top of page

Recent Posts

1/84

"They Were Good Soldiers," Memorial Day Observance

  • Writer: The Montgomery News
    The Montgomery News
  • May 24
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 25

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted May 24, 2025


The role of African-Americans, most free but some enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known, according to Sharon "Elaine" Buck, co-founder of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) in Skillman.


To honor these brave soldiers, a Memorial Day Service will feature Author John U. Rees, who will share stories of African American men who fought on land and sea for American Independence in the Continental Army — from his book, "They Were Good Soldiers." The public is invited to the Stoutsburg Cemetery on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 3 pm.

ree

John U. Rees, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has been writing about common soldiers' experiences in the War for American Independence for more than 30 years. The above photo is from "Black Soldiers in America's Wars (1754 - 1865)," which he co-authored.


In his latest book, Rees shares an account of the Battle of Trenton — as told by Jacob Francis, a free man of color who enlisted in 1775 and who crossed the Delaware River the following year as a soldier in Washington’s Army:


"We received orders to march [on] Christmas night, crossed at the river, down to Trenton early in the morning. Our regiment crossed at Howells Ferry four miles above Trenton and marched down the River Road and entered the west end of the town. General Washington with the rest of the Army crossed at McConkey’s Ferry four miles above Howells and marched down the Scotch Road and came into the north end of the town ...


"We marched down the street from the river road into the town to the corner where it crosses the street running out towards the scotch road & turned up that street & General Washington was at the head of that street coming down towards us & some of the hessians between us & there we had the fight & the principal firing was. After about half an hour the firing ceased & some officers among whom I recollect was General Lord Stirling rode up to Coll: Sergeant & conversed with him then we were ordered to follow him and with these officers & Col Sergeant at our head."

ree

Book cover from John U. Rees, "They Were Good Soldiers: African-Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783."


Learn more about John U. Rees at: https://independent.academia.edu/JohnRees1


Stoutsburg Cemetery Memorial Day Service

Speaker: John U. Rees, author, "They Were Good Soldiers"

3 pm at the cemetery, 567 Province Line Rd, Hopewell, NJ

  • In case of rain, the service will be held in the Second Calvary Baptist Church, 69 Columbia Avenue, Hopewell.


The Stoutsburg Cemetery Association was officially founded as a burial ground for African American residents and veterans in 1858. It is the final resting place for many African American veterans who fought for the Union in the Colored Troops. There are also veterans from the American Revolutionary War and both world wars buried here. Many of the graves are unmarked but have been found via ground penetrating radar. Be respectful when walking these grounds as even the areas without stones are the final resting places of the dead. This is also the final resting place for Sylvia Dubois. She was born into slavery in 1768 and lived until 1888 when she died free at the age of 120!


Advertisement

ree

Montgomery Memorial Day Service

The Montgomery Memorial Day Service, begins at 9 am at the Veteran’s Memorial in Veteran’s Park, Belle Mead.


Sign Dedication in Honor of Stephen Warner

The service will then move to Community Drive at the Montgomery Municipal Center. The dedication of the Stephen Warner street sign will occur at 10 am. Click here >>Read the Montgomery News.


Rocky Hill Memorial Day Service

bottom of page