The Wilberforce Settlement 1830

Photo by Anonymous - June, 2008

Plaque Location

In the Township of Lucan Biddulph in the County of Middlesex
at coordinates N 43 11.268 W 81 24.282
in Lucan, behind the Post Office.

© 2010 Microsoft

Plaque Text

In 1829 a group of fugitive Negro slaves in Cincinnati decided to seek a more secure refuge in Canada. In 1830, with the help of Quakers in Oberlin, Ohio, they purchased 325 ha of land in this vicinity from the Canada Company. A settlement was established, the first in Biddulph Township, and groups from New England and New York State joined those from Ohio. By 1833 there were thirty-two families, two schools and a sawmill in this settlement, which was named after the great British abolitionist William Wilberforce. One of the earliest Negro colonies in Upper Canada, its population dwindled rapidly in the 1840's although some families remained for more than a generation.

Related Ontario plaque page
The Founding of Lucan

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Settlements

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Posted May 4, 2010 - this was really great information thanks for the help!

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