Puce River Black Community

Photo by contributor Jonathan Grigg - March, 2008

Plaque Location

The County of Essex
The Town of Lakeshore
At the site of the B.M.E. Cemetery
on the north side of Division Road (Road 42)
.7 km east of Puce Road (Road 25)

Coordinates: N 42 16.632 W 82 46.602

Plaque Text

While the first Blacks arrived in the Puce River area during the 1830s, the community owed its existence largely to the Refugee Home Society. This abolitionist organization led by Henry and Mary Bibb offered support to escaped slaves who travelled to this area from the United States through the Underground Railroad by providing opportunities for land ownership and self-sufficiency. Beginning in 1852, families purchased 10 ha farms in Sandwich and Maidstone Townships, from the Society, which also set aside a portion of lands for the construction of schools and churches. In 1872, the Refugee Home Society deeded .2 ha of property to the trustees of the British Methodist Episcopal Church. A B.M.E. church and cemetery were established on this site and served the Puce River Black community until the late 1920s. An African Methodist Episcopal church, was also located to the east. Forged in freedom, this thriving farm community produced descendants who have gone on to lead successful lives across North America.

Related Ontario plaques
First Baptist Church, Puce
Black Settlement in Oro Township

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Black History

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted August 24, 2008
This plaque is of interest to me since both my Mother and Father's families had farms on Puce Road. My Mom grew up on this road, while my Dad's family sold their farm in the 1940's. The Stowe family were neighbors of the Vivier family, which is my Mom's maiden name. The farm is still in the Vivier family, and the old school- house property was donated by my Grand father Henry Vivier. His farm was given to him by his father in about 1915. It is now a private residence.
David B. Purvis

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