Seymour Burr (1754/1762–1837) was an enslavedAfrican-American in theConnecticut Colony in theNorth American British Colonies andUnited States. Enslaved by the brother of ColonelAaron Burr, who was alsonamed Seymour, he was known only as Seymour (sometimes spelled Seymore) until he escaped and used the surname Burr to enlist in the British Army in the early days of theAmerican Revolution. The British promised the personal freedom of any enslaved African-American who enlisted or escaped to fight against theContinental Army, and Burr longed for freedom. However, he was quickly captured and forcibly returned to his enslaver.
His owner, fearing that Seymour would escape again, offered him his freedom at the war's end if he paid over his Bounty Money after enlisting in the American Army; Seymour accepted this agreement.[1]
There is conflicting information regarding his birth. Some citations list him as born inConnecticut, possibly of mixed-race parentage; others claim he was born inGuinea,Africa, captured at age seven, and was possibly of royal birth. A descriptive Feb 1782 document of enlisted men documents lists his birthplace as "Guinea" with his age given as both 20 and 28, which places his birth in either 1754 or 1762.[2]
It is alleged that he fought atBunker Hill andFort Catskill and suffered through the long winter atValley Forge.[3] However, Massachusetts Archives show only that on April 5, 1781, Seymour enlisted in the7th Massachusetts Regiment, led by ColonelJohn Brooks and served until Feb 1782.[4]
After his service, he was given his freedom. Then in 1805, he married a widow, Mary (Will) Wilbore,[5] daughter of Nuff Will and Sarah Moho (Mohho), aNative American woman of thePonkapoag tribe, and settled in what is nowCanton, Massachusetts.[3] In marrying her, he inherited the 6 acres (24,000 m2) of land owned by her previous husband, Jacob Wilbor.[5] He also collected a governmentpension for his military service.[3] The couple had two daughters: Polly (Burr) Croud and Sally (Sarah).[6] Both of his daughters died in Cambridge, Mass.[7] An 1892 History of Canton reported that a grandson of Seymour Burr named Lemuel Burr was a resident of Boston, Mass.The report is confirmed by two sources:
1842 Boston City Directory:[8]
In 1861 report to the Massachusetts Governor reports:[9]
along with wife and 4 children:
An 1872 Cambridge Directory lists a Lemuel Burr as "Hairdresser."[10]
Seymour Burr died on February 17, 1837, and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Canton Corner, Canton, Mass., or at the graveyard at Burr Lane, Canton, Mass. His obituary was printed in the Liberator (Boston, MA), February 25, 1837, p. 35:DIED—In Canton, 17th inst. Mr. Semore Burr, (a colored man) aged 98. He was a soldier during the whole of the Revolutionary war.
His widow died in 1852 at the age of either 98 or 101.
fort catskill american revolution.
