African Americans and Cemeteries
African Burial Ground National Monument 290 Broadway Manhattan, New York 10007 212-637-2019 |
African Burial Ground National Monument
The following information was obtained from the African American Burial Ground National Museum Pamphlet provided by The National Park Service. Link to the Past The stories of the burial ground teach us how free and enslaved Africans contributed to the physical and spiritual development of Lower Manhattan during the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition, this history reveals how New York played a critical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Africans were separated from their families and subjected to a voyage across the Atlantic in closely packed ships where disease, abuse and death were common.
The Africans in New York came from diverse areas with different cultures, languages and religions. They combined the traditions from their homelands with new world customs.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, more than one quarter of the labor force was enslaved. These Africans worked on the docks, farmed, provided domestic labor, milled and were involved in other trades that were critical to the development of early New York.
The first eleven enslaved men were brought to the colony of New Amsterdam, today Lower Manhattan, by the Dutch West India Company in 1626. Under the Dutch Company, the enslaved men were able to gain conditional freedom; these men could own property, file grievances, be baptized, and marry. In 1644, they petitioned and successfully won partial freedom. In this act, they received 100 acres of land which was referred to as the Land of the Blacks. Although it put them and their wives at liberty as a reward for their many years of service and granted them land for cultivation, the measure required that the men pay for their freedom each year by providing thirty skepels of maize or wheat, peas or beans, and one fat hog to the Dutch West India Company. Additionally, the men were required to work for wages whenever they were needed. The men would be returned to a life of enslavement if they failed to meet these conditions. Even more disturbing, their children (born or yet to be born) remained enslaved. In 1664, the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam was renamed New York when the British took control of the colony. In New York, laws governing enslaved and free Africans were more restrictive than they had been under Dutch rule. Under this system of disenfranchisement and oppression, by the 1720s, no black families lived in the Land of the Blacks because the British eventually prohibited Africans from owning land. In response to these unjust laws, there was a slave revolt in 1712. In 1741, a rumor of a slave revolt led to the execution of two white men, two white women, and thirty black men.
The New York Manumission Society was founded in 1785 to end slavery, and opened the first African Free School in 1787. Then, in 1794, the New York African Society formed as the first black benevolent association to organize burials as well as provide medical and unemployment insurance. Other organizations in the late 1700s and early 1800s that used the title "African" included the NY African Society, Mother Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, NY African Mutual Relief Society, African Grove Society, Infant African School and NY African Mutual Instruction Society. In 1827, New York became the next to last northern state to abolish slavery.
Men, women, and children from Africa died every day of malnutrition, physical strain, punishment, and diseases such as yellow fever and small pox, in colonial New York. Family members and community members came to the African Burial Ground to bury their love one with dignity and respect, in ceremonies rich with traditions. The burial ground's rediscovery inspired research on the lives and countries of origin of these Africans revealing the diversity of their cultures, and their transformation in the Americas. It is estimated that nearly 15,000 Africans are buried within the 6.6 acre site, which mostly lies hidden beneath present day buildings, streets and sidewalks today.
On February 27, 2006 a portion of the African Burial Ground was established as a National Monument by Presidential Proclamation. A memorial has been constructed on the National Monument site where local, national, and international communities honor and celebrate this sacred and historic area.
Sankofa, a West African Akan symbol represents the site. It tells us that in order to inform the future we must return to our roots to gather wisdom.
Rediscovery The Archeological Excavation in Lower Manhattan The African Burial Ground was uncovered during the pre-construction phase of 290 Broadway. Less than an acre of the 6.6 acre historical cemetery was excavated between 1991 and 1992. However, a research design plan for the study and care of the remains had not yet been established. Efforts of concerned citizens, politicians, anthropologists, scientists and historians, including petitions and a 24-hour vigil, eventually led Congress to halt this excavation. A total of 419 African ancestral remains were removed from the cemetery. The ancestral remains were later transferred to the Cobb Laboratory located at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Reinterment Burial Coffins On October 4, 2003 419 ancestral remains were reinterned in the African Burial Ground in hand carved mahogany coffins lined with kente cloth from Ghana. The six-day ceremony began September 30, 2003 at Howard University where thousands attended a departure ceremony. The ceremonies continued in six cities: Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey; and New York City. Each participating city commemorated the lives, culture, and invaluable role of Africans as colony builders in the Northeastern United States.
