“Farewell, ole Maser, don’t think hard of me, I’m going on to Canada, where all the slaves are free”

a song quoted in Harriet Tubman, Harriet, the Moses of her People by Sarah Hopkins Bradford, 1869

More sources from research Feb. 6, 2020

There are many interesting stories here, including harrowing memories of life under slavery and escape up the Underground Railroad. All come from research done today and I hope these stories will be of interest and use to others who want to know about Black History in Canada, and particularly in Ontario. Joanne Doucette

19300915 Josiah Henson grave, The Windsor Star, Sep 15, 1930 — Josiah Henson grave, The Windsor Star, Sep 15, 1930

18571010 GL Former slaves Carribean, Globe, Oct. 10, 1857 — Former slaves Carribean, Globe, Oct. 10, 1857

18630420 GL White men refuse to serve on jury, Globe, April 20, 1863 — White men refuse to serve on jury, Globe, April 20, 1863

18970216 GL quote Hubbard, Globe, Feb. 16, 1897 — quote Hubbard, Globe, Feb. 16, 1897

18990223 TS Elizabeth Walters, Toronto Star, Feb. 23, 1899 — Elizabeth Walters, Toronto Star, Feb. 23, 1899

18990408 Rebuttal to Willison of The Globe and racism, Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), Mar. 8, 1899 — Rebuttal to Willison of The Globe and racism, Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), Mar. 8, 1899

19030608 George Washington, Leamington, ON, The Windsor Star, Jun 8, 1903 — George Washington, Leamington, ON, The Windsor Star, Jun 8, 1903

19040428 Burwell Trimble, Welland Ottawa Citizen, April 28, 1904 — Burwell Trimble, Welland, Ottawa Citizen, April 28, 1904

19071102 Henry Johnston, Oakville, The Gazette (Montreal) Nov. 12, 1907 — Henry Johnston, Oakville, The Gazette (Montreal) Nov. 12, 1907

19080525 First Baptist Church, Windsor, ON, The Windsor Star, May 23, 1908 — First Baptist Church, Windsor, ON, The Windsor Star, May 23, 1908

19081001 Rev. Alex Mans, London, ON, The Province (Victoria, BC) Oct. 1, 1908 — Rev. Alex Mans, London, ON, The Province (Victoria, BC) Oct. 1, 1908

19091009 Margaret Moore, Windsor, ON, The Gazette (Montreal) Oct. 1, 1909 — Margaret Moore, Windsor, ON, The Gazette (Montreal) Oct. 1, 1909

19101119 GL Attempted Lynching Ontario Globe, November 19, 1910 — Attempted Lynching Ontario Globe, November 19, 1910

19120508 William (Bush) Johnston, Windsor, The Windsor Star, May 8, 1912 — William “Bush” Johnston, Windsor, The Windsor Star, May 8, 1912

19130207 Harriet Wright, Ingersoll, The Ottawa Journal, Feb. 7, 1913 — Harriet Wright, Ingersoll, The Ottawa Journal, Feb. 7, 1913

19130519 Josiah Henson descendants, Saskatoon Daily Star, May 19, 1913 — Josiah Henson descendants, Saskatoon Daily Star, May 19, 1913

19130920 Wilson lecture 23 years in slavery, Saskatoon Daily Star, Sep. 20, 1913 — Wilson lecture 23 years in slavery, Saskatoon Daily Star, Sep. 20, 1913

19140113 George Wilson describes slave auctions, Edmonton Journal, Jan. 13, 1914 — George Wilson describes slave auctions, Edmonton Journal, Jan. 13, 1914

19140212 GL Annie Jackson, Hamilton court case Globe, Feb. 12, 1914 — Annie Jackson, Hamilton court case Globe, Feb. 12, 1914

19140701 GL Annie Jackson, Hamilton, wins case Globe, July 1, 1914 — Annie Jackson, Hamilton, wins case Globe, July 1, 1914

19150421 TS Nolan Johnson dies 110 years old, Toronto Star, April 21, 1915 — Nolan Johnson dies 110 years old, Toronto Star, April 21, 1915

19180323 GL Louisa Diggs, Hamilton, Globe, March 23, 1918 — Louisa Diggs, Hamilton, Globe, March 23, 1918

19181007 John Moffatt, Windsor, Windsor Star, October 7, 1918 — John Moffatt, Windsor, Windsor Star, October 7, 1918

19200505 Aaron Jacobs, Kingsville, ON, The Windsor Star, May 5, 1920 — Aaron Jacobs, Kingsville, ON, The Windsor Star, May 5, 1920

19210209 GL A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921 1 — A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921

19210209 GL A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921 2 — A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921

