Browse Exhibits (1 total)

This exhibit looks at the historical connections between Norwich Connecticut and Saint Domingue during the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804 through the excerpted writings of 19th century individuals. In September 1800, the Schooner, La Vengeance left Jacmel, Saint Domingue for the island of Cuba. On board the ship were 140 individuals who were fleeing the violence during the 9th year of the slave rebellion against French colonialism. While sailing to Cuba, the ship was seized by the U.S. Trumbull, an American vessel patrolling the region. The Trumbull captured La Vengeance because of previous incursions by the French against U.S. merchant ships. The ship was taken to New London harbor where the 140 passengers would be interred as prisoners for six months. One of the passengers was the future president of Haiti, Jean Pierre Boyer. Boyer was then a twenty-four year old general in Saint Domingue and a high ranking member of the Freemasons. Upon learning of his Mason connections by the local people, Boyer was given special treatment and sent to stay his duration of the internment in Diah Manning's family home. This exhibit showcases the capture of La Vengeance in the Mona Passage during the Haitian Revolution to Connecticut in 1800-1801, and demonstrates the longstanding connections between the U.S. and the future first black republic in the western hemisphere.