Moral Courage and Community Action: Discovering the Village of Amistad in Farmington, CT
Hey everybody, how you doing? This is Dan Blanchard with the Travel in Time with Dan Show. Today, we’re diving deep into an incredible historical moment right here in Farmington, Connecticut, a place proudly known today as the Village of Amistad. I’m at the Riverside Cemetery, and the stories buried here—and throughout this community—are truly fascinating.
The Fight for Freedom on the High Seas
This history revolves around the Mende people, Africans who were tragically kidnapped and sold into slavery in Cuba. They were being transported, likely toward a plantation in the United States. However, men including Cinque took action. They seized control of the vessel, the Amistad, killing the captain and several crewmates. They then forced the remaining crew to start sailing them back toward Africa.
This journey was fraught with deception. The Mende people could navigate by the sun during the day, ensuring they headed in the right direction. But at night, since the Africans didn’t know how to navigate by the stars, the slave traders would turn the boat around, heading it back toward the United States. This difficult situation continued for several months.
Eventually, the United States Navy intervened. They spotted the ship, grabbed it, and towed it into Long Island, arresting everyone aboard.
The Landmark Trials of the Century
The trial surrounding the Amistad men began around 1841. Interestingly, during this time, Connecticut maintained two capitals—New Haven and Hartford—for about 150 years, and the trial moved back and forth between them.
The initial charges were serious, but in Hartford, the Mende men were acquitted of murder. The court essentially recognized that they were merely trying to regain their freedom, asserting that anyone would likely do whatever was necessary to achieve freedom.
However, the property charges remained. This led to a District Court trial, also in Hartford. The ruling here was a huge step: the court determined that the Mende people were not slaves to begin with, as they had been kidnapped and forced into servitude. Therefore, the argument that they were “property” did not hold.
The case, still appealed, made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Representing the Amistad men was former President John Quincy Adams. Adams successfully argued their case, resulting in the Mende men being released and found not guilty. This momentous decision was one of the most significant court cases of the century.
Farmington Steps Up: A Lesson in Community Leadership
Despite their successful acquittal, the Mendy people couldn’t simply go home. They lacked the necessary funds, and the United States refused to pay for their passage back to Africa.
This is where Farmington, Connecticut, lives up to its name as the Village of Amistad. The community took them in, offering comprehensive support.
- Abolitionists and community members played a significant role.
- The First Church of Christ was heavily involved.
- The residents provided jobs, housing, and put the men in school.
- The young women and girls were placed in Miss Porter School (which was then forming into the school it is today).
The Mende people themselves actively participated in a massive grassroots fundraiser. Some began learning English, and they spoke on a circuit, raising the necessary money to return home. After 18 months of court cases and about eight months of fundraising, they finally achieved their goal of sailing back to Africa.
A Somber Note in Riverside Cemetery
While most returned home, not all of them made it. Tragically, one of the men, Foone, died here in Farmington. He drowned while swimming in the river located behind the Riverside Cemetery, the location where the old farmer canal and former slave plantations were situated. Foone is buried in this cemetery, never having had the chance to go back home to his family. He remains with us here in Farmington, Connecticut.
The Leadership Takeaway
When we look at this history through the lens of leadership, two powerful lessons emerge:
- Moral Leadership: Kidnapping and enslaving the Mende people was fundamentally wrong. The court system demonstrated great moral leadership by recognizing this injustice and setting them free.
- Community Leadership: What Farmington accomplished was absolutely amazing. The community came together—not just locally, but with support across the United States—to provide food, housing, jobs, education, and even a respectful burial. This effort exemplifies true community leadership.
Today, the Farmington Historical Society offers tours covering this incredible history, including sites related to the Underground Railroad, such as Miss Porter’s School, the church, and J Timothy’s Tavern. If you ever get the chance, the tour is fascinating and a truly cool way to bring this history to life.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
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