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# James Forten Becomes a Privateer
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/the-american-revolution/extras/james-forten-becomes-a-privateer-9xshto/
- Published: 2025-11-13T15:31:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-12T20:14:17.000Z
- Description: James Forten was 14 when he signed onto a privateer to fight for his country.
- Author: Cascade PBS Staff
- Tags: The American Revolution, #ZZZ_Show_f16516f8-e9bd-49d8-b49b-96781c68070a, #v1.7, #ZZZ_Extra_088b6e28-e11a-44e7-8c66-70b6f3a09237, #extra

James Forten was born free in Philadelphia. At 14, he was old enough to fight for his country and signed onto a privateer and set out to sea. Forten was one of 20 men and boys of color in a crew of 200\. On his second voyage, his ship was overtaken by British. He ended up with hundreds of Americans on a prison ship, the Jersey, moored in the East River off Brooklyn.