Witness Stones Project Inc.

Restore History, Educate, and Honor Humanity

Witness Stones

Wooster School Students Honor Enslaved Danbury Man Freed after Fighting in Revolutionary War

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By Kendra Baker in the News-Times on June 13, 2022

DANBURY — Outside the Long Ridge United Methodist Church lays a stone recognizing a former resident and veteran named Nimrod Benedict, whose life and story has become the focus of an extensive local history project at Wooster School.

The stone honoring the late Danbury resident was placed during a May 31 ceremony, following weeks of research by Wooster School seventh and eighth grade teams in partnership with the Witness Stones Project. Continue reading.

Lives Of Enslaved Couple Honored on Juneteenth At Pardee-Morris House

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Ellyn Santiago for Patch.com on June 6, 2022

NEW HAVEN, CT —Stepna Primus, a “husband and farmer,” was enslaved by Amos Morris, Issac Forbes, and Enos Heminway, at the Morris house in New Haven.

In 1796, Primus was emancipated.

Also enslaved at the Morris House was his wife, Pink, “mother, wife and landowner,” who was emancipated in 1800.

The lives of these two enslaved peoples have been memorialized with Witness Stones at what is now called the Pardee-Morris House. Continue reading.

Town of Old Lyme Honors 16 More Lives Once Enslaved in Community

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By Jolie Sherman NBC Connecticut on

Historians are remembering the lives of those who were enslaved in Old Lyme.

Now, 30 brass plaques known as Witness Stones can be found along Lyme Street and McCurdy Road as a way to recognize both enslaved African and Native Americans and sites of enslavement in Old Lyme.

According to Witness Stones Old Lyme, more than 200 African and Native Americans were brought over to the town of Lyme between 1670 and 1820, which then included Lyme, Old Lyme and parts of East Lyme and Salem. Continue reading.

Witness Stones Project Installation Ceremony to Honor Nimrod Benedict

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On May 31, 2022, students from the Wooster School gathered at the Long Ridge United Methodist Church to remember and honor the life of Nimrod Benedict.

First-Ever Witness Stones Installation Ceremony in the City of Danbury

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Teachers and Dignitaries at Long Ridge United Methodist Church in Danbury, Connecticut. Photo: Lori Kriegel.

By Lori Kriegel on HamletHub.com on June 3, 2022

Wooster School’s Middle School held the first Witness Stones Installation Ceremony in the City of Danbury on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at the Long Ridge United Methodist Church at 201 Long Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06810.

Wooster School’s 7th and 8th grade Middle School team have been learning about the complicated history of enslavement in Connecticut via their research of a formerly enslaved man who lived in Danbury, Connecticut, as part of their participation in the Witness Stones Project. The Witness Stones project is a “K-12 educational initiative whose mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities. The Project provides research assistance, teacher development, and curriculum support to help middle school students study the history of slavery in their own communities.” Through their study of primary sources, students were tasked to take a critical look at issues such as the treatment of the people who were enslaved and their agency and resistance to the practice of enslavement. Continue reading.

Suffield Academy Students Honor Titus Kent

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“Titus Kent was a Black Patriot who served every year in the American Revolution. His name is commemorated on our Town’s Veterans Memorial with many other Patriots from Suffield who fought in the Revolutionary War.” –Suffield Academy English Department Chair Bill Sullivan
On May 21, 2022, students from Suffield Academy and their teacher, Bill Sullivan, shared the history and honored the life of Patriot Titus Kent. The event was co-hosted by the Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Suffield Historical Society.

Witness Stones Project Installation Ceremony Honoring Jack and Cull Bush, Jr.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2022
1 p.m.
Hosted by the Greenwich Historical Society at
The Bush-Holley House
47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, Connecticut

The Greenwich Historical Society will bring the Greenwich community together to remember and honor Jack and Cull Bush, Jr., and to place a Witness Stone in their memory.

Witness Stones Project Installation Ceremony Honoring Caesar

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Friday, May 13, 2022

3:00 p.m.

Hosted by United Churches of Durham

228 Main Street, Durham, Connecticut

Frank Ward Strong Middle School students will bring the Durham community together to remember and honor Caesar and to place a Witness Stone in his memory.

 

Suffield Fund Awards Grant to Witness Stones Project

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By Journal Inquirer Staff on September 24, 2021

SUFFIELD — Ten local organizations have received grants totaling $80,753 from the Amiel P. Zak Public Service Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The fund, which benefits local organizations, was established in 2002 by Michael Zak to honor his late father, Amiel, a teacher at Suffield High School for 35 years who also served on numerous town boards and civic and public associations. According to Michael, his father often expressed frustration when the town did not have the budget to meet what he considered important community needs. Continue reading.