Red Lion Hundred in 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. 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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 39° 34.022′ N, 75° 35.505′ W. Marker is in Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Red Lion Hundred. It 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 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia.

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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Polktown, Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); Who is Buried Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); Polktown's Cemetery Rediscovered (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal Suffrage Study Club (about 700

African Union Church Cemetery Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

2. African Union Church Cemetery Marker wide view

feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort DuPont (approx. ¼ mile away); Michelle N. Smith Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Chapel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delaware City.

Wide view of the cemetery itself image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

3. Wide view of the cemetery itself

Sign at the cemetery plaza entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

4. Sign at the cemetery plaza entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 36 times this year. 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.