Joseph Anthony

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at the Battle of Bunker Hill

Place of Birth:

Grafton, Massachusetts

Date of Birth:

December 24, 1753

Place of Death:

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania(?)

Date of Death:

December 26, 1777

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

Joseph Anthony was born on 24 December 1753 in Grafton (MA), the son of Joseph and Abigail (_____) Anthony.^I

He joined the eight month’s service from Grafton (also Alstead, NH) on 29 April 1775, in the company of Capt. Luke Drury in Col. Jonathan Ward’s regiment. He is listed on a 10 June 1775 order for advance pay, on the 1 August 1775 muster roll, and on a 3 November 1775 ‘order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money.’^II

There is no record of 1776 service.

With Gen. Burgoyne preparing to advance on northern New York, the call once again went out for soldiers to meet this serious threat. At the time, he was serving in the 6^th Worcester County regiment in Capt. Joseph Warren’s company.^III From this regiment, he was transferred to the Continental Army on 24 March 1777 for a three-year term in the company of Capt. John Blanchard, in Col. James Wesson’s 9^th Massachusetts regiment. This unit fought valiantly at both Battles of Saratoga and then set off for winter quarters at Valley Forge. It was probably there that he died on 26 December 1777.^IV

Footnotes:

1. Vital Records to 1850. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Vols for most Massachusetts towns, Grafton, Births, 12; his father is described as a ‘negro’ and his mother as an ‘Indian.’
2. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908) 1:279, listed as ‘Anthony.’ Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
3. Ibid 1:280, listed as ‘Antoney.’
4. Ibid 1:279.

Learn more about Quintal's study.