Revisiting the Amistad revolt

The story of the Africans of who led the 1839 revolt on the slave ship La Amistad will be retold in a walking tour in Farmington, Connecticut, where the Amistad captives lived prior to their return to Africa.

The captives of La Amistad were Mende Africans from modern-day Sierra Leone who were captured and shipped to Cuba for enslavement. During the voyage to Cuba, the Mende were led by Sengbe Pieh in an uprising and took control of the vessel, which was sailed to Long Island. The Mende were apprehended upon arrival and sent to trial in Connecticut. After a two-year-long trial championed by former President John Quincy Adams, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Mende be freed. The Africans were housed in Farmington, where they lived and worked for eight months before accumulated the money needed to arrange for their return to Africa.

The Farmington Historical Society”™s walking tour will retrace the Africans”™ residency in Connecticut and consider the leadership of Sengbe Pieh (who was called Joseph Cinque by the Americans). The tour will also offer insight regarding the landmark court case that secured the Africans”™ freedom during a time when half of the nation was still operating with a slavery industry.

Tours are scheduled for Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 ”“ both begin at 10:00 a.m. and are expected to talk up to two hours. Reservations for the event are available on EventBrite.com.