WESTFIELD — The West Fields Chapter of the New Jersey Society Sons of theAmerican Revolution (SAR) will welcome Revolutionary War re-enactor Noah Lewis to its meeting onThursday, February 29, in the Community RoomoftheWestfieldMunicipalBuilding. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

In conjunction with Black History Month, Mr. Lewis will give a presentation on the life of Edward “Ned” Hector, an African-American soldier in the RevolutionaryWar.Mr.Lewiswillwear the uniform and perform in the character of Hector during the program.

Black soldiers in great numbers fought in the American Revolution. Army records do not provide an official count, but some historians estimate African-Americans made up possibly as much as 20 percent of the Continental Army over the eight-year course of the Revolutionary War.

Many were slaves, some of whom were promised their freedom in return for fighting. Such promises were not always kept. But there were free Blacks as well who fought and believed that American independence was a cause worth fighting for.

One such soldier was Ned Hector, a bombardier and teamster assigned to a Pennsylvania artillery unit. Hector fought in several battles, including the September 11, 1777 Battle of Brandywine, where, despite orders to retreat and leave his horses, he famously refused, declaring, “The enemy shall not have my team.” Hector rescued his horses and retrieved his wagon and guns left behind by soldiers in flight.

Mr. Lewis has devoted many years to researching and writing about Ned Hector. He also portrays Hector, in period uniform, at schools and historical events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Blacks who fought in the Revolutionary War “were united by the same desire to be free and remain free,” Mr. Lewis has written. “It took all of the diverse Americans coming together to win our independence.”

The SAR meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. The Westfield Municipal Building is located at 425 East Broad Street.