PICTURES: Top L: Front view. Top R: Front right view. Second Row L: Left view. Second Row R: Right view. Third Row L: Front view Burial Plot for the slaves who were reinterred. Second Row R: Side view Burial Plot for slaves who were reinterred. Video: History of the burial ground.
SUBMITTED: May 25, 2009. Pictures taken May 24, 2009.
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African America Heritage Park Duke and Holland Street Alexandria, VA 22314 |
Located between Duke Street and Holland Lane in Alexandria, Virginia, the Alexandria African American Heritage Park is made up of nine acres, eight of which surround a one acre 19th century African American cemetery. There are 21 burials sites located here, six of which have identifying headstones and are in their original locations.
PICTURES: Top L: African American Heritage Park, front view. Top R: African American Heritage Park, westside view. Bottom L: One of the remaining grave markers (Mary Rome, born February 15, 1858 and died January 15, 1899). Bottom Middle: Another of the remaining grave markers (Matilda Gaines, born 1821 and died September 23, 1897 at the age of 76.) Bottom R: Decorative Sign.
SUBMITTED: June 15, 2008. Pictures taken June 7, 2008.
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Alexandria National Cemetery 1450 Wilkes Street Alexandria, VA 22314 |
Established in 1862, the Alexandria National Cemetery is one of the original national cemeteries. By 1864 the cemetery was nearly full which led to the planning development and construction of Arlington National Cemetery. Notables interned in the Alexandria National Cemetery include five Buffalo Soldiers from the 9th and 10th US Cavalry and the 24th Infantry. Also buried here are four men members of the Quartermaster Corps who were involved in the search for John Wilkes Booth.
PICTURES: Top L: Entrance to the Alexandria National Cemetery. Top R: Southeastern view. Second Row L: Northeastern view. Second Row R: Additional northeastern view. Bottom Row L: Northwestern view. Bottom Row R: Southwestern view.
SUBMITTED: October 16, 2008. Pictures taken October 15, 2008.
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Eden Cemetery Company 1434 Springfield Road Collingdale, PA 19023 610-583-8737 |
The following information was provided by Eden Cemetery: HISTORIC EDEN CEMETERY COMPANY AMERICA'S OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PUBLIC CEMETERY COMPANY
Established 1902
The History of Eden Cemetery
Eden's creation was a cumulative effort. It was the original idea of its founder and organizer, Jerome Bacon. Bacon was a teacher at the Institute for Colored Youth on Bainbridge near Ninth Street, which was later renamed Cheyney State College. In 1900 most African Americans in Philadelphia lived in the SP Ward, an area examined in W.E.B. DuBois' study, The Philadelphia Negro. As the city's population increased, "neighborhood" cemeteries were condemned due to improvements in sanitary and sewage systems. Out of respect for those currently interred and to provide a future resting place for African Americans, Bacon discussed with his contemporaries a plan for a unified African American cemetery. Eden's first president, J. C. Asbury; first manager, Daniel W. Parvis; first treasurer, Martin Lehmann; and first vice president, Charles Jones, agreed with Bacon on a fifty-three acre plot in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. The area was selected because of its proximity to Philadelphia, beautiful landscape, size and availability. Unknown to Collingdale residents, magistrates agreed to grant a charter to the company, which J. C. Asbury executed. Bacon and the board members agreed with Jacob White, the president of Lebanon Cemetery, located at Passyunk near Ninth Street, to re-inter all remains in Eden in 1903. However, the sudden death of Celestine Cromwell, wife of advisor member, Willis M. Cromwell, in August of 1902, hastened the need for a place of interment for African Americans. Bacon, J.C. Asbury and undertaker, J. T. Seth, convinced all of the board members that Celestine Cromwell should be the first interred in Eden Cemetery. On August 11, 1902, before the first interment was to take place, some