Prince Whipple
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Prince Whipple was a black Patriot and minor legend in the American Revolution. As an early biographer said of him:
- "Prince Whipple was born in Ambou, Africa, of comparatively wealthy parents. When about ten years of age, he was sent by them, in company with a cousin, to America to be educated. An elder brother had returned four years before, and his parents were anxious that their child should receive the same benefits. The captain who brought the two boys over proved to be a treacherous villain, and carried them to Baltimore, where he exposed them for sale, they were both purchased by Portsmouth, New Hampshire men, Prince falling to General William Whipple. He was emancipated during the (Revolutionary) War, was much esteemed, and was once entrusted by the General with a large sum of money to carry from Salem to Portsmouth. He was attacked on the road, near Newburyport, by two ruffians; one was struck with a loaded whip, the other one he shot...Prince was beloved by all who knew him. He was also known as "Caleb Quotom" of Portsmouth, where he died at the age of 32 leaving a widow, Dinah a freeperson and two children."
He is portrayed fending off ice with an oar at General George Washington's knee in the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.
