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

Chris

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

1. Chris Witness Stone

Inscription. Baptized 1758
Caretaker
Enslaved here
by Rev. Benjamin Colton and
Abijah Colton

Erected 2019. (Marker Number CT9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.

Location. 41° 45.866′ N, 72° 44.517′ 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 are within walking distance of this

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marker: Prut (here, next to this marker); Pompey (here, next to this marker); Hannibal (here, next to this marker); Bristow (here, next to this marker); Peter (here, next to this marker); Sam (here, next to this marker); Page (here, next to this marker); Phebee (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Hartford.

Also see . . .
1. Chris (Witness Stones Project). (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 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
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

2. Chris Witness Stone
(third column of Witness Stones)
community conversation.

(Submitted on January 18, 2026.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

3. Chris Witness Stone

(Top row, third section, upper right)

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 31 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 18, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.