of the white Collingdale residents blocked the entrance to the cemetery, protesting the interment of African Americans in their community. Mrs. Cromwell's body was returned to Philadelphia. The following evening, on August 12, 1902, after dark, Mrs. Cromwell was buried. In January, 1903, all remains from Labanon Cemetery were interred in Eden. In the spring, the remains from the Stephen Smith Home Cemetery were interred. In 1923, the remains from Olive Cemetery, which was adjacent to the Stephen Smith Home, were also buried in Eden. Celestine, Lebanon, Home and Olive are the original four sections. Eden Cemetery would later expand to 23 sections. In 1924, the mortgage was satisfied and for many years, annual distribution of stock share dividends were paid to over 200 stockholders. Eden Cemetery is on the Historical Register and is the resting place of hundreds of prominent national and local 'old Philadelphian' African Americans. Today, there are over 85,000 interred. By Benjamin Wilson. Notable African Americans interned at Eden Cemetery include: Amos Scott - First African American Magistrate for Philadelphia. Jesse Fauset - First African American woman to become a member of First Phi Beta Kappa, author and teacher. Chris J. Perry - Founder of The Philadelphia Tribune, oldest runnign African American newspaper. William Still and his wife Letitia - Author of "The Underground Railroad". Dr. Caroline Still-Anderson - Philadelphia's First Black female physician and daughter of William and Letitia Still. Dr. Rebecca Cole - female physician. John Taylor - First African American to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Ms. Caroline Lecound - Principal of O.V. Catto School. Francis Harper - Author, lecturer and abolitionist. Mrs. Henrietta S. Bowers-Duterte - One of the first female, African American Undertakers in Pennsylvania. Nellie Bright - Teacher, Ph.D., University of Penn Graduate. Marian Anderson - Renowned Opera Singer. Reverend. Reverend Charles Tindley - One of the founding fathers of American gospel music. Octavius Valetine Catto - educator and civil rights activist. Unfortunately the cemetery has been vandalized by disrespectful and unaware juveniles who, as reported by Eden’s staff, don’t want the cemetery in the predominantly white neighborhood. Map of cemetery.
PICTURES: Top: Entrance to Eden Cemetery. Eden Cemetery Company, 1434 Springfield Road, Collingdale, PA 19023. Contact Ms. Mina Cockroft, Family Services Director, 610-583-8738. Second Row L: Example of vandalisim. Second Row R: Example of vandalisim.
SUBMITTED: April 30, 2009. Picture taken April 30, 2009.
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Elmwood Cemetery 600 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Birmingham, AL 35211-2849 205- 251-3114 |
Established in 1900 as Elm Leaf Cemetery by a group of fraternal organizations. Resting place for Carol Denise McNair, killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church; Eddie Kendricks, co-founder of the Temptations and Sun Ra, jazz composer, band leader and philosopher. Map of cemetery.
PICTURED: Elmwood Cemetery.
SUBMITTED: August 24, 2009. Picture taken August 4, 2009.
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Evergreen Cemetery Evergreen Road Richmond, Virginia 23223 |
Evergreen Cemetery established in 1891, was created as a burial place for African Americans that would rival that of the historic and beautiful Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Notable African Americans buried in Evergreen Cemetery include Maggie Walker, first woman president of a bank. Directly behind the entrance to the cemetery is a well maintained burial area made up of several acres. The largest part of the cemetery however, is severely overgrown and is in need of maintenance. Many if not most of the graves in the cemetery can’t be seen due to the extreme overgrowth.
PICTURES: Top L: Entrance to Evergreen Cemetery. Top R: Close up of the entrance sign. Bottom L: Maggie Walker's family plot. Shown in the background is the extreme level of overgrowth throughout the cemetery. Bottom R: Sign at the entrance to Evergreen Road.
SUBMITTED: October 7, 2008. Pictures taken September 19, 2008.
