Jacob Speen

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at the Battle of Bunker Hill

Place of Birth:

Sudbury, Massachusetts(?)

Date of Birth:

Circa 1754

The following is from the 2004 National Park Service study Patriots of Color researched and prepared by George Quintal:

Jacob Speen was born circa 1754.^I

He joined the eight month’s service on 27 April 1775 in the company of Capt. Thaddeus Russell, in Col. Jonathan Brewer’s regiment.^II This company served in the Battle of Bunker Hill on the diagonal between the redoubt and the breastwork. He is also listed on the October 1775 roll.^III The 26 October 1775 roll lists him on an ‘order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Cambridge Camp.’^IV

On 1 January 1776, he enlisted in Capt. Daniel Whiting’s company, in Col. Asa Whitcomb’s regiment, for service as reinforcements to the North. A 27 November 1776 roll, dated Camp at Ticonderoga, lists him as ‘reported deserted June 24, 1776.’^V

It is undoubtedly he that served ‘1 mo. 3 days at Rhode Island on a secret expedition’ in Capt. Daniel Eames’ company, in Col. Benjamin Haws’ regiment. His company marched 29 September 1777.^VI

He was on a list, dated 8 July 1778 at Fort Arnold (West Point), of men raised in Middlesex County for the term of nine months from his arrival at Fishkill (NY).^VII He enlisted on 29 June 1778 in the company of Capt. Amasa Soper, in Col. Thomas Marshall’s regiment. The January 1779 roll was dated West Point.^VIII He signed up for a six-month term in mid-1780 where he is ‘reported a negro’ and is listed on a descriptive roll at Springfield (MA):^IX

age: 26
stature: 5 ft. 8 in.
engaged for: Natick

By 25 October 1780, he had passed muster at Camp Totoway (NJ) under Brig. Gen. John Paterson.^X He was discharged from the six-months service on 5 December 1780.^XI A receipt, dated Boston 16 May 1782, records that he received a bounty to serve in the Continental Army for the term of three years.^XII

He married Dinah Pero of Cambridge (MA) in Natick (MA) on 2 February 1776.^XIII There is no record of any children.

Footnotes:

1. Birth date backwardly-computed, based on age in military descriptive roll.
2. Secretary of Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908), 14:712, listed as ‘Speene.’ Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
3. Ibid 14:711, listed as ‘Speen.’
4. Ibid 14:698, listed as ‘Spean.’
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid 14:711, under ‘Speen.’
7. Ibid 14:698.
8. Ibid 14:699, listed as ‘Speane.’
9. Ibid 14:698.
10. Ibid 16:212, listed as ‘Tween.’
11. Ibid 14:712, under ‘Speen.’
12. Ibid.
13. Vital Records to 1850. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Vols for most Massachusetts towns, Natick, 184; also listed in Vital Records to 1850. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Vols for most Massachusetts towns, Cambridge, Marriages, 365.

Learn more about Quintal's study.