Parade & Historic Revolutionary Patriotic Event - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Sunday April 7, 2013 - Presentation & Reception-Historic New Bedford Whaling Museum

"The Parting Ways Museum of Afro-American & Cape Verdean American Ethnohistory, Inc. and the Doctor Joseph Warren Regiment of the Sons of the American Revolution, together with the New Bedford Masonic Temple Association - Quittacus Lodge, A.F. & A.M. will present "Four Rusty Muskets," a commemoration of four Black Patriots of the War for American Independence - Prince Goodwin, Cato Howe, Quamony Quash and Plato Turner.

The public is cordially invited to attend this free event to remember and reflect upon the lives of these four men who stood proud and were returning heroes. They and untold others were at Bunker Hill, Trenton, and they endured Valley Forge.

After the war, in Plymouth, Massachusetts they farmed together, built homes and raised families.

Their muskets might well have been placed over mantels to serve as reminders of their bravery but they were allowed to grow rusty with neglect. As they passed away, and their muskets were no longer needed, they were buried on the property upon which they toiled. Today, their burying ground is a National Historical Site. 

At noon, a contingent of militia and organization officials will set out from the New Bedford Masonic Temple, located at County and Union Streets and march from the head of William Street (at County) in procession down to the New Bedford Whaling Museum Plaza (at Johnny Cake Hill) in honor of these patriots.

At 1:00 p.m. a commemorative speaking program titled "Four Rusty Muskets" will take place in the museum's Cook Memorial Theater, featuring a historical overview by Professor Kenneth Sutcliffe and remarks by officials of the sponsoring organizations."