Profile: Saul Matthews

Overview:

Saul Matthews was an African American soldier and spy who served Virginia during the American Revolution. Born into slavery in Virginia, Matthews risked his life to support the Patriot cause at a time when many enslaved people sought freedom by joining the British forces. In 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis controlled Portsmouth, Virginia, creating a serious threat to Patriot forces along the James River. Military leaders Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben needed information about British troop movements, positions, and strength. Matthews volunteered for the dangerous mission.

Traveling behind enemy lines, he gathered critical intelligence that helped Patriot forces attack British troops. His actions disrupted Cornwallis’ operations and forced British troops to change positions. Matthews’ bravery earned public praise from Colonel Josiah Parker, who said Matthews deserved the gratitude of his country. In 1792, the Virginia legislature granted Matthews his freedom for his service during the war.

Quick Facts:

• Born enslaved in Virginia

• Served as both a soldier and spy during the American Revolution

• Worked for the Virginia Patriot forces

• Gathered intelligence on British troop movements in 1781

• Helped Patriot forces raid British positions near Portsmouth, Virginia

• Assisted military leaders Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben

• Praised publicly by Colonel Josiah Parker for his bravery

• Granted freedom by the Virginia legislature in 1792

• Helped weaken British operations under General Cornwallis

• Represents the overlooked role of African Americans in the Revolutionary War

Why This Story Matters:

Saul Matthews matters because forgetting people like him creates an incomplete picture of the Revolution and who belonged in the fight for independence.  As an enslaved Black man, Matthews faced a painful decision during the war. The British offered freedom to many enslaved people who joined their side, yet Matthews chose to serve Virginia even though he was still denied freedom and equal rights.

His work as a spy helped Patriot leaders gain important military information during a critical moment in the war. Matthews also represents the many Black Americans whose contributions were ignored or left out of history books for generations. His story reminds students that African Americans were active participants in the founding of the United States, even while many were still enslaved.

Legacy:

Saul Matthews’ legacy is tied to courage, sacrifice, and the hidden history of the American Revolution. His service shows that African Americans were not simply bystanders during the nation’s founding. They made difficult choices, risked their lives, and shaped the outcome of the war. Matthews also reminds us that freedom and citizenship were not equally shared, even among those who fought for independence.

For many years, stories like his received little attention in classrooms, films, or public memorials. Recovering the history of people like Saul Matthews helps create a fuller understanding of the Revolutionary War and challenges narrow ideas about who helped build the United States.

Discussion Questions:

1. What message does a society send to young people when it celebrates some heroes from history while ignoring others who made equally important contributions? 

2. Matthews was enslaved but still chose to fight for Virginia instead of joining the British for freedom. What factors might have influenced his decision?

3. What challenges can arise when a nation’s history focuses mainly on famous leaders while overlooking the ordinary people from different racial and social backgrounds who also shaped events? 

Reflection Prompt:

1. Why might some Americans have celebrated Saul Matthews for helping win the war while still believing he should remain enslaved afterward?

Sources & Further Reading:

1. "Saul Matthews." International Library of Negro Life and History. Historical Negro Biographies. 1969. Page 26

2. “Colonel Josiah Parker Family Cemetery.” National Register Nomination Document. 2004. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Prepared for the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Section 8, p. 15. 

3. Jackson, Luther P. “Virginia Negro Soldiers and Seamen in the American Revolution.” Journal Article. The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 27, No. 3, 1942, pp. 247–287. References to Saul Matthews appear on pp. 271–274. 

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