The Black Patriots Project is working to uncover the history of African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War. Dymond Bush, a descendant of two Black Patriots, is part of this effort. She discovered her family’s connection to the war while researching her family tree at the Rhode Island State Archives.

Researching Family History

Bush joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and spent years gathering documents to prove her family’s lineage. She had to provide birth and death certificates, marriage proof for every generation dating back to the relative who fought in the Revolutionary War. The U.S. Census did not begin recording African Americans by name until the 1850s, making it difficult to track down documentation.

For descendants of enslaved Patriots, it can be even more challenging to research their family history. Many enslaved people did not have birth or death certificates, and many were buried in unmarked graves. Taryn Kennedy, a Research Specialist for African American Genealogy with the DAR, notes that people who were enslaved were likely listed in deeds and wills because they were considered property.

Uncovering Forgotten History

Solomon Titus Taylor spent several years researching his family’s line and discovered that his ancestor, Ishmael Titus, was an enslaved person who fought in the Continental Army. Titus served in many battles, including the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Despite his service, Titus was denied a war pension in 1832 because he could not sign his name, instead marking his papers with an X.

Today, many states and genealogical societies have dedicated teams of researchers to uncover more Black Patriots. The DAR has a section on their website with tips on how to research Patriots of Color. Kennedy recommends talking to older family members about names and stories to start researching your family tree.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.