After he was laid to rest in what was then the burying ground for Middletown’s Middlefield Parish in 1820, Philemon Freeman was largely forgotten. He was included on a sign listing unmarked African American burials placed in Old North Cemetery in 2010. Yet, the listing notes only his name, his approximate age, and his date of death. There was much more to Freeman’s story, including service in the American Revolution.

Join us on February 18, 2021 at 7 pm to learn how the story of Private Philemon Freeman was discovered. Presented by Middletown based professional genealogist Bryna O’Sullivan, it will use Private Freeman as a case study to demonstrate the records that can be used to identify service for African American patriots in Connecticut and to more fully tell their history. Participants will be encouraged to bring questions. This program is sponsored by the Middlefield Historical Society and Wadsworth Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Please register online.  You will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting 2 hours before the program begins.  Simply use your computer, phone or tablet to join by following the Zoom link. 

For additional information, please call the Russell Library at (860) 347-2520.