New London in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Adam Jackson
Hempsted Houses
| | Black Heritage Trail, City of New London | |
Adam Jackson was born into slavery c. 1700 and separated from his mother three years later.
In 1727, Joshua Hempsted purchased Jackson for eighty-five pounds. Hempsted was nearing fifty; his sons were grown and starting families of their own. Jackson's unpaid forced labor allowed Hempsted to continue farming profitably, to build an addition on his house and to serve as justice of the peace. Hempsted also bartered Jackson's labor for goods and services from at least seventy local men and women. Jackson plowed, threshed hay, carted goods, made cider, and was a skilled animal handler.
At Hempsted's death in 1758, his estate inventory included an "old Negro man named Adam." The next year, after nearly sixty years of enslavement, Jackson shows up on tax rolls as a free man owning a small amount of property. He disappears from the historical record in 1765.
Erected by City of New London.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1700.
Location. 41° 21.162′ N, 72° 6.118′ W. Marker is in New London in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is on Hempstead Street west of Truman
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Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hempsted Houses (here, next to this marker); Stephen Hempstead (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bream Cove (about 400 feet away); 66 Hempstead Street (about 700 feet away); Religious Diversity (about 800 feet away); Shiloh Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); 73 Hempstead Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New London.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
