Union Bethel Cemetery

Mar 26

Written By alanah cooper

Site Brief:

Founded: 1831

Location: Lower Township, NJ

Additional name(s): N/A

Affiliate group(s):

Lower Township Historic Preservation Commission

History:

By the early 1800's, there was a community of freed African Americans 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 1 in the Navy.