Connecticut
Researcher restores forgotten Black military family to Connecticut history
SIMSBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – As America marks its 250th year, researchers are uncovering stories of people whose names didn’t make history books but whose sacrifices shaped the nation.
In Simsbury, one such story centers on Esther Wallace Jackson, a woman born free to formerly enslaved parents who became the anchor of a multigenerational military family whose service spans nearly every major American conflict.
Jackson’s story was almost lost, scattered across probate records and fading documents.
Connecticut researcher John Mills spent years piecing it together, uncovering a formerly enslaved family whose military contributions include service from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War.
Mills, a genealogist and founder of the nonprofit Alex Breanne Corporation, discovered the family while tracing the family tree of a Civil War soldier from Bloomfield.
“It turns out he was a grandson of Peter and Esther Jackson. And so, I started chasing down that story and discovered that Peter Jackson had been enslaved in Simsbury,” Mills said.
The family’s military legacy runs deep. Jackson’s father, London Wallace, served in the French and Indian War.
Her three brothers fought in the Revolutionary War.
Generations later, seven of Peter and Esther’s grandsons served in the Civil War, and six never returned home.
“With every major conflict, this family is deeply involved,” Mills said.
For men who were enslaved or newly freed, military service carried deeper meaning.
“You’re fighting for the country while you also don’t have the same freedom as others,” Mills said.
Mills partnered with the Simsbury Historical Society and the Department of Veterans Affairs to install a burial marker honoring the family’s military legacy.
The marker was placed next to the headstones of Peter and Esther Jackson.
In June, descendants gathered to see their family’s untold story commemorated.
“The intent was to have every person that we knew of who fought in one of these U.S. conflicts that were a part of their family on this monument,” Mills said.
Jackson’s obituary described her as a respected community member who walked two miles to her church on Hopmeadow Street well into her nineties.
Her legacy now lives in the Simsbury Public Library, where a hand-painted portrait depicts her likeness using features of her descendants.
“We unveiled it on June 19, 2025. Now, we have something visual so that the family and the community have to align with the story of Esther Jackson,” Mills said.
Mills said the research serves a broader purpose beyond memorializing individuals.
“The information we find, the research we do, is not only for them to be memorialized. It’s to create something that the public and the community, that specific town, has something that gives them the history,” Mills said.
The Wallace-Jackson descendants say they plan to return to Simsbury this Memorial Day to place flags at the monument bearing their family’s name.
Click here for more information about the Alex Breanne Corporation.
Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.
New data is shedding light on the state of Connecticut’s economy and labor force.
On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord joins host Amanda Marlow to talk about new Connecticut Department of Labor data that highlights the mismatch between increased job openings and a shrinking labor force.
Connecticut job openings jumped 2.6% in May to 87,356—however, since May 2025, 37,700 people have left Connecticut’s labor force.
Nord breaks down some of the reasons for this mismatch and what needs to be done to address Connecticut’s economic challenges.
He also shares insights into a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report showing Connecticut’s economy expanded 1.8% in the first quarter of 2026.
Episode Highlights:
- Job Openings vs. Workforce Shortage
- Unemployment Trends
- GDP Growth Amid Labor Challenges
- Affordability and Long-Term Competitiveness
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Connecticut
This Underrated Connecticut Town Is Getting National Recognition as One of the Best Places to Live
According to Islands.com, one Connecticut town is getting some well-deserved national attention, and it’s probably not the one you’d expect.
When people think about standout Connecticut destinations, places like Mystic, Greenwich, or New Haven usually dominate the conversation. But this time, the spotlight is on Cheshire, which was recently recognized as one of the best places to live in the state.
The national travel website points to Cheshire’s combination of small-town charm, outdoor recreation, local businesses, and great restaurants as some of the biggest reasons it’s become such a desirable place to call home. It’s also no stranger to high rankings. Cheshire was named the best place to live in New Haven County by Niche in 2025 and has also landed on Money Magazine’s list of the best places to live in America. Its public schools continue to receive high marks as well.
One of Cheshire’s biggest draws is its access to nature. The town is home to scenic orchards, beautiful greenhouses, and is known as Connecticut’s bedding plant capital. During the fall, local farms and orchards become popular destinations for apple picking, fresh cider, and seasonal treats. Outdoor lovers also have easy access to Roaring Brook Falls, Sleeping Giant State Park, and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
Of course, no Connecticut town earns national praise without having some great food. Islands.com highlighted Cheshire’s pizza scene, including Fuoco Apizza and Pop’s Pizza, along with Viron Rondo Osteria for Italian cuisine. Beer lovers can also stop by Counter Weight Brewing, while Sweet Claude’s Ice Cream and Shef’s Bagels round out the town’s lineup of local favorites.
Cheshire may not get the same attention as some of Connecticut’s bigger destinations, but this latest recognition suggests it deserves a spot on your list. Whether you’re looking for a weekend road trip or thinking about putting down roots, this quiet New Haven County town is proving it has a lot more to offer than many people realize.
7 of the Most Beautiful Towns in the State of Connecticut
Connecticut is overflowing with both manmade and natural beauty. In some places, the two intersect to create a magical, almost fictional feel. Here are 7 Connecticut Towns that look like they came straight from a storybook.
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano
5 Historic Connecticut Towns That Feel Frozen in Time
Connecticut is full of towns people rush past on the highway without realizing what they’re missing. Everyone knows the big names, but some of the best places in the state are the ones that don’t always make the travel lists. These towns are quieter, full of character, and worth slowing down for at least an afternoon.
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano
Look Inside the Largest Indoor Collaborative Artwork in the World
I visited the American Mural Project in Winsted, Connecticut for the first time recently, and for those who haven’t seen it, here’s a quick peek at what to expect when you gaze upon the largest indoor collaborative piece of artwork in the world
Gallery Credit: Photos by Large Dave
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