Peter Churchwell
Peter Churchwell did not leave a written record of his life. In fact, it is likely that Peter never learned to read or write as many African-Americans did not have that opportunity. In many Southern states, it was illegal to teach enslaved people how to read. However, there are many different kinds of primary sources other than autobiographies. Remember that a primary source gives us original information about the past. To learn about Peter’s life we will explore some other forms of primary sources. For example, below is a portion of an interview Peter had with the government after the war. Read it to find out how Peter became a soldier.
Historians use many different types of primary sources, like this pension record, to piece together the history of people who did not leave a written record of their lives.
What other sources do you think could help us learn what someone's life was like?
What other sources do you think could help us learn what someone's life was like?
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Here are some examples from other students like you!
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