RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — County College of Morris will continue its America 250 programming this month with a presentation exploring the life of Jacob Francis, a free Black man from Hunterdon County who served during the American Revolution.
Historical researcher, author and speaker William L. “Larry” Kidder will present “The Revolutionary World of a Free NJ Black Man” at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in CCM’s Learning Resource Center, Room 121.
The program, presented in partnership with the Morris County Library, is free and open to the public. It will also be available live via Zoom, with virtual attendees asked to register in advance to receive the link.
“CCM’s Library is excited to welcome Larry Kidder to campus,” said Heather Craven, Dean of CCM’s Learning Resource Center. “His presentation is the second in a series of history talks presented as part of the CCM Library’s America 250 initiatives. The first presentation, held on July 8 at the Morris County Library, was such a success!”
The presentation will focus on Francis, of Amwell Township in Hunterdon County, who was indentured as a young man before eventually regaining his freedom and enlisting in a Massachusetts Continental regiment in 1775.
Francis served through the siege of Boston, the New York campaign and the Battle of Trenton before returning to his hometown in New Jersey and becoming an experienced member of the local militia.
“The Morris County Library is proud to continue our partnership with CCM on this important America 250 initiative,” said Anne Mizera, Programs & Outreach Coordinator at the Morris County Library. “Jacob Francis’s story offers our community a powerful and often overlooked perspective on the Revolutionary War. Following the success of our first program together in July, we’re thrilled to bring Larry Kidder’s compelling research to an even wider audience this September.”
The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
Those interested in attending virtually can register at tinyurl.com/njfreeman. For questions, contact the CCM Library at 973-328-5308.
CCM is located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph, with visitor parking available in Lot 7.