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Freedmen's Cemetery Demolition and Archaeological Investigation South Washington and Church Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 |
Written on the Freedmen's Cemetery Historical Sign in front of cemetery are the words: Federal authorities established a cemetery here for newly freed African Americans during the Civil War. In January 1864, the military government of Alexandria confiscated for use as a burring ground an abandoned pasture from a family with confederate sympathies. About 1,700 freed people including infants and black Union Soldiers were interred here before the last recorded burial in January of 1869. Most of the deceased had resided in what is known as today as Old Town and in nearby rural settlements. Despite mid twentieth century construction projects, many burials remain undisturbed. A list of those interred here has also survived. To see names of people buried in Freedom’s Cemetery click on the following link freedmenscemetery.org, then on the left side of the page click on Freedman’s Cemetery Burials.
PICTURES: Top L: Freedmen's Cemetery Historical Sign. Top R: Project desciption sign. Bottom L: Project site. Bottom R: Project site.
SUBMITTED: June 2, 2008. Pictures taken June 2, 2008.
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Greenwood Cemetery Aviation Avenue (Next to the Airport) Birmingahm, Alabama 35212 |
Located in this cemetery are three of the four little girls killed on September 15, 1963 while attending church at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Rosamond Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. Carol Denise McNair is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.
PICTURED: History Marker in front of cemetery.
SUBMITTED: August 15, 2009. Picture taken August 4, 2009.
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Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 4001 Suitland Road Suitland, Maryland 20746 301-568-8410 |
Established in 1929, Lincoln Memorial Cemetery is the resting place of many prominant African Americans including Nannie Helen Burroughs, Len Bias, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Van McCoy, Sam Lacey, Mary Church Terrell, Walter Washington, Joseph "Smokey Joe" Williams, Dr. Kelly Miller and Joseph A. Walker Jr.
PICTURED: Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Entrance.
SUBMITTED: February 20, 2009. Picture taken February 17, 2009.
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Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Inc. 2630 Waterview Avenue Baltimore, MD 21230 410-547-0337 |
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Written on the Mt. Auburn Cemetery Historical Sign in front of cemetery are the words: Oldest cemetery for African Americans in Baltimore, founded 1872 by Rev. James Peck, Pastor and Trustees of Sharp Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Dating to 1787 the congregation served the community and was influential in the freedom movement of the 19th century and the civil rights movement of the 20th century. Here rest former slaves, clergy professionals, business owners and thousands of African American families. Notable African Americans buried here include Joseph Gans, World Lightweight Champion and Vivian Thomas, a Surgical Technician portrayed in the 2004 HBO award winning film Something the Lord Made. This historical cemetery is in great need of care. There appears to be a small group of people that maintain a part of the cemetery. Most of it is severely overgrown.
PICTURES: L: Sign at the entrance of the cemetery. R: Sign at the entrance of the cemetery.
SUBMITTED: September 7, 2008. Pictures taken September 7, 2008.
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Woodland (WoodLawn) Cemetery 2300 Magnolia Road Richmond, VA 23223 804-643-4702 |
Established 1916. As far back as the early 1900's Woodland Cemetery was known as a prestigious place of internment for African Americans. In her book, Here I Lay My Burdens Down, Veronica Davis wrote about the history of Black cemeteries in Richmond, Virginia. She stated that in the early 1900's a cemetery plot sold for $15.00 to $250.00. Buried here are many of Richmond's Black elite including John Jasper, Founder and the first Reverend of the Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church, philosopher and orator. He was also authorized by the United States Freedman's Bureau, along with several other Black ministers to legalize slave marriages. Before the Civil War, slave marriages were not recognized as being legal. Also buried here are many doctors, dentists, bank officers, an African American woman spy for the Union and church leaders.
Woodland cemetery is maintained by Isaiah Entizminger and a small staff. With the exception of a very small number of donations made by friends of the cemetery, Mr. Entizminger personally pays for the upkeep of the cemetery.
PICTURED: Woodland (Woodlawn) Cemetery, 2300 Magnolia Road, Richmond, VA 23223. Contact Mr. Entizmiger, 804-643-4702.
SUBMITTED: October 1, 2008. Picture taken September 19, 2008.
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Pictures taken and submitted by Percy White unless otherwise indicated. African American History, African American Culture, African American Churches, African American Cemeteries, African American Schools, Places of Interest in African American History |