History of the Black Community in South Brunswick

Key Points: (Summarized from the People–Hush, Aaron file)

• Born in Somerville in the 1840s
• Married to Sarah Catherine Roberts, with whom he had 8 children (as of 1898)
• Mustered into military service in 1864
• Company H 32nd Regiment U.S.C.T. Volunteer Infantry under Captain Saml. M. Smith and Col. George W. Baird
• Participated in the Battle of Honey Hill (November 30, 1864)
• Third battle of Sherman’s March to the Sea / the Savannah Campaign
• Honorably discharged by reason of close of war in 1865
• Grave rediscovered by South Brunswick resident and WW2 vet, Al Kady
• Owned property in the Sand Hills area according to granddaughter

Rediscovered by South Brunswick resident and veteran Al Kady at the turn of the millennium, Aaron Hush’s grave has been recognized as an important part of the town’s history. Hush was born in Somerville sometime in the mid-1840s. He was an African American soldier who served in the 32nd Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops throughout 1864 and 1865 in the Civil War. Hush was mustered into military service in 1864 and volunteered to serve three years. He was discharged honorably in 1865 because the war had ended. Hush was involved in the Battle of Honey Hill, also known as the third battle of Sherman’s March to the Sea, or the Savannah Campaign, which helped to disrupt the economy of the Confederacy when troops destroyed infrastructure and industry throughout the region. Additionally, in his personal life, Hush was married to Sarah Catherine Roberts, with whom he had eight children. Hush owned property in the Sand Hills area and died on January 20, 1916 at the age of 70. He was buried at the Thompson Plot on Sand Hills Road.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman%27s_March_to_the_Sea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Honey_Hill
http://patch.com/new-jersey/southbrunswick/south-brunswick-veteran-preserves-civil-war-gravesite