African-American Soldier Inspires Black History Month Program

While researching his family’s African-American roots many years ago, Noah Lewis stumbled upon the history of an 18th-century free black man who has captured and held Lewis’s imagination ever since.

The man’s name is Edward “Ned” Hector, born in 1743, a wagoner from Conshohocken, PA, who made his living transporting goods to market in Philadelphia.

Being black didn’t stop Hector from enlisting as a solider in General George Washington’s Continental Army.

Hector was about 33 years old when he fought the British at Brandywine and Germantown, putting his wagon and team of horses to work hauling gunpowder.

Lewis, a resident of Upper Darby, PA, said he was stunned to learn about Hector, a middle-class black man living in the 18th century. The fact that Hector was a soldier in Washington’s army was even more fascinating.

“Growing up, I thought that all blacks living back then were poor and slaves,” said Lewis.

But years of research has taught the Upper Darby resident something much different–that black life in early America was varied and textured, but the details are often missing in textbook histories.

On Sunday at the West Deptford Public Library, Lewis presented the story of Hector, who represents thousands of others like him.

A Black History Month presentation, the program was designed to teach children about African-Americans in military life during our nation’s early years.

Portraying Hector, Lewis engaged the audience with his interactive style during the 90-minute program.

With his booming voice, Lewis burst into the meeting room brandishing a rifle and wearing 18th-century clothing, including the broad-brimmed hat of a wagoner.

Lewis said Hector also served as a “bombardier” during the war, one of seven men needed to fire just one cannon. A successful shot required each member of the cannon crew to perform his unique task quickly and in succession.

Lewis explained how the bombardiers worked together to light and fire the weapon. Then he asked children from the audience to participate in a skit.

But after the volunteers flubbed their first shot, Lewis berated the head bombardier, Eric Smith, 14, of West Deptford, for failing to repel a Redcoat attack.

“Can you explain to me why you are all dead?” Lewis asked Smith.

During Revolutionary War times, blacks were at first prohibited from joining the army due to skepticism about their courage, civility and intelligence, Lewis explained.

When they were finally accepted–toward the end of the war years–only free blacks were permitted to enlist. Nevertheless, many runaway slaves managed to join, hoping that they would win their freedom for having served.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 blacks served as Continental troops–about 10 percent of the whole army.

“Our armed forces would not have that degree of integration (again) until the Korean War,” Lewis said.

“African-American history is American history,” the presenter emphasized, saying he loves the motto on our national seal, “Out of Many, One.”

“I think it’s morally wrong that after someone has paid the ultimate price that they would be forgotten,” he said, referring to the often unknown contributions of black soldiers.

Hector survived the war, but his service seems to have been forgotten for years, according to records. He petitioned Congress three times for his soldier’s pension. Finally, in 1833, he received a “gratuity” of $40, but then he died the following year at age 90, Lewis said.

About 25 visitors attended Sunday’s program including Tasha and Woody Womack of Magnolia and their three young children, Nia, Elijah and Gabrielle.

“We wanted to give our children some exposure to what blacks have done in our history. We want them to have a deeper appreciation,” Tasha Womack said.

For more information about presentations by Noah Lewis, call 610-352-4372, or visit nedhector.com.