Downtown in Hartford in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Frederick Douglass

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2020

1. Frederick Douglass Marker

Inscription.
First speech in Hartford on the grounds of this Church May 18, 1843

"[We found several towns in which people closed their doors and refused to entertain the subject. Notably among those were Hartford, Conn., and Grafton, Mass. In the former, [we] determined to hold our meetings under the open sky, which we did in a little court under the eaves of the 'sanctuary' ministered unto by the Rev. Dr. [Joel] Hawes with much satisfaction to ourselves and I think great advantage to our cause."
-- From Douglass autobiography

The Rev. Dr. Joel Hawes (1789-1867) was Minister of Center Church, Hartford from 1818 to 1864, and a founding member of the Connecticut Anti-Slavery Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1843.

Location. 41° 45.867′ N, 72° 40.449′ W. Marker is in Hartford, Connecticut, in Hartford County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Gold Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 673 Main St, Hartford CT 06103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Center Church (a few steps from this marker); Hartford

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); John Haynes (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Samuel Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Hooker (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hartford Courant (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacred to the Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); This Approach (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2020

2. Frederick Douglass Marker

Frederick Douglass Court image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2020

3. Frederick Douglass Court

The marker is on a brick wall in the court.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 365 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.