04/22/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Coyaqsf1N/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Often, stories of the American Revolutionary War are recounted with a focus on the most prominent figures and widely told narratives. However, Black males participated in the war from its start in 1775 through the Siege of Yorktown in 1781.
According to the Library of Virginia, a Virginia brigade commanded by Peter Muhlenberg was, at one point, the second most racially diverse regiment in the entire Continental Army. Despite this, Black contributions are often underrecognized—if not overlooked or forgotten entirely.
Known surnames of Black Patriots from the Northern Neck who served during the war include:
Boyd, Causey, Chavis/Shavers, Christian, Cornelius, Credit, Davis, Davise, Day, Fry, Haws, Hinton, Hughes, Kelly, Laws, Lee, Levy, Lewis, Lucas, Mahorney, McCoy, McKoy, McGee, Morrison, Needham, Nicken, Nickens, Norman, Oats, Payne, Pebbles, Pinn, Ralls, Ranger, Rich, Shaw/Shall, Sidebottom, Sorrell, Stephens, Tate, Thomas, Weaver, Welch, Whitson, Wood, Yerby.**
To ensure those known are never forgotten, in February 2025, a Black Patriots Monument was unveiled in Richmond County at the courthouse square, honoring 74 Black patriots from the five counties.
The monument was intentionally designed with space for additional names to be added as they are discovered.
The monument is accessible for public viewing 24/7.
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Monument sponsored and supported by:
The National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, George Washington Endowment Fund
Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Knight-Patty Trust Fund James Monroe Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society.
Paul Welch, Welch Funeral Home.
**Surname list from Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society