19210209 GL A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921 3 — A defense of the KKK Letter to Editor, Globe, Feb. 9, 1921

19220918 Cornelius Thompson, Blenheim, 800 dollars at slave auction, The Gazette, Sep. 18, 1922 — Cornelius Thompson, Blenheim, 800 dollars at slave auction, The Gazette (Montreal), Sep. 18, 1922

19220918 Cornelius Thompson, Blenheim, ON, The Ottawa Journal, Sep. 18, 1922 — Cornelius Thompson, Blenheim, ON, The Ottawa Journal, Sep. 18, 1922

19240324 GL Lloyd Graves, St. Thomas, Globe, March 24, 1924 — Lloyd Graves, St. Thomas, Globe, March 24, 1924

19260222 GL Lloyd Graves, 102 yrs old, Globe, Feb. 22, 1926 — Lloyd Graves, 102 yrs old, Globe, Feb. 22, 1926

19271001 BME Church built at night by former slaves, The Windsor Star, Oct. 1, 1927 — BME Church built at night by former slaves, The Windsor Star, Oct. 1, 1927

19280301 TS Lloyd Graves dead at 104, Toronto Star, March 1, 1928 — Lloyd Graves dead at 104, Toronto Star, March 1, 1928

19280302 GL Lloyd Graves obituary, Globe, March 2, 1928 — Lloyd Graves obituary, Globe, March 2, 1928

19280623 Served in Union Army, Winnipeg Tribune, June 23, 1928 — Served in Union Army, Winnipeg Tribune, June 23, 1928

19280802 Great gathering Amherstburg, ON, The Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1928 — Great gathering Amherstburg, ON, The Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1928

19281229 James (Daddy) Wilson, Welland remembers slavery, The Winnipeg Tribune, Dec. 29, 1928 — James (Daddy) Wilson, Welland remembers slavery, The Winnipeg Tribune, Dec. 29, 1928

19300322 James Wilson, Welland, ON, Edmonton Journal, Mar. 22, 1930 — James Wilson, Welland, ON, Edmonton Journal, Mar. 22, 1930

19300814 Washington Wilson, Goyeau Ave, Windsor, ON, The Windsor Star, Aug 14 1930 — Washington Wilson, Goyeau Ave, Windsor, ON, The Windsor Star, Aug 14 1930

19311105 Ouelettes and the Underground Railroad, The Windsor Star, Nov. 5, 1932 — Ouelettes and the Underground Railroad, The Windsor Star, Nov. 5, 1932

19320708 Annie Thompson remembers slavery, Edmonton Journal, Jul 8, 1932 1 — Annie Thompson remembers slavery, Edmonton Journal, Jul 8, 1932

19320708 Annie Thompson remembers slavery, Edmonton Journal, Jul 8, 1932 2 — Annie Thompson remembers slavery, Edmonton Journal, Jul 8, 1932 2

19330824 TS Catherine Deveaux 104th birthday, Toronto Star, August 24, 1933 — Catherine Deveaux 104th birthday, Toronto Star, August 24, 1933

19330825 GL Katherine Deveaux, Globe, Aug. 25, 1933 — Katherine Deveaux, Globe, Aug. 25, 1933

19340210 TS AME Church founding celebration Oakville, Toronto Star, Feb. 10, 1934 — AME Church founding celebration Oakville, Toronto Star, Feb. 10, 1934

19340621 GL Katherine Deveaux votes at 103, Globe, June 21, 1934 — Katherine Deveaux votes at 103, Globe, June 21, 1934

19340626 GL Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934 1 — Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934

19340626 GL Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934 2 — Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934

19340626 GL Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934 3 — Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934

19340626 GL Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934 4 — Katherine Deveaux dies in fire, Globe, June 26, 1934

19350306 TS Daughter of slave passes away Toronto Star, March 6, 1935 — Daughter of slave passes away Toronto Star, March 6, 1935

19350314 Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune 3 — Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune, March 14, 1935

19350314 Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune — Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune, March 14, 1935

19350314 Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune 2 — Richard B Harrison, London, Ontario, The Winnipeg Tribune, March 14, 1935

19350314 Richard Berry Harrison, Ottawa Journal, March 14, 1935 — Richard Berry Harrison, Ottawa Journal, March 14, 1935

19350314 Richard Berry Harrison, The Winnipeg Tribune1 — Richard Berry Harrison, The Winnipeg Tribune, March 14, 1935

19350731 Big Celebration, The Windsor Star, Jul. 31, 1935 — Big Celebration, The Windsor Star, Jul. 31, 1935

19350802 Emancipation Day, Windsor, Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1935 1 — Emancipation Day, Windsor, Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1935

