Cooper Point in Camden in Camden County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 21, 2023
1. Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here Marker
Inscription.
Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here. . African slavery in New Jersey began with early European settlement. By 1766, circa 800 captive people had been sold here at the Coopers Point 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.
African slavery in New Jersey began with early European settlement. By 1766, circa 800 captive people had been sold here at the Coopers Point 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 2020 by New Jersey African American Heritage Council.
Location. 39° 57.241′ N, 75° 7.739′ W. Marker is in Camden, New Jersey, in Camden County. It is in Cooper Point. Marker can be reached from Elm Street west of Jersey Joe Walcott Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. The marker stands on the grounds
Click or scan to see this page online
of Cooper's Poynt Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Camden NJ 08102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 21, 2023
2. Enslaved Africans Once Sold Here Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear frontal photo of marker. • Can you help?
