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Black History
in Owen Sound
the First Black Citizens

Black History in Owen Sound is not without its questions. One of these queries surrounds who was the first black citizen. This continues to be a cause for debate amongst historians and others who research the Underground Railway's Northern Terminus.

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In the 1850s, the community of Owen Sound welcomed many more new residents. Among these newcomers were African Americans who had escaped from slavery in the United States and made their way to Canada via the “Underground Railway”.

Black history in Owen Sound has hitherto been an area which has not been well documented or researched. Consequently, it is difficult to describe with a lot of certainty the events surrounding life in that community.

Black History in Owen Sound: Who was the First African American?

The debate begins over who was the first African American citizen in Owen Sound. Some attribute this honour to John “Daddy” Hall a flamboyant character in and around town for more than half a century. Still others claim that Thomas Henry Miller, Henry Cousby, Edward Patterson and Thomas Green who arrived in the settlement sometime around 1851 should all be recognized as the first to arrive. One thing is certain, Mr. Miller holds the distinction of being the first minister at the first British Methodist Church in Owen Sound.

My research has led me another who might lay claim to the title of Black History in Owen Sound as the first African American resident of that community. Around 1841-42 Isaiah Chokee arrived in the frontier settlement aboard the Fly, a vessel owned by W. C. Boyd. Chokee worked as a cook and deck hand aboard Boyd’s vessel. After Boyd sold his ship evidence of Chokee’s presence in the area disappears. However, I have been told that it is possible that he moved south of Owen Sound, probably to Holland or Glenelg Townships. Unfortunately, research has not proved or disproved this possibility.

Many researchers of black history in Owen Sound report that this community became a popular destination for African Americans, especially those seeking freedom from slavery. One of the first objectives of the members of African American community was to establish a place of worship. It has been claimed in some circles that John Frost a prominent businessman and community leader in Owen Sound provided his home as a place of worship for those African Americans who first arrived. However, Paula Niall, one of the most knowledgeable students of black history in Owen Sound suggests that this is possible but that there is no proof to substantiate the claim.

We do know however, that the African American community held church services in three locations before they moved into a permanent structure around 1865. This church was often referred to as “Little Zion” and was a source of pride and strength for the community. This place of worship was located north of 745 2nd Ave. West, a short distance south of the current location of the library. The land was originally owned by Mr. Joseph Maugham and his wife, Mary. On July 24, 1865, they deeded a 25 foot by 40 foot section of their property to the trustees of the Owen Sound British Methodist Church. These trustees included James Henson, Thomas Miller, and Isaac Wilson of Owen Sound and Samuel Barnes and John Edwards of nearby Derby Township.

The frame structure had rounded windows and probably because of a shortage of space there was no parking lot for horse drawn vehicles. It abutted the sidewalk on 2nd Ave. West. The structure remained in that location until 1911 when the congregation purchased the former Westside Methodist Church on 11th Street West. This location still serves the spiritual needs of the community.

A study of black history in Owen Sound reveals what happened to the first African American place of worship in that community. After the congregation moved to their current location, “Little Zion” was sold sometime between 1911 and 1922 and moved to a location behind the home of T.I. Thomson at 781 2nd Ave. West where it was used as a garage.

Emancipation Day in Owen Sound

Throughout the early years of settlement in Owen Sound the African American residents of the community eagerly looked forward to one date each year. That day was August 3 which was also known as Emancipation Day. Each year the African American community gathered to together for song, worship and entertainment as they celebrated the anniversary of the official declaration by Britain which freed the slaves in the British West Indies.

In one undated article from an Owen Sound newspaper an Emancipation day celebration at nearby Presque Isle on the west shore of Owen Sound is described. The celebrants travelled to Presque Isle on the steamer Alderson for a picnic. African American residents of the area were not the only ones to enjoy the celebrations that warm August day. Others who attended included W.P. Telford, Rev. Kerr and Rev. Holmes as well as citizens from Owen Sound and Presque Isle.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paula Niall who allowed me to interview her and provided me with much valuable material about black history in Owen Sound.

A version of this story first appeared in my Owen Sound Sun Times Local History column in September 2000.

