Living historian and reenactor Noah Lewis (who portrays Revolutionary War artillerist and teamster Ned Hector) gave a virtual lecture for Washington Crossing Historic Park on February 7th. He discussed “Soldiers of Color in George Washington’s Army.”

Hector lived in what is now Conshohocken after the war. He passed away in 1834 and in 1850 when the Borough of Conshohocken was incorporated Hector Street was named for him.

During the talk, Lewis shares that toward the end of the Revolutionary War, up to 25 percent of General Washington’s army consisted of soldiers of color. For these men, the Revolutionary War was actually two wars: while the country fought for its existence, Black soldiers struggled for their own freedom. And they had to choose a side.