Red Route #7
John Brinkerhoff
?–1911
Although a northern state, New Jersey and slavery have an intertwined history. Involuntary servitude was not completely outlawed in the state until the 13th Amendment in 1865. Gradual emancipation was introduced in 1804, allowing children born to slaves to be free. By 1860 there were a total of 865 people with African ancestry within Union county. When the Civil War broke out, African American participation in the Union army was contentious, and it was not until volunteer regiments became necessary that African Americans were allowed to serve. In Union County, 51 African Americans enlisted in the first wave, followed by 146 in the second. This second wave would become known as the “Jersey Blues.” The 22nd, 25th, 41st, and 127th infantry divisions saw heavy African American participation. Within the whole Union Army, around 120 African Americans were identified as commissioned officers. African American troops participated in every Union campaign from 1863 to 1865, with the exception of Sherman’s March to the Sea.
John Brinkerhoff served in the Civil War and died in 1911, at the age of 72. Sadly, no further details are known about his life.