Prince Estabrook was an enslaved African-American man and Minutemen Private who fought and was wounded at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
14 Facts About Prince Estabrook
1.
2.
Prince Estabrook was an enslaved black man owned by Benjamin Estabrook of Lexington.
3.
Slavery in New England was very different than slavery in the Southern United States, and Prince Estabrook likely spent his days doing farm labor alongside of Benjamin and helping with household chores.
4.
Prince Estabrook joined Colonel Jonathan Reed's regiment at that time, making its way to Fort Ticonderoga.
5.
Prince Estabrook was again called to military service the following year.
6.
Prince Estabrook was a member of the Massachusetts Third Regiment and likely spent his time building forts in the New York area.
7.
Prince Estabrook returned to Lexington after the war as a free man.
8.
In whatever way Prince Estabrook gained his freedom, he remained with Benjamin's family upon his return.
9.
The 1790 census shows Benjamin Prince Estabrook's household included a "non-white freeman" as a resident.
10.
Prince Estabrook likely remained with Benjamin as a paid farmhand during this period.
11.
Some sources point to Prince Estabrook being married during this time, but no marriage is recorded.
12.
Prince Estabrook's age was estimated at 90 when he died of unknown causes in 1830.
13.
Prince Estabrook was buried behind the Ashby Church, and his grave was marked simply as "Prince Estabrook, Negro".
14.
Prince Estabrook has a small heart following his name, indicating that he was among those injured.