DeLauro, Courtney Honor 250th Anniversary of Venture Smith’s Freedom

Unveil a Plaque Marking the Stonington Location of His Homestead

NORWICH, CT—Connecticut Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Joe Courtney today honored the 250th anniversary of Venture Smith gaining his freedom. They unveiled a plaque marking the Stonington location where Smith’s small homestead once stood. Smith was a former slave captured from Ghana and sold into slavery in America in 1739. The plaque details the incredible story of how Smith persevered through the depths of enslavement, finally overcoming immense hurdles to purchase his freedom in 1765 from merchant Oliver Smith, and become a free man.

“Venture Smith’s story is well worth commemorating,” DeLauro said. “It captures the brutality and oppression of American slavery in real time, and is a precious historical document. It opens a rare window on one of the darkest chapters in American history and also serves as a story of perseverance, courage and success. Venture’s amazing story of triumph over slavery is an inspiration to us all.”

Courtney said: “As Connecticut history teachers work to incorporate more of our state and local history into their classroom curricula, this is an opportune time to recall the amazing story of Venture Smith’s struggle and perseverance. His is an inspiring story of resilience and relentless pursuit of the American Dream in the face of the cruel subjugation of slavery. I encourage all of Connecticut’s residents to visit this site and to learn more about Venture Smith’s life and legacy.”

The Stonington homestead site was found in 2008 and the sign installed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will help visitors understand the historical significance of Venture Smith’s life and journey to freedom. DeLauro and Courtney were joined by Chandler Saint, Co-Director and President of the Beecher House Center for the Study of Equal Rights; Jessie Stratton, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Director of Policy Development; Alan Levere, Director of Parks, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; descendants of both Venture Smith and Oliver Smith; and Rob Forbes, Historian with the Documenting Venture Smith Project.

“What happened here was an important event in Connecticut and US history,” Saint said. “Venture's regaining his freedom from the oppression of slavery is an inspiration to freedom-seeking people all over the world. Going forward, this spot will be an inspiration and symbol of hope.”

Last month DeLauro and Courtney introduced a resolution proclaiming April 10 Venture Smith’s Independence Day. A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.


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