Plainfield in Union County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Black Revolutionary War Hero Caesar
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, July 31, 2026
1. Black Revolutionary War Hero Caesar Marker
The life of Caesar (last name unknown), born in what is now Guinea in 1702, demonstrates the early contributions of African Americans to the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. Caesar was captured in Africa and enslaved in New Jersey during the colonial era. The 1756 will of his enslaver Isaac Drake required that he complete ten additional years of enslavement before manumission. On March 1, 1780, Caesar began serving with the Continental forces in Trenton as a teamster and managed a four-horse team. Caesar lived to be 104 and was buried in Scotch Plains Baptist Church Cemetery.
A division of the New Jersey Department of State
Erected 2026 by New Jersey Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2024.A.09.)
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 36.834′ N, 74° 25.911′ W. Memorial is in Plainfield, New Jersey, in Union County. It is at the intersection of W Front Street (New Jersey Route 28) and Geraud Avenue, on the left
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in North Jersey, in Greater Newark, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Drake House Flag Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); Drake House (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Site of the Blue Hills Fort and Camp (approx. 0.7 miles away); Plainfield Garden Club (approx. 1.2 miles away); Washington Rock (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, May 14, 2026
2. Black Revolutionary War Hero Caesar Marker
Unveiling Ceremony
Unveiling Ceremony
On May 14, 2026, the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker honoring the life of Caesar (last name unknown) whose legacy represents the sacrifices and contributions of African Americans to the Revolutionary War era in New Jersey.
Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail
3. Drake House Virtual Museum
Historical Society of Plainfield, June 29, 2015
4. Drake House Museum
Historical Society of Plainfield
5. Daughters of the American Revolution Memorial Marker
Caesar’s name has been added
Photographed by Dan Silva, May 24, 2011
6. Caesar’s Gravestone
In the Scotch Plains Baptist Church Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 4, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
