New Jersey Historical Commission Unveils Historical Marker Honoring Abolitionist Benjamin Lundy
TRENTON, NJ - Revolution NJ and the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, will unveil a New Jersey State Historical Marker at the rear of 243 Kennedy Road (County Route 611), Greendell, NJ 07839 on Saturday November 7, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. The marker will recognize the birthplace of Benjamin Lundy in 1789, a prominent abolitionist.
Lundy was raised in Sussex County, New Jersey in a Quaker family. In 1808 he moved to Virginia where he established the first newspaper devoted exclusively to abolitionism. He also gave the first-known public lecture in America in favor of the abolition of slavery. During his career, he worked with famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison who later honored him in two sonnets.
“The New Jersey Historical Commission is proud to include Benjamin Lundy as part of its State Historical Marker Program’s 250th series which honors the whole history of the American Revolution from its origins to its lasting legacy. Lundy’s contributions to the abolitionist movement are a perfect example of the ways in which New Jerseyans work towards achieving the ideals of freedom and justice for all,” said Acting Secretary of State Shirley Emehelu.
“New Jersey has a long and complicated history with slavery,” said Sara Cureton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “Despite being a northern state, slavery existed here from the colony’s founding in the 17th century through the end of the American Civil War. This marker uplifts people like Benjamin Lundy who spoke out against that terrible institution inspired by the belief that all people were created equal.”
Mayor Virginia Raffay of Green Township stated that “our town is very fortunate to have an active Historical Society with such depth of historical knowledge.”
“Benjamin Lundy made abolition and the equality of all people his life’s work,” said Kevin Conn of Green Township Historical Society (GTHS). “His Genius of Universal Emancipation helped make the abolition of slavery a national question, and he inspired those like William Lloyd Garrison who carried his torch into the next generation.”
Richard Stevens of GTHS, who researched and mapped early deeds to locate the homestead of the parents of Benjamin Lundy, said that he is “gratified that the NJHC had approved a marker for this distinguished person who was born in Green Township.”
About RevolutionNJ
RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey.
About the New Jersey Historical Commission
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.
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