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.
Union Cemetery. . 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 for the Smyrna community.
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 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:
Location. 39° 18.135′ N, 75° 36.114′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker 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.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 1, 2019
2. Union Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 27 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.
