Duck Creek Hundred in Smyrna in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Union Cemetery

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 1, 2019

1. Union Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The name Union Cemetery is derived from the fact that this burial site was created to inter deceased members affiliated with the African-American houses of worship in this area. Originally owned by James and Hester Till, the land for the cemetery was purchased on April 8, 1904 for $250.00 by Anna M. Johnson, Florence Whaley, Sarah A. Memsley, Rebecca Viney, Mary E. York, and Mary E. Bedford. All of the women who purchased the land resided in Smyrna. Because of the racial segregation of cemeteries during the time period, it is believed that the Tills (residents of both Smyrna and Philadelphia) sold the land to secure a place in the Smyrna area where African-Americans would have a place to be buried. Until the late 1960s and early 1970s, families of the deceased buried in Union Cemetery would gather here on Memorial Day for a ceremony to remember their loved ones. While the cemetery fell into disrepair during the late 20th century, the local St. John's Masonic Lodge No.7, Prince Hall Affiliated took over the care and maintenance of the cemetery in 2010. Union Cemetery continues to serve in the 21st century as a burial site

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

for the Smyrna community.

Erected 2012 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-113.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1904.

Location. 39° 18.135′ N, 75° 36.114′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Duck Creek Hundred. It is on Monrovia Avenue south of East Commerce Street (Delaware Route 6), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 Monrovia Avenue, Smyrna DE 19977, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Delaware’s Southern New Castle County. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 1, 2019

2. Union Cemetery Marker

original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas D. Clayton School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commodore Jacob Jones (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richard Allen (approx. ¼ mile away); Smyrna Opera House and Old Town Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); The Barracks (approx. ¼ mile away); The Gray Box Chateau (approx. ¼ mile away); The Delaware House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.