Lexington Battle Green Tour
Prince Estabrook
Stop 8
Prince Estabrook reenactor Charles Price stands next to memorial.
Prince Estabrook was the first African-American soldier to fight in the Revolution. The 35 year old slave was owned by the family of Benjamin Estabrook. Prince Estabrook served in the Militia and was wounded in the fighting on the Common. He later served in the Continental Army. Emancipated at war’s end, he eventually moved to Ashby, Massachusetts. He died there in 1830, ninety years old.
Listed as possessions at the bottom of the plaque were the names of three slaves who fought in the Battle of Lexington: “Esq. Gardner’s Adam,” “Esq. White’s Peter” and “Esq. Boylston’s Prince.”
Estabrook was by no means the only slave in Lexington. Five slaves lived here at the time of the Battle, down from 24 counted in the 1754 census. Reverend John Hancock was one Lexington’s slave owners. Slavery in Massachusetts was abolished by a court ruling in 1783.
Directions to next stop:
The last stop on the tour is the Lexington Minuteman Memorial, stop #18. Please continue down the sidewalk towards the memorial that is enclosed in a black iron fence.
Directions to next stop:
The last stop on the tour is the Lexington Minuteman Memorial, stop #18. Please continue down the sidewalk towards the memorial that is enclosed in a black iron fence.
Copyright © 2020 Lexington Historical Society Website by: [email protected] |