West Cemetery

West Cemetery: A Site of Abolitionist and Civil War History

Located along Route 177 in Plainville, Connecticut, West Cemetery is the final resting place of John C. and Harriet H. Norton, a couple who played a vital role in the Underground Railroad. The Nortons sheltered escaping enslaved individuals in their Plainville home, which stood until its demolition in the 1960s. Today, their courageous efforts are commemorated by a marker at 109 East Main Street, the site of the former Ideal Machinery Company. Their legacy is also preserved in the book “Etched in Memory” by Charles Norton, which recounts their antislavery activism. Their graves can be found midway back between the two driveways in the cemetery.

Honoring African American Civil War Soldiers

West Cemetery is also the burial site of five African American soldiers who served in the Civil War. These men fought with the all-Black 29th Connecticut Regiment and the renowned Massachusetts 54th Regiment, both instrumental in the Union’s fight against slavery.

This cemetery serves as a powerful reminder of Connecticut’s abolitionist efforts and the contributions of African American soldiers who fought for freedom and justice.

This site is open to the public