Quash Williams: His story

Carol W. Kimball

Black History
Quash Williams, local African American hero
Groton's Second Baptist Church
Mystic's Whitehall Cemetery
Indian Town, Ledyard

Kim11-071

Scrapbook

8: Communication Artifact

Documentary Artifact

The Day

New London, CT

02/04/2008

Carol W. Kimball

Local African-American hero, buried in Mystic's Whitehall Cemetery, was born a slave Dec. 15, 1762 in the household of Colonel John Williams of Stonington. He was called Quash, like his father, a name of African origin meaning Sunday. He said all of his education came from carrying the Williams children on his back to the schoolhouse. In 1786 Elder Silas Burrows of Groton's Second Baptist Church converted Quash who became the elder's right hand man. In 1796, John Williams, great-grandson of the Colonel, freed Quash who became more devoted to church affairs. When Elder Silas died, Quash was appointed the church leader. His motto was to walk as well as we talk. He was famed for his sermons and cherished for his work. Quash died Nov. 2, 1830. His wife Hannah lies at his side. Nearby is his daughter Delancy, who married Silas Hazard. A second daughter was the wife of Jabez Prince Niles of Indian Town, Ledyard. The marble slab on his his grave reads, Old Quash was truly an example, and by it, yet being dead, he speaketh.

Williams, John (Colonel)
Williams, John
Burrows, Silas (Elder)
Quash (slave of John Williams)
Hannah (wife of Quash)
Delancy (daughter of Quash)
Hazard, Silas
Niles, Jabez Prince

Local African-American hero
Mystic's Whitehall Cemetery
slave
Groton's Second Baptist Church
Indian Town, Ledyard