On April 19, 1775, there were several Black combatants who participated in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Three of those soldiers were Lexington residents, Prince Estabrook and cousins Eli and Silas Burdoo. Two were Afro-Indigenous soldiers from Natick, who fired on retreating British Regulars near the Lexington Green, Caesar and John Ferrit. Prince Estabrook, who was shot during the dawn confrontation on Lexington Green, was the only one of the five soldiers who was enslaved. 

On April 19, 2025, portrait banners of those soldiers and six other Black Patriots of Lexington will be displayed on the two churches that abut the Lexington Green: Hancock United Church Of Christ and First Parish in Lexington. They bear witness to the Black men and women—enslaved, indentured and free—who valiantly fought for the creation of what would become the United States of America. 

Let us gratefully remember their service and proudly shout their names as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington!

To learn more about the Black Patriots of Lexington, watch the series on YouTube.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you Sean for keeping these Black Patriots who fought on the Green on April 19, 1775 in our minds — as well as all of the work you and the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (https://www.abclex.org/) do to celebrate the continuing contributions of Black men and women—enslaved, indentured and free—who have contributed to Lexington’s History as well as it’s Present and Future.

  2. Thank you so much for keeping all of us informed on such an important part of our town’s Revolutionary history. Sean, your dedication towards educating us with such a in depth analysis and beautiful articulation, gave me a brand new perspective.
    This will be a dream come true to see each and every soldier gets a permanent place right here in Lexington! Thank you again for such a noble thought to educate every member of this community.

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