An Unsung Hero of the American Revolution Receives Recognition

On a nice sunny late April Day, April 30th, the General Perry Benson Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled a new Historical Marker in Denton to Honor Caroline County Revolutionary War Patriot Thomas Carney.

Research, much of it done by Helen Seymour, shows that Thomas Carney was born free on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with Irish roots, and was described as a “light-skinned colored man” with white brothers. Carney enlisted in 1777 with the Maryland’s 5th Regiment in time to take part in the October, 1777 Battle of Germantown. He also fought in the Battle of the Guilford Court House, in which he reportedly boasted of using his bayonet to kill 7 enemy soldiers.

Thomas Carney enlisted as a private, but in short order was promoted to corporal after his transfer to Maryland’s 7th regiment. History claims only four African-American soldiers ever achieved that rank.
Carney fought in a number of other memorable battles at Camden, Hobkirk’s Hill and The Ninety-Six in South Carolina. During The Ninety-Six, the 7th Regiment’s Captain Perry Benson received a life-threatening wound in his arm. Carney, described as a man “above the common size”, carried Capt. Benson on his shoulders through the battlefield to the company surgeon. Carney asked to return to his company, but the commanding officer ordered him to remain to protect his captain.

A grateful Capt. Benson was instrumental in granting Carney 50 acres of land in Caroline County, and made visits to Carney when in the area. Their relationship only strengthened through the years. Brigadier General Perry Benson had Carney serve with him in the Battle of St. Michaels in the War of 1812.

An obituary in 1828 reported the death “of a colored man, at the advanced age of 74”, describing Thomas Carney as courageous, kind, brave and loyal.

The memorial became a reality through the efforts of many including members of the General Perry Benson Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the NAACP Caroline County Chapter, which is celebrating their 75th Anniversary, The County Commissioners of Caroline County, the Maryland Historical Trust and many others.

More Photos from the ceremony by Steve Atkinson – ShoreToBeFun can be seen on the Facebook Page