Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Humphrey
Witness Stone
Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025
1. Humphrey Witness Stone
Across Lyme Street
Enslaved
by John McCurdy
Paid one hundred pounds
for emancipation
1778
Erected 2021 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT59.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
Location. 41° 18.773′ N, 72° 19.895′ W. Marker is in Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Lyme Street and Ferry Road, on the right when traveling south on Lyme Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Ferry 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 finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lewis Lewia (here, next to this marker); Caesar (here, next to this marker); Cato (here, next to this marker); Margaret Crosley Lewia (a few steps from this marker); Basil (a few steps from this marker); Votes For Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Jack Howard (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette's Tour (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Lyme.
Also see . . . Humphrey (Witness Stones Project).
An emancipation certificate entered in Lymes land records tells us that Humphrey, a Negroman Slave to John McCurdy, paid one Hundred pounds in 1778 to gain his freedom.(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)
Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025
2. Humphrey Witness Stone
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 77 times since then and 14 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.
