Documents of African American Revolutionary War Soldiers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-4305
Scope and Contents
This collection contains two documents related to Black Revolutionary War soldiers from Connecticut. One document is signed with an "X" by Lebanon, Connecticut, soldier Cash Palatine, giving power of attorney to William Williams (a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and another Lebanon native) while Palatine serves in the Continental Army. The other document, issued by the State of Connecticut, is a receipt or promissory note that has been voided by a hole punch, which cuts through some of the text on the left side. It indicates payment due to soldier Liverpool Wadsworth, who served with the Connecticut Line, and is dated June 1, 1782. On the back is a list of interest payments dated with years ranging from 1783 to 1789. There is also a note about a payment that was made in 1778.
Dates
- 1781 - 1789
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers are responsible for using the materials in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright claimants in collection materials. Copyright for official University records is held by The University of Alabama. The library claims only physical ownership of many manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections (archives@ua.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections. For more information about copyright policy, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/copyright/. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications, for which the University of Alabama assumes no responsibility.
Biographical / Historical
Thousands of free and enslaved Black people fought in the American Revolution, including hundreds from Connecticut. Cash Palatine (or Pallentine) was a Black soldier in the Eighth Connecticut Regiment. According to the Museum of the American Revolution (https://www.amrevmuseum.org), he enlisted in 1777 and served until 1783 and upon his discharge was granted the "Badge of Merit," an award created by George Washington. The museum's information also says that Palatine went back to his native Lebanon, Connecticut, after the war and that he married Rose Cosman in 1784. He died in 1791. Liverpool Wadsworth--who may also have been called "Liverpole"--was a Black soldier who served with the Connecticut Line, a part of the Continental Army. A 1796 document from the Farmington, Connecticut, Probate District names Hezekiah Wadsworth the administrator of Liverpool Wadsworth's estate--describing Liverpool as "an African late of Farmington"--and also includes an inventory of the estate, mostly consisting of clothing items, that was taken May 12, 1796, after Liverpool Wadsworth had died (accessed on ancestry.com).
William Williams (1731-1811), a merchant from Lebanon, Connecticut, was a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 as a representative of his state.
William Williams (1731-1811), a merchant from Lebanon, Connecticut, was a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 as a representative of his state.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection contains legal and financial documents related to two African American Revolutionary War soldiers from Connecticut, Cash Palatine and Liverpool Wadsworth.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The University of Alabama Libraries acquired the Documents of African American Revolutionary War Soldiers in 2018 and 2020.
Processing Information
Processed by Erin Ryan, June 2021.
- Title
- Guide to Documents of African American Revolutionary War Soldiers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Erin Ryan, June 2021
- Date
- June 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository