Scipio Gray

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at the Battle of Bunker Hill

Place of Birth:

Amesbury, 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:

Scipio Gray^I was born circa 1754 and was the slave of Benjamin Barnard of Amesbury (MA).^II

His name cannot be found in the official military rolls (MASS), but he served in Capt. John Currier’s in Col. James Frye’s regiment.^III His presence at the Battle of Bunker Hill is also certain by a return of losses transcribed in the town history:^IV

Cambridge June 17, 1775.
A Return of what was lost out of Capt. John Currier’s company
in Coloⁿ Fryes Regiment on the late battle upon Charlestown:
Sipeo Gray coate Blankit

Footnotes:

1. Soldier description unavailable – soldier placed in database based on status of slave/servant alone. 
2. Merrill, Joseph. History of Amesbury and Merrimac Massachusetts (1880), 255.
3. Ibid, 253; from a military roll dated circa May 1775.
4. Ibid, 257.

Learn more about Quintal's study.