Titus Gay

Titus Gay, who called himself Titus Kent (c. 1770 or 1779 – May 1837 or May 1838), also known as "Old Ti", was born into slavery in the town of Suffield, Connecticut, United States. Dinah and Genny became paid servants after they were freed. or 1779. His parents were born in Africa, forcefully taken aboard a Dutch ship, and taken to the American colonies, eventually arriving in Suffield, Connecticut. They were both treated cruelly before ending up in the Kent and Gay homes. Titus intercepted a plot to kidnap enslaved people, owned by the recently deceased Major John Hanchett (also Hanchet), who did not have much more time before they would be set free by the Gradual Emancipation Act.

Titus assisted the pastor, Reverend Ebenezer Gay Jr., with funerals and kept the church in order. For 40 years, he worked as a sexton, gravedigger, the town's only bell ringer, and janitor The townspeople could tell by his pattern of ringing the bell whether there was a wedding, church service, town meeting, fire, or other event. Titus acquired the name "Old Ti" when he took the job as sexton. He also "looked after" the town clerk in that time. He did chores for Squire Pease for board and earned money working for other town residents. Involved in the community, he was described as "lordly and dignified fond of exercising authority black as coal and when young was called good looking". He was known for spreading the town's news and for being superstitious.

Titus died in May 1837 or May 1838 in Suffield at the former home of Squire Pease. He was known throughout the area as the "Black Knight of the Bell". His funeral service was attended by black and white people of Suffield. He was remembered for being at the important days — baptisms, weddings, and funerals — of their lives. Titus was buried in the First Church cemetery.