Three members of Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465 participated in the Patriot Thomas Campbell Historical Plaque dedication November 8 at the Gilmore Care Museum in Hickory Corners.
Doug Colby and Isaac Valentine were Honor Guard members representing Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465. Paul Rose, also of the Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465, led the rifle volleys after the plaque was unveiled by Col. Kathryn Prater and Sen. Thomas Albert.
The rifles used in the volley were from the C-S American Legion Post #465.
According to the November 8 program, Thomas Campbell/Camel, was born in 1760 and died in 1849. He was a Revolutionary War Patriot, serving as a horse handler. He was born as a slave in Culpepper County, Virginia.
Colonel Martin Pickett offered him his freedom if he served in the Continental Army. In September, 1776 he enlisted in Captain Wilson’s Co. of the 4th Virginia Regt., joining Washington’s Army at White Marsh, NY, and was placed within General Marquis de Lafayette’s division. They were quartered at Valley Forge during the winter of 1778, enduring extreme deprivation.
The following summer the Continental Army engaged the British Army under General Clinton at Monmouth Courthouse. During the battle Private Campbell endured a severe heat stroke, from which he barely survived. After weeks of recuperation at a local farm, he was discharged by a physician who diagnosed his condition as so debilitating that he could no longer serve.
Afterwards, Thomas Campbell married Louisa and together they had at least four children: James, William, Nicholas, and Sara Ann.
In 1882 while residing in Madison County, NY, Thomas Campbell sought a pension, claiming he could not do hard labor due to the deleterious effects of his stroke. Given the confusion concerning his last name, Campbell or Camel, the federal government denied his claim.
Subsequently, he filed for a land grant, which was approved by President Martin Van Buren. With his wife and children, William, Nicholas and Sara, he moved to Michigan, living on 160 acres located near Hickory Corners in Barry County. His son James remained in NY.
After conveying his land to his children Thomas Campbell passed away May 6, 1849 and was buried in an unknown location.
According to the November 8 program Maurice Barboza, CEO of the National Mail Liberty Fund D.C., brought Private Thomas Campbell to the Michigan Sons of the Revolution attention. The National Liberty Memorial is authorized by Congress to begin construction September 30, 2027, and will honor African American Veterans of the Revolutionary War.
Doug Colby and Isaac Valentine were Honor Guard members representing Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465. Paul Rose, also of the Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465, led the rifle volleys after the plaque was unveiled by Col. Kathryn Prater and Sen. Thomas Albert.
The rifles used in the volley were from the C-S American Legion Post #465.
According to the November 8 program, Thomas Campbell/Camel, was born in 1760 and died in 1849. He was a Revolutionary War Patriot, serving as a horse handler. He was born as a slave in Culpepper County, Virginia.
Colonel Martin Pickett offered him his freedom if he served in the Continental Army. In September, 1776 he enlisted in Captain Wilson’s Co. of the 4th Virginia Regt., joining Washington’s Army at White Marsh, NY, and was placed within General Marquis de Lafayette’s division. They were quartered at Valley Forge during the winter of 1778, enduring extreme deprivation.
The following summer the Continental Army engaged the British Army under General Clinton at Monmouth Courthouse. During the battle Private Campbell endured a severe heat stroke, from which he barely survived. After weeks of recuperation at a local farm, he was discharged by a physician who diagnosed his condition as so debilitating that he could no longer serve.
Afterwards, Thomas Campbell married Louisa and together they had at least four children: James, William, Nicholas, and Sara Ann.
In 1882 while residing in Madison County, NY, Thomas Campbell sought a pension, claiming he could not do hard labor due to the deleterious effects of his stroke. Given the confusion concerning his last name, Campbell or Camel, the federal government denied his claim.
Subsequently, he filed for a land grant, which was approved by President Martin Van Buren. With his wife and children, William, Nicholas and Sara, he moved to Michigan, living on 160 acres located near Hickory Corners in Barry County. His son James remained in NY.
After conveying his land to his children Thomas Campbell passed away May 6, 1849 and was buried in an unknown location.
According to the November 8 program Maurice Barboza, CEO of the National Mail Liberty Fund D.C., brought Private Thomas Campbell to the Michigan Sons of the Revolution attention. The National Liberty Memorial is authorized by Congress to begin construction September 30, 2027, and will honor African American Veterans of the Revolutionary War.
