13. The Black Brigade
Titus Cornelius, better known as Colonel Tye, was born a slave around 1753 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He grew up toiling in the farm of a Quaker owner named John Corlis, who parted company with his denomination’s growing opposition to slavery. The few Quakers who did own slaves were in the habit of teaching their black bondsmen how to read and write, then freeing them at age 21. Not so Titus’ master, who not only refused to educate his slaves, but was a cruel master to boot.
Slavery was gradually declining in New Jersey, and Titus’ master became one of the last few slaveholders in Monmouth County. As Titus grew up, he was frequently whipped for trifles, and witnessed other slaves enduring the same cruelties from Corlis. When Titus reached 21, the age when most owners in the region – particularly Quakers – typically freed their slaves, it became clear that Corlis had no intention of freeing him. So he freed himself.