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Mount Zion Cemetery, Swdesboro, Gloucester County, NJ

MOUNT ZION CEMETERY, SWEDESBORO, NEW JERSEY

In the mid 19th century, the Mount Zion A.M.E Church in Swedesboro, New Jersey, established the Mount Zion Cemetery, located about 40 yards west of the church edifice.  The cemetery property contains one-fourth acre of land donated by Mr. Peter Murray, a member of the church. The church has buried more than 200 members at this location.  Many of the headstones have sunk into the ground, others have toppled over and some are undisturbed.  Those still standing vary in size and quality, with two that stand about five feet tall.

A total of 138 African-American men from Gloucester County served in the Civil War. The ones who returned home were honored and respected by the community of Small Gloucester and those who were physically and mentally wounded from the war were cared for by the church family.  These heroes were buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery and, though gone, will not be forgotten.

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