Reverend Samuel Stone - Hartford, CT
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neoc1
N 41° 45.887 W 072° 40.445
18T E 693340 N 4626275
A statue of Reverend Samuel Stone, on of the founders of Hartford is located in the Ancient Burying Grounds on Main Street in Hartford, CT
Waymark Code: WMHPQX
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 08/01/2013
Views: 2
Samuel Stone was born in Hertford, England in 1602. He became a Puritan minister but when his beliefs conflicted with the establishment Church of England he emigrated from his homeland. In 1633, he and Thomas Hooker sailed for Boston. Once again they ran afoul of the local church establishment and in September 1636 Hooker and Stone led their congregation of about 100 members to establish a new colony on the banks of the present day Connecticut river.
They name their new home Hartford, after Stone's hometown of Hertford. It was Stone who negotiated the purchase the land from the native Sukiaug tribe. Stone was the first teacher of the church congregation and became its second pastor after the death of Thomas Hooker.
A 5' high bronze sculpture of Reverend Samuel Stone is located in the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford. The statue is a replica of a statue created by English sculptor Henry Tebbutt located in Stone's hometown of Hertford. Stone is depicted dressed in period Puritan clothing. He is wearing a long buttoned overcoat, boots and a high broad brimmed hat. His left arm pointing upward and he is holding a large open book in his right hand. The statue was dedicated on April 28, 2005.
The bronze plinth rests on a 2' by 2' square granite base. The base has the following inscriptions:
REV. SAMUEL STONE 1602 - 1663
FOUNDED HARTFORD WITH THOMAS HOOKER
BORN IN HERTFORD ENGLAND
FIRST CHURCH TEACHER AND 2ND PASTOR