African Nova Scotians in the Age of Slavery and Abolition

Fifty residents of what is now Upper Hammonds Plains, all named, petition the lieutenant governor for assistance to build a church. Religion played an very important role in early African Nova Scotian communities. The petition is also important because the petitioners state that they are "mostly able to support their families by their own industry."

The lieutenant governor referred the request to the Bishop of Nova Scotia. The bishop decided not to proceed further, because he believed the church would not follow the "established religion" (Church of England).

Date: 18 August 1826

Reference: Commissioner of Public Records  Nova Scotia Archives  RG 1 volume 422 number 33 (microfilm 15463)