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Union American Methodist Episcopal Burial Ground

Also known as City of Chester Potter's Field , City of Chester Strangers' Burial Ground

Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA

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  • Get directions Welsh Street, North of 2nd Street
    Chester, Pennsylvania 19013 United States
    Coordinates: 39.84612, -75.35711
  • This cemetery is marked as being historical or removed.
  • No longer accepting burials
  • Cemetery ID:

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Early in the 19th century, Robert Morris, a slave in the lower part of Delaware, was told by his master, with whom he was a favorite, that his property was about to be levied on by the Sheriff, to make his escape to Chester and, if possible, get some one to buy him. The latter fled, and Charles Lloyd, of the Blue Bell Tavern, Kingsessing, purchased him from his master for $300, conditioned that when he attained 30 years he was to be free.


Morris, who was a religious man, after he was free, came to Chester, where he organized an African Union church.


At first only four persons could be found to attend meetings, which were held in a house occupied by a man named Williams, on Third street, west of Concord avenue, but by degrees the movement spread until about 1831, when sufficient means were collected to purchase from Matthew L. Bevans a lot on Welsh street adjoining the former Strangers' Burial Ground, and to build a frame church.


Following divisions in the African Union Church, the congregation became a Union American Methodist Episcopal denomination. A new church was built in the late 1870s, and in 1900 a marker was erected behind the church commemorating all of those buried in the cemetery from 1829 onwards.


Either during or shortly after World War II, the church and the entire surrounding neighborhood was demolished for a parking lot. The lot covers the site to this day.

Early in the 19th century, Robert Morris, a slave in the lower part of Delaware, was told by his master, with whom he was a favorite, that his property was about to be levied on by the Sheriff, to make his escape to Chester and, if possible, get some one to buy him. The latter fled, and Charles Lloyd, of the Blue Bell Tavern, Kingsessing, purchased him from his master for $300, conditioned that when he attained 30 years he was to be free.


Morris, who was a religious man, after he was free, came to Chester, where he organized an African Union church.


At first only four persons could be found to attend meetings, which were held in a house occupied by a man named Williams, on Third street, west of Concord avenue, but by degrees the movement spread until about 1831, when sufficient means were collected to purchase from Matthew L. Bevans a lot on Welsh street adjoining the former Strangers' Burial Ground, and to build a frame church.


Following divisions in the African Union Church, the congregation became a Union American Methodist Episcopal denomination. A new church was built in the late 1870s, and in 1900 a marker was erected behind the church commemorating all of those buried in the cemetery from 1829 onwards.


Either during or shortly after World War II, the church and the entire surrounding neighborhood was demolished for a parking lot. The lot covers the site to this day.

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  • Added: 6 Mar 2022
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2748586