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Silas Royal

Biography

United States

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Biography

Silas Royal (1740s–1826), originally known as Silas Varnum and sometimes written as Ryal Varnum, was an enslaved person and black patriot in the Revolutionary War. Though bought as an infant slave for the Varnum family, he was eventually set free and fought in the Continental Army and as an American privateer.

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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