HALF INDIAN JACK

ca. 1729- February 2, 1831

Installed on July 15, 2026, on Montgomery St between Greene St and Washington St.

A man known as "Half Indian Jack" lived across from the Jersey City Main Post Office at 72 Montgomery Street, aka the former Holmes' Express stables. Born into enslavement under the Van Vorst family, Jack escaped his masters during the Revolutionary War. He sought the freedom promised by the Crown to any enslaved person who joined their cause and became a spy for the British Army.

After the British withdrew in 1783, Jack stayed in Jersey City. In his later years, he told people that he was an "Indian Doctor". The title "Indian Doctor" was commonly used as a survival strategy for people of mixed race in the 18th century. It provided much-needed protection and income.

He reportedly lived to the age of 102 and is buried nearby at the rear of Wayne Street.

Jack lived in Van Vorst House located near 4th St and Marin BLVD

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT NOW

In 2026, we commemorated the Semiquincentennial of the American Revolution. There have been many stories about George Washington and the bravery of the Patriots in their quest for victory.

But as is the case with most stories about heroism, what we hear over and over again is the simplified version of very complicated situations. The story of Half Indian Jack highlights an often overlooked experience from that time: the difficult choices individuals had to navigate for their survival.

Though he may be portrayed as a villain in history books, acknowledging the agency of someone who fought for his own freedom—whether that meant opposing the nation’s founders—provides a crucial counter-narrative. His story illustrates the complexities that marginalized individuals had to confront in their pursuit of safety.

FURTHER LOOK

Special thanks

Research by Natalie Kalbach