According to a deed of sale preserved in the Florence Griswold Museum’s archives, a boy named Prince was 11 or 12 years old in 1792 when Elijah Ely of Lyme sold him as a “slave for life” to Richard Lord of Lyme for 32 pounds.  The deed says the following: “Know all Men by these Presents that I Elijah Ely of the Town of Lyme in the county of New London and State of Connecticut for the consideration of thirty two pounds Lawfull Money to me in hand paid by Richard Lord of Lyme in the county aforesaid Do therefore by these presents Sell & convey unto Richard Lord his Heirs & Assigns forever one Negro Boy about Eleven or twelve years old named Prince to serve as a Negro Slave During the Term of His Natural Life hereby also promise to Warrant Secure and Defend the Above mentioned Negro boy to said Lord his Heirs &c against all Lawfull Claims or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever as witness my hand this 13 Day of March AD 1792.” 

Research provided by Witness Stones – Old Lyme