Scipio Dodge (Lee)

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at the Battle of Bunker Hill

Place of Birth:

Wenham, Massachusetts(?)

Date of Birth:

Circa 1741

Place of Death:

Likely Wenham, Massachusetts

Date of Death:

Likely April 1811

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

Scipio (sometimes called Dodge and sometimes Lee) was born circa 1741.^I

He joined the eight month’s service on 1 May 1775 in the company of Capt. Richard Dodge, in Col. Samuel Gerrish’s regiment. On 11 August 1775, he was reported sick and absent, a possible sign that he may have been wounded. He was also recorded on the October 1775 roll of the company, dated Chelsea. From January to June 1776, he served with his old Captain’s company in Col. Loammi Baldwin’s regiment. During his military service he was also known as ‘Sipps Lee.’^II

It is very likely that the ‘Scipio’ who died April 1811 of dropsy in Wenham at age about 70, a ‘pauper,’ is the same man.^III

Footnotes:

1. Birth date backwardly-computed, based on age at time of death.
2. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908) 4:837. Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
3. Vital Records to 1850. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Vols for most Massachusetts towns, Wenham, Deaths, 227, listed under ‘NEGROES.’

Learn more about Quintal's study.