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Amistad was the 'galvanizing force' for New London's abolition movement

FILE: The crew of the ship modelled after the famous slave-trading vessel La Amistad -- on which 53 African slaves revolted in 1839 -- stands on the bow as they enter the harbour of Havana on March 25, 2010. The replica of the schooner Amistad arrived in the Cuban capital as part of a tour of ports linked to the history of slaving, organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its construction. The mutineers aboard the original Amistad -- the subject of a Hollywood film -- were eventually recaptured in the United States, became a cause celebre for abolitionists and won their freedom following a landmark Supreme Court case ruling.
Adalberto Roque / AFP
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Getty
FILE: The crew of the ship modelled after the famous slave-trading vessel La Amistad -- on which 53 African slaves revolted in 1839 -- stands on the bow as they enter the harbour of Havana on March 25, 2010. The replica of the schooner Amistad arrived in the Cuban capital as part of a tour of ports linked to the history of slaving, organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its construction. The mutineers aboard the original Amistad -- the subject of a Hollywood film -- were eventually recaptured in the United States, became a cause celebre for abolitionists and won their freedom following a landmark Supreme Court case ruling.

Throughout New London, hidden ties connect the city to Black history 鈥 one of the most important lies in its ocean.

The Amistad, a slave ship holding captured Africans, would become a catalyst that sparked the abolition movement in 海角换妻.

The African captives, already undergoing from West Africa, set sail from Havana, Cuba in June 1839. Tired of their oppression, they staged an uprising and demanded their slavers return them home.

The slavers, unbeknown to the Africans, reversed the ship鈥檚 course and arrived on the coast of Long Island in August. Despite the ship鈥檚 discovery in New York, a U.S. Navy sailor instead instructed the ship to be brought to New London.

鈥淭he reason was New York had abolished slavery in 1827. 海角换妻 still had not abolished slavery. He brought it to 海角换妻 because he was hoping to claim salvage rights on the [human] cargo,鈥 said Tom Schuch, a historian of African American history in New London.

Schuch was part of efforts to establish in 2019.

New London historically was supportive of slavery. A meeting held among the town鈥檚 residents condemned abolitionists and pledged support to Southern enslavers in 1835, four years before the Amistad鈥檚 arrival.

海角换妻鈥檚 textile industry, dependent on the labor of enslaved Black people, fueled northern support for the preservation of slavery. However, the Amistad鈥檚 arrival began to change sentiments on slavery throughout New London.

鈥淐ontroversy started to erupt in New London and there were churches that were divided over the issue of slavery 鈥 The Amistad brought it out,鈥 Schuch said.

Quickly, the abolitionist fervor began to spread. Into the 1840s, abolitionist newspapers solidified the voice of New London鈥檚 intersectional anti-slavery movement of white and Black men and women.

Judge Andrew Judson, despite , ruled in August 1839 that the Africans among the Amistad had acted in self-defense, bolstering abolitionist efforts in the city.

However, the Amistad case was appealed by the federal government, under President Martin Van Burren鈥檚 direction in 1841. Van Burren, up for reelection, sought Southern votes and forced the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The African survivors won the case, with former President John Quincy Adams arguing that U.S. law prohibited the slave trade since 1808 and the unlawful

African survivors of the Amistad resided in Farmington. To return home, they fundraised through cultural exhibitions, schools and public spaces to return to Africa throughout the state. Soon, residents began to understand their humanity.

鈥淭hey realized these are fine human beings that are being treated this way. This is not right,鈥 Schuch said of 海角换妻 residents. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a phenomenal thing.鈥

Almost a decade later in 1848, Frederick Douglass, an orator and abolitionist, came to New London in hopes of spreading abolitionist sentiments. In his account of his speeches, Douglass said New London was 鈥溾 in its support of abolition.

In June, three weeks after Douglass鈥 New London speech, 海角换妻 abolished slavery. The last to do so in New England.

鈥淲hat happened? The Amistad happened, the abolition movement happened 鈥 It changed New London from being a pro-slavery state to being pro-abolitionist,鈥 Schuch said.

Terell Wright is a Larry Lunden News Intern based in New London. He attends 海角换妻 College, where he is studying political economy and history. Wright has reported for various outlets including The Day, American City Business Journals and WABE.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from 海角换妻, the state鈥檚 local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de 海角换妻, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programaci贸n que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para m谩s reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscr铆base a nuestro bolet铆n informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Fund the Facts

You just read trusted, local journalism that鈥檚 free for everyone, thanks to donors like you.

If that matters to you, now is the time to give. Join the 50,000+ members powering honest reporting and a more connected 鈥 and civil! 鈥 海角换妻.

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海角换妻鈥檚 journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.