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

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Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) and His Devoted Wife, Annes

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, October 8, 2006

1. Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) And His Devoted Wife, Annes Marker

Inscription. Born a slave, Bishop Spencer was the father of Delaware’s independent Black church movement. In 1813, he founded the Union Church of Africans, presently known as the African Union Methodist Protestant Church. The mother AUMP church stood on this site from 1813 to 1970. The Union American Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME), formally organized in 1865, traces its origins to Spencer. He was also the founder of “August Quarterly” in 1813, one of the oldest Black folk festivals in America.

Erected 1988 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-84.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 44.604′ N, 75° 32.835′ W. Marker was in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker was on North French Street, 0.1 miles north of East Eighth Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) and His Devoted Wife, Annes (here, next to this marker); Spencer Plaza rain gardens are working to keep Wilmington's waterways clear! (here, next to this marker); Here Lie Rev. & Mrs. Peter Spencer (a few steps from this marker); Louis L. Redding City County Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Holocaust (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Shadd Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Ezion Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Ezion-Mount Carmel United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) and His Devoted Wife, Annes. The August Quarterly, which began in 1814, became a kind of Independence Day for Black people on the Delmarva Peninsula. In fact, in the early years of the festival abolitionists and Underground Railroad conductors of the stature of Thomas Garrett and Harriet Tubman had often been in the Wilmington area to assist slaves who were escaping. The Big Quarterly, over the years, has remained a time of reunion, religious revival and celebration of freedom for the people in and

Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barliz Jordan, June 7, 2014

2. Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) Marker

around Wilmington, Delaware.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker, which has slightly different text.

Photographed By Barliz Jordan, June 7, 2014

3. Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) Marker

Photographed By Barliz Jordan, June 7, 2014

4. Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) Marker

Photographed By Barliz Jordan, June 7, 2014

5. Gravesite of Bishop Peter Spencer (1779-1843) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 3,624 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 20, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2014, by Barliz Jordan of San Diego, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.