The Venture Smith Project was initiated (in part) by the done by Chandler Saint, President of the Beecher House Center for the Study of Equal Rights in Torrington, CT. His research into the life of Venture Smith (1728-1805), a slave living in Connecticut, was the basis for many exhibits, books and presentations. The life of Venture Smith was of particular interest to Chandler Saint and others involved in this project because he was able to purchase his freedom and the freedom of his family, ultimately becoming a successful business owner and respected American citizen.
The Center for Applied Genetics and Technology and collaborators from Central Connecticut State University and the State Archeological Office led the the genomics aspect of this project. The goal was to gather clues about Smith’s long-lost African heritage through DNA typing. The genetic material for this study was collected from Venture Smith’s living descendants and from Venture himself – DNA collected from the excavated East Haddam grave site.
For more information about the Venture Smith Project, please visit the links below: