Red Lion Hundred in 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. It is in Red Lion Hundred. It 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.

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

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

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.

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At least 8 other 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 May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 1,151 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.