Forgotten Patriots – African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War



The second edition of Forgotten Patriots (2008) identifies over 6,600 names of African Americans and American Indians who contributed to American Independence and is a nearly five-fold expansion in pages over the 2001 edition. 

Now available as a free PDF download, this 874 page document contains details of the documented service of the listed Patriots, historical commentary on happenings of the time, an assortment of illustrations, and an extensive bibliography of research sources related to the topic.

Following an introduction that provides context to the service of these often overlooked Patriots and the challenges faced in documenting their service, the book organizes its findings into chapters that include historical commentary, sources cited, names of identified Patriots and a bibliography directly related to each state and region of the country. Additional chapters also cover miscellaneous naval and military records, foreign allies, and the West Indies.

Seven appendices are included to elaborate on topics not often addressed in other publications:

  • Map of the Enslaved Population, 1790 Census
  • Documenting the Color of Participants in the American Revolution
  • Names as Clues to Finding Forgotten Patriots
  • The Numbers of Minority Participants in the Revolution
  • Glossary of Terms Used
  • Master List of Source Abbreviations Used in This Book
  • Contacting the DAR

Just as important to researchers will be the vast array of thousands of sources found in the book's extensive bibliography that provides a roadmap for those seeking to discover even more information on the topic.

The Forgotten Patriots research guide is an indispensable tool for students, scholars, historians, and genealogists interested in the important contributions of African Americans and American Indians in America's fight for Independence. On an additional level, the hope is that it will also encourage the female descendants of these patriots to join the important volunteer and educational work of the DAR. 


Honoring Our Patriots


Post is dedicated and in Honor to all those Forgotten Patriots who are no longer Forgotten. 

From your Daughter of the American Revolution

True Lewis, Pennsylvania State Society 





The Negro Speaks of Rivers


I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Langston Hughes. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" from the The Collected Works of Langston Hughes. 

The Granddaddy at FamilyHiSTORIES Podcast Guest True Lewis with Host Andrew Martin Season 2 Episode 2




True Lewis - Andrew Martin



Thank You to Andrew Martin of FamilyHiSTORIES Podcast !

I feel like I was in London for the Day! I’m most appreciative and blessed to be introduced to a whole new audience in Europe.

It's always timely for me to Introduce and have a wee bit of conversation about Granddaddy Ike.

Andrew was a great and intense Listener and studied my family history very closely. It was a joy to do and I felt honored to be asked to be a part of this Podcast!


"In the second episode of Series Two – The Granddaddy – Andrew gets to meet genealogist 
True Lewis. He’ll be finding out how she got started in her research, what challenges she has faced in researching her enslaved African-American ancestors, how she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and about her work with Nicka Sewell-Smith as Co-Host of Black Pro Gen LIVE."



Click the LINK to Listen as I go through a few clues on my brick wall on my 5th Great Grandmother Anna Maria Lambert of Pennsylvania and Introduce everyone to my Enslaved 2nd Great Grandfather Ike Ivery of Alabama.




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