Edward
"Ned" HectorEdward
"Ned" Hector
In 1775 about 20% of the American colonial population was black, yet only about 5% of the Continental Army were African-Americans. Most of these black soldiers came from the Northern states where there were more Freedmen and where blacks were given their freedom for enlisting. Certain regiments, such as one from Rhode Island, were made up entirely of black men, although the officers were white. Many of these soldiers fought with valor and conviction. One of the lesser-known heroes of the Battle of Brandywine was a black soldier from Pennsylvania named Edward Hector.
Hector was a wagoneer in Captain Courtney's Company of Colonel Proctor's 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment. This unit was positioned near Chad's Ford, probably on the ridge behind the John Chads House. Late in the afternoon of September 11th, the British and Hessians began to overrun the American positions on the East side of the Brandywine and the order was given to abandon the guns, wagons, and horses and "save yourself". Edward Hector is reported to have said, "The enemy shall not have my team; I shall save my horses and myself." He then grabbed up a stack of abandoned arms (he probably was unarmed), threw them in his wagon, fended off his pursuers and escaped with his wagon-the only salvage from his company. Obviously, these items were most needed by the Army in the ensuing days.
We know little of Hector's later activities in the war or subsequently. However, we do know he was never granted a pension as were many Continental soldiers. Finally, years later, a "grateful" Pennsylvania Legislature granted him a donation of $40 for his heroics! Edward Hector lived in the Norristown area where he died in 1834 at the age of 90. He was truly an unsung and unrewarded hero of the Battle of Brandywine.
Bob Goddu
Born in Heidelburg, Germany - He was an "Army brat" who spent the first years of his life in Germany, then Fort Knox, Ky. When he was 12, his family moved to West Philadelphia (his father, a barber, got a job at the Navy Yard), then a year later to Aldan.
His degree is in biology and his livelihood is electronic service.
He is a widowed father of four children.
His vocation is repairing electronic equipment, such as corporate sound systems and biomedical devices. But his avocation is teaching and preaching, about history and freedom, about equality and the unsung contributions of African Americans. He does this most effectively through the person of Ned Hector.
In high school, he was "a bit of a jock," a star in track and field, but a less-than-stellar scholar. "I was never much for facts and figures," he admits. It wasn't until halfway through Harding College in Searcy, Ark., that Lewis caught fire intellectually. A charismatic professor taught him a lesson:
“History is not just a random procession of dates and events but a fascinating tapestry of cause and effect. There's a reason it's called history; at its best, it's an evolving narrative of compelling stories.”
I am blessed to have the opportunity to aid in helping others to appreciate the contribution we Black people made to the freedom of all Americans. There is a part of me that hopes the souls of these amazing contributors to our freedom will rest a little more peaceful by giving them the honor they were denied for so many years.
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presenter - 
National History Standards - Era 3
Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)
Standard 1C The student understands the factors affecting the course of the war and contributing to the American victory.
Compare and explain the
different roles and perspectives in the war of men and women, including white
settlers, free and enslaved African Americans, and
Native Americans.
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