Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Salem Poor
Salem Poor was born a slave in the late 1740s, but he did not stay one. While details of his life at the beginning and end are scanty, he has been remembered for his patriotic service.
He was thought to have been purchased as an infant in Salem, Massachusetts. He was raised in the Abbott household. At some point, Salem Poor became the property of John Poor, and it was from him that Salem purchased his own freedom in 1769 for twenty-seven pounds. Salem was around twenty years old. In November 1771, Salem married Nancy Parker, and they had at least one child.
In 1775, Salem left his family behind to fight in the Revolutionary War. Serving under General Washington, Salem was active as a minuteman. He helped construct the fortifications for the Battle of Bunker Hill. His bravery in that battle was noticed by more than one officer. He was cited by fourteen officers for his bravery and heroism. He was the only man singled out for his bravery in that battle.
