Honoring Cudjo Banquante: Revolution War Hero & Newark’s First Black Business Owner
April 27 – May 4, 2025

NEWARK, NJ - The city of Newark will be the site of a week-long series of exciting and informative events honoring Cudjo Banquante (c. 1720 – 1823), an enslaved African who fought in the American Revolutionary War, secured his freedom because of his service, and became one of Newark’s first Black business owners.

Events throughout the week will include performances, a genealogy workshop, film screenings, guided bus tours, and a grave marking ceremony at NJPAC For venue details and addresses for these events, please visit: https://www.newarkhistorysociety.org/honoring-cudjo-banquante/.

Born into the Akyem Abuakwa royal family of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), Cudjo became a victim of the Trans-Atlantic trade in Africans. By the time of the American Revolution, he was enslaved by Benjamin Coe of Newark. During the war, the Coe family fled to Morristown, NJ, where Cudjo was enlisted in the Continental Army as a substitute soldier for Benjamin Coe. He fought in multiple conflicts, including the Battles of Monmouth, Germantown, and Yorktown. For his service, he was freed and granted land in Newark, where he built a successful ornamental plant business. Cudjo lived to about 100 years old and was survived by his wife and children. He was buried at Newark’s Trinity Church cemetery, where the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) now stands. For a full biography and bibliography, visit: https://jerseyhistory.org/cudjo/

Events will be offered by a wide range of organizations including New Jersey Historical Society, Newark History Society, Newark Public Library, Newark Museum of Art, Morristown Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, 1804 Consultants, Rutgers University, NJPAC, New Jersey Amistad Commission, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Greater Newark Conservancy, artist John Phillip Osborne, composer Courtney Bryan, and Sophia Inclusive Community.

“Cudjo Banquante’s story is one that resonates for generations. Born into royalty, then sold into slavery, Cudjo made a name for himself in New Jersey as a soldier in the American Revolution and then as one of Newark’s first Black business owners,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way who oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission as Secretary of State. “His resilience and impact on this state are highly deserving of this week-long celebration of his life and accomplishments. His legacy exemplifies the centuries-long contributions of African Americans to the state of New Jersey.”

This event is sponsored in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission through its RevolutionNJ initiative, African American History Program, and New Jersey Black Heritage Trail.

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.

About RevolutionNJ
Created through state legislation in 2018, 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. Keep up with news and updates concerning RevolutionNJ by joining the newsletter and following @revolutionnj on Instagram and facebook.com/revolutionnj.