"Were there any black heroes of the Revolutionary War?"

It was an innocent question, one the visiting author and her husband couldn't answer. But now, two years later and in response to that inquiry, Kate Salley Palmer has written, illustrated and published a new children's book, "Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution" (Warbranch Press Inc., 56 pages, $11.95).

Palmer -- an award-winning political cartoonist, author and illustrator -- dedicated her newest writing venture to the young man who challenged her with that question, 10-year-old Sheridan Elementary School student Marshall Ellerbe III of Orangeburg.

But because Palmer didn't know the young man's name, the dedication simply reads, "DEDICATED TO THE STUDENT at Sheridan Elementary School in Orangeburg, SC, who wanted to know if there were any black heroes of the Revolutionary War."

It was Sheridan Principal Xennie Weeks and Marshall's third-grade social studies teacher Linda Ropp who tracked down the now-fifth-grader, who said he thinks it's pretty cool that he has a book dedicated to him.

It was two years ago when Palmer visited Ropp's social studies class, sharing stories from her previous two books outlining South Carolina's role in the American Revolution, "Palmetto -- Symbol of Courage" and "Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox."

"We were learning about the American Revolution, and we were learning about a lot of white people," Marshall said. Not wanting to offend anyone, he said he asked if there were any black Revolutionary War heroes.

Palmer didn't know the answer to that question, and neither did her husband, Jim. But Palmer found out, and Marshall said he is pleased with the resulting book.

"I think it was pretty amazing about how many black people were in the history of the American Revolution," he said. "There were people I didn't even know about."

Palmer, an Orangeburg native, said research for the book took at least a year to complete and began online, where she was able to track down many of the books she used as references. But the hardest part of that research, she said, was "just trying to keep all the fellows straight in each book. I was trying to find the place where each person was mentioned in each book."

One book, "The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution," written in 1855 by William C. Nell, was an invaluable, 400-plus-page source that had to be downloaded one page at a time from an online library.

"But it was worth it," she said. "It was a good primary source."

Nearly all of the patriots featured in "Almost Invisible" appear in at least two of her sources, she said. "It was just an awful lot of stuff I couldn't put in the book."

In her research, Palmer said she discovered many interesting facts about the Revolutionary War and the black soldiers who served in it. For example, she said South Carolina and Georgia had very few African-Americans fighting in the war because owners refused to arm their slaves. Rhode Island, on the other hand, had the first all-black regiment, and those who served in it were "absolutely free" as soon as they signed up for service. She said 5,000 African-Americans fought in George Washington's Continental Army, which Washington called a "mixed multitude."

"Almost Invisible" is Palmer's third history book for youngsters. She said the first in the series, "Palmetto," was also written in response to school visits.

While showing children her book, "The Pink House," and asking them questions about the Palmetto tree, Palmer said she learned they didn't know much about the state symbol.

"I just discovered something that the school children of South Carolina probably needed to know about," she said.

Marshall's father, Bennie Sumpter Jr., said when he and his children study history or science at home, he makes a point to highlight the roles blacks have played in shaping the nation and world.

"We try to balance it out," he said, adding that he encourages his children to ask questions. "We hear so much every day about what's happening in the (black) community, but you never hear the past contributions, except in February (during Black History Month)."

Marshall said he has many favorite historical black figures, but he singled out one he recently read about -- Peter Salem, a slave whose owners freed him to fight in the American Revolution. Salem killed an important British officer while fighting at Bunker Hill and was one of the men highlighted in Palmer's book.

Marshall said asking questions helps students learn more than they would just listening in class.

"I'm very proud of him," Marshall's mother, Zipporah Sumpter, said. "He, at that age, had enough insight to ask an innocent question, and that innocent question sparked a book."

Marshall seems to be taking the dedication in stride.

"It's an honor to have a book dedicated to me," he said. "I thank that person."

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

BOOK REVIEW: 'Almost Invisible' brings black patriots to light

By WENDY JEFFCOAT CRIDER, T&D Features Editor

Orangeburg native and award-winning artist, author and cartoonist Kate Salley Palmer has written another delightful, educational children's book -- "Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution."

Parents and children alike will enjoy the colorful illustrations and narrative that tells readers of the 5,000 African-American patriots who fought in George Washington's Continental Army and highlights the service of more than two dozen black patriots, including Crispus Attucks, the first American to die for independence; Tobias Gilmore, an African prince who regained his freedom by joining the Army and later became one of Washington's bodyguards; and the slave and spy Antiqua, who was praised for his efforts in obtaining information during the war by the S.C. General Assembly -- his wife and her child were freed from slavery as a token of the state's appreciation.

The illustrations are lively and take readers to the time and place of the action. The vignettes, placed in chronological order, give history buffs an excellent start in their study of black patriots of the American Revolution. There are sure to be names and stories you may have never heard that will pique your interest in America's fight for freedom from British rule.

"Almost Invisible," the third in a series of titles by Palmer about the Revolutionary War, is loaded with information, and the writing is suitable for children in grades three through eight. While there is much more that can be said about the topic, at 56 pages, Palmer's book is the perfect length for older youths to read in one sitting, or for younger ones to take story by story, page by page.

In addition to stories of individuals, Palmer includes brief accounts of African-Americans in the Army, the First Rhode Island Regiment and what happened to many African-Americans after the Revolutionary War. A glossary of terms helps young readers better understand the text, and a bibliography gives readers sources to further their study of black heroes of the American Revolution.

"Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution" (Warbranch Press Inc., $11.95, ISBN 9780966711462) is available from select book stores and gift shops statewide. Orders can also be placed by phone at 864-654-4503, by e-mail at jhpalmer42@aol.com or online at www.warbranchpress.com.

Orangeburg events with Kate Salley Palmer

* Sept. 19 -- Book signing, 1-6 p.m., at Mary Nell's Gifts on Carolina Avenue

* Oct. 16 -- Author program, 3 p.m., at The Oaks

A complete list of Palmer's books can be found at www.warbranchpress.com.

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