UNION AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1835

ADDITONAL NAMES: Allentown Borough Municipality and Union AME Church

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

The Allentown African Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1835. This cemetery was in active use by the Union AME church from 1862- 1946. There are 65 identified burial plots at the site; however, 2019 research revealed there are 170 people buried in the cemetery. Many buried here were residents of Allentown, active in the Underground Railroad, or served in the Civil War. Among the buried was the last surviving Civil War Veteran in New Jersey, Sergeant George Ashby.

In honor of one of the cemetery' s most historical figures, Sergeant George Ashby, Allentown Borough created a park to add to the beauty and the historical importance of this Civil War Veteran and the people buried alongside him, known and unknown. Also buried within the cemetery is James Woby a hero in the battle of Gettysburg.

Allentown was also home to the Black Church Movement and was home to the second AME church in the county of Monmouth which was established in 1835.

BCN Contact Information:

Borough Administrator Laurie Roth and Allentown Council

clerk@allentownboronj.com

CEDAR VIEW CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1850

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

In 1850, John B. Crawford, a local land and enslaver sold the 2.5-acre site to a group of 14 Black men for use as a cemetery. The group was comprised of free black men and former slaves.

The cemetery consists of 24 plots, each measuring 99 by 39 feet. The cemetery served as the burial ground for many African American families. There are former enslaved people as well as for Civil War USCT buried at the site.

The cemetery is not active, but it is an open area, open to the public.

BCN Contact Information:

Friends of Cedar View

friendsofcedarview@gmail.com

www.cedarviewcemetery.org