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# Dunmore's Proclamation & Black Americans in the Revolution
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/the-american-revolution/extras/dunmores-proclamation-black-americans-in-the-revolution-s12xyy/
- Published: 2025-11-06T18:45:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-12T20:13:14.000Z
- Description: Royal governor Lord Dunmore offers freedom to enslaved people that fight their Patriot masters.
- Author: Cascade PBS Staff
- Tags: The American Revolution, #ZZZ_Show_f16516f8-e9bd-49d8-b49b-96781c68070a, #v1.7, #ZZZ_Extra_2b6f74f8-8585-43bd-b8ec-bb430c618de4, #extra

Forty percent of white Virginians owned enslaved people, and farmers like George Washington lived in fear of a revolt. These fears come to reality when Virginia's royal governor, Lord Dunmore, issues a proclamation offering freedom to any enslaved individual who joins his fight against their Patriot masters. Some 800 men would join Dunmore, including some of George Washington's own slaves.