Introduction to the primary source written by James G. Basker, from James G. Basker (editor) with Nicole Seary, Black Writers of the Founding Era: 1760–1800 (New York: Library of America, 2023), p. 155.
“A former slave and one of only two known African American portrait painters active in the 1770s (the other was Scipio Moorhead, who depicted Phillis Wheatley), Prince Demah had a short but extraordinary life. Purchased as a young man in 1769 by Massachusetts merchant Henry Barnes and his wife Christian who already owned his mother Daphne, Demah showed such talent that his owner took him to London in 1771 for a year of training under the professional artist Robert Edge Pine (himself of mixed race). Within months of his return to Boston in 1772 Demah had painted five commissioned portraits and by 1773 was regularly advertising his services in local newspapers. Three of Demah’s paintings from this period survive, including the portraits of his owners Henry and Christian Barnes that hang in the Hingham Historical Society. The War disrupted Demah’s promising career. His loyalist master fled to England in late 1775 and by early 1777 Demah was serving in an artillery regiment in the Massachusetts Militia. He died of smallpox while stationed in Boston, seven days after dictating the will printed below, leaving all his property to his beloved mother Daphne.”
Last Will and Testament of Prince Demah
In the Name of God Amen
Prince Demah of Boston in the county of Sufalck and in the Masachuets state, Limner, Being sick of Body but of perfect memory calling to rememberince the uncertain state of this transitory Life and that all flesh must yeald unto the stroke of Death when it shall please God to call us, do make and deem this to be my last will and testament in maner and form as following: First, Being penitent and sory for all my sins most humbly Desiring forgiveness of them all. I command my soul into the hands of almighty God my saveor and Redemer in whom and by whos merits I trust and Bleive assuredly to be saved and to have the Remeson and forgivness of my sins and to merit the kingdom of Haven, and my Body I commit to the Earth to Decently Bureid at the Discretion of my Executor hereafter Nam’d and for the selling of Temparal Estate; and such Goods and Chattels and debts as it hath Pleased God to Bestow on me I do order and give and despose of the [sam?] after the paying all the just clames that may be brought on the same I do give and Bequeath all whatsoever ther shall remain to my Loving Mother Daphny & shall Be hers and her hairs for Ever & Ever; and I do hearby mack and appoint my Trusty Frind Prince Taylor full and sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testement; hearby Revoking disannulling and macking void all former Wills and Bequasts by me maid and declair this only to be my Last Will and Testement in Writing hear of I have hear unto set my hand and seal This Eleventh day of march in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Seventy Eight.
Prince Demah
Source: Prince Demah, “Last Will and Testament,” MS Suffolk County Probate Records, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Mass. In James G. Basker (editor) with Nicole Seary, Black Writers of the Founding Era: 1760–1800 (New York: Library of America, 2023), pp. 155–156.