Three decades after first portraying Edward “Ned” Hector, a free Black man and Revolutionary War soldier, Noah Lewis, formerly an electronic repair technician, is now one of the nation’s most engaging and respected historical educator-reenactors, writes Kim Andrews for the County Lines Magazine.
Lewis first discovered Hector, who spent much of his civilian life in Conshohocken, while researching African American history. He was surprised to learn about a man of color who fought in a Revolutionary War battle.
“I had grown up with the impression that Black people were slaves during the Revolution,” said Lewis. “Learning about Ned Hector shook that belief. He was a hero, and he was free.”
Hector served as both a bombardier and a teamster in the Continental Army. He fought with Proctor’s 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. As American troops retreated under intense British fire, many abandoned their equipment to escape, but Hector refused to do so.
“I will save my horses or perish myself!” he shouted, before driving a wagon loaded with guns and supplies, along with his team of horses, to safety.
Hector died around the age of 90 in 1834. He was buried in the cemetery of Mt. Zion AME Church in Norristown.
Read more about Ned Hector in the County Lines Magazine.
