Black Soldiers of the American Revolutionary War Memorial

On June 28, 2024, the City of Malden, in partnership with Malden Public Library and the Malden Historical Society, unveiled a bronze plaque set in stone to honor the service of free and enslaved Black Soldiers of Malden who served during the Revolutionary War. The ceremony kick-off the city's Independence Day celebrations during its 350th anniversary. The original Revolutionary War Memorial Plaque was installed on the opposite side of the entrance gate to Bell Rock Cemetery in 1930 and lists no Black soldiers.

The inscription reads:

BLACK SOLDIERS OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

During the first alarm of April 19, 1775 and throughout
the American Revolutionary War, many Black men
(free and enslaved) from Malden answered the call
and served in the colonial militia.

Today and always, we honor Malden's Black soldiers
buried here and elsewhere in unmarked graves who
fought for the cause of liberty and freedom —
that they themselves could not yet enjoy.

Titus Freeman — 1780
Cato Green — 1775
Samuel Harden — 1777
Prince Hills / Hill — 1775
Fortune Holmes — 1777
Charles / Charlestown Lynde — 1777
Pomp Magos — 1779
James / Bacchus Nichols — 1775
Aaron Oliver — 1775
Bristol Pratt — 1777
Waterman Randol — 1778
John Ranfree — 1781

Approved by the City of Malden Cemetery
Board of Trustees, April 12, 2022