Cooper Grant in Camden in Camden County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 16, 2022

1. Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here Marker

Inscription. African slavery in New Jersey began with early European settlement. By 1766, circa 800 captive people had been sold here at the Federal Street Ferry and two other nearby ferry landings. In Africa, approximately 24 million captured men, women and children marched to coastal prisons. Only half survived the journey. These 12 million survivors then endured deplorable conditions on the Middle Passage ocean crossings, where an additional 2 million died from disease, malnutrition, dehydration, drowning, suicide and abuse. By 1800, New Jersey's enslaved African population exceeded 12,000. New Jersey was the last Northern state to emancipate, adopting gradual abolition in 1804 and finally ratifying the 13th Amendment on January 23, 1866.

Erected 2018 by New Jersey African American Heritage Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1866.

Location. 39° 56.681′ N, 75° 7.758′ W. Marker is in Camden, New Jersey, in Camden County. It is in Cooper Grant. It is at the intersection of Federal Street (County Road 537) and Jersey Joe Walcott Boulevard, on the right when traveling west

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on Federal Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Federal St, Camden NJ 08102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey

and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: L-3 Communications (within shouting distance of this marker); PRR Federal Street Ferry Terminal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ulysses S. Wiggins Park (about 600 feet away); USS New Jersey Propeller (about 600 feet away); Walt Whitman (about 700 feet away); Jersey Joe Walcott (about 700 feet away); Camden's Ferry System (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Victor (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Additional keywords. human trafficking; slave trade

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 16, 2022

2. Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.