Middletown (2)

1. Benjamin Douglas House
11 South Main Street

A rather handsome stop along the Underground Railroad. Benjamin Douglas (1816-1894) was a prominent abolitionist in Middletown. Given his abolitionist sentiments, his home may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. In 1839, he was one of 11 members of the Middletown Anti-Slavery Society. He was also involved in politics, holding office as Mayor of Middletown from 1850-1856 and lieutenant governor of the State of Connecticut in 1861-1862. As a member of the Electoral College in 1860, he cast his vote for Lincoln. Douglas bought this home in the late 1850s, which was built between 1811 and 1813 by Thomas Mather, a wealthy Middletown businessman. Douglas made his fortune by inventing and producing a revolving standing pump. The building is privately owned and not open to the public.

But it’s lovely.

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2. Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church
160 Cross Street

This church originated in 1823 in the home of Asa Jeffrey on this spot. A true church building was not erected until 1830 under the leadership of Jeheil Beman. Beman, the son of a Revolutionary War soldier and the son of slaves, led the congregation in the anti-slavery cause. The church became known as the Freedom Church for its abolitionist activity. Notably, Beman wrote to Frederick Douglas that the Underground Railroad was “in good repair” here and that they would continue helping slaves flee north to Canada “day or night.”

Women of the church, under the leadership of Clarissa Beman, created one of the first women’s abolitionist societies, known as the Colored Female Anti-Slavery Society of Middletown. Its goal was not only to bring an end to slavery, but also to improve the condition of free African Americans. The church was rebuilt in 1867, was moved about a quarter mile in the 1920s, and underwent renovation in 1978.

The church continued to be a community leader during the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s and 60s. The congregation participated in protest marches and was witness to numerous visits and speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1965, to help black students go to college Reverend William Davage founded the Greater Middletown Negro Youth Scholarship Fund.

It’s also part of the Freedom Tour. CTMQ Trek here and the Middletown Heritage Trail.

For more on Middletown’s role in abolition:
Wesleyan’s page about it.