Middletown in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Freedom Church
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016
1. The Freedom Church Marker
About 1828, a handful of Middletown's black residents gathered to worship in the home of Asa Jeffrey, a sea man who lived on Cross Street almost opposite here. The group formed the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Middletown's first black church, and in 1830 built its first house of worship just east of here, where Wesleyan's Science Center now stands. The congregation engaged as its first permanent minister the Reverend Jehiel Beman.
A native of Colchester, Connecticut, Jehiel Beman was the son of two former slaves; his father, Caesar Beman, had won his freedom by fighting in the Revolutionary War. When Jehiel and his family arrived in Middletown, they immediately began working to change their community – and the nation – for the better. In 1834, Reverend Beman and several others founded the Middletown Anti-Slavery Society, working to end slavery in the United States. Although he left Middletown in 1838 to lead a church in Boston, in 1854 Beman returned here where he and other A.M.E. Zion church members helped southern slaves escape to Canada. That year, he wrote to black abolitionist Frederick Douglass, “The
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By 1867 the church had erected larger quarters on its first site. In the 1920s the congregation moved its building west on Cross Street, and in the 1980s rebuilt its house of worship at the same location.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016
2. The Freedom Church Marker
Even through the vile period of slavery Middletown's African Americans were vital and active members of the community. A number of black men – both slave and free – risked their lives as Revolutionary War soldiers fighting for our country's liberty. And generations later, local African-American men bravely fought in the Civil War.
During the 19th century, Middletown's black population declined drastically. Many families moved to larger cities where opportunities were greater. Nevertheless, those who remained overcame enormous odds to succeed, becoming teachers, chefs, firefighters, barbers, sailors, and business owners.
In the 1790s and early 1800s, Cuff Boston, a free African American, advertised his dyeing business in the local newspaper. At his death in 1823, Boston's homelot on Washington Street contained nearly 20 acres of land.
Middlesex Gazette, July 21, 1797
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016
3. Freeman Athletic Center
For nearly eight decades it remained largely a community of free blacks who owned their small homes. Most men were laborers or seamen: several women were dressmakers or washerwomen. At least four of the neighborhood men served in the Civil War.
#9 and #11 Vine Street: Ebenezer DeForest, a seaman, built the home on the left about 1840, later selling it to John Cambridge, a laborer who probably descended from Kay Cambridge, one of several black Revolutionary War soldiers from Middletown. The house on the right, built in 1847-1848, became the home of Isaac and Eliza Truitt and their six children. In the Civil War, Isaac Truitt served as a sergeant in the 31st Regiment US Colored Troops and later worked as a chimney sweep at Wesleyan. He is buried in Washington Street Cemetery at the north end of Vine Street.
Reverend Jehiel Beman, first minister of Middletown's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Courtesy the Cross Street A.Me. Zion Church
Erected by the Middlesex County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1797.
Location. 41° 33.141′ N, 72° 39.64′ W. Marker is in Middletown in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Cross Street and Warren Street, on the right when traveling east on Cross Street. Located next to the Natatorium at the Freeman Athletic Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middletown CT 06457, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley and on the Connecticut Shoreline. 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 Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Middlesex County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wesleyan University’s “College Row” (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Wangunks and Indian Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); 24th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Monument (approx. half a mile away); Washington Green (approx. half a mile away); Middletown Korea Vietnam Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Middletown World War I Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Middletown World War II Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Russell House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
More about this marker. Weather has affected the clarity of the text and pictures. The Middlesex County Historical Society generously aided in transcribing this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,003 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
