The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793)

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December, 2009

Plaque Location

The Region of Niagara
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
At the burial ground on the east side of Mississauga Street
just north of John Street West

Coordinates: N 43 15.134 W 79 05.057

Plaque Text

Inspired by the abolitionist sentiment emerging in the late 18th century, Lieutenant-Governor J.G. Simcoe made Upper Canada the first British territory to legislate against slavery, which had defined the conditions of life for most people of African ancestry in Canada since the early 17th century. The Act of 1793 did not free a single slave, but prevented their importation and freed the future children of slaves at age twenty-five. Faced with growing opposition in the colonies, slavery declined. The Imperial Act of 1833 finally abolished slavery in the British territories in 1834.

More
Information

More
Black History

More
Niagara-on-the-Lake Plaques

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as the comment is posted, a link to it will appear on the home page in the section "Here are the 10 latest plaque pages with a new comment added by a visitor to this site."