John Laurens
John Laurens (October 28, 1754 – August 27, 1782) was an American soldier and statesman from South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War, best known for his criticism of slavery and his efforts to help recruit slaves to fight for their freedom as U.S. soldiers.
John Laurens | |
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A 1780 miniature portrait of Laurens, by Charles Willson Peale | |
| Born | October 28, 1754 Charlestown, South Carolina, British America (now Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.) |
| Died | August 27, 1782 (aged 27) Combahee River, near Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Buried | Laurens Family Cemetery, Mepkin Abbey Moncks Corner, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1777–1782 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War
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| Spouse(s) | Martha Manning (m. 1776; died 1781) |
| Children | Frances Eleanor Laurens (b. 1777) |
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| Signature | |
In 1779, Laurens gained approval from the Continental Congress for his plan to recruit a brigade of 3,000 slaves by promising them freedom in return for fighting. The plan was defeated by political opposition in South Carolina. Laurens was killed in the Battle of the Combahee River in August 1782.
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