Ancient Burying Ground

Quash Gomer, who purchased his freedom in 1766 from John Smith for 25 pounds, is interred in the Wethersfield Ancient Burying Ground. The inscription on his stone reads: “In memory of Quash Gomer a Native of Angola in Africa, brought from there in 1748 and died June 6, 1799. Aged 68 years.” Burials of Americans of African descent in the Wethersfield Ancient Burying Ground were segregated. This marker is documentation of a free black presence in the early settlement of Wethersfield.