For more information about the rich history of Owen Sound please see my book Owen Sound: the Port City published by Dundurn Press.

Owen Sound: The Port City

More Great Information Pages
About Owen Sound

12-year-old Walks to Owen Sound in 1851 from the journal of a teenage boy's experience travelling with his brother in the untamed Upper Canadian wilderness.

In the 1920s, Owen Sound got New Elevators. After losing the CPR elevators to fire, the community fought hard to get new elevators for their harbour and improve the community's economy.

The 1930s Were Not All Bad there were some successes in the Owen Sound area and there was one natural phenomenon, that was unusual to the region that occurred.

The 1944-1945 Grey North By-Election would surprise Prime Minister King and all of Canada as the Grey North electorate refused to be dictated to by Ottawas political elites.

The were 1950s a Decade of Change in the Owen Sound area. A local boy starred in the NHL; there was a significant industrial change; schools were standing to experience the baby boom.

1960s: Owen Sound's Education Expansion: 1960s Owen Sound was a period of growth and one result of this was a need for the expansion of education services for the growing population.

1960s Owen Sound marked a period of change and new growth to the commercial and industrial life that would impact the citizens of Owen Sound and change the patterns of doing business.

The Bible was the Law in the 1840s in this region because the region was unrepresented by the government peace and justice were community responsibilities.

Blazes! Fires were a problem in the early years in the Owen Sound area, buildings were often made of wood and firefighting equipment water sources were inadequate were.

Brooke: A brief history of an important, yet distinctly different, community that became a key element in Owen Sound's development as a important Georgian Bay port city.

Charles Rankin, I Presume: October 7, 1840 marked the meeting of Land Agent John Telfer and surveyor Charles Rankin on the banks of the Sydenham River and the founding of Owen Sound.

The cost of living in 1900 in Owen Sound may seem great, but when you take into consideration other factors, things were perhaps not all that wonderful.

The CPR Grain Elevator Fire of 1911 spelled the end of Owen Sound's role as the eastern terminus of the CPR Great Lakes Fleet.

Black History: Emancipation Day celebrates the abolition of slavery and it continues to be an annual celebration in many locations that were in some way, or another touched by the impact of slavery.

Black History in Owen Sound: Who was the First Black Citizen in the community is a cause for debate.

Black History: The Underground Railway is an important part not only in terms of black history, but of the history of southwestern Ontario.

Black History of Owen Sound: Version 2: There is some debate about the first black citizen in the Owen Sound area. Here is more information for your consideration.

A Curvy Route to Toronto provided a rail connection between Owen Sound and Toronto, the curvy part was thrilling, but beautiful for the passengers and strenuous for the crew.

Billy Bishop: Owen Sound Hero earned national and international fame as a World War One Fighter pilot and used his high profile to aid in the World War Two effort.

John Harrison - A Tough Owen Sound Pioneer whose grit and determination created a prosperous life for himself and his family in a new community.

William Harrison, The Source of John Harrison's Grit: details the influence of John's father, William Harrison, on John and his siblings.

John Muir, the legendary naturalist, who promoted the idea of protected nature spaces, spent time in Ontario and I went to help find evidence of his stay in the Owen Sound area.

Black Clawson Kennedy: An Iconic Owen Sound Industry provided income for area residents and economic development for the community for almost 150 years.

Amalgamation In and Around Owen Sound is not an unusual happening. Some form of boundary changes have occurred at many different times over the years.

Canada' First Pharmacy Chain Store: The Owen Sound-based drug store chain of Parker and Cattle is credited with being the first pharmacy chain store enterprise in Canada.

DC Taylor: Owen Sound Entrepreneur was not only progressive businessman, he was also an important contributor to the social and cultural fabric of his community.

Jimmy Grant was a high wire walker who was a fearless athlete who faced all challenges without a worry of the possible fatal consequences of his daredevil actions.

Newspapers hold a special place in the history of any community, and the Owen Sound Sun Times, and its predecessors, beginning with the Comet, are no exception.

Owen Sound Businesses: 1920s were owned and operated by families whose deep roots in the community and their efforts had created the backbone of the community and brought success to the port city.

Owen Sound's centennial celebrations in 1957 brought the community together for events such big name entertainers, sports competitions, street dances and much more in honour of the community's past and projecting the city's bright future.

