African Nova Scotians in the Age of Slavery and Abolition

These men were among the first African American refugees of the War of 1812 to come to Nova Scotia. They were picked up in an open boat in Chesapeake Bay. Most were farmers or skilled at a trade.

133 African American refugees are known to have come to Halifax in September 1813. This was well in advance of Cochrane's proclamation of 2 April 1814 inviting Americans to desert to the British side. Ships' lists showing the names, and often the ages and occupations, of this early group of refugees are available.

Date: 28 September 1813

Reference: Commissioner of Public Records  Nova Scotia Archives  RG 1 volume 420 number 1 (microfilm 15464)