Colonel Tye
Titus Cornelius | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1753 Colt's Neck, New Jersey, Great Britain |
| Died | September 1780 (aged c. 27) Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States |
| Cause of death | Tetanus and lockjaw from gunshot wound |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
| Years of service | 1778-1780 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Part of a series on |
| Forced labour and slavery |
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Titus Cornelius, also known as Titus, Tye, and famously as Colonel Tye (c. 1753 – September 1780), was a slave of African descent in the Province of New Jersey who escaped from his master and fought as a Black Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War; he was known for his leadership and fighting skills. He fought with a volunteer corps of escaped Virginia Colony slaves in the Ethiopian Regiment, and he led the Black Brigade associators. Tye died from tetanus from a musket wound in the wrist following a short siege in September 1780 against Captain Joshua Huddy. He was one of the most feared and effective guerrilla leaders opposing the American patriot forces in central New Jersey.