Edward “Ned” Griffin — born c. 1765 in Edgecombe County, enslaved; died c. 1802. 🇺🇸
William Kitchin bought Ned and put him in the Continental Army as his substitute, promising freedom. Ned fought honorably at Guilford Courthouse and served out the war — then Kitchin broke his word and sold him back into slavery. Ned petitioned the courts. In 1784 the NC General Assembly declared him “forever delivered and discharged from the yoke of slavery” for his “meritorious services.” He bought his freedom with his blood — then had to fight for it twice.
#America250 #HeroesOfOurCoast #RevolutionaryWar #NCHistory #CarolinaAfterDeadline
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