Bazabeel Norman

Bazabeel Norman, also known variously as Basil, Bazil and Bazael among other variants, was a free mulatto (biracial) Revolutionary War soldier serving in the 7th Maryland Regiment under the command of Colonel John Gunby from June 6, 1778 until July 31, 1783.[1] His mother was a mulatto indentured servant of British and African ancestry named Jane.[2] Bazabeel also served an indenture until age 21 but was never enslaved, nor were his descendants. He was the second black landowner in the state of Ohio.[3] His direct descendant Major Henry A. Norman was a Tuskegee Airman who fought in World War II. American opera singer Maria Ewing is also a direct descendant of Bazabeel.[4]