In 1839, 53 kidnapped Mendi Africans rebelled against their Spanish slave-trader captures aboard the Amistad. The surviving Africans would go on to win their freedom in the United States' Supreme Court. While they raised funds to return to present-day Sierra Leone, they found refuge in the town of Farmington, Connecticut. The First Church of Christ congregation welcomed the freed Africans, and were also instrumental in the underground railroad. The congregation at First Church of Christ in Farmington dates back to 1652, though their present building was not constructed until 1771. Their first pastor, Roger Newton, was the son-in-law of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford. Other important names are associated with the Church, such as the later pastor Noah Porter, father to Sarah Porter of Miss Porter's School and to Noah Porter Jr, who would be president of Yale University from 1871-1886.

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Designed by architect and master builder Judah Woodruff in 1771, the First Church of Christ still meets today. It is best known for its role in the underground railroad and for housing some of the escaped Mendi following their 1841 Supreme Court trial. The congregation was also fundamental in raising funds to send the Mendi back to present-day Sierra Leone.

The First Church of Christ

Marking significant sites related to the town of Farmington hosting the Amistad Africans in 1840, this walking tour can be completed independently or as a group. More information can be found by contacting the Farmington, CT Historical Society.

In 1839, despite most of South and North America having outlawed the importation of human slaves, about 500 captives were taken from present-day Sierra Leone to Havana, Cuba to be added to the slave trade. Among these were 53 captives (49 adult males and 4 children, 1 boy and 3 girls), purchased by Spaniards Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes; on June 28, 1839, the 53 kidnapped Africans were put on the ship the Amistad, headed for sugar plantations in present-day Camaguey, Cuba.  Soon, realizing that they vastly outnumbered the ship’s crew, the captives rebelled, breaking their chains, and attacking the crew. On July 2, they took control of the Amistad. However, they relied on their Spanish captors to navigate the ship, and instead of Sierra Leone, they found themselves near the coast of Long Island.  The ship was intercepted by the United States’ Navy, who promptly freed Ruiz and Montes and imprisoned the African rebels in Connecticut (as New York had abolished slavery by this point). Local abolitionists in Connecticut worked to free the Amistad rebels and a trial was held in Hartford. After much debate and intercession by former president John Quincy Adams, the United States’ Supreme Court ultimately freed the rebels, but gave salvage rights to the Navy officers who intercepted the ship; thus, funds had to be raised to send the Africans back to Sierra Leone. In the meantime, abolitionists in  Farmington, CT housed them. The Amistad rebels (also known as the Mendi Africans) were able to leave Connecticut and return to Africa in November 1841. The Mendi stayed about eight months in Connecticut, and for most of that time, they lived here, in the Carriagehouse. Williams supported the abolitionist movement and likely hid escaped slaves here on his property, although direct records of this more clandestine activity are difficult to obtain and would have been kept secret owing to the opposition abolitionists faced from most white residents and the occasional violence that befell abolitionists. After the Civil War, Williams assisted former slaves as a director of the Freedman's Bureau.

This historic house was constructed in 1842 and immediately played a significant role in some of the most important events of the late antebellum period. Austin F. Williams was a leading abolitionist and housed the Mende tribe members who had led the revolt against their would-be enslavers on board the Amistad. Williams was involved with the defense of the Mende and housed them here on his recently-acquired property after they were released from prison. The Mende stayed in the carriagehouse, which still stands, while the current home on the property was being constructed. The house main house later served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.  The carriagehouse and the main house were both declared National Historic Landmarks in 1998. 

Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House

In 1839, 53 kidnapped Mendi Africans rebelled against their Spanish slave-trader captors aboard the Amistad. The surviving Africans would go on to win their freedom in the United States Supreme Court. While they raised funds to return to present-day Sierra Leone, they found refuge in the town of Farmington, Connecticut, the history of which is represented via the Farmington Freedom Trail. Noah Porter served as the minister of the First Church of Christ from 1806 to 1866. From his pulpit, he would preach against slavery despite anti-abolitionist factions within the church. He and his family housed a young girl, Margru, from the Amistad ship during the Mende's stay in Farmington. Margru would later return to the United States to attend Oberlin College; she was the only member of the Amistad Africans to return the country after their return to Sierra-Leone.