19350802 Emancipation Day, Windsor, Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1935 2 — Emancipation Day, Windsor, Windsor Star, Aug. 2, 1935

19360823 Coloured people human Mammy Sampson, Edmonton_Journal, Aug. 28, 1936 — Coloured people human Mammy Sampson, Edmonton_Journal, Aug. 28, 1936

19360826 GL Hattie Thompson, Edmonton, AB Globe, Aug. 26, 1936 — Hattie Thompson, Edmonton, AB, Globe, Aug. 26, 1936

19360826 Hattie Thompson recalled beatings in Kentucky, The Windsor Star, Aug. 26, 1936 — Hattie Thompson recalled beatings in Kentucky, The Windsor Star, Aug. 26, 1936

19360826 Hattie Thompson, Edmonton, cruel treatment, The Gazette (Montreal), Aug. 26. 1936 — Hattie Thompson, Edmonton, cruel treatment, The Gazette (Montreal), Aug. 26. 1936

19361016 Katie Smythe (Brooker), Amherstburg, ON, The Windsor Star, Oct. 16, 1936 — Katie Smythe (Brooker), Amherstburg, ON, The Windsor Star, Oct. 16, 1936

19370510 Nails for church handmade by former slaves, The Windsor Star, May 10, 1937 — Nails for church handmade by former slaves, The Windsor Star, May 10, 1937

19371026 Walter Graham Prather, Preeceville, SK, The Leader Post, Oct. 26, 1937 — Walter Graham Prather, Preeceville, SK, The Leader Post, Oct. 26, 1937

19380105 Former slave tries to enlist World War One, The Winnipeg Tribune, Jan. 5, 1938 — Former slave tries to enlist World War One, The Winnipeg Tribune, Jan. 5, 1938

19380105 George Brooks, Winnipeg, The Windsor Star, Jan. 5, 1938 — George Brooks, Winnipeg, The Windsor Star, Jan. 5, 1938

19380217 First Baptist Church, Windsor, The Windsor Star, Feb. 17, 1938 — First Baptist Church, Windsor, The Windsor Star, Feb. 17, 1938

19380427 William Gales, Whonnack, BC, The Chilliwack Progress, Apr. 27, 1938 — William Gales, Whonnack, BC, The Chilliwack Progress, Apr. 27, 1938

19381011 GM Amanda Graves, Samuel Irons, Annie Leonard, Globe and Mail, October 11, 1938 — Amanda Graves, Samuel Irons, Annie Leonard, Globe and Mail, October 11, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery1 — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery2 — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery3 — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery4 — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19381110 TS Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 19385 — Remembering Slavery, Toronto Star, Nov. 10, 1938

19400117 John Baker, Cornwall, ON, The Gazette (Montreal) , Jan. 17, 1940 — John Baker, Cornwall, ON, The Gazette (Montreal) , Jan. 17, 1940 (see bottom of item)

19410402 GM John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941 1 — John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941

19410402 GM John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941 2 — John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941

19410402 GM John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941 3 — John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941

19410402 GM John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941 4 — John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941

19410402 GM John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941 5 — John Brown plotted in Chatham, Jeff Davis in Toronto, Globe and Mail, April 2, 1941

19430324 Jennie Walker, Brantford, ON, The Ottawa Journal, Mar. 24, 1943 — Jennie Walker, Brantford, ON, The Ottawa Journal, Mar. 24, 1943

19430324 Jennie Walker, slave at Lynchburg, The Ottawa Citizen, Mar. 24, 1943 — Jennie Walker, slave at Lynchburg, The Ottawa Citizen, Mar. 24, 1943

19430713 John Ware, cowboy, Calgary, Herald, Jul. 13, 1943 — John Ware, cowboy, Calgary, Herald, Jul. 13, 1943

19441114 Sylvia Stark, part of Black migration to Vancouver Island during slavery, The Vancouver Sun, Nov. 14, 1944 — Sylvia Stark, part of Black migration to Vancouver Island during slavery, The Vancouver Sun, Nov. 14, 1944

19441115 Sylvia Stark, Salt Spring Island, Nanaimo Daily News, Nov. 15, 1944 — Sylvia Stark, Salt Spring Island, Nanaimo Daily News, Nov. 15, 1944

19461203 Amelie Morris, The Vancouver Sun, Dec. 3, 1946 — Amelie Morris, The Vancouver Sun, Dec. 3, 1946

19461225 Black Bella, Walters Falls, ON, Richmond Review (Richmond, BC) Dec. 25, 1946 1 — Black Bella, Walters Falls, ON, Richmond Review (Richmond, BC) Dec. 25, 1946

