Farmington's Freedom Trail: The Amistad story and the Underground Railroad

From March through November 1841, Farmington, Connecticut was home to the African Mendi captives who had rebelled and overtaken the slave-ship, La Amistad.  The 53 captives, mostly Mendi from what is now Sierra Leone, had been captured and shipped to Cuba.  In 1839, they were sold to work plantations on the other side of Cuba. They were shipped aboard La Amistad .  While at sea, they rebelled and the 44 survivors sailed the ship to Long Island, New York.  They were taken into custody aboard the USS Washington under the command of Lt. Gedney.  They were jailed in New Haven, Connecticut and taken to trials in Hartford, Connecticut and Washington, DC.  The trials lasted 18 months. In February 1841 their case was argued by former President John Quincy Adams before the Supreme Court.  On March 9, 1841 the decision came down, declaring the Africans to be free people with permission to return to their homeland.  Nine days later, they arrived in Farmington, Connecticut, where abolitionists provided housing, schooling, and the fundraising necessary for the Mendis passage back to their homeland.
The Farmington Historical Society offers a guided walking tour to the various sites throughout the village which were part of the Mendis stay in Farmington, as well as several sites which were part of the Underground Railroad.  The tours will be offered on September 28th and  October 19th.  The introduction is presented by Historical Interpreter, Kim A. Silva in English and American Sign Language, and begins at 10:00 am at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 75 Main Street Farmington, Connecticut. The cost is Adults: $5.00  Children $1.00 
 For more information call  FHS (860) 678-1645. Tours will be canceled if rain or heat advisory