Noah Porter built his home in 1808, after marrying his wife, Mehitable ("Metty"). The couple raised several children, including Sarah Porter who would go on to create a school, and Noah Porter Jr., who would go on to be president of Yale University from 1871-1886. Noah Porter served as the minister of the First Church of Christ from 1806 to 1866. From his pulpit, Noah Porter preached against slavery despite anti-abolitionist factions within the church. Noah and Metty also agreed to provide shelter to a young girl, Margru, from the Amistad ship during the Mende's stay in Farmington. Margru would later return to the United States where she attended college. 

Reverend Noah Porter House

The Farmington Academy was formed in 1816, after local parents and church members saw a need for a grammar school in the town of Farmington. The Academy offered math, grammar, geography, Latin, and Greek courses and taught both boys and girls. Headmaster Simeon Hart, a Yale graduate, is credited with much of the school's popularity and success. By the late 1820s, school enrollment had nearly doubled that of its inaugural year, and students from out of state had begun boarding with local families to attend. Hart left the school in 1835 in order to start a boys' boarding school, and thought the Academy remained open for another 15 years, its success and enrollment numbers faltered. The school closed in 1850. During the abolitionist movement, Union Hall was used by both abolitionists and anti-abolitionists to hold their meetings. For this reason, Union Hall is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail.

Originally built in 1816, the building now known as Union Hall was originally a grammar school operated by the First Church of Christ of Farmington. Since that time, it has served as a meeting place (namely abolitionist and anti-abolitionist meetings), town hall, local library, and recently, housed the Art Guild of Farmington. Today it is a private residence.

Union Hall

In 1839, 53 kidnapped Mendi Africans rebelled against their Spanish slave-trader captures aboard the Amistad. The surviving Africans would go on to win their freedom in the United States' Supreme Court. While they raised funds to return to present-day Sierra Leone, they found refuge in the town of Farmington, Connecticut. The First Church of Christ congregation welcomed the freed Africans, and were also instrumental in the underground railroad. The congregation at First Church of Christ in Farmington dates back to 1652, though their present building was not constructed until 1771. Their first pastor, Roger Newton, was the son-in-law of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford. Other important names are associated with the Church, such as the later pastor Noah Porter, father to Sarah Porter of Miss Porter's School and to Noah Porter Jr, who would be president of Yale University from 1871-1886.

Samuel and Catherine Deming were instrumental in Farmington's abolitionist movement. Samuel Deming assisted the Mendi Africans who captured control of the Armistad as part of their effort to end their enslavement. Deming assisted the Africans in their court case and supported their stay in Farmington. With his support and many others, including John Quincy Adams who served as legal counsel, the Africans won their case and were able to return to present-day Sierra-Leone. Deming was also a member of the Farmington Anti-Slavery Society and helped found the Connecticut Anti-Slavery Society. Catherine Deming lead fundraisers and signed petitions to help both the Mendi and general abolitionist causes. Their home is now known as an Underground Railroad Safehouse. Samuel Deming's Store is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail, as its second floor was first used to house some of the male Armistad Africans and was later home to a school for those who had escaped slavery on the Armistad.

Constructed in 1809 by the father and uncle of proprietor Samuel Deming, the upper floor was used to house formerly enslaved persons who were aboard the Amistad during the first months of their time in Farmington in 1841. Deming was one of the city's leading supporters of the abolitionist movement and the store later served as a school for the Amistad Africans. The building currently houses a retailer.

Samuel Deming's Store

In 1839, 53 kidnapped Mende Africans rebelled against their Spanish slave-trader captures aboard the Amistad. The surviving Africans would go on to win their freedom in the United States' Supreme Court. While they raised funds to return to present-day Sierra Leone, they found refuge in the town of Farmington, Connecticut. Samuel Deming was instrumental in assisting the Mende people with their case, and supported their stay in the Farmington area. His wife, Catherine, lead fundraising efforts on behalf of the Mende. The Samuel Deming House was also a known Underground Railroad safehouse, and is currently owned by the Miss Porter's School.

Built in 1768, the Samuel Deming House is one of many associated with the Farmington Freedom Trail, which highlights the town's involvement with the Amistad Africans and the Underground Railroad. Deming is known as one of Farmington's leading abolitionists,  as he was both a member of the Farmington Anti-Slavery Society and helped found the Connecticut Anti-Slavery Society in 1838.

