James Easton, Sr.

Title: The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution Author: William C. Nell Publication: Robert F. Wallcut, Boston, 1855; Reprinted Arno Press/New York Times, New York, 1968 Repository: Media: Book Text: "James Easton, of Bridgewater, was one who participated in the erection of fortifications on Dorchester Heights, under command of Washington, which the next morning so greatly surprised the British then encamped in Boston.

Mr. Easton was a manufacturing blacksmith, and his forge and nail factory, where were also made edge tools and ancohors, was extensively known for its superiority of workmanship. Much of the iron work for the Tremont Theatre and Boston Marine Railway was executed under his supervision. Mr. Easton was self-educated. When a young man, stipulating for work, he always provided for chance of evening study. He was welcome to the business circles of Boston as a man of strict integrity, and the many who resorted to him for advice in complicated matters styled him "the Black Lawyer." His sons, Caleb, Joshua, Sylvanus, and Hosea, inherited his mechanical genius and mental ability.

The family were victims, however, to the spirt of colorphobia, the rampant in New England, and were persecuted even to the dragging out of some of the family from the Orthodox Church, in which, on it senlargement, a porch had been erected, exclusively for colored people. After this disgraceful occurrence, the Easton's left the church. They afterwards purchased a pew in the Baptist church at Stoughton Corner, which excited a great deal of indignation. Not succeeding in their attempt to have the bargain cancelled, the people tarred the pew. The next Sunday, the family carried seats in the wagon. The pew was then pulled down; but the family sat in the aisle. These indignities were continued until the separation of the family."

Engaged in the construction of fortifications at Dorchester heights.

Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rod%5Ffle...