Kevin Johnson will portray Jordan Freeman, in a special performance, The Fight to Set a People Free, on Wednesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. Jordan Freeman was an African-American servant of John Ledyard and the body servant of Col. William Ledyard in the Revolutionary War.
Jordan Freeman was an actual person, a native of Old Lyme. Although Freeman was not enlisted himself, he witnessed key events of the war for independence while with Col. Ledyard. Historians estimate the number of black soldiers in this war to have been about 5,000 men, serving in militias, seagoing services and support activities, including nearly 500 from Connecticut. Some enlisted because they felt it was their duty; others because they were offered their freedom in return for satisfactory completion of a set period of service. The presentation is based on extensive research in the collections of the Connecticut State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford.
Kevin Johnson is an employee of the State Library’s History and Genealogy Unit. In addition to portraying Jordan Freeman, he has also portrayed William Webb, a soldier in the Civil War, for over 14 years. This program is appropriate for families.
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