Samuel Deming House

During the pre-abolishment era of slavery, the town of Farmington, Connecticut was considered the "Grand Central Station" among the areas used for the Underground Railroad with a large amount of residents supporting anti-slavery regimes and laws. In March of 1941, the town was given the rebels of the famed La Armistad rebellion, including the Mendi Africans and the leader of the rebellion, Cinque. Farmington's Freedom Trail consists of many different safe-houses, churches, and schools that were used to house and educate many African American escapees. Farmington's major attraction within history comes from housing the rebels of the La Armistad ship rebellion where under the leadership of a man named Cinque, a group of Mendi people who were being transferred to Cuba after being sold, rebelled near New York and commandeered the ship and steered it toward land. Upon landing, they were arrested, but in 1841, the group was found by the Supreme Court to be freemen and allowed back to Sierra Leone. The 44 surviving rebels were brought to Farmington where they received housing, schooling, as well as fundraising by the township to pay for their way back to Africa. One rebel. known only as Foone, drowned while bathing and was buried and given a grave stone at the nearby cemetery, Riverside Cemetery.A number of well-known homes including the Samuel Deming House, where Deming allowed the rebels to live as he supervised them, as well as his storefront, The Deming Store on Mill Lane was used to educate the Africans before their return. Apart from these places, Farmington was also widely known as a capital for escaped slaves with the population being largely abolitionist, escaped slaves could rely on the town easily. In fact, it was so well-known among guides and other escaped slaves, the town was usually known better as the "Grand Station of the Underground Railroad", due to how much of the population overlooked and aided escapees.

The Farmington Freedom Trail, and specifically the town of Farmington, Connecticut, was home to a bevy of abolitionist history, notably being a hub among the Underground Railroad in Connecticut and the safe-house of the well-known La Amistad escaped Africans. The trail consists of various buildings around the town that were used as abolitionist meeting houses and in helping the Mendi people who took over the La Amistad ship. Many of the locations of note are directly related to the assistance that was granted by the inhabitants towards the Mendi people who were deemed free by the Supreme Court in 1841. The town also contains many buildings that were in assistance with the Underground Railroad, such as safe-houses, schools, and churches. 

Farmington Freedom Trail Marker

Louis B. Wright, the great historian of arts and culture, considered the Stanley-Whitman House one of the best examples of the late medieval tradition in New England house-building. In his book The Arts in America (62-63), Wright called it "as typical of its time and place as any that could be found." He assumed as others had, that the house was constructed about 1660. When architectural historian J. Frederick Kelly restored the house in 1934 and 1935, he too thought it a product of the seventeenth century. Only later did extensive research by a Yale University-led archaeological team reveal it was not constructed until 1720. The museum was then redesigned to showcase two time periods: 1725 to 1735, when Mary and Thomas Smith occupied the house, and 1736–1772, when the first generation of Whitmans lived there. A Farmington High School archaeological field school in May 2012, also uncovered further objects on the property. The first dwelling house was initially constructed by John Stanley, Jr., though he probably never resided there. Ebenezer Steele purchased the property and expanded the structure. Steele was both a farmer and a weaver, and the house today has a display room devoted to the local eighteenth-century weaver's craft complete with a loom. The house passed to Steele's daughter, Mary Smith, who sold the house in 1735 to Rev. Samuel Whitman. The house's most prominent owner, Solomon Whitman, was a shoemaker, farmer, and justice of the peace. His legal papers are housed at the Connecticut State Library. Whitman eschewed corporal punishments for the most part, but he did advocate binding individuals in servitude if they stole goods worth more than forty shillings. In 1839 a ship, La Amistad, transporting 53 illegally captured Mende people from Sierra Leone, was traveling around Cuba to deliver the enslaved to plantations. The captives mutinied and sailed the ship northward. Forty-four surviving captives sailed the ship to Long Island, New York, where they were taken into custody aboard the USS Washington. They were first jailed in New Haven. After 18 months of trials and appeals, the United States Supreme Court declared them free people. While they awaited their return home, they resided in Farmington, and some of them worked in the kitchen at the Stanley-Whitman House. Farmington residents helped raise funds for the Mendes' return to Africa. The Stanley-Whitman House preserves Farmington's local history, but its volunteers add to historical research with the Captive Peoples project, Digital Farmington, and other contributions. Twice-yearly symposia, Fall and Spring, focus on local history. Highlights of the Museum Collection The Stanley-Whitman House has many items of material culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Although the objects mainly reflect the possessions of the English colonists who settled Farmington and their descendants, there are items that reflect the Tunxis and African cultures. A basket made by Pually Mossuck (Tunxis-Wangunk-Quinnipiac-Mohegan) whose family was prominent in the Brothertown Movement is on display. Five items connected to the Amistad include a “Kitchen Directory” listing the household tasks that the captive Mende were to perform, a watercolor of “Josheph Cinquez,” a letter from the Mende captives to the lawyer and congressman, John Quincy Adams, a canteen carved from a coconut shell supposed to be from the Amistad and a buttermold said to have been carved by Cinque.

