tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post2629296903856363771..comments2024-03-28T04:26:30.557-05:00Comments on Boston 1775: “Impowred to order and require so many days’ work yearly”Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-66315925234641157902013-08-22T15:32:46.734-05:002013-08-22T15:32:46.734-05:00Another approach for studying the change is to map...Another approach for studying the change is to map out which years the Boston selectmen recorded going after black men to work on the roads. Did those correlate with times of peace? And do other town records show similar patterns? <br /><br />There were remarks in the Revolutionary War about the number of African-Americans in the Continental ranks. Did British officers leave similar comments about colonial regiments during the earlier imperial wars? J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-71064600474316559662013-08-22T14:14:53.291-05:002013-08-22T14:14:53.291-05:00That then leads us to two things. One is about sea...That then leads us to two things. One is about searching records to see if there is anything out there or to issue a request for information to the very large historical community. Second thing, you touch on the issue of war as a catalyst for change. We know and document the War of Independence as an agent of change. For the subject of black men in the Massachusetts militia companies, I would venture that the wars in which they participated in during the 18th century such as the Seven Year's War, etc. had an effect on how blacks in the militia were viewed.Xathoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910312481367024828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-64121143413681735652013-08-22T13:39:42.729-05:002013-08-22T13:39:42.729-05:00I agree that the language is ambiguous in that it ...I agree that the language is ambiguous in that it leaves the free black men's assignments up to the local militia officers. In the context of 1707, I really doubt the legislators expected those officers to put black men in the ranks. By 1775, we know, African-Americans were not only soldiering during an alarm but also drilling and doing so while legally enslaved. So when did things change? <br /><br />Usually our sources on militiamen come from wartime because that's when the companies were called out for something other than a drill and had to be paid. So the records of mobilizations between 1707 and 1775 might show how free black men participated. As I recall, Nero Benson of Needham did military service in mid-century, but perhaps in the separate role of musician. <br /><br />That sample might be skewed toward inclusion, however, because a military emergency can prompt people to bend rules they'd enforce in more peaceful times. (In other words, if everyone in town knows Quok Johnson is the best shot with a musket, who would object to having him in the company when it's actually marching off to war?) J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-12474988580942614792013-08-22T12:30:37.038-05:002013-08-22T12:30:37.038-05:00That was my first impression, but it doesn't s...That was my first impression, but it doesn't say that outright. It is ambiguous and to me that could easily be construed to mean that free blacks could be in the militia. We know that at some point in time they were in the militia. This all comes from changing attitudes in the colony. Does anyone have any firm evidence about blacks actually working in lieu of militia service? For that matter, does anyone have any documented proof of when free blacks started serving in the militias as soldiers?<br />That would definitely be evidence to show how attitudes regarding free blacks was changing at what point in time.Xathoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910312481367024828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-43443534723515625732013-08-22T09:27:39.227-05:002013-08-22T09:27:39.227-05:00Section 3 refers to emergency situations and requi...Section 3 refers to emergency situations and required free blacks to show up and accept orders from militia officers. Those orders that were likely to be more about hard labor to support the militia than about fully participating in the armed militia. J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-19154041508166315162013-08-22T09:16:44.171-05:002013-08-22T09:16:44.171-05:00Am I reading Section 3 correctly in that it allowe...Am I reading Section 3 correctly in that it allowed free blacks to serve in the militia? It seems like it allows for it and for them to also do hard labor depending on what the town decided. If it did allow for blacks to serve in the militia that would be pretty advanced thinking for that time. It would also stand in very sharp contrast to the laws in the southern colonies.Xathoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910312481367024828noreply@blogger.com