Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Freedom Delayed

Photographed by Mike McKeown, May 26, 2025

1. Freedom Delayed Marker

Inscription. More then 700 Black soldiers camped and trained at Valley Forge —around 100 of these men were. enlisted with the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and camped near this location h the winter a 1777-78. Black patriots contributed valiantly to the Continental Army's success. Ultimately, the United States of America won its freedom as a result of the Revolutionary War, yet the institution of slavery continued for another 82 years.

In the Continental Army at Valley Forge, both enslaved and freemen strove to overcome the injustices of slavery Nero Hawley of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment fought in place of his enslaver but did not receive his promised freedom until 7782. As a free soldier, Oliver Cromwell fought with the 2nd New Jersey Regiment and was later awarded a Badge of Merit.

It is estimated that 5,000 to 8,000 Black soldiers served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, alongside soldiers of many different ethnicities. The U S. Army was CO racially Integrated again until the 1950s.

Erected 2022 by Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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Click or scan to see
this page online

in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 40° 6.244′ N, 75° 26.033′ W. Marker is near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. It is on Valley Forge Park Road (Route 23), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: King of Prussia PA 19406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Patriots of African Descent (a few steps from this marker); Black Patriots of the American Revolution (a few steps from this marker); National Patriots Bell Tower (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); General Lafayette (approx. 0.2 miles away); Loyal Patriots of Valley Forge (approx. 0.2 miles away); William White (approx. ¼ mile away); Waterman's Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); 1st and 2nd Rhode Island Regiments (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King of Prussia.

Regarding Freedom Delayed. https://www.pottsmerc.com/2022/06/20/new-valley-forge-panels-highlight-blacks-contributions-to-american-revolution/

https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/patriotsofcoloratvalleyforge.htm

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 26, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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