The Loyalists: Those in the American Revolution Who Wanted a King.

Many people think slavery only existed in the American South and that all those in the British colonies during the Revolution were Patriots. Not so. New Jersey residents were bitterly divided during what became a nasty civil war. The third or more of probable Loyalists can be divided into those who were active picking up arms, irreconcilably opposed to Independence who became exiles, those who remained during the war, and then those who left and later returned. Their reasons had to do with location, political ideas, religion, family ties, experiences. Local examples will be given. Hopefully this will provide perspective for discussion about then and on our own divided times.

Maxine N. Lurie is a retired professor of history from Seton Hall University, who has concentrated on early American History and the history of New Jersey. She has worked with other scholars on The Encyclopedia of New Jersey, Mapping New Jersey, Envisioning New Jersey, has edited an Anthology, plus worked with Richard Veit on a History of the Garden State. Rutgers University Press published her book Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey: Caught in the Crossfire in 2022.

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The New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing teaching and research about New Jersey. The organization brings together educators, historians, geographers, museum professionals, archivists, and librarians. As a proud RevolutionNJ Partner, NJSAA is excited to collaborate with Flounders Brewing in Hillsborough, NJ, to present a series of talks highlighting New Jersey and the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution. These talks are open to everyone and are all about making New Jersey’s Revolutionary past fun and easy to explore. Grab a drink, join the conversation, and connect with fellow history lovers and neighbors in a Revolutionary War era barn.

www.flounderbrewing.com/250th