Black Refugee (War of 1812)
Encyclopedia
The Black Refugees from the War of 1812
were African American
slaves who fought for the British
and were relocated to Nova Scotia. The Black Refugees were the second group of African Americans, after the Black Loyalists, to flee American enslavement in wartime and be relocated to Canada
. A plan was proposed for the Black Refugees to be sent to the Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone where their African American brethren were the ruling elite, but the plan never materialised and the Black Refugees remained in Nova Scotia
. Like the Black Loyalists, the Black Refugees' names were recorded in a document called the Halifax List: Return of American Refugee Negroes who have been received into the Province of Nova Scotia from the United States of America between 27 April 1815 and 24 October 1818. In total, about 3,500 Africans escaped to the British military. About 2000 settled in Nova Scotia
and about 400 settled in New Brunswick
. Other Black refugees were settled as Free Blacks on British islands in the West Indies.
. Large numbers of Black Refugees settled in North
and East Preston, Nova Scotia, communities still occupied today by their descendents. Many other Black refugees settled in smaller communities such as Hammonds Plains, Beechville
, Windsor
and communities throughout the Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley
. William Hall, one of Canada's first winner of a Victoria Cross
was the son of Black Refugees who settled near Hantsport, Nova Scotia
.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
were African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
slaves who fought for the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and were relocated to Nova Scotia. The Black Refugees were the second group of African Americans, after the Black Loyalists, to flee American enslavement in wartime and be relocated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. A plan was proposed for the Black Refugees to be sent to the Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone where their African American brethren were the ruling elite, but the plan never materialised and the Black Refugees remained in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. Like the Black Loyalists, the Black Refugees' names were recorded in a document called the Halifax List: Return of American Refugee Negroes who have been received into the Province of Nova Scotia from the United States of America between 27 April 1815 and 24 October 1818. In total, about 3,500 Africans escaped to the British military. About 2000 settled in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and about 400 settled in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. Other Black refugees were settled as Free Blacks on British islands in the West Indies.
Descendants
The Black Refugees make up the largest single source of ancestors for Black Nova ScotiansBlack Nova Scotians
Black Nova Scotians are people of Black African descent whose ancestors fled Colonial America as slaves or freemen to settle in Nova Scotia, Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries. According to the 2006 Census of Canada, there are 19,230 black people currently living in Nova Scotia, most of whom...
. Large numbers of Black Refugees settled in North
North Preston, Nova Scotia
North Preston is a rural community in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Canada. North Preston has a population of about 3,700 people. The community is populated mainly by African Canadians. The community borders its sister community East Preston. The community traces its...
and East Preston, Nova Scotia, communities still occupied today by their descendents. Many other Black refugees settled in smaller communities such as Hammonds Plains, Beechville
Beechville, Nova Scotia
Beechville is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality of Nova Scotia, Canada, on the St. Margaret's Bay Road . The Beechville Lakeville Timberlea trail starts here near Lovett Lake, following the line of the old Halifax and Southwestern Railway.-History:Many of the first arrivals were...
, Windsor
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor is a town located in Hants County, Mainland Nova Scotia at the junction of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. It is the largest community in western Hants County with a 2001 population of 3,779 and was at one time the shire town of the county. The region encompassing present day Windsor was...
and communities throughout the Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley
Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is a valley and region in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.-Geography:...
. William Hall, one of Canada's first winner of a Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
was the son of Black Refugees who settled near Hantsport, Nova Scotia
Hantsport, Nova Scotia
Hantsport is a rural Canadian town and seaport located in the western part of Hants County, Nova Scotia. Hantsport is located just south of the county boundary with Kings County, and sits on the west bank of the Avon River in a tidal estuary.The town is most best known for its history of...
.
Sources
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