Moments In Connecticut Black History Welcome again to Moments in Connecticut Black History! This morning we have two memorable men who came to our state not of their own choice, but as enslaved men. Their stories are true and uplifting!

The House in Windsor, Present Day Dr. Manumitt’s Probate Record Dr. Primus Manumitt Primus was the enslaved man of Doctor Alexander Wolcott of Windsor, CT. Dr. Wolcott was the son of Connecticut’s Governor Roger Wolcott. It is likely that Primus lived in the attic of the house you see in this picture. This house used to stand in the center of Windsor, but was later moved to another part of town. Primus traveled all around this area right here where we live. He accompanied Dr. Wolcott in his practice of medicine. He learned to become a doctor over the years and had his own patients! Finally, Dr. Wolcott gave Primus his freedom. By that time everyone called him doctor. He then added the surname Manumitt, which means “to be set free.” Dr. Manumitt then moved across the CT River and practiced medicine in what is now East Windsor. He was the first doctor, Black or White, on the east side of the river. It’s hard to read from the screen, but his probate record, which listed everything that he owned after he died in 1783, lists some interesting things: Shoes with buckles, a blue vest with yellow buttons, a mortar and pestle for making his own medicines, and books about surgery. It is unknown where he lived and if he had a family. Finding out more about Dr. Primus Manumitt would be a good research project. The House in Windsor, Present Day Dr. Wolcott’s House Dr. Manumitt’s Probate Record

Venture Smith The gravestone in the middle of this slide is a little bit difficult to read, but this is what it says, “Sacred to the memory of Venture Smith, African, though the son of a king, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave, but by his industry he acquired money to purchase his freedom. Died 1805 in ye 77th year of his age.” The full story of his life, as you see in these two images, was written and widely read because he was such a remarkable man. He was about 7 years old when he was taken from his mother after seeing his father murdered. When the ship arrived in Connecticut, he was sold for a piece of cloth and four gallons of rum. His name was changed from Broteer to Venture. Venture grew into a very tall and strong man who was well-known for his strength and endurance. After working all day, he would hire himself out at night to save money to buy his own freedom. He also bought his wife’s freedom. They settled in Haddam Neck, CT. Venture owned three boats and four houses, built for his grown children. He ferried people across the Connecticut River for many years. A few years ago, Venture’s descendents and archaeologists went to the graveyard next to Haddam’s First Congregational Church to see if any of Venture’s DNA could be recovered from his grave. All they found were the nails that held his casket together. More recently the family has traveled to Ghana, his homeland, as reported in last Sunday’s New York Times. If you go online, you will find a lot more information on this great man, Venture Smith. Thank you for your kind attention!