FIRST DEED TO A BLACK LOYALIST
David George was a Black Loyalist and Baptist Preacher who arrived with the British in Halifax, Nova Scotia in December, 1782. He went to Shelburne in June, 1783 to preach to Black Loyalists there and was conveyed land in the town. The Deed to him dated 6 April 1785 may be the first Deed made to a Black person in Nova Scotia.
It was recorded on 7 May 1785 in the Land Registry in Book 2 at Page 183 as Document No. 54 and as appears below stated:
Know all men by these presents that I James and Ann Masimore of Shelburne, Queens County and Province of Nova Scotia, doth with and for the consideration hereafter mentioned, agree with bargain and sell unto David George of the aforesaid Town, County and Province a certain town lot situated in the said Town of Shelburne being lot No. 6 letter M in Parr's Division, which said lot I forever acquit claim and deliver over to the said David George with all the buildings timber firewood and all other appurtenances thereunto belonging for the consideration of seventeen shillings and sixpence current money of this Province which said lot I warrant and defend against all claims whatever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
(Signed before) (signed by)
John Jones James Masimore
Dan Carroll Ann Masimore
It is very uncommon to find Deeds to Black persons during the 1780s. Most of the Black Loyalists, if they were able to endure discrimination and hardship by remaining, did not obtain Deeds for many years. A large number left for Sierra Leone in 1792. A leader of the group was David George who had received the Deed at Shelburne in 1785.
A deed in the land records for Annapolis County dated 18 July 1787 states that Samuel Balcolm and his wife Mary of Wilmot in the County of Annapolis conveyed 17 acres to Samuel Brown (a black man) of the County & Province, aforesaid, Farmer . It was recorded in Book 7 at Page 145 as Document Number 70145. The price paid was seven pounds ten shillings. However, like David George, Samuel Brown did not keep his land and in less than three years a deed from him and his wife Hannah to Joshua F. De LeCroix was recorded in the Land Registry on 6 February 1790 conveying their lands for the sum of ten pounds. This appears in Book 8 at Page 253 as Document Number 80253. Both Samuel and his wife Hannah could not write and signed by making their mark, an X.
Further Reading:
Wilmot, Nova Scotia & Black Loyalists by Brian McConnell, UE, published by Loyalist Collection, UNB
