Coloured Corps-- Part 9: Disbandment and Legacy

The Royal Engineers continued to employ the Coloured Corps on the Niagara Peninsula for the remainder of the War of 1812.  The Corps' zeal in these works impressed British engineers, one reporting in February 1815 that "no people could be better calculated to build temporary barracks than these Free Men of Colour, as they are in general expert axemen."

I have been writing about the 135th United States Colored Troops in my Saw the Elephant: Civil War blog and they were classified as pioneers and were quite good at building bridges and corduroying roads.

The company was disbanded  on 24 March 1815, following the end of the war.

In claiming rewards for their service, many faced adversity and  discrimination.  Sergeant William Thompson was informed he "must go and look for his pay himself."  Richard Pierpoint, then in his 70s, was denied his request for passage home to Africa in lieu of a land grant.

--Brock-Perry

Canada's Coloured Corps-- Part 3: Raising the Coloured Corps

Toward 1812, the prospect of war with the United States and a possibility of invasion from them posed a major threat to the liberties of black Canadians, leading many black men to join militias.  Many understood that an American victory would lead to re-enslavement of them and their families

Free black men had served in the Canadian militia since its organization in 1793.   However, the formation of an independent unit consisting solely of Blacks was not proposed until the eve of the War of 1812 when Richard Pierpoint offered to raise a corps of black men in the Niagara region.

The offer was initially refused by the Canadian government, but reconsidered upon the American occupation of Sandwich (Windsor) on 12 July 1812.

By late August, the core of the all-black company  had formed in Niagara, as part of the 1st Lincoln militia.

Next:  Who is to command the company?

--Brock-Perry

Canada's Coloured Corps-- Part 2: A Move Toward Abolition

The first substantial settle of Blacks in Canada occurred at the end of the American Revolution.  Some like Richard Pierpoint am enslaved man who had gained his freedom by fighting for the British in that war.  Most, however, were enslaved people brought there as spoils of war or as property of Loyalists.

About 500-700 Blacks lived in Upper Canada (Ontario)  by the time Lieutenant-Governor John Simcoe arrived there in 1792.  He wished to abolish slavery entirely, but the legislature of Upper Canada  opposed many of his reforms.

Many of the members of both houses either had slaves themselves or were from slave owning families and were concerned over the economic impact of abolition.  As a result, when the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada passed on 9 July 1793, it severely limited Simcoe's intentions.

It banned the further importation of slaves and limited the terms of enslavement to nine years.

--Brock-Perry

Black Canadians Fought For Their Freedom: Richard Pierpoint-- Part 2

During the War of 1812, the threat of re-enslavement was real if the Americans won. Knowing this, Richard Pierpoint petitioned the government to form and lead a "corps of men of colour," saying "I fight for my freedom." //// The unit was eventually formed, but commanded by a white officer and known as Captain Runchey's Company of Coloured Men. It was the first all-black unit in Upper Canada, present-day Ontario. //// They fought in key battles including Fort George, Stoney Creek, St. David's and Lundy's Lane. They were among the first reinforcements at Queenston to help take back Queenston Heights. ///// As many as 20% of combatants in the war were black, many servinf in the Navy. //// After the war, blacks were granted land in the rtemote Oro land, but the land proved too difficult to clear and cultivate and many left. //// In 1821, at age 77, Pierpoint petitioned for passage back to Senegal but was given 100 acres near present-day Fergus. He died impoverished around 1835. //// Quite An Amazing Story. --Brock-Perry

Black Canadians Fought For Their Freedom: Richard Pierpoint-- Part 1

From the February 25, 2013, Toronto Globe and Mail "In 1812, black Canadians fought for their freedom" by Rosemary Sadlier. //// The Bicentennial of the war continues and Black History Month winds down. The United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent continues, and, unfortunately, Black p[articipation in te War of 1812 is largely ignored. //// Richard Pierpoint was born around 1744 in Bondu, West Africa, (now Senegal). He was captured at the age of 16 and brought to the Americas and became the property of a British military officer. //// During the American Revolution he accepted British military service to achieve his freedom. He served in Butler's Rangers and like thousands of other black Loyalists, was granted land in Canada, working 200 acres near Twelve Mile Creek in Ontario. //// Other Blacks helped settle Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. //// --Brock-Perry