Why was wentworth cheswell important

They defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga—the first major American victory in the Revolution. All Rights Reserved. Off The Grid News. Wentworth Cheswell— African American Founding Father Wentworth Cheswell was the grandson of black slave Richard Cheswell, who gained freedom in and became the first black man to be a property owner in New Hampshire. Wentworth Cheswell died from typhus fever in On this day in , an American Patriot passes away.

Wentworth Cheswell was the grandson of a slave, and yet he lived life as a free man. He was even elected to public office! But there is much more to Cheswell than just his lineage. Most importantly, he was a Patriot who served his country in multiple ways during the American Revolution. Indeed, he held public positions for much of his life.

Cheswell or Cheswill was born in New Hampshire in Although his grandfather had been a slave, his father lived life as a free man. He soon earned enough money to purchase more than acres of his own land. Indeed, from until his death in , Cheswell held a variety of public positions. Actually, he held many positions. The Cheswell family name and all descendants are linked to Richard Cheswell, a former enslaved person.

Wentworth Cheswell was sent to Byfield, Massachusett, to attend Dummer Academy where he was educated in reading, writing, arithmetic, Greek, Latin, horsemanship, and swimming.

Cheswell returned home after completing his education and became a Schoolmaster. He purchased his first piece of land from his father in and on September 13, , Cheswell married Mary Davis. The couple had thirteen children. In , Cheswell was elected as the Town Constable of Newmarket, and was elected every year excluding until his death as a public official.

He served as Auditor, Assessor, and Town Selectman among other positions. During the American Revolution he was elected Town Messenger for the Committee of Safety, a post that give him safe passage through battle lines to carry news to and from the Provincial Committee at Exeter. Along with other local men, Cheswell signed a document in April , in which he pledged to take up arms and resist the British.