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Richard Pierpoint

From Encyc
Richard Pierpoint

Richard Pierpoint was a Canadian farmer, who had been born in Senegal, and forced into slavery, when he was a sixteen years old.[1][2] He lived in slavery, in the USA, until the American Revolution. During the revolution the British encouraged slaves to defect.

Pierpoint fought for the British, in Butler's rangers.[1]

After the British lost the American revolution many loyalists settled in Canada, and Pierpoint was granted 200 acres (81 hectares), and worked as a farmer, for several decades.[1]

During the War of 1812 Pierpoint raised a force of black men to fight the American invaders, even though he was an elderly man.[2]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Life and Bravery of Richard Pierpoint". Canadian History Ehx via YouTube. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-03-11. Richard Pierpoint was enslaved for two decades before he gained his freedom. He then fought for the British and Canadians through two wars with the Americans.
  2. 2.0 2.1 ""I was born a free man, and I intent to die one."". Heritage Canada via YouTube. 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2026-03-11. At 68, a formerly enslaved Black Loyalist enlists men for the Coloured Corps, an instrumental company in the War of 1812.