New book chronicles blacks in Princeton

African-Americans have lived in the Princeton area as landowners, businessmen, slaves and servants since the 18th century. Now, Jack Washington, a history teacher at Trenton High School West and a prominent New Jersey historian, has published the first book-length history of Princeton's black community.

Washington wrote "The Long Journey Home: A Bicentennial History of the Black Community of Princeton, New Jersey, 1776-1976" with the help of a three-year fellowship grant from the University's program in African-American Studies.

"It's very historic to have someone chronicle the history of blacks in Princeton," said James Floyd, the first black mayor of Princeton Township and one of many community members whom Washington interviewed during his almost five years of research. "I think it's a real contribution to the Princeton community."

From politics and religion to social practices and education, "the book attempts to answer many questions and myths regarding the growth and development of the black community [of Princeton]," Washington said.

Among the myths he sought to debunk was the belief that blacks first arrived in Princeton as the property of Southern slaveholders in the 19th century.

"Blacks did not first begin living in Princeton as a result of Southerners who brought their slaves up north in the 1800s, as some believe," Washington said. "They were here at least 100 years before the town acquired the 'Southern atmosphere' that characterized it for some years."

Although some blacks did arrive in Princeton as slaves, the presence of free blacks who owned businesses and land was significant. The book tells of a young community of free blacks who helped build churches and schools, and who fought in the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

"The Long Journey Home" also explores the role of the Presbyterian Church, the Princeton Theological Seminary and the University – three focal points in the history of the local black community.

Blacks first entered the University as servants for students and professors, but they were admitted as students as early as the 1790s, a move supported by then-University president John Witherspoon.

Faculty in the African-American studies program offered Washington encouragement as well as funding.

"I thought it was a worthy idea, and I encouraged him [to write the book]," said Nell Painter, professor of American history and former director of the program. "It is a singular contribution."

Washington has published three other history books: "In Search of a Community's Past: The Black Community in Trenton, New Jersey, 1860-1900" (1990), "The Quest For Equality: Trenton's Black Community 1890-1965" (1993), and "White Collar Factory: Black Education in Urban America" (1997).