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

Moses

— Witness Stone —

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

1. Moses Witness Stone

Inscription. Enslaved before 1670
on Six Mile
Island Farm
by Richard Ely

Summoned as witness
in country court
New London 1670

Erected 2022 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT120.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1670.

Location. 41° 18.971′ N, 72° 19.781′ W. Marker is in Old Lyme in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Lyme Street and Library Lane, on the right when traveling north on Lyme Street. Located in front of Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Library Lane, 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

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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: Witness Stones Old Lyme (here, next to this marker); Prince Freeman (within shouting distance of this marker); Jenny Freeman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Lyme Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Old Lyme (about 500 feet away); Samuel Holden Parsons (about 700 feet away); Boxwood (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jack Howard (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Lyme.

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

The earliest known reference to an enslaved African or African-descended person in Lyme appears in a New London County Court record. When Lyme’s constable in 1670 cited Richard Ely, the town’s wealthiest inhabitant and former townsman, together with his wife Elizabeth Ely, for “prophanation of the Sabbath and also contempt of authority,” he included “ye Negro servant Moses,” said to be “instrumental therein,” in the court summons.

(Submitted on August 3, 2025.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, January 18, 2025

2. Moses Witness Stone

(left of panel)

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 59 times since then and 8 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.