In the 1800’s, Farmington was known as the hub of Connecticut’s Underground Railroad and was home to an active group of prominent and outspoken abolitionists, several of whom were involved in state, national and international anti-slavery movements. Three of these abolitionists participated in the Amistad case and brought the Mendi Africans to Farmington in 1841 after the courts declared them free. The Africans lived, studied and worked as free citizens in Farmington for eight months while money was raised for their return to Africa. Most of the buildings associated with the Amistad and the Underground Railroad remain, including the First Church of Christ, the Samuel Deming House, the Horace Cowles House, the Noah Porter House, and the Austin Williams House on Main Street, and the Deming Store on Mill Lane. Foone, the African who died there, is buried in Riverside Cemetery on Garden Street.

Photo: Alan M. Perrie

Photo: Alan M. Perrie

Photo: Alan M. Perrie

Photo: Alan M. Perrie