NOTL BLACK HISTORY IN EARLY NIAGARA

by Karen Couch
4 years ago
Near Niagara-on-the-Lake, CA

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At the turn of the 18th century, Upper Canada (now Ontario) was newly formed and Newark (now NOTL) was its capital. Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe, an abolitionist, was newly appointed. It was a time of great hope, especially for the 30 Black slaves living in Newark and the 500 -700 slaves living in Upper Canada. On this walk you will visit some important reminders of that time and hear the corresponding history that shaped NOTL and Canada.

1. RYE PARK: Courthouse and jail once stood here; 1793 The Act to Limit Slavery was passed in Newark. According to this law, any slave entering Canada would be free. In 1837, Solomon Moseby, a slave, living in Kentucky decided to take the risk and ride the horse he was using to run an errand, the 900 kms to Newark and freedom. Sadly, several months later, found guilty for stealing the horse, jailed and awaiting extradition; more than 200 people, Black and White, gathered at the courthouse to show their support; they feared if returned to the US he would not be tried for horse theft, but rather he would be returned to slavery;* the day of his extradition, a riot ensued in which he escaped; two freedom fighters were killed. Following this court case the law was changed; this case helped establish Canadian extradition and refugee policies that are still used today. * Balado audio clip 2:50-3:50.

2. WILLIAM AND SUSANNAH STEWART HOUSE (507 Butler and John); This was part of the “coloured village”, a community of Black Loyalists and freedom seekers. William was an African American teamster and one of 17 local blacks who signed a petition asking Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head to stop extradition of Kentucky fugitive Solomon Moseby. They built this house and lived in Niagara 1834-47. house symbolizes the cohesiveness of the Black community; remains one of the few surviving examples of houses built by and for Niagara's early Black settlers.

3. NEGRO BURIAL GROUND; A Baptist church once stood here; congregation started white, then mixed, then whites moved; the two freedom fighters killed where Rye Park now stands were supposedly buried here, but no tomb stones ever found; the grave stones that remain belong to George Wesley Jr. and Sr. (a freedom seeker and his son); and Susannah Oakley, the white minister's daughter.

4. ST. ANDREW SCHOOLHOUSE : Presbyterian congregation formed in 1794; church soon to follow and schoolhouse in 1802; at one time the upper floor of the church schoolhouse was used to teach black children; the first and only school for Black children at that time; in the War of 1812 Americans burned the church; schoolhouse held services until this church built in 1831.

5. FORT MISSISSAUGA: In 1812, on the eve of War, a former Black slave, Richard Pierpont, petitioned that a Black militia formed (to defend their homes in Canada and prevent a return to slavery); a group was formed under a white officer, known as the Coloured Corps; they fought in several battles during War of 1812; in 1814 they were reassigned to help build this fort after Fort George burnt; dangerous work; the Coloured Corp disbanded in 1815 with little recognition; fort was completed in 1823;

Remaining is a 19th century brick tower within star shaped earthworks. Fort Mississauga is the only lingering example of this military design in Canada. The central tower is believed to have been constructed of bricks salvaged from the rubble of the nearby town of Niagara, following its destruction by the retreating American forces 1813. The Coloured Corps finally recognized with a plaque in 2019. It stands near Brock monument, overlooking the Niagara River

6. QUEEN'S ROYAL PARK.in 1793 the owner of a slave named Chloe Cooley tied her up and brought her across the Niagara River by boat; the incident actually took place closer to Queenston; Chloe strongly resisted which drew the attention of onlookers; told Simcoe; this incident is seen as catalyst Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe used to introduce legislation to abolish slavery. His attempt was met with opposition. It was the first piece of legislation in the British Empire to limit slavery and set the stage for the great freedom movement of enslaved African Americans known as the Underground Railway. Sadly, Chloe's fate remains uncertain.

7. MASONIC LODGE: The Parliament of Upper Canada regularly met at the Freemason Lodge in Newark (NOTL), among other locations (which included Navy Hall, and an outdoor meeting under the shade of an ancient oak tree, Parliament Oak School). The Parliament of Upper Canada, under Lieutenant Governor Simcoe, drafted and passed the first legislation in the British Commonwealth to abolish slavery.

8. VOICES OF FREEDOM PARK (Regent and Johnson): ; In 2018, VOF opened giving expression to NOTL. tells forgotten stories of people of African descent enslaved, freed, and free whose sacrifices, labor, skills, and talents contributed to the development of NOTL and Canada