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A free African American born in Philadelphia, Forten served as a powder boy on an American warship captured by the British.

By the way, I want to tell you about a powder boy on board of the Varuna, Oscar Peck, a lad of only thirteen years, who showed coolness and bravery which would have entitled a man to praise.

He was born a slave, was a privateer "powder boy" in the war of 1812, and was taken to Halifax as a prisoner.

At first he was made cook's scullion but because he was well-grown and active, the chief gunner had taken him over as a powder boy.

Jack swam more strongly and showed greater endurance because he had the beef and had been better nourished all his life than the scrawny young powder boy who was more like a lath.