Oliver Cromwell, an African American solider who fought alongside General George Washington in many famous battles during the American Revolution, took great pride in his service to the army and lived a long life of 101 years.

Cromwell was born free in Columbus, New Jersey on May 24, 1752 and was raised to be a farmer. However, as the tension between colonists and British soldiers continued to ramp up, he decided to join the cause and fight for freedom. In 1776 Cromwell enlisted in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment to fight in an effort to gain separation from the monarchy of England.

For the next six years, Cromwell would fight against the British during the battles of Trenton (1776), Princeton (1777), Brandywine (1777), Monmouth (1778), and at the final siege of Yorktown (1781). After the siege of Yorktown, Cromwell left the army and was personally discharged by Washington (who also awarded him the badge of military merit).