Joshua Huddy
So what do a Mayor, a Council president, two authors, a teacher, a Historical Society president and a historic society hard working woman who loves her town have in common? They’re all hanging with Joshua Huddy in Highlands!
They’re all going to be on stage Wednesday night, Sepember 27, at 7 p.m. at the Highlands Community Center for their second highly rated presentation of how that rascal Joshua Huddy managed to get hanged right smack in the heart of downtown Highlands a couple of hundred years ago.
Highlands Council President Joann Olszewski, a retired teacher in Teaneck, fell in love with the history of this borough along with its 21st century beauty when she first moved there several years ago.
With the curiosity and research ability of an award winning educator, she delved deeper into the story of Captain Joshua Huddy, a Revolutionary patriot from Colts Neck who was captured by British Tories and hung to avenge the death of Phillip White, a Loyalist who had been shot trying to escape from the New Jersey militia. Though Joshua Huddy had no connection to White’s death, he was led by a guard commanded by Captain Richard Lippincott to Highlands where he was hanged from a tree.
Olszewski, captivated by the story, researched all the correspondence that surrounded the planned execution of Joshua Huddy, including letters from General George Washington, Thomas Payne, British negotiators, and more. She learned that Capt. Charles Asgill, an officer with the British Foot Guards, was imprisoned and scheduled to be killed in retaliation for Huddy’s death. She uncovered letters not only from him but his mother, a highly respected dowager in England, as well.
Culling together a series of letters from all the major players in what became known as the Asgill Affair, Olszewski turned to members of the Highlands Historical Society to put the excitement of an, 18th century revenge best seller on stage through readings of the correspondence surrounding the entire affair.
Repeating the roles they played in the first presentation of the event, a SRO performance at the Farmacie in Highlands, are Mayor Carolyn Broullon and Council president Olszewski, together with Society President Sheila Weinstock and Society members led by local historian Walter Guenther. Local authors John King and Muriel J. Smith, both of whom have written books about other facets of Highlands history, are in Wednesday’s cast, along with society member Eileen Skiff, the dedicated Historical Society hard working member.
King, who was not in the original cast for the presentation, is replacing another author, Rick Geffken, in portraying the Deputy Judge Advocate. Proceeds from his latest book, released this week, went to the Historical Sovciety.
Ken Sedlak, a history teacher, has also joined the entourage for Wednesday’s event. He is portraying Sir Clinton, formerly portrayed by Linda Guenther.
The public is invited to attend the event at no charge and stay for Revolutionary style light refreshments and chats with the historic newscasters following the presentation.
The Community Center is located on Snug Harbor Avenue at the riverfront. Handicap parking is available on the west side of the building.
