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

Tantiphant

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

1. Tantiphant Witness Stone

Inscription. Mariner
Also called Philip
Indentured on
Meetinghouse Hill 1732
to John Lay Jr.
Deckhand on Sloop
Elizabeth to Antigua 1734

Erected 2022 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT106.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1734.

Location. 41° 18.615′ N, 72° 19.723′ W. Marker is in Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is on McCurdy Road, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of Duck River Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 McCurdy Road, 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

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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: Phyllis (here, next to this marker); Katherine Freeman (here, next to this marker); Salem Freeman (here, next to this marker); Memorial to All Who Served (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.2 miles away); Votes For Women (approx. 0.2 miles away); Basil (approx. ¼ mile away); Margaret Crosley Lewia (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Lyme.

Also see . . .
1. Tantiphant (Witness Stones Project).

Tantiphant, also called Philip, was indentured by his father James to John Lay, Jr. of Lyme in 1732 for a term of six years and one month.

(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)

2. Witness Stones at Duck River Cemetery (Old Lyme Cemetery Association).

Witness Stones placed beside the Duck River Cemetery’s gates on June 3, 2022, commemorate three African Americans and one Native American who labored in servitude nearby on Meeting House Hill (today’s Johnny Cake Hill). Small
Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

2. Tantiphant Witness Stone
(left)
brass plaques installed flush with the ground honor the lives and contributions of Phyllis, Tantiphant, Salem Freeman, and Katherine Freeman.

(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)

Duck River Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

3. Duck River Cemetery

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 57 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.