Black History in New Jersey
A Quick Look
Peter Lee
Enslaved in Hoboken
Slavery
New Jersey’s first constitution, the Concessions and Agreement encouraged slavery.
The Concessions and Agreement offered settlers:
- Sixty additional acres for each slave imported in 1664
- Forty-five acres for each slave imported in 1665
- Thirty acres for each slave imported in 1666
Image Credit: New Jersey State Archives, Department of State
A Few Notables
Federal Government
Bonnie Watson Coleman First black woman to Donald Payne
represent New Jersey in
the US House of Representatives
First black man to
represent New Jersey in
the US House of Representatives
Cory Booker First black man to represent
New Jersey In the US Senate
State Government
Wynona Lipman Madeline A Williams Walter G Alexander Mildred Scott
First black woman to serve
in the New Jersey Senate
(1894-1968)
First black woman elected to
the New Jersey Legislature
(1880-1953)
First black man elected to
the New Jersey Legislature
First black woman
elected County Sheriff
New Jersey Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth
Known as the Bordentown School and called the Tuskegee of the North
Faculty and Staff
William Valentine
Principal
Print Shop
Sewing Class
Bordentown Images: New Jersey State Archives, Department of State