Owen Sound: Dry Gulch Canada Learn the reason why Owen Sound was the last city in the grasp of the temperance movement.

First Cars in Owen Sound could be purchased for less than $500.00!

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Owen Sound's lacrosse tradition is steeped with great teams and players who deserve more attention than history has given it.

The Owen Sound Library has been the focal point of life in the Owen Sound region for many decades, as a treasure trove of entertaining and educational materials.

Owen Sound's Police Force - The Big Four were legendary in their maintaining the peace efforts in a rowdy Great Lakes port in the early 1900s.

Hillcrest School Memories a look back at my public school days when Owen Sound's Hillcrest Public School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998.

News of War: The 1940s was supposed to provide the world with a respite after the hardship of the 1930s depression. However World War Two brought more adversity.

Owen Sound 1840 Onward! From a clearing in the Georgian Bay wilderness to a booming port city the 1800s were a time of growth and prosperity.

Owen Sound's First Newspaper: The Comet came into existence a mere 10 years after the first settlers braved the wilderness that would become the Grey and Bruce region.

Owen Sound's First Town Council was created to develop the necessary infrastructure for a pioneer community to grow and prosper.

Owen Sound Tavern Bylaw (1857) tried to tackle the issue of monitoring taverns in the Upper Canadian pioneer wilderness.

Owen Sound's 1857 Bylaw: Dog Control illustrated how a pioneer town controlled dogs in the community, sometimes even using harsh measures.

Owen Sound CPR Strike in 1908 immobilized harbour activities in that important Georgian Bay port, the CPR's eastern Great Lakes terminus.

Owen Sound CPR Link began with a bang, suffered a setback, and ended with a whimper.

Owen Sound Entrepreneurs: S.J. Parker & Richard Notter used their wealth and their friendships to built many community-oriented businesses in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Owen Sound 1920 Stories provide an interesting look at the community as it was about to become a city.

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Owen Sound Stories: On the Attack! Throughout the history of the community, citizens were not afraid to go on the attack to promote the needs of their town.

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O.S.C.V.I.: the History of an Owen Sound High School details from the very beginning the establishment of a high school in the community.

Pioneer Story of a Child in 1846 Owen Sound details life in the last wilderness in Upper Canada in the 1840s.

Pioneer Story of a Child in 1846 (Part 2) continues the memories of Elizabeth Byth as she encountered life in the Upper Canada wilderness that became Owen Sound.

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Wawanekas: Fastball pioneers who were a legendary women's fastball team from Owen Sound who dominated their sport for a decade or more.

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Emily Pankhurst Visits Owen Sound. The well-known suffragette visited Owen Sound and spoke not only about suffrage, but the bolshevik threat.

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Boosterism in 1890s Owen Sound targeted promoting economic development in Owen Sound. The port city showcased what it had to offer investors and visitors alike.

A pioneer home was very utilitarian. It served the pioneer family's essential needs, while the work of clearing the land and planting crops took priority.

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Reverend Ryerson Visits Owen Sound and despite a great reception from the citizens of the community, he posts a negative newspaper story of the community.

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Pioneer industry: William Kennedy William Kennedy's efforts to build an important foundry and machine shop on the banks of Owen Sound's harbour.

Pioneer Resort: King's Royal Park From 1840 meeting to opulent pioneer resort, the citizens of Owen Sound have always worked hard to promote the economic growth and development of their community, and their part of the Georgian Bay shoreline.

Sailing stories: Owen Sound Shipbuilding from the earliest time of settlement busy shipyards dotted the Owen Sound bay where shipbuilding took place, sometimes at a feverish pace.

Spanish Flu Impacted Owen Sound, Ontario causing illness and death throughout the region. But it also illustrated the strength of the community spirit in the area.

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Owen Sound Ontario: A Unique Perspective: Book provides a unique and humorous perspective about this Georgian Bay port and hockey hotbed.

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Owen Sound, located on beautiful Georgian Bay offers a wide variety of entertainment and shopping delights for visitors of all ages. The city and its surrounding area has a rich history, parks and other natural areas for bird watchers, hikers, cross country skiers, etc.