Historical images of Joshua Huddy. (College/ Monmouth Historical Society)
A local historian will recount the little-known Revolutionary War rivalry between a black British fighter known as Colonel Tye and American militia Capt. Joshua Huddy during a free program next month at the Ocean County Library’s Upper Shores Branch in Lavallette.
Rick Geffken, author of “New Jersey’s Revolutionary Rivalry,” will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, about the conflict and its dramatic aftermath, which nearly derailed the Paris Peace Treaty negotiations.
The extralegal hanging of Huddy in Highlands sparked an international incident when Gen. George Washington ordered the execution of a British prisoner of war in retribution. The crisis was resolved only through the intervention of French Queen Marie Antoinette, according to an announcement of the program. Geffken will detail how Tye, a runaway slave who fought for the British, clashed with the patriot Huddy along the New Jersey shore.
Geffken is the author of several books, including “Stories of Slavery in New Jersey,” “Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore” and “Hidden History of Monmouth County.” He majored in mathematics and economics at St. Peter’s College before serving in the U.S. Army, becoming the third generation of his family to do so. The program is made possible by a donation in honor of Martin C. Unfried Jr.
Registration is required for the event. Those interested can register online at tinyurl.com/RivalryOCL, by calling 732-793-3996 or by visiting the Upper Shores Branch at 112 Jersey City Ave. in Lavallette.
Police, Fire & Courts
Seaside Heights Obtains Injunctions Against Four ‘Pop-Up’ Party Hosts
Shore Environment
Waves Wallop Ortley Beach, Ocean Roars As ‘Erin’ Remains Offshore
