West Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Ben

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

1. Ben Witness Stone

Inscription. Baptized 1759
Farmer
Enslaved here
by Col. John Whiting and
John Whiting Jr.

Erected 2019 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT14.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1759.

Location. 41° 45.867′ N, 72° 44.518′ W. Marker is in West Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is on North Main Street north of Loomis Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located in Old Center Burying Yard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Hartford CT 06107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley,

in Greater Hartford,

and in the Knowledge Corridor.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Caesar (here, next to this marker); Page (here, next to this marker); Chloe Halsey (here, next to this marker); Frank (here, next to this marker); Ransom Halsey (here, next to this marker); Pompey (here, next to this marker); Chris (here, next to this marker); Peter (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Hartford.

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

The research my class conducted on Ben, a man enslaved by Col. John Whiting, has greatly impacted my perspective of the community and the past. Where I once saw a golden house or a lush strip of summer grass, I know see the their twisted pasts and atrocious creation. I strived to make this picture a symbol of that realization, allowing the viewer to peel away the illusion and uncover the reality.

(Submitted on January 18, 2026.)

2. Students Find and Share an Untold History of the Enslaved People of West Hartford. History involves the study of what happened in the past, but we all know there is more than one side to most stories. There are also stories that have yet to

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

2. Ben Witness Stone

(top row, second section, center)

be told. When Tracey Wilson and Liz Devine started the Witness Stones Project in West Hartford, they wanted to find those stories, the stories about the lives of the enslaved people who are a part of the town’s history. People whose made contributions that few, if any, know about today. They wanted to acknowledge that slavery existed in West Hartford, and commemorate the lives of those who were enslaved while at the same time inspiring community conversation. (Submitted on January 18, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 27 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.