The Witness Stones Dedication to Daniel took place on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Hartford Public High School. Seniors Janeysha Cruz and Nevaeh Moya have been researching the history of slavery in Connecticut, and in Hartford specifically, for their Capstone Project. They discovered that the prominent Lord family, who owned land near the current school’s location from the 1600’s through the 1800’s, were enslavers. Of the many they enslaved during that time were Daniel and his parents, Andrew and Tamar. For the June 10 event, many gathered to dedicate a small memorial, a Witness Stone, to Daniel to be installed on the school property.
Janeysha and Nevaeh recognized Daniel’s life and dedicated a small monument in his honor
According to church records, Daniel ‘s parents Andrew and Tamar were enslaved by Richard Lord, Treasurer of the Connecticut Colony and prominent Hartford landowner, and his wife Abigail. Daniel was born into slavery in 1722. In 1723 Andrew, Tamar, and their infant son Daniel were presented as a wedding gift to Richard and Abigail’s eldest son Elisha Lord. Daniel’s older sisters Lydia and Isabella stayed with Abigail. Daniel’s family was further separated in 1732 when upon Abigail’s death the sisters Lydia and Isabella were willed to Abigail’s step-daughter, Susannah Treat, and Daniel was willed to Abigail’s son, John Haynes Lord.
There are no baptism or marriage records for Daniel. No inventory of personal property exists. According to church records, Daniel died in 1761, still enslaved by the Lord family. No cause of death is given.
At this ceremony, Janeysha and Nevaeh recognized Daniel’s life and dedicated a small monument in his honor. They were joined today by Versatile Poetiq—Inaugural Poet Laureate, Windsor, CT, The Stowe Center representatives, Mariangie Pena, Stowe on the Go Marketing Manager and Karen Fisk, Executive Director, Dennis Culliton of the Witness Stones Project, HPS history director, Kevin Clements and their principal Elvis Minga. Special thanks to Donald Curtis, HPHS Library Media Specialist and “Luke” Williams of the HPHS History Museum. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam stopped by to recognize the students.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam (left) and the students
The Witness Stones Project is a non-profit community initiative whose mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities.
Together, we can ensure that the history of the enslaved is not forgotten.
https://witnessstonesproject.org/
The next time you visit Hartford Public High School, you be able to see Daniel's Witness Stone at the foot of the school's sign adjacent to the school's main entrance.
