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Middleton, George, 1880-1967We have 1 book for this author.George Middleton (1735 - April 6, 1815) was an African American Revolutionary War veteran, a Prince Hall Freemason, and a community civil rights activist in Massachusetts. War serviceMiddleton served as commander of the Bucks of America, one of only two all black companies in the Patriot service. He was one of 5,000 African Americans to participate in the Revolutionary War. Governor John Hancock was so impressed with the courage and devotion that Middleton his company had shown in the war that they were presented with a flag and invited to his home in Beacon Hill to celebrate. Post-warAfter the American Revolution, African Americans began to form their own small community in a town called the North Slop of Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts - Middleton being one of the first. Middleton bought land on Joy Street and with a friend built a home. Middleton was a violinist, a horse breaker, and coachman. He gained considerable recognition for his accomplishments and was a constant fighter for the rights of African Americans. To that end he organized the African Benevolent Society in 1796, an organization that provided financial relief and job placement for members - primarily widows and orphans. In 1808 he published an anti-slavery statement along with his Masonic brother Prince Hall stating, "Freedom is desirable, if not, would men sacrifice their time, their property and finally their lives in the pursuit of this?" With this powerful statement parallels between American Revolution and the desires for black Americans grew. Middleton was recognized for his desire to make things better and was appointed Grand Master of the African Masonic Lodge in 1809. He had married in 1781, but apparently left no children when he died in 1815. Middleton's former home at 5 Pinckney Street is on the Boston Black Heritage Trail. External linksReferencesThis biographical information was gathered from the George_Middleton page, courtesy of the Wikipedia project. BooksThe Atlantic Book of Modern Plays |
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