Celebrating the Enslaved Lathrop Family of Norwich

In describing Primus, who was a child taken from his sick mother's bedside in Africa and enslaved in Norwich, and who watched his father die on the slave ship journey to America, the 1895 book about Norwich says the home he lived in measured 30' x 20'. The book said, “The school children would often pay [Old Primus] a visit.” It also said a barberry-bush grew on the rocks above his house.

In talking to the Norwich City Historian, he told me that the home of Primus was on a handwritten map in the 1895 book, of which I had a copy. So, I flipped through the pages. Sure enough, it listed his home between that of Simeon Case and the School House.

So, I traveled to Norwich. Simeon Case's house still stands... so does the old school house. In-between is a gravel lot measuring approximately the same dimensions as was the home of Primus. There were rocks above the lot, as well as berries growing from a bush.

Primus was enslaved to Ebenezer Lathrop… he and his wife Venus eventually sold to Ebenezer’s cousin Simon, but their son Job remained the property of Ebenezer. Job would go on to fight in the Revolutionary War, only to return and remain enslaved. In order to free him, a resident by the name of Caleb Huntington purchased Job for for £60 (about $15,000 today), immediately freeing him. Job would then use his Revolutionary War earnings to purchase his wife’s freedom. Many years later, Job’s two Great Grandson's (Thomas and Daniel Lathrop) would serve during the Civil War in the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment. Today, Daniel’s image is etched into the monument at Criscuolo Park in New Haven, CT.

My non-profit is working to acknowledge this historic American family within the town of Norwich. On this Giving Tuesday, please consider helping us. You can donate at https://alexbreanne.org/donate.

Thank you and God Bless.

John