BLACK LOYALISTS

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The refugees from the American Revolution who came to Canada included Black Loyalists.  Some travelled after receiving their freedom from the British for service during the conflict and others as property of white Loyalists. 

Communities in Nova Scotia like Birchtown and Brinley Town were founded by Black Loyalists.  However, due to discrimination and disadvantages many decided to leave for  Sierra Leone . 


       Burial Ground in Birchtown

Church Parish Records can sometimes assist in identifying Black Loyalists and describing their experiences.  A burial record for Parish of Wilmot dated 4 November 1857 indicated:

" At Trinity Church Jeffery Jenkins, coloured, originally a slave, liberated since he came to Nova Scotia with the Loyalists of 1783. He was one hundred years of age. "

Land Records also reveal interesting information.  Those for Digby County, Nova Scotia indicate female, as well as male, Blacks executed Deeds for lots in Brinley Town. On April 8, 1822, Jane James, Black woman, possible wife or daughter of Black Loyalist Robert James who appeared on the 1784 listing of refugee negroes settled at Digby, signed a Deed by making her mark of an ‘X’. It was for two lots of land of one acre each, being lots six and seven in Brinley Town. She was paid eight pounds.

The location of some burials of Black Loyalists appear in a vitrual cemetery which I have created on Find A Grave  and as well in videos on  YouTube .

 


Further Reading:

Finding Loyalists in Parish Records by Brian McConnell, UE

Wilmot, Nova Scotia & Black Loyalists by Brian McConnell, UE

The Black Cemetery at Conway as a Reminder of Brinley Town & the Loyalists  by Brian McConnell, UE



Brian McConnell , UE

Author of The Loyalists of Digby   and The First Church - Old Holy Trinity in Middleton, Nova Scotia






Historian & Author, Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada

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