In 1866, New Jersey became the last Northern state to officially abolish slavery. Decades of a “modified” institution allowed for a slow gradual emancipation process and a transitional status from enslaved to “apprenticed for life.” This delay did not inhibit enslaved and free populations from enlisting in the Union Army.[1] Private Joseph Binn enlisted in Company H of the 6^th United States Colored Troops (USCT) in September 1863 at age 24.

Born in Ocean, New Jersey in 1839, Binn may have benefitted from the 1804 Gradual Emancipation Act, which allowed children born to enslaved mothers to become free after 21 years of servitude. In the 1860 federal census for Upper Freehold, New Jersey, he was listed by name as a servant in the household of Richard Henderickson – not as an unknown person on a slave schedule. His July 1864 muster roll described his previous status as “Free[d] April 19, 1861.” These dates align with Binn’s apparent year of emancipation – meaning he was truly free when he enlisted in the Army.

(Library of Congress/Design by Ron Coddington)

How did Private Binn end up on Clara Barton’s “Roll of Missing Men”? Only a handful of the 6,664 names on the list belonged to African American troops. Shortly after enlistment, Binn was marked “sick in hospital” in the November 1863 muster roll. This absence was once again recorded as “absent sick since July 11, 1864” in his summertime service record. Binn’s convalescence in an undisclosed Baltimore hospital likely was miscommunicated to the 6^th USCT. He was not furnished with a formal discharge from his hospital bed, so he may have been suspected of deserting. Those looking for him, turned to Clara Barton.

His mother Catharine filed for a pension in 1876, indicating his status must have been reconciled eventually. She herself may still have been held in bondage when the war broke out. Binn likely made it home shortly after the war ended. We can only imagine their thoughts and feelings once the New Jersey legislature abolished slavery for good the next year.

[1] Noelle Lorraine Williams, “New Jersey, The Last Northern State to End Slavery,” NJ Historical Commission, n.d., https://nj.gov/state/historical/his-2021-juneteenth.shtml.

About the Author

Madeline Feierstein is an Alexandria, VA historian specializing in psychiatric institutions, military hospitals, and prisons. A native of Washington, D.C., her work has been showcased across the Capital Region. Madeline leads efforts to document the sick, injured, and imprisoned soldiers that passed through Civil War Alexandria. Additionally, she is an author and content creator for Emerging Civil War. Madeline holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from George Mason University and a Master’s in American History from Southern New Hampshire University. Explore her research and catch her next tour at www.madelinefeierstein.com.