Robert Pleasant

This man probably went aboard Lord Dunmore's fleet when the two Quakers, Robert and Thomas Pleasants, came to negotiate with Lord Dunmore over the distribution of relief supplies to Norfolk. There were possibly others who fell victim to smallpox. He is in the Birchtown muster alone. He went Sierra Leone in 1791.

Related Background Information

  • John Murray, Lord Dunmore -

    John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732 – 25 February 1809), was the  colonial governor of Virginia at the outbreak of the American Revolution.

  • From Nova Scotia to Sierra Leone -

    A rich spiritual experience was the only consolation for a life of appalling poverty in Nova Scotia. 

  • The Jordan and Pleasants Families -

    Thomas Jordan was a Quaker who arrived in Virginia in 1624 and who married Margaret Brauseur (Bracey/Bressie). By the 18th century the Jordans, all descended from the eight sons of Thomas, were the most significant Quaker family in Virginia

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Timeline

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1753

Born

7/ Nov
1775

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Lord Dunmore's Proclamation - Norfolk

  • John Murray, Lord Dunmore -

    John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732 – 25 February 1809), was the  colonial governor of Virginia at the outbreak of the American Revolution.
Source for this event: Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

1776

Small Pox outbreak - Gwynn's Island

  • Small Pox -

    In January 1776  smallpox made an appearance in Virginia. Although smallpox had been present in the colony at times before there had never been such a serious and widespread outbreak.

1776

Ran

1782

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Treaty of Paris - Paris France

  • Treaty of Paris -

    In November 1782 a provisional peace treaty was hammered out between the British and the Americans in Paris.
Source for this event: Treaty of Paris

1783

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Evacuation of New York - New York

  • Evacuation of New York -

    In April 1783 the first evacuation fleet left for Nova Scotia. A week later  the British Commander, Sir Guy Carleton, sailed up the Hudson River to Orangetown for a conference with General Washington to discuss the evacuation. As the victorious commander, Washington opened the meeting by reiterating the resolution of Congress regarding “the delivery of all Negroes and other property.”
Source for this event: The Book of Negroes
Vessel Names and their Commanders Where Bound Names Age Description Names of the Person in whose Possession they now are Remarks
Esther
Master: Robert Gill		 Port Roseway Robert Pleasant 30 stout fellow Alexander Grant Formerly Slave to Thomas Pleasants, James River. Left 7 years ago. Certificate from General Birch.

1784

Birchtown Muster - Birchtown

Source for this event: Birchtown Muster of Free Blacks
Name Age Occupation Families they lived with Companies they belong to Remarks Company They Are Now With
Robert Pleasant (CLAIMED) 30 Alexander Grant