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

Caesar

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

1. Caesar Witness Stone

Inscription.
Across Lyme Street Mariner
Born enslaved 1762
Ran away 1784 age 22
from John McCurdy

Erected 2021 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT60.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 41° 18.774′ N, 72° 19.894′ 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. Located in front of the First Congregational Church Old Lyme. 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

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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 walking distance of this marker: Humphrey (here, next to this marker); Lewis Lewia (here, next to this marker); Cato (a few steps from 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 . . . Caesar (Witness Stones Project).

Caesar, who was born 17th of November 1762, is included in Lyme’s birth records with four other enslaved children in John McCurdy’s household. Their parents are not named, but Humphrey, whom McCurdy emancipated in 1778 after the children were grown, could well have been their father.

(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

2. Caesar Witness Stone

(far 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 84 times since then and 17 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.