Gravesite of Mary & Thaddeus Newton
1833, in New Bern, NC, a free black woman named Mary Margaret Heritage married her love, an enslaved man named Thaddeus Newton. Thaddeus was enslaved by Peter and Catherine Custis, relatives of Robert E. Lee. The couple would have kids, but because Thaddeus was enslaved, Mary had to make her own way, listed in the 1840 census as owning her own home.
In 1859, Mary moved her family to New York, leaving her husband Thaddeus and son Alexander behind. Mary found her way to abolitionists, most notably Henry Ward Beecher, the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who helped her raise money towards buying her husbands freedom. Her son Alexander, who was working in abolitionism in North Carolina, would eventually find his way to New York.
In 1860, the family moved to New Haven, CT, buying their own home. Determined to support black freedom, Mary's son Alexander Newton returned to New York, joining the 13th New York Regiment. His brother Steven Newton felt the same, joining the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment, made famous in the movie “Glory.” 3 months after enlisting, Steven died in the assault on Fort Wagner. In July 1863, Alexander would be chased out of New York by rioters during the New York City draft riots, rejoining his family in New Haven, potentially finding out about his brothers death for the first time. Soon after, Alexander joined the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment.
Gravesite of Mary & Thaddeus Newton
Thaddeus Newton, the formerly enslaved man whose sons both fought for freedom, died on March 15th, 1868. After enduring severe burns, Mary Newton died on February 18th, 1904, in the same New Haven home she bought in 1860. They are buried together at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, CT.
Many years ago, the gravestone of Mary & Thaddeus Newton fell over and cracked. It has since grown into the earth, covered and hidden by the snow in the winter. To honor this amazing couple, The Alex Breanne Corporation is working with Marc Ormerod of Monument Preservation & Restoration to repair the stone and stand it back up. Many amazing citizens from around the country made donations to the Alex Breanne Corporation to cover the $1,300 cost. Repairs will begin in the Spring.
Along with this, The Alex Breanne Corporation has successfully requested a memorial headstone for Stephen Newton from the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs. Stephen Newton was the son of Mary & Thaddeus who died fighting with the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment. Dale Fiore, General Manager at Evergreen Cemetery, has graciously agreed to allow the installation of Stephen Newton’s memorial stone right next to his parents.
The repaired stone for Mary & Thaddeus Newton, along with the Memorial Stone for Stephen Newton will be unveiled during a graveside cemetery at Evergreen Cemetery on June 21st, 2024 at 11am.
Register for this event here.
Hope to see you there!