New Jersey’s Revolutionary Rivalry: The Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy

Join historian Rick Geffken for a captivating look at one of the lesser-known chapters of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. 

This talk explores the extraordinary clash between Col. Tye, a runaway slave who became a formidable Loyalist fighter, and his Patriot adversary, Capt. Joshua Huddy. Their bitter conflict culminated in Huddy’s extralegal hanging, an event so shocking it sparked an international crisis. George Washington threatened to execute a British prisoner in retaliation, a move that could have derailed the Paris Peace Treaty negotiations. Ultimately, the intervention of Queen Marie Antoinette helped avert disaster, shaping the course of history in ways few realize.

Through this presentation, attendees will gain fresh insight into the complex human stories behind the Revolutionary War—stories of loyalty, courage, and moral dilemmas that went far beyond the battlefield. It’s a rare opportunity to explore how individual actions in New Jersey rippled across the globe, influencing diplomacy and the birth of a nation.

Rick Geffken has authored numerous articles on New Jersey history for local newspapers, magazines, historical societies and newsletters and presented historical papers at the New Jersey History & Historic Preservation, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Library Association, and the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton) conferences.  He has participated in Symposia for groups such as the Rutgers Business School (Newark, NJ); the Navesink Maritime Historical Association, and has appeared on the New Jersey Cable TV show, Family Historian. 

Rick has taught courses on New Jersey slavery for Monmouth University (West Long Branch); and on Revolutionary War topics at Brookdale Community College (Lincroft). He contributes to the New Jersey Slavery Records Index project under the auspices of Rutgers University (New Brunswick).

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.