Exeter's Black Revolutionary War Soldiers and Early Black Community

 Located at 223 Water Street, Exeter, NH

Exeter had the highest percentage of Black residents in NH in the first US census, at nearly 5%. Close to a dozen Black Revolutionary War veterans made Exeter their home upon their return from the War. They raised families and have been a strong presence for nearly 60 years. The veterans got their military pensions in the building that is not the American Independence Museum. Black citizens attended integrated schools. One of these citizens, James M. Whitfield, became a nationally known Abolitionist poet. Several Black merchants lived above their downtown shops for two generations. Two merchants became quite wealthy. This historic community began to fade, however, as the Civil War neared.