Upper Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Slave Cemetery

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010

1. Slave Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Known by this name for generations, it once was part of the Hopper family farm. Believed to have been a burial ground for slaves and freed blacks, there once were many stones, most without marks. In 1910, the surviving stones with inscriptions were recorded. Known to rest here are John Thompson who died July 22, 1854 at the age of twenty-one; S.F.T., June 30, 1821; Sam (undated); and Gin, July 1775, Her tombstone was inscribed in Dutch.

Erected 1987 by Bergen County Historical Society; sponsored by Upper Saddle River Historical Society; Restoration by Troop 33, BSA. (Marker Number 116.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Bergen County Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1821.

Location. 41° 3.997′ N, 74° 5.378′ W. Marker is in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, in Bergen County. It is on Knights Court west of East Saddle River Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located on a high point in the woods behind 18 Knights Court. There is an easement/ walkway on the property to access the slave cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 Knights Court, Saddle River NJ 07458, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

in Greater Newark,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saddle River Reformed Church and Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hopper-Goetschius House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eckerson House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Master Sergeant Charles E. Hosking, Jr. Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Haring Homestead (approx. 2.4 miles away in New York); Saddle River 9 – 11 Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Saddle River Veterans Monument (approx. 2½ miles away); Ackerman – Pell House (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Saddle River.

More about this marker. The location of the slave cemetery is behind the house located at 18 Knights Court, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. There is an easement/pathway to access the slave cemetery on the western edge of this property.

Also see . . . Bergen County Historical Society. (Submitted on April 18, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Michael Grisafi, May 12, 2022

2. Slave Cemetery Marker

Thompson tombstone from 1921 at the highest point in Mahwah.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010

3. Slave Cemetery Marker

The cemetery is surrounded by a fence, but no stones or other markers remain at this site.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010

4. Slave Cemetery Marker

Marker is in the woods behind houses on Knights Court.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2010. This page has been viewed 6,578 times since then and 108 times this year. Last updated on October 11, 2025. Photos: 1. submitted on April 18, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on May 14, 2022, by Michael Grisafi of Mahwah, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.