Heritage Minutes: Richard Pierpoint

When he was only 16, Richard Pierpoint was enslaved in Senegal

and taken to America.

(knocking on door)

All us men have sworn on this petition to fight.

You're an old man.

The British army has militias and trained soldiers.

I fought with the British during the American Revolution.

Take you land and farm it.

Leave the Americans to us.

With respect, sir,

I was born a free man, and I intend to die one.

Your officers fight for land and money.

I fight for my freedom.

Richard Pierpoint was one of thousands of black loyalists

who won their freedom in the American Revolution.

Thirty years later, at the age of 68,

he petitioned for an all-black unit that would

defend Upper Canada during the War of 1812.