QUEEN ESTHER HOUSEHOLD OF RUTH CEMETERY

FOUNDED: around 1917

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

The Queen Esther Household of Ruth Cemetery was established by Black women in the community of Whitesboro. This town was intentionally created by George Henry White and other dedicated African Americans as a safe haven for Black people seeking to escape the regional racism of the Deep South and the local racism present in Cape May County. Furthermore, the Household of Ruth Cemetery serves as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of Black women, who were its founders.

BCN Contact Information:

Rev. Douglas Moore, MDiv, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Whitesboro

rev.dh.moore@gmail.co

UNION BETHEL CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1831

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S):

• Lower Township Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORY:

By the early 1800's, there was a community of free Blacks, and most likely some escaped enslaved people, located in a rural wooded area. Most members of the community were farmers and some had been formerly enslaved. A group of trustees approached a farm owner to purchase land to build a church to serve this community. In 1831, land was conveyed "that they shall erect and build...a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church" and later "burying ground for Coloured people." A church was built but is no longer standing.

The earliest burial in the cemetery was in 1834 and the latest in 1947. Over the years, various groups have participated in efforts to restore the cemetery and preserve it. In 2018, the Lower Township Historic Preservation Commission took over the care of the cemetery and are the caretakers today. The cemetery is notable for the 16 veterans of the Civil War, 15 of whom served in the US Colored Troops and one in the Navy as well as one veteran who served in both WWI and WWII.

BCN Contact Information:

Lower Township Historic Preservation Commission

Pary Tell

parytell@gmail.com