Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Cornelia

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

1. Cornelia Witness Stone

Inscription. Bought in
New London 1730
by George Griswold
"in plain and open market"
for eighty pounds

Likely served in Lyme's East Parish

Erected 2023 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT156.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1730.

Location. 41° 17.079′ N, 72° 18.424′ W. Marker is in Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Old Shore Road and Buttonball Road on Old Shore Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Old Lyme CT 06371, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline,

in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore,

and in the Thames River Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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

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was once New London County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George (here, next to this marker); Jack Freeman (here, next to this marker); Neptune (here, next to this marker); York (here, next to this marker); Prince Griswold Crosley (here, next to this marker); Phyllis (here, next to this marker); Hagar Jeffrey (here, next to this marker); Salem Freeman (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Lyme.

Also see . . . Cornelia (Witness Stones Project).

Cornelia’s life in Lyme is known only from her bill of sale. On July 10, 1730, George Griswold (1692-1761) purchased from Joseph Coit (1698-1787) for eighty pounds, “in plain and open market in New London,” a negro woman “called or known by the name of Cornelia.”

(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

2. Cornelia Witness Stone

Left section, upper right

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.