Profile: Peter Salem

Overview:

Peter Salem was born enslaved in 1750 in Framingham. He gained his freedom in 1775 so he could join the Patriot forces. Salem fought in the early battles of the American Revolution, including Lexington and Concord. He is best known for his role in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he is widely credited with shooting British Major John Pitcairn. This was one of the first major battles of the war. Salem served for nearly five years in the Continental Army, fighting in several campaigns. After the war, he returned to civilian life, working different jobs to survive. Though his life after the war was difficult, his actions during the Revolution showed courage and skill. His story reminds us that Black soldiers played key roles from the very beginning of the nation’s fight for independence. 

Quick Facts:

• Born enslaved in 1750 in Framingham, Massachusetts

• Gained freedom to enlist in the Continental Army

• Fought at Lexington and Concord in 1775

• Fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill

• Credited with killing British Major John Pitcairn

• Served about 4 years and 8 months in the army

• Fought in New England, New York, and New Jersey

• Worked as a weaver and laborer after the war

• Died in 1816 in Framingham, Massachusetts

• His grave stood unmarked until 1882 when the Town of Framingham erect a granite grave marker. 

• Other named Black patriots who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill include, Caesar Brown, Prince Estabrook, Grant Cooper, George Middleton, Titus Coburn, Seymour Burr, and Salem Poor who was often mistaken for Peter Salem in early accounts of the battle.

Why This Story Matters:

Peter Salem matters because he shows that Black soldiers were active and important in the earliest moments of the American Revolution. His role at Bunker Hill challenges the idea that the fight for independence was led only by white colonists. Salem risked his life in battle and was recognized for his bravery at the time. Yet, like many Black veterans, he struggled after the war and did not receive the same support as white veterans. His story helps us understand both the contributions and the unequal treatment of Black Americans. Learning about Salem gives a more complete view of the Revolution and raises important questions about fairness, recognition, and belonging in American history.

Legacy:

Peter Salem’s legacy is one of bravery and persistence. He fought in key battles and helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution. Yet after the war, he faced hardship and was not fully rewarded for his service. His life reflects the gap between the ideals of freedom and the reality for many Black Americans at the time. Today, Salem is remembered through monuments and historical studies that honor his contributions. His story encourages us to look deeper at history and recognize the people whose efforts helped build the nation, even when they were not fully valued during their lifetime.

Discussion Questions:

1. Peter Salem was recognized for bravery during the war but struggled after it ended. What does this contrast show about how the country treated Black soldiers compared to white soldiers?

2. Although Peter Salem was a hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill, he is not the main focus in the painting of the event. What might that tell us about how art is shaped by the values and beliefs of its time—and can you think of examples today where important people are present but not shown as the main focus in images, movies, or news stories? 

3. Peter Salem fought for freedom and helped shape the nation, yet he later struggled to survive. What can that tell us about the differences between a nation's ideals and its social reality? 

Reflection Prompt:

1. If you could redesign the painting of the Battle of Bunker Hill, what would you change to better show Peter Salem’s role—and why would those changes matter for how people understand the event?

Sources & Further Reading:

1. “Peter Salem (ca. 1750–1816).” BlackPast.com

2. “Peter Salem.” National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov

3. Nell, William Cooper. The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution. Introduction by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Boston: Robert F. Wallcut, 1855. 

4. “Peter Salem and the Battle of Bunker Hill.” National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

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