Celebrating Black History Month/Tory Jack Day

“African Soldiers in the American Revolution”

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007

 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Abraham Staats House

17 Von Steuben Lane,

South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Featuring Mr. Joe Becton and the First Rhode Island Regiment Revolutionary War Living Historians

South Bound Brook, NJ  – As part of its annual “Tory Jack Day” program celebrating Black History Month, the South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, in conjunction with The Friends of the Abraham Staats House, Inc., and in partnership with the Women’s Guild of South Bound Brook, will present eminent historian Joe Becton. 

He will speak on the topic “African Soldiers in the American Revolution” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007 at the historic Abraham Staats House, 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880.   Mr. Becton, a National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger, has been recognized with the Community Service award for setting a standard of excellence in interpretation and for his role in connecting Americans to our national parks through wonderful stories and varied media.

Members of the First Rhode Island Regiment will act as Honor Guard, providing a musket firing demonstration and will be on hand to answer questions and interact with the public. This living history reenanctment unit portrays members of the First Rhode Island, an American Revolutionary War military unit comprised largely of African American slaves and free blacks, which served from 1778 to 1783.  The unit was commended for its valor during the war.  

Following Mr. Becton’s presentation, the public is invited to tour the historic Abraham Staats House and view an exhibit on slavery and the contributions of blacks to our national heritage, presented by local historian and Women’s Guild member, Mrs. Joyce Smith.   Tours will end at 4 p.m. 

The Staats family owned the Abraham Staats House, c, 1740, for nearly 200 years and today is being preserved by the Borough of South Bound Brook.  It served as the headquarters of General Baron Frederich von Steuben during the American Revolution Middlebrook Encampment of 1778-79, and is listed on both the Federal and New Jersey Register of Historic Places.  

The house is located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880, and can be accessed via Interstate Route 287, Exit 10.   Suggested donation for Mr. Becton’s presentation is $3 per adult (over age 12).