Titus Cornelius

Colonel Tye - United Empire Loyalist

Leader of the Elite Ethiopian Black Brigade==

Sources agree on his Birth Year of 1753 but a gap appears in his Death Year accuracy between 1780 and September 5, 1818

He would have been either 27 or 65 Years of Age at his Death, depending on the sources available to examine''

Titus was a Slave of African descent.

He was "owned" by Slave owner ''John Corlies'', a Quaker.

It was common Quaker practice to teach Slave children to read and write and free them at age of 21 years- John Corlies had refused to free Titus and abide by this practice.

Living in the area of Monmouth County, New Jersey, the Quaker Religious majority were denouncing Slavery.

John Corlies was known to be a brutal man, often whipping his Slaves.

===November 1775===

''John Murry, 4th Earl of Dunmore'', and ''Royal Governor of Virginia'', issued a Proclamation- offering Freedom to all Slaves and Indentured Servants, who would leave their Rebal Masters and join the British cause.

At this point in his short but danger filled life, Titus managed like other Men and Women of Color, to cross over to British held lines and swear Allegience to the King.

A 3 Pound Bounty was offered for the capture and return of Titus to John Corlies. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colonel_Tye_Runaway_Ad.jpg]

===American Revolutionary War===

In this time period in History, a Man of Color could Enlist in the Loyalist cause, opposite of the Continental Army, which only took Volunteers.

Speculatively, Titus must have been a man looked up to by others. We can say this because he achieved notability for his leadership and fighting skills.
Men of Color received no Rank in the British Army during the American Revolution, yet Titus received two Honorary Titles of Rank- Sargent-also doing the work of Captain and then Colonel.

A better than average knowledge of the Terrain in Monmouth County,

Colonel Tye excelled as a Guerilla Fighter and Leader in this type of Warfare.

Tye, Titus- became a Captain in Dunmores Ethiopian Regiment Returning to New Jersey, he joined the Elite Black Brigade.
The Black Brigade consisted of 24 Guerilla Fighters. Tituss first recorded Military action was in June of 1778 at the Battle of Monmouth where he captured an American Captain.

Titus and his unit became a well known force to be feared.

===Summer of 1779===

Titus and his Elite Black Brigade are well paid by the British to destabilize the Region.

the Black Brigade is succesful in seizing fuel, food, capturing enemy and freeing Slaves.

The Black Brigade works in coordinated effort with another Unit of Caucasian Loyalists - ''Queens Rangers''.

Titus continues the fight through 1780, extracting revenge on his former master and others.

Titus was credited with killing well known Rebel ''Joseph Murray''- a man known to summarily execute all capturied Loyalists.

===September 1780===

Colonel Tye receives a Musket Ball wound through his wrist, which later becomes infected and becomes gangrenous ultimately leading to his demise.

Patriot leader ''Captain Joshua Huddy'' and a female Servant, manage to resist capture for two hours before being smoked out of his cottage strong hold.

Colonel Tyes story is featured, amoung others, in the PBS special "Slavery and the Making of America"

Other sources listed at: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Tye]