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Five federal tombstones mark the USCT veterans' final resting place in Delaware City: James Elbert, Joseph Byard, Lewis Taylor, William Crawford, and Alexander Draper. Byard’s neighbor William Watson, another Polktown USCT veteran, may be interred here. In a nearby cemetery lies fellow soldier Joseph LeCount.

The Friends have completed our short film which tells the story of Polktown, its restored African Union Church Cemetery, and a particular United States Colored Troops soldier, Pvt. James H. Elbert, who fought in the Civil War.

Preservation,

Commemoration,

Education

In Delaware City lies an unheralded bit of American history – a lost cemetery containing the remains of generations of African-Americans from our area. This cemetery is the burial place of 5 members of the US Colored Troops who served bravely served the Union in the Civil War.

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery was founded in 1996 by concerned citizens to preserve and teach about this cemetery, owned by the Mt. Salem UAME Church. After two decades, the restored cemetery and memorial plaza opened to the public along the Delaware City Canal Trail.

It is our mission to preserve this place. We tell the story of the formerly forgotten people who lived here, died, and were buried there.

Join us to learn about The African Union Church Cemetery’s restoration and maintenance.
Find out more about becoming an FAUCC Member