19461225 Black Bella, Walters Falls, ON, Richmond Review (Richmond, BC) Dec. 25, 1946 2 — Black Bella, Walters Falls, ON, Richmond Review (Richmond, BC) Dec. 25, 1946

19480203 No Blacks Allowed, Bob-Lo Island & The Underground Railroad, The Windsor Star, Feb. 3, 1948 — No Blacks Allowed, Bob-Lo Island and The Underground Railroad, The Windsor Star, Feb. 3, 1948

19480507 George St. Pierre Brooks, Nanaimo Daily News, May 7, 1948 — George St. Pierre Brooks, Nanaimo Daily News, May 7, 1948

19480507 George St. Pierre Brooks, The Ottawa Journal, May 7, 1948 — George St. Pierre Brooks, The Ottawa Journal, May 7, 1948

19571009 TS Odetta in Toronto, Toronto Star, October 9, 1957 — Odetta in Toronto, Toronto Star, October 9, 1957

19590810 TS Dan Cheney, Old Time Fiddler, Wingham, Toronto Star, August 10, 1959 — Dan Cheney, Old Time Fiddler, Wingham, Toronto Star, August 10, 1959

19680928 GM A Canadian integrates Peyton Place1 — A Canadian integrates Peyton Place, Globe and Mail, September 28, 1968

19680928 GM A Canadian integrates Peyton Place2 — A Canadian integrates Peyton Place, Globe and Mail, September 28, 1968

19070419 GL Death of Wm Mallory, Hamilton, Globe, April 19, 1907 — Death of Wm Mallory, Hamilton, Globe, April 19, 1907

19480507 George St. Pierre Brooks, Winnipeg, The Lethbridge Herald, May 7, 1948 — George St. Pierre Brooks, Winnipeg, The Lethbridge Herald, May 7, 1948

194702623 Wilberforce Institute, Chatham, ON, The Windsor Star, Jun. 23, 1947 — Wilberforce Institute, Chatham, ON, The Windsor Star, Jun. 23, 1947

Research 2019 (and before)

1851 Census Stephen Sea, Alonzo Gray, Smith Walker, “Negro” James Allanson, Thomas Wilson, James French…all lived near and probably in Daniel O’Sullivan’s Blacksmith Arms Hotel on Kingston Road near Lee Avenue. This was a year after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act. No wonder someone didn’t want to give his name.

1851 Census, Samuel and Rachel Sewell and family, Leslieville

1861 Census James Barry (also spelled Berry)

18610000-census-samuel-sewell-rachel-sewell-and-robert-johnson — 1861 Samuel Sewell, Rachel Sewell and Robert Johnson, Leslieville

1871 Census James Berry and his family, Leslieville

1871 Census Samuel Sewell and William and Walter Winders

Samuel Sewell death, May 11, 1873 from the ledgers of The Necopolis Cemetery

More to come

More will be posted over the coming days. Please share this material.

Joanne Doucette, historian, Leslieville Historical Society

Discover

Why not research your own history? A great place to start is the Local History collection in your public library.

Another source

My history has a lot of information about those who escaped slavery to live here. It is available free on line at:

https://archive.org/details/PigsFlowersAndBricksFeb32017/page/n1?q=Leslieville

HENRY LEWIS WAS A ICE MERCHANT AND LEADER IN LESLIEVILLE’S BLACK COMMUNITY.

From early on ice from Ashbridge’s Bay was cut and sold by settlers like the Ashbridges. Some who exploited this resource were the black entrepreneurs, the Cary (or Carey) Brothers. George, Isaac, John and Thomas Cary came from Virginia to Toronto in the 1830s where they opened several barber shops. (In 1856 Thomas Cary married Mary Ann Shadd, the publisher of the Provincial Freeman.) Their workers in the ice business were often black men who had escaped slavery. In 1854, Thomas Cary and Richard B. Richards opened four ice houses. Some of the ice came from the Yorkville springs; some is reported to have come from Ashbridge’s Bay:

Ice! Ice!! Ice!!! The Undersigned begs to return his best thanks to his customers, for the liberal patronage he has received for the last nine years, and to announce that he has enlarged and added to the number of his Ice Houses, having now four which are filled with pure and wholesome Spring Water Ice, from Yorkville. He is prepared to supply the same to consumers, by contract or otherwise, during the season, commencing from the 1^st of June next. The Ice will be conveyed by waggon daily, to places within six miles of Toronto. All orders sent to Thomas F. Cary, hairdresser, Front Street, two doors from Church Street, will be punctually attended to. R.B. Richards, Toronto April 19, 1854.(Globe, August 27, 1855.)

Sources Black History

“Farewell, ole Maser, don’t think hard of me, I’m going on to Canada, where all the slaves are free”

More sources from research Feb. 6, 2020