Canadian Black History Month

John Graves Simcoe

Born February 25, 1752 in

Cotterstock, Oundle, England

Raised in a wealthy family and studied at a

prestigious boys’ school as a teenager.

Education Merton College -

University of Oxford

Occupation Military Officer, in 1791 and

became 1st Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) in

1792-1794.

Died October 26, 1806 in Exeter,

England

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IntroductionThere is a misconception that Black History Month IN CANADA is only observed to honour the legacy of prominent Black Canadians. However, Black History Month should be used as a period to remember and

teach about all types of people who have been integral in the history of African diaspora.

In this brief presentation John Graves Simcoe’s life and his impact on Black slaves and their emancipation will be reviewed.

My name is Blayne Clarke and I decided to discuss this individual during Black History Month because leaders for change inspire me and John Graves Simcoe helped give rise to change and freedom

for black slaves in canada.3

Opposition to Slavery

John Graves Simcoe was an important advocate for the recruitment and recognition of black men by the British Army.

He significantly supported the livelihoods of black canadians and he showed great opposition to slavery.

Simcoe believed that slavery was contrary to the teachings of Christianity and that the practice was morally wrong.

Enslaved africans in upper canada

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“Act Against Slavery” -1793 In March 1793 John Graves Simcoe recommended a practical

abolishment of slavery.

The proposition was an anti-slavery law that met resistance from the wealthy, Loyalists and other slave owners.

Therefore Simcoe had to settle on a compromise that would lead to a rather gradual slavery abolishment.

As a result of John Graves Simcoe’s efforts, on july 9, 1793 the “act against slavery” was passed preventing any new

slaves from being allowed into Upper Canada. 5

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Upper Canada

Final pointJohn Graves Simcoe’s motives for inducing

change and being a beacon of hope in the history of black slaves in Upper Canada have

been unclear in my research. However it is certain that Simcoe opened the doors that lead

to the Emancipation of slaves and the eventual establishment of African Canadian

communities.For this, John Graves Simcoe deserves

recognition. 7

“There’s a place the slaves have been whisperin’ around called Canada. The law don’t allow no slavery there. They say you travel north and

follow the North Star, and when you step onto this land you are free.”- Underground to Canada

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Next time you see, “Lake Simcoe” 1st think, “John Graves Simcoe” (who named it), then think, “Canadian Black History.”

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Thanks!

Contact info:

www.blayneclarke.com

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References Doughty, K. (2015). 5 years on: Lake Simcoe Act a model to follow [Photograph found in Federation of Ontario Cottagers'

Associations, Ontario, Canada]. Retrieved February 6, 2016, from https://foca.on.ca/5-years-on-lake-simcoe-act-a-model-to-follow/ (Originally photographed 2015)

Emancipation [Photograph found in Journey to the Present: A Black History Month Exhibit, Toronto History, Toronto]. (1998). Retrieved February 7, 2016, from http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?

vgnextoid=b322407212203410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD (Originally photographed 1998)

Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada [Photograph found in Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Ontario]. (2012,November). Retrieved February 6, 2016, from http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/slavery/index.aspx(Originally photographed 2012, November)

Freedom [Photograph found in Pinterest, Government of Canada]. (2015, May). Retrieved February 2, 2016, from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/561190803537126301/

John Graves Simcoe. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Graves-Simcoe

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References cont’d Rodriguez, J. P. (2015). Encyclopedia of Emancipation and Abolition in the Transatlantic World. Retrieved February 1, 2016,

from https://books.google.ca/books?id=DXysBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA478&lpg=PA478&dq=john graves simcoe encyclopedia&source=bl&ots=BHqo0FnSfI&sig=0CwcXm0zS4_kMzCQnn4iuiI7BPU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFz6qJvNXKAhWKCBoKHdGmB7gQ6AEISTAI#v=onepage&q=john graves simcoe encyclopedia&f=false

Slavery [Photograph found in African Nova Scotian Museum]. (2015). Retrieved February 7, 2016, from http://www.bccnsweb.com/web/our-history/slavery/

Smucker, B. (2013, November 29). Underground to Canada. Retrieved February 6, 2016, from http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol20/no13/undergroundtocanada.html

Upper Canada, Map [Photograph found in Historica Canada]. (2006, July 02). In R. Hall (Author). Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/upper-canada/ (Originally photographed 2006, July 02)

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