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

Bristow

Witness Stone

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

1. Bristow Witness Stone

Inscription. 1731 - 1814
Born in Africa
Farmer, mill owner
Enslaved here
by Thomas Hart Hooker
Bought his freedom
1775

Erected 2019 by Witness Stones Project. (Marker Number CT10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 41° 45.865′ 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hannibal (here, next to this marker); Prut (here, next to this marker); Chris (here, next to this marker); Sam (here, next to this marker); Pompey (here, next to this marker); Peter (here, next to this marker); Lew (here, next to this marker); Caesar (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Hartford.

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

Bristow was born in Africa in 1731. He was transported to America and enslaved by Thomas Hart Hooker. In 1775, Bristow purchased his freedom. In 1788, he purchased three acres of land and a gristmill in Bristol from Elijah Gridley of Farmington. He died of pneumonia in 1814 and was buried at Old Center Cemetery.

(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 be told. When Tracey Wilson and Liz Devine started the Witness Stones Project
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 12, 2025

2. Bristow Witness Stone
(top row, third section, lower right)
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 26 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.