Profile: Sampson Yearney

Overview:

Sampson Yearney was a free Black man from Medford, Massachusetts, who served as a soldier during the American Revolution. He was born into a time when many Black people in America were enslaved or denied basic rights. His father, Sampson Yearney Sr., had been enslaved before later gaining his freedom. Records show that Sampson Yearney was considered a free man of color before joining the military. During the war, he served in the Continental Army and fought in important campaigns, including the Saratoga campaign in 1777. Yearney reenlisted during the war and continued serving even as conditions became difficult and dangerous. In 1779, while stationed near Peekskill, New York, he died during military service, likely from illness. Although many details of his life were never fully recorded, his service shows that Black Americans helped fight for the nation’s independence from the very beginning. 

Quick Facts:

• Sampson Yearney was a free Black soldier from Medford, Massachusetts.

• His father, Sampson Yearney Sr., was once enslaved.

• Yearney served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

• He reenlisted for military service in 1777.

• He served under Capt. William Toogood and Col. Thomas Nixon.

• Yearney participated in the Saratoga campaign.

• He was stationed near Peekskill, New York, in 1779.

• He died during military service on March 7, 1779.

• Historical records suggest he left behind a widow.

• His story survives mainly through military and town records.

Why This Story Matters:

The story of Sampson Yearney challenges incomplete versions of American history by showing that the fight for independence extended far beyond the figures most commonly remembered. Black soldiers, both free and enslaved, risked their lives to help create the United States, even though they were often denied equality themselves. Yearney’s life also shows how many Black people from early American history were left out of textbooks and public memory. Important details about his life, family, and marriage were never fully recorded because society often failed to value Black lives in the same way it valued white lives. By studying Yearney’s story, students can better understand how African Americans shaped the nation long before slavery officially ended and why recovering forgotten history is important today. 

Legacy:

Sampson Yearney’s legacy lives on through the growing effort to recognize Black Americans who helped build and defend the United States during its earliest years. His military service proves that African Americans were active participants in the fight for independence, even while facing racism and unequal treatment. His story also highlights how easily important people can disappear from history when records are ignored or never created. Today, historians, educators, and students continue searching for the stories of people like Yearney to create a more honest understanding of America’s past. Remembering him helps broaden the story of who shaped the nation and who sacrificed for its future. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Imagine you are creating a new history textbook. What criteria would you use to decide whose stories should be included, and why? 

2. What responsibilities do historians and educators have when important stories have been overlooked, and why?

3. More than 200 years ago, Sampon Yearney fought and died to help create the United States of America. Does a story that old really make a difference today?  Why?

Reflection Prompt:

1. If you were designing a museum exhibit about Sampson Yearney, what themes or artifacts would you include to help tell his story? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. “A Patriot of Color.” Illustration. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

2. “Sampson Yearney.” National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

3. “April 1779 Muster Roll Listing Sampson Yearney as Dead.” Muster Roll Document. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

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