Cudjo Banquante was born sometime in the 1720s in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), West Africa into a family of royal heritage. As a youth he was taken by European slave traders across the Atlantic, eventually being purchased by the wealthy Coe family of Newark, New Jersey.During the American Revolution, Benjamin Coe sent the enslaved Cudjo to fight as a substitute for himself in the war against the British. Cudjo served in the Essex County and Morris County militias. He took part in the Battles of Monmouth and Germantown. He was with George Washington at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 and later served with General Sullivan at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
After the war Cudjo was emancipated for his military service. The Coe family gave him land in Newark on which he established a nursery selling ornamental plants. Cudjo was the first African American businessperson in Newark. He died in 1823 at around 100 years of age. He was buried in the cemetery of Newark’s Trinity Church, located where the New Jersey Performing Arts Center now stands.
For more information about Cudjo Banquante’s life, go to the website of the New
Jersey Historical Society: www.jerseyhistory.org/cudjo/
Showing of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s documentary, “Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution,” at the Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street. From the initial sparks of revolution in Boston to the climactic Siege of Yorktown and beyond, this film paints a comprehensive picture of the African American experience during the Revolutionary War and shares the story of the war within the revolution through the eyes of some of the most crucial and significant African American figures of our country’s founding. Free and open to the public.
Family-friendly adinkra-making workshop with retired art teacher Alicia Robinson at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place. Adinkra are visual symbols that represent concepts and proverbs, offering a concise way to convey deep truths in visual form. They originate from the people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and have come to represent the richness of Akan culture in particular and African culture in general. They are now globally recognized for their profound cultural significance, gracing logos, clothing, furniture, architecture, and more. At this workshop, learn about adinkra and their stories and make your own to take home. Free and open to the public.
“Celebrating Cudjo Banquante” – Grand opening of a special exhibit at the Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street, unveiling of “Heat of the Battle” painting of Cudjo Banquante at the Battle of Monmouth by John Phillip Osborne, performance of Black Revolutionary soldier reenactor Noah Lewis and reenactors of Cudjo Banquante’s military unit (the 3rd New Jersey Regiment), and performance of a musical piece written by MacArthur Award–winning composer Courtney Bryant in honor of Cudjo Banquante. The event is open to the public and free with Museum admission but registration is required. More details and registration info can be found at www.newarkmuseumart.org.
Genealogy workshop at the Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street. Every family has interesting stories, and learning about the lives, contributions, challenges, and sacrifices of your ancestors opens a window to learn about yourself. Genealogists will guide attendees through sources and tools to research their family ancestry. Free and open to the public.
Showing and discussion at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place, of the NJ PBS film “The Price of Silence: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People.” This film fills a gap in Garden State history by sharing the little-known legacy of slavery across New Jersey. There will also be an opening reception for the Society’s special exhibit about Cudjo Banquante starting at 5:00 PM, and the movie will start at 5:45 PM. Free and open to the public.
Panel discussion on “Rise Up Newark: The 1967 Rebellion” at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 W. Market Street. Join noted scholars Vickie Donaldson, Richard Roper, and Junius Williams to discuss the causes and impacts of one of the most significant events in Newark’s history. Ms. Donaldson is the Social Services Director of Homeless Programs for the City of Newark. Mr. Roper is a public policy consultant and former director of the Planning Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Williams is a nationally recognized attorney, musician, and educator who has been at the forefront of American civil rights and human rights movements. Free and open to the public.
“Revolution to Reparations,” sponsored by Rutgers University Newark and the Newark History Society. Panelists comprised of noted scholars and activists will discuss African-American history in Newark. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Registration details to follow soon.
Tours of Cudjo Banquante-related sites and other notable Black history locations in Newark, starting and ending at the Greater Newark Conservancy. Free and open to the public, registration is required. More information and registration HERE.
Attend the regular weekly Sunday service at one of the churches where Cudjo Banquante worshipped. The congregations have been in continuous operation ever since, and in fact both buildings are the same buildings where Cudjo Banquante walked. This is your opportunity to give thanks to Cudjo Banquante and all those who suffered and sacrificed to give us our freedoms and independence during the American Revolution and in many struggles since. Free and open to the public.
He first worshipped at the Old First Presbyterian Church at 820 Broad Street. The building dates from 1791. Attend the weekly Sunday service there at 11:00 AM.
Late in life Cudjo Banquante worshipped at Trinity Episcopal Church at 608 Broad Street. He was buried by this church’s pastor in their burying yard. The building dates from 1806. Attend the weekly Sunday service there at 10:00 AM.
Questions about the program can be addressed to cudjobanquante@gmail.com
Thanks to the following organizations and individuals whose teamwork, financial assistance, and in-kind support made possible the celebration of Cudjo Banquante. The combined value of their support is at least $250,000.
