Delaware City in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
African Union Church Cemetery
Photographed By Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024
1. African Union Church Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
African Union Church Cemetery. . In 1835 five trustees of the African Union Church purchased this half acre of land for $80, thereby establishing a church, now razed, and cemetery. Throughout its active years the church and cemetery served the residents of Polktown, one of the state's earliest free black settlements. Among the marked burials are five veterans of the United States Colored Troops, identified by the government issued headstones marking these graves. While headstones mark additional graves, many remain unmarked. The date of the last interment is unknown. After a period of disuse, the cemetery and its care became associated with the Mount Salem UAME Church.
In 1835 five trustees of the African Union Church purchased this half acre of land for $80, thereby establishing a church, now razed, and cemetery. Throughout its active years the church and cemetery served the residents of Polktown, one of the state's earliest free black settlements. Among the marked burials are five veterans of the United States Colored Troops, identified by the government issued headstones marking these graves. While headstones mark additional graves, many remain unmarked. The date of the last interment is unknown. After a period of disuse, the cemetery and its care became associated with the Mount Salem UAME Church.
Erected 2017 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-229.)
Location. 39° 34.022′ N, 75° 35.505′ W. Marker is in Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 5th Street (Route 9) and 7th Street, on the right when traveling east. Located 0.4 miles south
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on the Michael N Castle Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delaware City DE 19706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.