In 1776, the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the inhabitants of America were diverse. It is estimated that over 40 different languages were spoken in New York City alone. That same diversity was reflected in the Continental Army. While most soldiers were of European descent, there were also people with Indigenous and African ancestry among the ranks. Research also indicates that there were also soldiers, sailors, and citizens from Asia who were living in and fighting for America during the revolution.
Forty men are listed on the size roll of the First Company
of Foot, 1st New Jersey Regiment, but it is the description of a twenty-three-year-old
barber named John Newton that stands out. He is listed as, “[from] Bengaul, yellow complexion, talks good
English.”
The story of John Newton, and how he ended up on that size
roll in July of 1779 follows the same path as other enlisted Asian men: He was
brought to America as a slave.
Three years earlier the following ad appeared in a
Williamsburg, VA newspaper:
“a Servant Man named JOHN NEWTON, about 20 Years of Age, 5
Feet 5 or 6 Inches high, slender made, is an Isiatic [Asiatic] Indian by Birth,
has been about twelve Months in Virginia, but lived ten Years (as he says) in
England, in the Service of Sir Charles Whitworth.
He wears long black Hair, which inclines to curl, tied
behind, and pinned up at the Sides; has a very sour Look, and his Lips project
remarkably forward. He left his Master on the Road from Williamsburg, between
King William Courthouse and Todd’s Bridge, where he was left behind to come on
slowly with a tired Horse (which I have been informed is since dead) but has
never made his Appearance at Home.
… and as he is a good Barber and Hair-Dresser, it is
possible he may endeavour to follow those Occupations as a free man.”
Based on the descriptions in this slave ad and the entry in
the size roll, one can safely assume they are one and the same man. And although they provide us with a good deal
of information, we are still left with many unanswered questions. It is likely that “John Newton” was an
English name that was given to him by his enslaver, so what was his real
name? How did he end up enslaved in
England at ten years old? How did he get
from North Carolina to New Jersey? All questions we many never know the answers
to.
A desertion ad, tells us of another soldier of Asian descent,
Charles Peters. It reads:
"HALIFAX, March 14 TEN DOLLARS REWARD DESERTED from me
the 12th instant on their march for Halifax, two soldiers belonging to the 5th
battalion of this state, William Watson and Charles Peters… Peters is an
East-India Indian, formerly the property of Mr. Thomlinson in Newbern."
- The North-Carolina Gazette, May 15, 1778.
The phrase “formerly the property of” tell us resoundingly
that Peters had been enslaved. However, based on the work of historian Justin
Clement, we have a fuller picture of Peters’ life then just his enslavement and
desertion.
Research indicated that Peters was born around 1757 in Madras
(present-day Chennai, India). At the
time the area was controlled by the British East India Company, and it is
likely through them that Peters ended up enslaved in North Carolina. Sometime
after he gained his freedom, he joined the Continental Army. While the records are scant after his
desertion, there is evidence that he rejoined the Continental Army and fought at the Siege of Charleston in
1780. He eventually ends up in Jamaica,
a British colony, where he dies in 1783.
Famed sailor John Paul Jones kept diaries of his voyages and
victories during the American Revolution. He wrote about the frigate Bonhomme
Richard which he commanded in 1779,
“…whereas the crew of the Bon Homme Richard consisted of
part American, English, and French, and a part of Maltese, Portuguese, and
Malays; these latter contributing, by their want of naval skill and knowledge
of the English language, to depress rather than elevate a just hope of success
in a combat under such circumstances.”
The word “Malay” refers to people from the Indo-Australian
Archipelago. This includes Malaysia,
Indonesia, the Philippines, and numerous other island nations. While the Asian sailors may not have been
skilled at sailing on naval ships, it is likely that they had considerable
seafaring experience. Despite Jones’ doubts
about his multi-national crew, the Bonhomme Richard was victorious at
the Battle of Flamborough Head.
Like the Philippines,
Louisiana was ruled by Spain, with many of the Filipino settlers already
speaking Spanish. This made for an easy
transition and assimilation.
It is unknown if any of the “Manilamen” fought alongside the
Spanish during the American Revolution.
Once Spain declared war on England in 1779, there were several Gulf
Coast battles. There is historical evidence that shows that they fought in the War
of 1812, so their participation in the revolution is plausible.
It is safe to assume that there were other Asian soldiers
and sailors from the American Revolution
whose identities are unknown. Many factors contribute to this. Like John Newton and Charles Peters, many of
them came to this country enslaved and were given anglicized names, making it
difficult to assess their ethnic identities from the historic record. If there are physical descriptions, they are
often referred to as “brown” or “mulatto,” two terms that were also used to
describe people of African descent. And finally, the life of a privateer or
sailor for hire was itinerant. They sailed, they were paid, and they moved on,
leaving behind scant records at best.
As we celebrate
America at 250, it is important that we continue to explore the revolutionary
idea that the makeup of the Continental Army was vastly different then we have historically
believed. Research continues to support that men of all races and from numerous
countries of origin fought for and supported American Independence.
(Thanks to the Museum of the American Revolution and the
independent researchers who are continuing to explore this topic.)
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