Jordan Freeman — The Patriot Who Fought to Defend Fort Griswold 

Revolutionary War Soldier • Defender of Fort Griswold • Symbol of Courage

Three images connect Jordan Freeman to the place where his story became part of the American Revolution. The engraved plaque preserves the memory of Freeman’s reported role in the defense of Fort Griswold, while the historic photograph places that story within the landscape of Groton Heights. The period map brings the fort itself into view, showing the physical setting in which the battle unfolded. Together, the images move from memory, to place, to historical record, inviting the reader to consider both the individual who fought there and the larger struggle surrounding him. His story begins at this site, where courage would carry a lasting cost.

Overview:

Jordan Freeman (ca. 1732 - 1781) was an African American patriot who fought during the American Revolution and died defending Fort Griswold in Groton, Connecticut, on September 6, 1781. According to historical accounts, Freeman was once enslaved by William Ledyard, the commander of the fort. Historians believe Freeman later gained his freedom and chose the last name “Freeman” to reflect his new status. During the British attack led by Benedict Arnold, Freeman joined local militia members in defending the fort against a much larger British force. Historical tradition identifies Freeman as the man who killed British Major William Montgomery with a ten-foot pike as British soldiers climbed over the fort walls. Freeman was killed later that day during the violent assault on the fort. Although his story was overlooked for many years, historians today recognize him as one of the Black patriots who helped fight for American independence. 

Jordan Freeman’s heroism at the Battle of Fort Griswold has been memorialized on the plaque titled Jordan Freeman: Witness to History. 

Quick Facts:

• Born into slavery in Connecticut ca. 1732

• Later became a free Black man, according to historical accounts

• Fought for the American cause during the Revolutionary War

• Defended Fort Griswold in Groton, Connecticut

• Battle took place on September 6, 1781

• British forces were led by Benedict Arnold after he defected to Britain

• Historical tradition credits Freeman with killing British Major William Montgomery

• Died defending Fort Griswold during the British assault

• His name appears on memorials connected to the battle

• Historians today recognize him as an important Black Revolutionary War patriot

• Death September 6, 1781

Why This Story Matters:

Studying Jordan Freeman helps create a fuller picture of the Revolutionary War by highlighting contributions that traditional accounts have frequently overlooked.  According to historians, African Americans fought on both sides of the war, but many Black patriots were left out of textbooks and public memory for generations. Freeman’s actions at Fort Griswold showed courage, sacrifice, and loyalty to his community during one of the war’s most brutal battles. His story also reveals the complicated reality of freedom in early America. Freeman fought for liberty while living in a nation where slavery still existed. Historians believe remembering people like Jordan Freeman helps create a fuller and more honest understanding of American history and the many groups who shaped the nation. 

Legacy:

Jordan Freeman’s legacy is connected to courage, freedom, and historical recognition. According to historical records, Freeman gave his life defending his home and community during one of the final major battles of the Revolutionary War in the North. Yet for many years, his contributions received little public attention compared to white soldiers and officers. Historians note that even nineteenth-century memorials often separated the names of Black soldiers from those of white patriots, reflecting the racial segregation and unequal treatment that shaped American society long after the Revolutionary War ended.  Today, Freeman’s story is increasingly included in discussions about the Revolutionary War and African American history. His life reminds students that many important people were left out of traditional history lessons and that recovering these stories can change how we understand America’s founding.

Freeman’s story has been kept alive through historical reenactments, museum programs, and public history projects connected to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. Historian and reenactor Kevin Johnson has portrayed Freeman in educational programs that help students understand the role African Americans played in the Revolutionary War. These presentations often focus on the Battle of Fort Griswold and the bravery shown by Freeman and other Black patriots. According to historians, reenactments and public storytelling help bring forgotten history back into public memory and allow students to see that people of many backgrounds shaped the early United States. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it say about a country’s values when some people are remembered as national heroes for centuries while others who made similar sacrifices are nearly forgotten?

2. Jordan Freeman fought for liberty even though African Americans still faced slavery and discrimination in early America. What does his story suggest about the meaning of freedom during the Revolutionary War?

3. Many Americans grow up hearing mostly about white founding fathers and military leaders. How does learning about Jordan Freeman change or expand the way people might think about who helped build the United States?

Reflection Prompt:

1. How might American ideas about patriotism and heroism change if the stories of enslaved and formerly enslaved people were placed at the center of Revolutionary War history instead of at the margins? 

Sources & Further Reading:

Sources:

1. “African Americans in the American Revolution: Jordan Freeman Dies Defending Fort Griswold.” Revolutionary War Journal.  

2. “The Battle of Groton Heights.” Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park. 

3. “Jordan Freeman Witness to History.” Connecticut Office of Tourism. 

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