Site 2
George Middleton House
5-7 Pinckney Street
Built in 1797, this is the oldest extant home built by African Americans on
Beacon Hill. Its original owners were George Middleton (1735-1815), a
liveryman, and Louis Glapion, a hairdresser. Both Middleton and Glapion
were members of the African Lodge of Masons founded by black educator Prince Hall.
George Middleton was a veteran of the American Revolution. Honorifically called
"colonel," Middleton supposedly led the all-black company, the "Bucks of
America." John Hancock, in front of his house on Beacon Street, was documented by
William C. Nell as having presented the company with a painted silk flag bearing the
initials JGWH, a pine tree, a deer, and a scroll bearing the name of the company.
During the Civil War, Nell donated the flag to the Massachusetts Historical Society
where it is preserved today. Middleton in his old age on Pinckney Street was remembered by
Lydia Maria Child:
"If became a frolic with the white boys to deride them on this day [the
anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, celebrated in June] and finally...to
drive them from the Common. The colored people became greatly incensed by this mockery of
their festival, and rumor reached us...that they were determined to resist the whites, and
were going armed with this intention...Soon, terrified children and women ran down Belknap
Street [now Joy Street] pursued by white boys, who enjoyed their fright. The sounds of
battle approached; clubs and brickbats were flying in [all] directions. At this crisis,
Col. Middleton opened his door, armed with a loaded musket, and in a loud voice, shrieked
death to the first white who should approach.
Hundreds of human beings, white and black, were pouring down the street…Col.
Middleton's voice could be heard above every other, urging his party to turn and resist to
the last. His appearance was terrific, his musket was leveled, ready to sacrifice the
first white man that came within his range. The colored party, shamed by his reproaches,
and fired by his example rallied…."
Photo credit: Massachusetts Historical Society
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