Touring the Pennington African Cemetery

History Where I Live: Pennington African Cemetery

4/9/2014

By John Roberts

I had noticed the sign at the end of a long gravel driveway for the past 18 months as a walked or drove along Main Street after I moved to my new home in Pennington, N.J.

I had long planned to get over a see what the Pennington African Cemetery was all about. The weather finally turned nice enough this spring for me to take a walk over.

A Google search reveals that the field tucked in among the homes serves as the final resting place for dozens of Americans, including nine Civil War veterans.

The last burial was in the 1960s, according to a nice article I found that describes how the tiny cemetery for the "Colored" was saved in the early 2000s.

-- JR

27 Comments

Raphael Alexander Zoren link

4/10/2014 04:10:27 am

I totally love graveyards: Spooky and yet beautiful!

4/10/2014 04:29:04 am

Me too. Quiet little places within big cities that tell a story with each gravestone you read.

Emily link

4/10/2014 05:22:40 am

Cool photos! I always think graveyards make good subjects - so quiet and full of history. This one looks really interesting :)

4/10/2014 06:44:54 am

Thanks Emily.
It was a neat find.

karen warren link

4/10/2014 09:23:49 am

It's always good when you discover something new on your own doorstep, especially when it turns out to be full of history!

4/10/2014 12:32:12 pm

Now, living in Central New Jersey, I have tons of Revolutionary War era history yet to uncover, too. Thanks for reading.

The Crowded Planet link

4/10/2014 09:46:36 am

Great post! I love finding hidden treasures on your doorstep. I loved the fact that you kept the text brief on purpose, feels like you're revealing a lot more.

4/10/2014 12:33:48 pm

Thanks for the feedback. This was one that seemed obvious to let the pictures do the talking. Keep it simple often works best, I think.

Paul (@luxury__travel) link

4/10/2014 12:43:46 pm

The graves seem so far apart... that's a little unusual isn't it? Or is just because there isn't much of a premium with the land in that area?

4/10/2014 12:54:04 pm

Hi Paul.
They are far apart. I have found reference to the fact that many of the grave stones, which date to the 1800s, have been lost or sunk below ground. But it is all spread out now, and the grass is thick golden thatch at this time of year.

Samantha link

4/11/2014 04:22:27 pm

I love finding new places to explore in your own hometown. It's easy to think it's boring or there's nothing to do when really there is so much! The graves seem to be randomly spread out, not as organized as I thought it'd be. Doesn't seem to be that many either, interesting!

4/12/2014 02:48:00 am

Hi Samantha. It made for an great afternoon walk down to take some pictures. The sites are very spread out. It's so serene. I read many of the gravestones have sunk into the ground.

Fie link

4/12/2014 10:15:34 am

Graveyards are so full of history .

4/12/2014 11:11:18 am

Yes. I always like checking them out when I visit a city that's new to me.

Christine link

4/12/2014 10:12:54 pm

I love finding interesting places around home! It just goes to show that you can have adventures without even leaving your own city. Nice photos!

4/13/2014 01:45:30 am

Thanks much! IK. Travel can just mean getting out for a walk and looking around.

Manouk Bob link

4/12/2014 10:19:36 pm

I missed reading the first word in the title so for a moment I though your were living on the graveyard ;)! But I agree with the above comments: graveyards are fascinating! Cool post!

Ashley and Alex link

4/13/2014 10:41:50 am

It is always so nice when you find something new in your own home town, especially a place so filled with history!

Jon @ jonistravelling.com link

4/13/2014 10:59:14 pm

I love visiting graveyards, such interesting and peaceful places!

Elena Nacheva link

4/13/2014 11:04:15 pm

It´s good that you can still find new things where you live, I hope that wasn´t the last one left :)

City Sea Country link

4/14/2014 12:55:02 am

I am not a huge fan of graveyards but I liked the ones in Ireland with the old stone crosses.

4/14/2014 04:14:57 am

Thanks so much to all who have come to read this little story. It's great to get some interaction and feedback. Sometimes the most simple things out there can become a fantastic subject of discussion. There are just so many places in the world to visit and share. We will never see them all, but we can keep on moving.

Chris Boothman link

4/14/2014 05:08:31 pm

I can't say that I am too fond of cemeteries or graveyards. It's not that they spook me out, I guess I just don't have a sufficient appreciation of them but also can accept that folks out there do enjoy visiting them. I do agree with other comments though that there is some excellent architecture and design that goes into them!

4/15/2014 12:46:57 pm

Some of the tombstones are very ornate. Not in this one, though. The graveyards in places with a war history are very thought-provoking, I think, to see so many lives cut short.

Bianca @ItsAllBee link

4/14/2014 10:40:17 pm

Graveyards totally freak me out but I have come across some pretty beautiful ones during my travels. One was in Hong on a hill. Really beautiful and bright with flowers and then one on my recent trip in Israel. Right by the beach!

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Dave Cole link

4/15/2014 02:43:58 am

Isn't it great to find some history just down the road? Now you have a nice place to take any visitors, too.

4/15/2014 12:48:16 pm

Indeed, Dave. A great place to stop on our evening walks now.

History Where I Live: Pennington African Cemetery

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