an honorable discharge on March 1, 1780. His service illustrated the essential role of some 8,000 African American soldiers and sailors who fought for independence. Many gained their freedom through military enlistment under state-specific laws or agreements with individual owners.
Later Life
After the war, Salem worked as a weaver and married. Despite his distinguished military service, he received no pension during his lifetime and died in poverty in 1816.
Sadly, this was not unusual. The Continental Congress and various states provided pensions only for those wounded or disabled during military service in the Revolution, or for their families if the service member died.
There was no general federal pension program for non-disabled service members until 1818. Thus, most American soldiers, whether black, white, native, Scot, Irish, or any other nationality, did not receive pension or benefits for their service during the War.
Peter Salem in Massachusetts
Massachusetts was an early hub of patriot activity, where the national Committees of Correspondence were formed, the Boston Tea Party occurred (1773), and legendary battles such as Lexington and Concord were fought (1775). That state relied heavily on its citizen-soldiers, for local and state militias handled short-term, defensive alarms.
By contrast, the soldiers in the national Continental Army served longer enlistments and were deployed on extended campaigns across the various colonies. Salem initially served in the militia, but then joined the Continental Army for the rest of his service. He was a major contributor to early key victories in New England.
Faith Stories
Little detailed information survives about Salem’s personal religious beliefs. However, historical records show that on August 16, 1760, as a young enslaved boy, he was admitted to the church in Framingham under the half-way covenant. This was a common practice in Congregational churches of colonial Massachusetts that allowed partial membership for those not yet making a full profession of faith.
The Declaration of Independence & Slavery
Salem’s service contributed to a turning point in American history that would, over time, reshape and ultimately eradicate the institution of slavery.
Every nation in the world at that time practiced slavery of some—or of many—races and peoples. But the Declaration of Independence established a new political framework rooted in the principles of natural rights and human equality. Breaking away from Great Britain placed the colonies in charge of determining their own laws, economies, and social institutions.
The newly articulated principles affirmed in the Declaration of Independence inspired early antislavery movements and legislative efforts across several states. Many began passing measures to end the slave trade and limit slavery, setting it on the path to extinction.
Significantly, all northern states had abolished slavery or established gradual emancipation measures by 1804. The southern states did not adopt these measures until the Civil War ended in 1865, when America passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution—enacting a national ban on slavery. At that time, America became the fourth of the world’s 128 nations to end slavery.
While Salem did not live to see the end of slavery across the country, his service and that of other black patriots helped bring about the political independence that allowed Americans to confront and later abolish the practice. Though the struggle was long and hard-fought, commitment to the ideals declared in 1776 sparked a national conversation that would continue for generations about how the United States could better live up to the promise of freedom.
Past Centennial Celebrations
During America’s Bicentennial in 1976, the nation revisited the contributions of Revolutionary patriots. The era saw increased attention to black patriots through various publications, medals (such as the 1971 American Negro Commemorative Society medal honoring Peter Salem), and much else. In his native Framingham, Salem’s 1882 granite monument at the Old Burying Ground—erected by the town and inscribed with his battles—has long served as a focal point of interest.
Legacy
Peter Salem’s story, along with many others who contributed to the founding of the nation, helps us appreciate the experiences that have most greatly influenced the American story.
Last updated: June 3, 2026