Lawnside

Clutching a faded photograph, Sarah traced the lines of a modest two-story house. “This is it,” she whispered, “the Peter Mott House.” Right here in Lawnside, this seemingly ordinary borough holds an extraordinary history, a legacy of freedom and resilience. Lawnside, nestled in Camden County, New Jersey, wasn’t always called Lawnside. It began in the 1700s as a haven, first known as Free Haven, for freed and escaped slaves seeking refuge north of the Mason-Dixon line. Abolitionist Ralph Smith nurtured this dream, buying land and selling it at reduced prices to African Americans, helping to build a self-sufficient community. Later, the arrival of former slaves from Maryland led to the name Snow Hill, a nod to their former home. It wasn’t until 1907, with the arrival of the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad and its newly built station, that the name Lawnside was adopted. But even before the official name change, Lawnside pulsed with the spirit of liberty. Nearly fifty men from this small community joined the Union Army during the Civil War, fighting for the very freedom their town represented. The Peter Mott House, just a simple farmhouse then, served as a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. Reverend Peter Mott, a respected minister and resident, risked everything to guide those fleeing slavery to freedom. Sarah imagined hushed whispers, hurried footsteps, and the unwavering hope that emanated from this very spot. Mott, listed in the 1850 census as a laborer, somehow possessed the means to build a two-story house and own property worth $600, a testament to his hard work and the community’s support. He was a pillar of Lawnside, founding the Sunday School at the Snow Hill Church, now known as Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church. Lawnside’s story isn’t just about its past. In 1926, Lawnside achieved another milestone, becoming the first self-governing African American borough north of the Mason-Dixon line. This was the realization of a dream, a testament to the community’s determination to control its destiny. Today, Lawnside stands as a symbol of hope, a living testament to the enduring power of community and the pursuit of freedom. Sarah smiled, her heart full. Lawnside’s story, whispered on the wind, echoed with the strength and resilience of generations past, a legacy she now carried within her.