A Black Loyalist: Drummer Daniel Green of Charleston, South Carolina and the 38^th (the 1^st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot from 1783 to 1801

By John D Ellis

Black history, i.e. that of people of African origin, (in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries neither the Royal Navy or the British Army distinguished between those of African or Asian origin – usually referring to them both as “Black” or “of colour”), has generated numerous official and unofficial ‘lists’, including enslaved people (on vessels and in plantations), muster lists of Black Loyalists (from the American War of Independence) and liberated people (‘The Book of Negroes’,  1783). For over twenty five years I have been compiling a database of Black soldiers who served in the Crown (or ‘King’s’) regiments of the British Army in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Very occasionally, an individual can be identified on more than one list. Daniel Green is one such individual.

Daniel Green was born at Charlestown (Charleston), South Carolina c.1756. Having previously served in the ‘King’s American Dragoons’ for three and a half years (as a trumpeter during the American War of Independence), he then served as a drummer in the 1^st Battalion of the 38^th (the 1^st Staffordshire) Foot from 1783 to 1801.^[1]The 38th Foot are an antecedent of ‘The Mercian Regiment (Cheshires, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords’). The presence of other ‘soldiers of colour’ in Staffordshire regiments is … Continue reading The 38^th (the 1^st Staffordshire) Foot served in the American Revolution until 1783 when they arrived in Nova Scotia, Canada. This coincided with the arrival of Daniel Green. The regiment then served in England and Ireland. In 1794 elements served in the West Indies (at the battles of Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1794), and Flanders. In 1796 the regiment was united at Barbados. In 1800 the regiment returned to England and were quartered at Lichfield – from where Daniel Green was discharged on a pension. He was awarded a pension of 6d per day from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, whilst the regiment was quartered at Lichfield, Staffordshire in April 1801. The reason for discharge given was “being rendered unfit for service by a broken leg and being worn out in service”. A labourer by occupation he was 45 years of age (in 1801) and marked his record suggesting that he was illiterate.^[2]The National Archives (TNA) WO 116/11 and WO 121/44.

The historian John U Rees identified Daniel Green as a Black trumpeter in the King’s American Dragoons and appearing in ‘The Book of Negroes’ (1783):

The King’s American Dragoons were a loyalist unit raised in 1780. Officered by the elite of Loyalist society they were known for their discipline and training. However, they did not participate in any major action prior to being disbanded in October 1783. In 1782 Trumpeter Daniel Green was serving in Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson’s Troop.^[3] … Continue reading

In ‘The Book of Negroes’ (1783): Daniel Green was on board the ‘Lady’s Adventure’ (Captain Robert Gibson), bound for St John’s (now Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada). He was described as being 20 years of age, a stout Black, a trumpeter in the King’s American Dragoons “given free by Captain Williams master of a transport in England”.^[4]archives.novascotia.ca/africanns/book-of-negroes/ … Continue reading

The last reference to Daniel Green thus far identified is the record of his examination at the Royal Hospital Chelsea: Examined at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Saturday 16 May 1801: Daniel Green. Drummer. 45 years of age. Served 21 and ½ years. Broken leg and unfit. Born Charlestown, Carolina. A labourer. Pension of 6d per day.^[5]TNA WO 116/11 and WO 121/44.

Thereafter, his fate remains unknown. Although it is likely that he settled in the environs of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as many Black veterans are now known to have done.