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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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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.
