Colonel Tye
| Titus Cornelius | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1753 Colt's Neck, New Jersey, Great Britain | 
| Died | September 1780 (aged c. 27) Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States | 
| Cause of death | Tetanus and lockjaw from gunshot wound | 
| Allegiance | Great Britain | 
| Years of service | 1778-1780 | 
| Battles / wars | |
| Part of a series on | 
| Forced labour and slavery | 
|---|
Titus Cornelius, also known as Titus, Tye, and famously as Colonel Tye (c. 1753 – September 1780), was a slave of African descent in the Province of New Jersey who escaped from his master and fought as a Black Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War; he was known for his leadership and fighting skills. He fought with a volunteer corps of escaped Virginia Colony slaves in the Ethiopian Regiment, and he led the Black Brigade associators. Tye died from tetanus from a musket wound in the wrist following a short siege in September 1780 against Captain Joshua Huddy. He was one of the most feared and effective guerrilla leaders opposing the American patriot forces in central New Jersey.