Dymond Bush, a librarian in Rhode Island, discovered she was a direct descendant of two Black Patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War. Bush joined the non-profit organization Daughters of the American Revolution and spent her days off researching her family tree.

Uncovering Black Patriots’ History

Bush’s research led her to Michael Anthony, a free Black man who fought in Rhode Island’s 1st Regiment. The regiment was primarily made up of African American and Native American soldiers. Bush had to provide birth and death certificates, marriage proof for every generation dating back to the relative who fought in the Revolutionary War.

For descendants of enslaved Patriots, it can be much more difficult to track down documentation. 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, said people who were enslaved were likely listed in deeds and wills because they were considered property.

Solomon Titus Taylor spent several years researching his family’s line and discovered Ishmael Titus, an enslaved person in Virginia who was later sold to Lawrence Ross in North Carolina. Titus was enlisted in the Continental Army to fight in his place and served in many battles, including the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.

Today, many states and genealogical societies like the DAR and Sons of the American Revolution have dedicated teams of researchers to uncover more Black Patriots. The DAR even has a section on their website with tips on how to research Patriots of Color.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.