Nova Scotia Archives

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Documenting the Heritage of African Nova Scotians

Copy of letter from the Bishop of Nova Scotia to Lieutenant Governor, Sir James Kempt, relating to the distressed condition of the Black Refugees at Hammonds Plains
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effects of it: evidently increased by the want of Clothing, Bedding, nourishment and medicine, twenty one deaths were reported to him since October, and there must soon be many additions to these if assistance be not speedily afforded.
In the few cases where medicine was timely administered, and the patients had means for obtaining light and nourishing food, and sufficient Clothing, the [illegible] pf disease was soon and effectually checked.
But very few have any other food than potatoes which in the present year are of an inferior quality; and some families are even destitute of these, and live by begging a single meal from their poor neighbours - their want of Clothing is equally distressing - many are without a blanket - some have scarcely a covering of rags for their bodies, and in one hut, the Archdeacon found a Man his Wife and two Children, received as guests, whose condition was most appalling - they had no food nor any means of procuring it - they had no bed Clothes - the woman was [barely?] covered - the children were as naked as when they were born - and the unfortunate Man was lying so near a fire as to be scorched; with a ragged Jacket thrown loosely over his naked back for his only covering. His legs were so dreadfully diseased that the Archdeacon cannot venture to describe their state, except by saying that the flesh is dropping away from the bones - He was asking to be brought to the Poor House but no one


Date: 15 January 1827

Reference: Commissioner of Public Records — Black Refugees series Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 volume 422 number 35

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