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Finding Freedom: Deborah - “Inspection Roll of Negroes,” Book 1, Page 4
These pages are from a British Army document called the “Inspection Roll of Negroes,” written in 1783. Deborah’s name is recorded on the left side of the first page near the bottom. The second page records that she was formerly enslaved by George Washington. The “Inspection Roll of Negroes” records the roughly 3,000 formerly enslaved men and women whom the British evacuated from New York City at the end of the Revolutionary War. Most of these people, such as Deborah, settled in Canada with assistance from the British. Deborah is recorded below her husband Harry, who was enslaved to a Loyalist named Lynch. Deborah and Harry boarded the ship “Polly” bound for Port Roseway (now Shelburne) in Nova Scotia, Canada.
ational Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC
Finding Freedom: Deborah - Lund Washington’s List of Runaway Enslaved People
This handwritten list records the names of the 17 enslaved men and women who left Mount Vernon in search of their freedom with the British in 1781. The list includes 16-year-old Deborah. Lund Washington, General George Washington’s cousin and farm manager, frequently updated General Washington about Mount Vernon during the Revolutionary War, including reports of the British raid on the estate in 1781. Lund Washington’s list of enslaved people who left in 1781 records that seven people were captured and returned to Washington after the British surrender at Yorktown. Deborah escaped.
Courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story: Amy Walker Cheston
Picturing Washington's Army: West Point
In August 1782, Pierre Charles L’Enfant painted West Point, the administrative and strategic center of the Continental Army. Since the spring of 1778, West Point had become the army’s largest post. During that summer, New England troops dug entrenchments on the surrounding hills and built fortifications on Constitution Island, across the river. These buildings and fortifications are visible in L’Enfant’s scene.
Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
Washington's Field Headquarters: George Washington’s Sleeping Marquee
Click on the numbers here to learn more about the components of the tent and to see images of the original objects and paintings that helped us build this replica.
When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story: PLG - Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, October 1801
Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, October 1801
This poll list is for an 1801 state election held at the Rocky Hill Inn in Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. The election determined annual officeholders for the New Jersey State Assembly and Legislative Council, and for the Somerset County Sheriff and Coroner. The poll list includes the names of 343 total voters. At least 46 of the voters are women (about 14 percent of the voters on the list). It also includes the names of at least four free Black male voters. One voter is identified as Black on the poll list with the word “negro” next to his name.
There are a number of voters on this list who have yet to be identified. As the Museum of the American Revolution continues its research, please contact us if you know more about any of the voters. Share your research with us.
When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story: Catherine Helms
Picturing Washington's Army: Map of West Point | Hudson Highlands
This map from 1783 shows the American fortifications in place at West Point. The yellow point indicates the location where Pierre Charles L’Enfant stood to paint his panorama of West Point.
Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.
Picturing Washington's Army: Map of West Point | Headquarters
This map from 1783 shows the American fortifications in place at West Point. The yellow point indicates the location where Pierre Charles L’Enfant stood to paint his panorama of West Point.
Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.
Picturing Washington's Army: Map of West Point | Fort Clinton and Constitution Island
This map from 1783 shows the American fortifications in place at West Point. The yellow point indicates the location where Pierre Charles L’Enfant stood to paint his panorama of West Point.
Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.