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

Page

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

1. Page Witness Stone

Inscription. Baptized 1741
Farmer/Tailor
Enslaved here
by Col. John Whiting
and Daniel Skinner

Erected 2019 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1741.

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

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ben (here, next to this marker); Caesar (here, next to this marker); Chris (here, next to this marker); Pompey (here, next to this marker); Chloe Halsey (here, next to this marker); Ransom Halsey (here, next to this marker); Prut (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. Page (Witness Stones Project).

In the mid-1700s, John Whiting was the richest man in West Hartford owning 530 acres of land. However, along with the land, Whiting enslaved nine people. Whiting was deeply involved in the church, being a moderator and donating land to it. Whiting was the Treasurer of Connecticut for 32 years and was a Colonel of the First Regiment during the French & Indian Wars in the 1740s. He and his wife Jerusha Whiting had eleven children, eight surviving past childhood.

(Submitted on January 18, 2026.)

2. Students Find and Share an Untold History of the Enslaved People of West Hartford- WeHa News.

History involves the study of what happened in the past, but we all
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

2. Page Witness Stone
(Top row, second section, upper right)
know there is more than one side to most stories. There are also stories that have yet to 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 25 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.