THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN CANADA

In 1793, the Upper Canada Act Against Slavery was passed. The Act was inspired by Governor J. G. Simcoe and made Upper Canada (now Ontario) the first British Colony to legislate against slavery.

Slavery had been the norm in Upper Canada for people of African ancestry since the beginning of the 17th Century. The Act did not free existing slaves, but did prohibit the import and assured that the children of slaves would be freed when they reached the age of twenty-five years.

After the Act was passed, slavery in the colonies declined. In 1833, the Imperial Act, which abolished slavery in all British Territories was passed, though it didn't become law until 1834.

Sandwich First Baptist Church

In present day Windsor, Ontario stands the Sandwich First Baptist Church. It is one of the oldest Black Baptist churches that have survived the Underground Railroad era in Canada.

In the early 1800's, Sandwich was a popular spot for escaped slaves who had just crossed the Detroit River from the U.S. into Canada. Slaves were able to maintain ties with family in the U.S. from both Sandwich and nearby Amherstburg. These Black communities flourished.

The Sandwich First Baptist Church in conjunction with the First Baptist Church in Detroit formed the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association. This organization assisted refugee congregations in Canada and fought for the abolition of slavery. In 1840, the First Baptist Congregation was formed. In 1851, they built a lovely brick church, which still serves the community today.

St. Catherines British Methodist Episcopal Church

The City of St. Catherines, Ontario was growing rapidly. It was on rail lines and was situated close to the U.S./Canada border. Refugee slaves poured into the community to take advantage of the city's great employment opportunities. The community attended a small log church.

In 1855, the log church was replaced with a larger building. It had a three-sided balcony and an open hall. The seating capacity was large. Newly arrived refugees often attended. The refugees had been led to St. Catherines by Underground Railroad "conductor" Harriett Tubman. The "passengers" were often assured safety and given shelter in the "safe house" behind the church. Harriett lived in the house during the 1850's and often travelled to the U.S. southern states to assist slaves in their escape from cruel masters. The church was visited by many leading abolishionists of the day.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823 - 1893)

Mary Ann Shadd Cary was an abolishionist, teacher, feminist, newspaper editor and civil rights advocate. She was an influential voice for the Underground Railroad in Upper Canada. she was active in Black communities in Toronto, St.Catherines, Chatham and Sandwich. She was editor of the Provincial Freeman, a newspaper that was widely read in the Black community. Mary Ann was the first Black woman editor in Canada.