New Haven, Connecticut – June 21, 2024

In conjunction with the Juneteenth celebrations this weekend, New Haven will host an honorary ceremony at the historic Evergreen Cemetery in the Hill Section. This ceremony aims to pay tribute to Mary and Thaddeus Newton, key figures in the fight for freedom and civil rights. The event marks a significant moment in recognizing their contributions by designating their gravesite as a marker on the Freedom Trail and renaming streets in their honor.

The Newton Family’s Legacy

Mary and Thaddeus Newton’s story is one of resilience, love, and unyielding dedication to the cause of freedom. Mary, a free woman, and Thaddeus, initially an enslaved man, forged a path that significantly impacted their community and future generations. In 1859, Mary escaped to New York, collaborating with renowned abolitionists like Henry Ward Beecher and Henry Highland Garnet to raise funds to buy her husband’s freedom. Successfully securing Thaddeus’ freedom, the family relocated to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1860.

Their influence extended through their children, who followed in their footsteps in the fight against slavery. Their oldest son, Alexander, served in the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment during the Civil War, documenting his experiences in a memoir that remains a crucial historical account. Their second son, Stephen, joined the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment and perished in the Battle of Fort Wagner, an event dramatized in the film “Glory.” Their youngest son, William, despite being too young to enlist, served as a servant to Captain Charles Griswold of the 29th Regiment.

June 21st Ceremony: A Day of Dedication and Reflection

The honorary service on June 21st will include the dedication of a grave marker for Stephen, to be placed next to his parents at Evergreen Cemetery. This will be the first time since his death in 1864 that a marker will honor Stephen. The Connecticut Army National Guard is calling on its Soldiers to participate in a military honors service, recognizing Stephen’s ultimate sacrifice.

The tentative schedule for the memorial service is as follows:

• 11:00 AM: Song by Quoron Walker
• 11:05 AM: Blessing & Prayer by Reverend Steven Cousin, Bethel AME Church
• 11:10 AM: The Newton Story by John Mills, President, Alex Breanne Corporation
• 11:15 AM: Reflections by Mayor Justin Elicker, New Haven Mayor
• 11:20 AM: Reflections by Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senate
• 11:25 PM: Freedom Trail Designation by Todd Levine, Connecticut Freedom Trail
• 11:30 AM: Unveiling by Marc Ormerod, Monument Preservation & Restoration
• 11:35 AM: Military Honors for Pvt. Stephen Newton by Mass 54th Colored Regiment
• 11:40 AM: Closing Remarks by Dale Fiore, General Manager, Evergreen Cemetery

Press Release

Honoring the heroic story of Mary & Thaddeus Newton; how their bravery, faith, and civic duty helped shape our nation.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — On June 21st, 2024, at 11 am, Connecticut-based non-profit Alex Breanne Corporation will be holding a Celebration of Life Service at the gravesite of Thaddeus & Mary Newton, located within historic Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard in New Haven, CT. Local clergy and government officials will be in attendance.

Thaddeus Newton was a North Carolina enslaved man. His wife Mary was free. In 1859, she fled to New York where she worked with well-known abolitionists (such as Henry Ward Beecher and Henry Highland Garnet) to raise money to free her husband Thaddeus. On securing her husband’s freedom, Thaddeus and Mary moved with their family to New Haven, CT. While living in New Haven, two of their sons would serve in the Civil War with the 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment. Their son Alexander served as Commissary Sergeant and their 15-year-old son William served as a servant to Captain Charles Griswold. The Newton’s had a third son, Stephen, who also fought in the Civil War. Stephen died while fighting with the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment, which is the regiment featured in the 1989 Denzel Washington movie, “Glory”. Stephen died at the assault on Fort Wagner in Morris Island, South Carolina; his body was never recovered.

During their lives, Thaddeus & Mary Newton were consummate examples of integrity and honor. On arriving in New Haven in 1860, Thaddeus was ill and unable to perform in his trade as a shoemaker. To help support his family, Thaddeus became a peddler, selling fruits from a cart… his wife Mary and sons William and Stephen would help. Mary also pushed a wash cart, used for washing clothes for soldiers at Grape Vine Point (now Criscuolo Park in New Haven, CT). The family would eventually save up $100, which they used as a down payment on a $300 mortgage for a home at 18 Winter Street. Thaddeus died of his ailments in 1868, but Mary and her family would live in this home for over 40 years.

Prior to his death in 1868, Thaddeus became a Trustee in the First AME Bethel Church of New Haven, working to secure the property for their building on Sperry Street… a building that still stands today. Thaddeus imparted the importance of religion on his children, his son Alexander becoming an Official with the AME Church after his military service. Alexander published a memoir in 1910 entitled, “Out of the Briars: An Autobiography and Sketch of the Twenty-Ninth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers.”

Over the decades, Mary & Thaddeus Newton’s gravestone had fallen in disrepair due to time and the elements. At the conclusion of our memorial event, we will unveil their newly repaired stone, along with a newly installed military stone for their son Stephen, whose body was never recovered after his death during the Civil War in 1863. The Massachusetts 54th Regiment in collaboration with the Connecticut National Guard will also honor Stephen at the event.

The story of Thaddeus & Mary Newton is a love story… one that began with their marriage on Valentine’s day in 1837. Their love was so strong that Mary found a way to free her husband. Theirs was a love story of family and country, having sons who fought for freedom, one dying for it.

In honor of the Newton family, please consider joining us as we celebrate this incredible American family. The event is free. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

John Mills
Alex Breanne Corporation
john@alexbreanne.org

Continuing the Legacy

The story of Mary and Thaddeus Newton is a poignant reminder of the power of love, dedication, and sacrifice. As we gather on June 21st to honor their memory, we celebrate not only their contributions but also the enduring impact they have had on our nation’s history. Please join us in this significant tribute to a family whose legacy continues to inspire.

For more information and to stay updated on events and initiatives dedicated to our veterans and their families, subscribe to the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Together, we can keep the memory of heroes like Mary and Thaddeus Newton alive.