Post by admin on Nov 2, 2006 9:33:19 GMT -5
This article was posted on the first PEOPLE web site. I felt it well worth bringing back. Found in the Transcript
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2005/0824/Editorials/037.html
Patriot made his mark in Revolutionary days
John F. Newman
Guest Column
Growing up in the Monmouth and Ocean county areas, we know, or should know, that Capt. Joshua Huddy is serious business and not to be taken lightly. He is our local hero from the Revolution. Don’t mess with Huddy! But people just moving to the area, and unfortunately the youth of Monmouth and Ocean may not know his story aside from pondering the repetition of the name on a few streets, restaurants and parks. The heroes of today, the athletes and entertainers, are supplanting the memory of Huddy, and that is a shame.
Congress honored Huddy 50 years after his death. The New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution dedicated a plaque to Joshua Huddy at Water Witch Avenue, Highlands (the site of his death). The Daughters of the American Revolution placed a marker in memory of Joshua Huddy in Toms River at the Old Salt Works, which Huddy and his militia bravely defended on more than one occasion. The U.S. Army also placed a marker at the cemetery of the Old Tennent Church, Manalapan, although it is not the site where he lies, for Huddy is buried in an unmarked grave.
So who is Joshua Huddy? Why are there plaques, businesses and parks named after him? Huddy was a brave and ardent patriot. He was a fierce leader and a captain of the Monmouth County Militia. He engaged in daring raids on the British and Tories that patrolled the coast. He was specifically targeted by Loyalists, and a man who lived and died for his country and fellow citizens. He is well-known through two counties because he actively defended the entire region (Ocean County was formed in 1850).
Unfortunately, no one will be celebrating the pending anniversary in the life of Joshua Huddy. So despised by his fierce fighting and bravery, Loyalists singled out Huddy on more than one occasion.
Two hundred twenty five years ago, sometime in August 1780, a Loyalist band of 60 men came to Colts Neck to plunder and to find Huddy. The Loyalist leader was a dangerous and fierce escaped slave named Col. Tye.
These Tories came to Huddy’s home and demanded entrance. Alone with a servant girl, Huddy would not let the Loyalists enter as his home was used to store muskets and ammunition.
Outnumbered 60 to one, Huddy made a stand. While his young servant loaded the arsenal of guns in his home, Huddy went from room to room firing at the enemy, giving the appearance of more than one defender.
Several Tories were wounded, as was Col. Tye (who would later die from an infection from his wound). Huddy’s ingenuity and energy was keeping the Loyalists at bay.
Frustrated at being unable to take the house, the Loyalists set fire to it. To save his young servant, as well as himself, Huddy had no choice except to surrender — but only if the Loyalists would help extinguish the flames engulfing his home. It was agreed, but after the flames were out, the Loyalists became angered that one man defended against them so well. A call was heard to kill Huddy. But Col. Tye intervened and took Huddy prisoner instead.
Luckily, a roaming band of Monmouth County Militia came across the Loyalists as they were leaving the banks of the Navesink by boat. The militia fired upon the boats as they were pushing off, and in the confusion, Huddy leapt from the boat and ran to shore yelling “I am Huddy, I am Huddy.”
Wounded during his escape, Huddy again exhibited the bravery for which he was so famous. The Tories would not forget their humiliation of that day, and his days would soon be numbered. Two years later, Huddy would become internationally known from his death which placed Gen. Washington in a tight political fix. But that is another story.
The Sons of the Revolution, and similar organizations, are dedicated to preserving the memory of our patriot ancestors who fought for freedom in the American Revolution.
Two hundred twenty five years after this skirmish, we cannot forget Huddy, or those that served along side him. We do not want to lament, as did Congress did 50 years after Huddy’s death, that his memory has not been sufficiently honored.
Capt. Joshua Huddy is not just the name of a brew-pub or nature trail in Toms River, not just the name of a street in the Highlands, or some room at the Colts Neck Inn. As this anniversary passes quietly and when you see these “Huddy” places, take a moment to remember who is being honored: a patriot, Monmouth and Ocean counties’ ancestor who gave his life for American liberty.
