Timbuctoo, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timbuctoo, New Jersey
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 Timbuctoo, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Burlington |
| Township | Westampton |
| Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 881192 |
Timbuctoo is a ghost town in Westampton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States.
Located along the Rancocas Creek, Timbuctoo was founded by former slaves in 1826. It includes Church St., Blue Jay Hill Road, and adjacent areas. With the support of local Quakers, it was founded c1820 by free Blacks and runaway slaves. At its peak in the mid-nineteenth century, Timbuctoo had more than 125 residents, a school, an AME Zion Church, and a cemetery. The key remaining evidence of this community is the cemetery on Church Street, which contains graves of Black Civil War veterans. Some current residents are descendants of early settlers.
History
Timbuctoo was founded by free blacks and former slaves around 1820, in a township surrounded by Quaker communities. Timbuctoo appeared on Burlington County maps as early 1849, and continues to appear on maps today.
In 1860 the "Battle of Pine Swamp" took place in Timbuctoo, and it was reported in the New Jersey Mirror, a local newspaper. It involved armed residents of Timbuctoo preventing the capture of Perry Simmons, a fugitive slave living in Timbuctoo, by a southern slave catcher.
The US Census identified the "Village of Timbuctoo" as a separate entity within Westampton Township for the first time in 1880, enumerating 108 residents and 29 households.
Today, the key remaining evidence of Timbuctoo's historical significance is a cemetery, which contains graves of black Civil War Veterans. Some current residents and landowners date back to the early 20th century. At least two families are descendants of early 19th century settlers.
