Lawnside Legacies: Delving into History and Community Contributions

Black History Month is when often-overlooked narratives of resilience, perseverance, strength, and community get spotlighted.

- Shaniele Brown, South Jersey

In the heart of New Jersey, you will find Lawnside, the first independent, self-governing Black municipality in Northern America (Incorporated in 1926), a town enriched in history and holds a special significance within African origin.

"The history of Lawnside is the History of Black culture in South Jersey," said Genealogist and Project Manager for Lawnside Historical Society, Shamele Jordon.

In 1840, Free Haven, now known as Lawnside, developed once abolitionists purchased the land for freed and escaped enslaved people. The town was established well before 1840, but now it was time for those enslaved to have somewhere to feel safe.

According to Linda Shockley, president of the Lawnside Historical Society since 1994, the early origins of Lawnside was founded by Quaker Ralph Smith, a member of the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee. Smith worked alongside Jacob C. Wright, Sr., a prominent African American barber, physician, dentist, and community leader, to purchase the land for freed and escaped enslaved people, calling it "Free Haven." Shockley explains that Jacob Wright, Sr. was a Black man from Philadelphia who donated land for the first school for the children of Lawnside. Also, many people had property given to them by Quakers.

"Ralph Smith and Jacob C. Wright, Sr. wanted people to be owners of their houses, to have deeds," said Shockley.