First book dedicated to the history of Timbuctoo
We are elated to reach this milestone after years of research. The book is scheduled for release on January 5, 2027. Stay tuned for details about the book launch!
DESCRIPTION:
Explore the remarkable story of a Free Black community in antebellum New Jersey. In the decades before the Civil War, Timbuctoo, a small Black community in southern New Jersey, stood as a powerful example of self-determination. When abductors targeted a Timbuctoo neighbor, the community united and drove the perpetrators off so forcefully that they fled "as if 'Old Satan' was after them." In 1834, residents founded the African Union School, codifying Black leadership in its deed, and the service of Timbuctoo's men in the United States Colored Troops further underscores the community's role in the struggle for freedom.
Drawing on newly transcribed records and rare images, Guy Weston, who descends from an 1829 settler, brings to life a community whose legacy of land, liberty, and Black self-governance still resonates today.
Preservation New Jersey award to Guy Weston
The Doris C Carpenter Excellence Award was presented Guy Weston, founder of the Timbuctoo Historical Society. Weston was recognized for extensive research and advocacy that has elevated the history of Timbuctoo, a free Black community founded in 1826, to statewide and national prominence.
Instalation of New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Marker
We finally received our New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker in October 2025, after applying in 2024. This designation provides important recognition of historic significance. As noted in the image on the left, we made the installation a family affair!
Homage to Early 20th Century Timbuctoo Pioneers
The recently renewed interest in the history of Timbuctoo (or “Bucto,” as affectionately called by people who are from there), has focused mostly on the novelty of the Black landowners decades before the Civil War. However, the importance of honoring the memory of early twentieth century pioneers can not be ignored. Many of those families are represented by modern day descendants who still live in the area. With this new historic sign, we pay tribute to the progenitors of the Butler, Couch, Murray, Rogers, and Smith families.
Each family has its own unique story of how their ancestors arrived, and through a combination of hard work, innovation, resilience, a strong sense of community, and faith in God, succeeded, sometimes facing seemingly unsurmountable obstacles. Each left lasting legacies and remembrances that endure even today. We commemorate these families through signage to ensure their stories are included in the emerging narratives of Timbuctoo’s history. This sign was installed in June 2025.
Presentations and Workshops
Pictured above, Guy Weston presents at a program celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mount Holly Friends (Quaker) Meeting in September 2025. This event was particularly significant, since the meetinghouse dates to 1775. This means Quaker farmer Samuel Atkinson, who sold some of the first parcels to Black people in Timbuctoo, beginning in 1829 attended meeting for worship in this very building, potentially sitting on benches the remain in use today. Weston's presentation resonated as he spoke of his ancestors' tangible benefits received from Quaker families that facilitated their settlement in Timbuctoo.
The Timbuctoo Historical Society typically gets multiple invitations to speak at local history events sponsored by historical societies, civic organizations and schools each year, as well as applying to speak at statewide and national
conferences sponsored by professional associations of historians or genealogists.
In 2025 we participated in 24 events, reaching approximately 1216 individuals. Highlights included the annual conference of the National Genealogical Society in Louisville, Kentucky in May, the New Jersey History and Historic Preservation Conference in June, as well as the Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology, in November. Most other presentations are local to southern New Jersey.
Timbuctoo on Network TV
We spent several hours across two days with a national network reporter and cameraman in May 2024. It was a pleasure to work with Archeologist Dr. Christopher Barton, our family matriarch Mary Weston, Murray matriarch Rose Ball, with her granddaughter and great granddaughter, as well as Joyce Couch, Dorothea Couch, and Lou Rogers. This feature ran on June 12, 2024. Three additional broadcasts occurred in February 2025, June 2025, and March 2026.