Norwich ― A 6-inch-thick Norwich Police Department binder contains seven years of investigative work into the mysterious deaths of posthumously famous African American folk artist Ellis Ruley and his .
By Shiela Hayes, For The Bulletin
As we celebrate Black History Month and the great contributions of African Americans to the fabric of this great society, let us not forget it happened underneath the weight of racism that has existed throughout our history and continues today.
The Ellis Walter Ruley story, African American artist, is one of strength, endurance and tragedy. During his lifetime, he faced extreme adversity and racism as a result of his interracial marriage and his ability to achieve the “American dream” with the purchase of a new car and home.
In his early life, Ruley worked as a rock mason until an auto accident occurred and the settlement award of $25,000 was to be split between Ruley and the other passenger. The initial award of $12,000 to Ruley was reduced to $8,000 after the judge declared the initial amount excessive. Ruley then purchased a 1932 green Chevrolet convertible coupe called the “Green Hornet.” He married a white woman named Wilhelmina
Published January 07. 2021 12:01AM
Brian Barganier, Special to The Times
Jail Hill District is loosely described on the Internet as Cedar Street in Norwich, but that area encompasses much more than that.
Jail Hill gets its rather unoriginal name after a jail that was built on a hill there in 1834, which stood between Fountain and Cedar streets. The jailhouse overlooked the city’s downtown area. If you want to see the original spot, it’s a currently vacant lot at 16 Cedar St.
The roughly 37-acre district included the areas of School, John, Fountain, Cedar, Happy, and Old Division streets. Development of the area began in the 1830s and was largely complete by 1865 after the Civil War.