The Stanley-Whitman House, located in the historic village of Farmington, was likely built around 1720, although it was originally thought to have been built circa 1660 because of its overhang construction. It is a National Historic Landmark and operates today as a house museum furnished with period antiques to reflect the everyday activities of colonial life in Connecticut. Surrounding the house are period raised-bed gardens, an apple orchard, and heritage stone walls. The house has been owned by farmers, a weaver, a shoemaker, and a justice of the peace. Descendants of the Whitman family inhabited the house until 1922. The museum also manages Memento Mori, Farmington’s historic cemetery on Main Street, and the Village Green. 

The public service areas of the museum, constructed in 2004, include a modern classroom, a period tavern room, post-and-beam Welcome Center, research library, exhibit gallery, and collection storage area. Digital projects include "Digital Farmington," a blog and map that highlight the history of the Farmington Valley, and "The History of Captive People," a project that documents the history of enslavement and bondage in Farmington. 

Stanley-Whitman House

The first story of what is now known as the Chauncey Brown House was built in 1666 by Joseph Woodward Sr. In 1807, the house and the land it stood on were purchased by Pomeroy Strong; Strong had also purchased the nearby Newell House, and moved the second house due to the construction of the Farmington Canal. He added the Newell House to the existing Woodward House, and added a second story to the structure. Woodward and Newell were among the original settlers of Farmington. After Strong's death, the house passed on to his daughters, Julia and Ellen. In 1837 Julia married Dr. Chauncey Brown and they bought Ellen's share of the inheritance. The house is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail, as Dr. Chauncey Brown and his wife Julia housed a young girl, Temme, of the Amistad Africans in the house for the duration of the escaped captives' time in Farmington. It was originally arranged that Temme would stay in the home of Horace Cowles; however, Cowles died before she arrived, and his wife relocated, so Temme was placed with the Browns. The home remained in the Brown family until 1963, and then became a commercial property. As of 2016, the building is vacant. It is commonly referred to as both the Chauncey Brown House and the Woodford-Newell-Strong House.

The first story of this historic home was built in 1666 by Joseph Woodward Sr. In 1807, the house and the property were purchased by Pomeroy Strong. One of the oldest homes in America, the Chauncey Brown hose is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail in recognition of Dr. Chauncey Brown and his wife Julia's decision to take in a young girl known as Temme who had been enslaved and was among the African Americans aboard the Amistad. 

Chauncey Brown House

In 1839, 53 kidnapped Mendi Africans rebelled against their Spanish slave-trader captures aboard the Amistad. The surviving Africans would go on to win their freedom in the United States' Supreme Court. While they raised funds to return to present-day Sierra Leone, they found refuge in the town of Farmington, Connecticut. One of the Mendi girls was housed in the Smith-Cowles House. The Smith family would continue in abolitionist efforts, their home becoming an Underground Railroad safehouse. After his parents' deaths, Samuel Smith Cowles inherited the house, continued his parents' abolitionist efforts, and became editor of the abolitionist newspaper The Charter Oak. Today the house is a private residence and is not open to the public, but is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail.

The Smith-Cowles House was built in 1769 and owned by Horace and Mary Anne Cowles. After assisting the escaped Mendi Africans from the Amistad ship, the Cowles became stationmasters of the Underground Railroad. Today the house is a private residence and is not open to the public, but is included on the Farmington Freedom Trail. 

Farmington Freedom Trail

The First Church of Christ

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