John F. Newman is a board member of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution. The Sons of the Revolution is a lineage society devoted to preserving the memory of the nation’s patriot ancestors.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2005/0824/Editorials/037.html
Patriot made his mark in Revolutionary days
John F. Newman
Guest Column
Growing up in the Monmouth and Ocean county areas, we know, or should know, that Capt. Joshua Huddy is serious business and not to be taken lightly. He is our local hero from the Revolution. Don’t mess with Huddy! But people just moving to the area, and unfortunately the youth of Monmouth and Ocean may not know his story aside from pondering the repetition of the name on a few streets, restaurants and parks. The heroes of today, the athletes and entertainers, are supplanting the memory of Huddy, and that is a shame.
Congress honored Huddy 50 years after his death. The New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution dedicated a plaque to Joshua Huddy at Water Witch Avenue, Highlands (the site of his death). The Daughters of the American Revolution placed a marker in memory of Joshua Huddy in Toms River at the Old Salt Works, which Huddy and his militia bravely defended on more than one occasion. The U.S. Army also placed a marker at the cemetery of the Old Tennent Church, Manalapan, although it is not the site where he lies, for Huddy is buried in an unmarked grave.
So who is Joshua Huddy? Why are there plaques, businesses and parks named after him? Huddy was a brave and ardent patriot. He was a fierce leader and a captain of the Monmouth County Militia. He engaged in daring raids on the British and Tories that patrolled the coast. He was specifically targeted by Loyalists, and a man who lived and died for his country and fellow citizens. He is well-known through two counties because he actively defended the entire region (Ocean County was formed in 1850).
Unfortunately, no one will be celebrating the pending anniversary in the life of Joshua Huddy. So despised by his fierce fighting and bravery, Loyalists singled out Huddy on more than one occasion.
Two hundred twenty five years ago, sometime in August 1780, a Loyalist band of 60 men came to Colts Neck to plunder and to find Huddy. The Loyalist leader was a dangerous and fierce escaped slave named Col. Tye.
These Tories came to Huddy’s home and demanded entrance. Alone with a servant girl, Huddy would not let the Loyalists enter as his home was used to store muskets and ammunition.
Outnumbered 60 to one, Huddy made a stand. While his young servant loaded the arsenal of guns in his home, Huddy went from room to room firing at the enemy, giving the appearance of more than one defender.
Several Tories were wounded, as was Col. Tye (who would later die from an infection from his wound). Huddy’s ingenuity and energy was keeping the Loyalists at bay.
Frustrated at being unable to take the house, the Loyalists set fire to it. To save his young servant, as well as himself, Huddy had no choice except to surrender — but only if the Loyalists would help extinguish the flames engulfing his home. It was agreed, but after the flames were out, the Loyalists became angered that one man defended against them so well. A call was heard to kill Huddy. But Col. Tye intervened and took Huddy prisoner instead.
Luckily, a roaming band of Monmouth County Militia came across the Loyalists as they were leaving the banks of the Navesink by boat. The militia fired upon the boats as they were pushing off, and in the confusion, Huddy leapt from the boat and ran to shore yelling “I am Huddy, I am Huddy.”
Wounded during his escape, Huddy again exhibited the bravery for which he was so famous. The Tories would not forget their humiliation of that day, and his days would soon be numbered. Two years later, Huddy would become internationally known from his death which placed Gen. Washington in a tight political fix. But that is another story.
The Sons of the Revolution, and similar organizations, are dedicated to preserving the memory of our patriot ancestors who fought for freedom in the American Revolution.
Two hundred twenty five years after this skirmish, we cannot forget Huddy, or those that served along side him. We do not want to lament, as did Congress did 50 years after Huddy’s death, that his memory has not been sufficiently honored.
Capt. Joshua Huddy is not just the name of a brew-pub or nature trail in Toms River, not just the name of a street in the Highlands, or some room at the Colts Neck Inn. As this anniversary passes quietly and when you see these “Huddy” places, take a moment to remember who is being honored: a patriot, Monmouth and Ocean counties’ ancestor who gave his life for American liberty.
John F. Newman is a board member of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution. The Sons of the Revolution is a lineage society devoted to preserving the memory of the nation’s patriot ancestors.