Negro Burying Ground, Hillside Avenue, Bedminster, NJ
Historical Significance:
This is the only known instance in New Jersey where slaves were permitted to purchase a tract of land as a burial ground.
The deed for the property, which specifically defines its purpose as a burying ground for “ the Black people in this Neighborhood,” was officially recorded by the Somerset County Clerk in 1801.
2. Negro Burying Ground, Hillside Avenue,
Bedminster, NJ
Historical Significance:
This is the only known instance in New Jersey where slaves
were permitted to purchase a tract of land as a burial ground.
The deed for the property, which specifically defines its
purpose as a burying ground for “ the Black people in this
Neighborhood,” was officially recorded by the Somerset
County Clerk in 1801.
3. Charles McC Reeve survey drawn by L. A. Dunham, Plainfield Civil Engineer, 1915.
6. 1801 Deed from Aaron Melick to three Black men & trustees for the Black people in the Neighborhood
7. Slave Burying Ground - 1801
This Indenture made the twenty second day of June in the year of our Lord on thousand
eight hundred & one between Aaron Melick of Bedminster in the County of Somerset & State
of New Jersey of the one part & Robert Aaron & Aaron Melick’s Richard and Aaron Van
Dorn’s Zaff, Blackmen & trustees for the Black people in this Neighborhood of the other part.
Witness at this the said Aaron Melick for fair Consideration of the sum three dollars to him in
hand paid by the said Robert Aaron, Melick’s Richand and Van Dorn’s Zaff - - -
- for the use & purpose of a burying Ground for the said Black people in said Neighborhood -
Beginning at a Black oak tree Standing near Aaron Melicks wood of trees marked on the
sides from
thence running south forty degrees east one chain to heap of stones
thence south fifty degrees west one chain to the Road that leads from peapack to the (?)
thence north forty degrees west one chain along said road
thence north fifty degrees east one chain to the Beginning
Containing one tenth acre
8.
9. Time Line of Township Property
1801 – Aaron Melick sells 66 x 66 to three black men.
1833 – David Melick, Aarons grandson, sells the southern 16 acre of his 147 tract to
John M. Poulson. The northwest corner of Poulson’s land borders the burying ground.
1834 – David Melick mortgages balance of tract to Nicholas Arrowsmith.
1847 – Poulson sells .6 acres to James S. Logan south of land (township property)
occupied by his daughter Maniah Poulson.
1849 - Poulson gives township property to Maniah. Deed states .67 acres but M&B not
complete. Southern 8 feet of burying ground include in partial discription.
18?? – Maniah Poulson sells property to Folkert P. Dow (1808-1890). No deed is
recorded.
1881 – Folkert P. Dow mortgages property (claims .84 acres) for $100. (.62 actual)
1918 – Maggie G. Dow sells .84 acres to James B. Dow (The deed backdated to 1892)
Maggie Gaddis Dow (1832-1902) is the wife of Folkert Dow’s oldest son Oscar.
1935 – James B. Dow estate sells .84 acre tract (.62 actual) plus the “Colored
Cemetery” to Bedminster Township. (.74 actual total)
12. Negro Burying Ground, Hillside Avenue
Recommendations:
• The site should be preserved as a historic site.
• Confirm the exact corners of burying ground
• Undertake additional research to identify interments
• Install an historic marker on the site
