Snow Hill One-Place Study

Reconstructing Snow Hill, NJ began out of a desire to give back to the community which has given me so much. Having grown up in Lawnside, NJ I learned the importance of understanding the unique contribution of African Americans and how we shaped the American Experience.

Lawnside will always hold a special place in the history of the state of New Jersey as the only African American town in the state. This small town of 1.4 square miles had a population of 431 people in 1880. The earliest reference to Snow Hill is an 1801 survey showing the Snow Hill Meeting House. This meeting house was in the location of present day Mt. Pisgah AME Church. In historical accounts this place of worship was established in 1791 as a mixed congregation.

This study will reconstruct the town of Snow Hill using the genealogical and historical records of the residents and those connected to the town before incorporation in 1926. The first project mapped nearly 150 Civil War soldiers and sailors who were buried in Lawnside, NJ. The maps show the burial location, a photograph and transcription of the headstone. Individual biographical timelines for the veterans are also being added. Another project will catalogue mentions of Snow Hill in newspapers.