Delaware City in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Polktown, Delaware

Circa 1835

— African Union Church Cemetery —

Polktown, Delaware Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

1. Polktown, Delaware Marker

Inscription.
The African American community known today as Polktown is one of the earliest remaining free black settlements in Delaware and has been continuously occupied for nearly two centuries. It extended on both sides of the historic branch canal and included a church, school and residences.

Polktown land ownership was controlled by whites from 1830 through 1845. Two purchases by African Americans, first by Rev. Shadrach Boyer and his two sons, then by Perry Reynolds and Betsy Green in 1853, marked the first African American ownership.

Polktown's initial fortunes were linked to the canal. Today's neighborhood is a reminder of the original community.

Erected by Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 39° 34.037′ N, 75° 35.528′ W. Marker is in Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker can be reached from Michael N. Castle Trail, 0.4 miles south of 5th Street (Delaware Route 9), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1840 Michael N Castle Trl, Delaware City DE 19706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

markers are within walking distance of this marker. Who is Buried Here? (a few steps from this marker); United States Colored Troops in this Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Polktown's Cemetery Rediscovered (within shouting distance of this marker); African Union Church Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal Suffrage Study Club (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort DuPont (approx. 0.2 miles 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.

Also see . . . The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery. This organization was founded to care for and promote the cemetery. (Submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Polktown, Delaware Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pete Skillman, April 9, 2024

2. Polktown, Delaware Marker wide view

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 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.