Barzillai Lew — The Patriot Who Carried Music Into the Revolution 

Revolutionary War Soldier • Fifer • Cooper • Musician

The portrait believed to depict Barzillai Lew offers a rare visual connection to a man whose life is otherwise preserved largely through military and community records. Shown holding a flute, the image brings his identity as a musician into focus—a fitting complement to the documented record of his service as a fifer during the Revolutionary War. Yet the portrait’s uncertain identification also reminds us that the visual record of Black Revolutionary veterans is often incomplete. Together, the image and surviving documentation point to a broader story: a free Black man whose military service, musical talent, and long life challenge the limited ways Black lives from the Revolutionary era are often remembered.

Overview:

Barzillai (pronounced bar-zeal-ya) Lew  (1743 - 1822) was a soldier, musician, and landowner who lived in Massachusetts during the American Revolution. He was born on November 5 in Groton and later lived in Chelmsford and Dracut. Lew was known for his strength and his skill as a musician. He served in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. During the Revolution, he worked as a fifer, playing music to guide and support soldiers in battle. He was present during major events such as the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the war, Lew built a life as a farmer and landowner. He raised a large family, and many of his children became skilled musicians. His life shows a mix of military service, economic success, and cultural impact. 

Quick Facts:

• Born November 5, 1743, in Groton, Massachusetts

• Lived in Chelmsford and Dracut, Massachusetts

• Served in the French and Indian War

• Served in the Revolutionary War as a fifer

• Present at the Battle of Bunker Hill

• Described as tall, strong, and musically talented

• Worked as a cooper (barrel maker)

• Owned land and farmed in Massachusetts

• Head of a large household of free people of color in 1790

• Father of 13 children, many of whom were musicians

• Died in 1822

Why This Story Matters:

Barzillai Lew matters because his story expands how we understand the American Revolution. He was a Black man who served his country while also building a stable life through land ownership and work. His role as a musician shows that contributions to the war were not only about fighting but also about support and communication. Lew’s success as a landowner and head of a large household shows economic strength and independence. His family’s musical talent also shows cultural influence in their community. Yet, like many Black patriots, his story is not widely known. Learning about Lew helps students see that the nation was built by people of many backgrounds, not just those often highlighted in history books.

Legacy:

Barzillai Lew’s legacy is one of service, success, and cultural impact. He fought for American independence while also building a stable life as a landowner and family leader. His large household and farm show economic strength and long-term success. His family’s musical talent brought joy and recognition to their community, showing that his influence went beyond the war. Lew’s life also shows the challenges and contradictions of being a Black man in early America. Even with his achievements, his story is not widely known. His legacy encourages us to look deeper into history and recognize the many people who helped build the nation.

Barzillai Lew’s story appears in historical research and educational materials about Black soldiers in the American Revolution, including work by the National Park Service. These materials highlight both his military service and his life after the war. While he is not widely featured in films, his story is part of a growing effort to include more voices in American history. His role as a musician is especially important because it shows a different kind of contribution to the war. By studying figures like Lew, students can see how history includes many roles beyond the battlefield. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Barzillai Lew’s role as both a soldier and a musician change how we think about what it means to contribute during a war?

2. In what ways might owning land and supporting a large family shape Barzillai Lew’s sense of identity and belonging in early America?

3. Why might stories like Barzillai Lew’s be less visible in history, and how does that affect our identity as a nation?

Reflection Prompt:

1. Would Barzillai Lew’s life and success have been viewed differently if he had lived in a society that fully recognized Black achievement? If so, how might that have changed his opportunities, influence, and place in history? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. National Park Service. “Barzillai Lew.” NPS People Profile. 

2. Town of Lexington, Massachusetts. “Dinah Bowman Lew and Barzillai Lew.” Lexington 250 Project. Accessed May 4, 2026. 

3. A Flutist (believed to depict Barzillai Lew). Painting. Attributed to Gilbert Stuart. c. 1785–1810. Diplomatic Reception Rooms Collection, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. Portrait possibly depicting Revolutionary War veteran Barzillai Lew; identification remains unsubstantiated. 

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