First Baptist Church Memorial (Milford)

Located in Milford, Connecticut, First Baptist Church is home to a prominent 1976 memorial dedicated to six African American soldiers who served in the American Revolutionary War. Erected by the church’s historically Black congregation, the marker stands as a local symbol of historical remembrance, resilience, and pride.

This memorial is one of the few in Connecticut that explicitly names Black patriots from the Revolutionary era and reflects the vital role of community-led preservation in honoring African American contributions to the nation’s founding.

Milford’s Role in Honoring Black Revolutionary Soldiers
Though many African Americans fought in the American Revolution, most of their graves across Connecticut remain unmarked or forgotten. The First Baptist Church took active steps to change that by creating a visible and enduring tribute.

Unveiled during a special ceremony in 1976, the memorial lists the names of six Black soldiers from Milford:

• Job Caesar
• Pomp Cyrus
• Juba Freeman
• Peter Gibbs
• William Sower
• Congo Zado

These names are also listed at a corresponding memorial in Milford Cemetery, but the church’s installation ensures daily visibility and community engagement with this legacy.

A Spiritual and Historical Beacon
First Baptist Church, an African American congregation, has long served as a hub for faith, cultural heritage, and civic leadership in Milford. By hosting this marker, the church not only preserves Black history but also amplifies the voices of those who fought for a freedom they themselves were long denied.

This effort reflects a broader mission shared by many Black congregations: to reclaim historical agency and ensure that Black lives, labor, and sacrifices are not erased from public memory.

This site is open to the public and easily accessible from the street.

Learn More

Contact
28 North Street
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 878‑1178