Black History Month 2021 continues with Willow Grove, NB. The community dates to 1815 when black refugees and former slaves fled the US after the War of 1812. Although the British promised all those who sided with the Crown land, black refugees were met with racism and obstruction. Most who fled were turned away from New Brunswick, because the colonial government thought there were “enough blacks”.
“On 13 April 1815, Major General Stracey Smyth, the Administrator of New Brunswick, asked his Executive Council to consider whether the province should receive 400-500 black refugees,” said Spray in his article “The Settlement of the Black Refugees in New Brunswick 1815 – 1836.”
“Although the Council agreed by a vote of 3 to 2 to accept the refugees, the New Brunswick government was very reluctant to assume any responsibility for their welfare.”
Historic Black settlement Willow Grove to be honoured by Canada Post | CBC News
Racism and black settlement in New Brunswick
The land grudgingly offered to black refugees was poor, rocky and came with strings attached. White farmers received 100 acres while black farmers 55. Blacks also had to pay for the land surveys themselves, while white farmers were never charged any fees. These weren’t the only tactics used to enforce systemic racism. White farmers were granted permanent land ownership and black farmers were given 3-year licenses. Later, they were offered 99-year leases and finally allowed to purchase title to their own land for 20 shillings by 1836.
This process took 20 years, from arrival date to finally gaining ownership of their land. 20 years of dickering, bickering and obstruction. By then only 74 of the original 371 refugees who first arrived in Willow Grove were granted land. Hardly any wonder so few remained, especially considering St. John, where the black loyalists landed, city charter in 1785 forbade blacks from living within city limits or running a business. Even fishing in the harbour would result in a prison sentence for blacks. They had few options but to leave and hope for better chances elsewhere.
The first charter of the City of Saint John, in 1785, said “blacks couldn’t live in the city, they couldn’t vote, they couldn’t own a business in the city, they couldn’t sell their goods in the city … and if they got caught fishing in the Saint John Harbour, they’d go to prison,” said historian David Peters, great-great-great grandson of Thomas Peters, adding, that charter only officially changed at the time of Confederation
Before Willie O’Ree: New Brunswick’s surprising black history contributions | CBC News
Liza Taylor and Alex Diggs
Despite the broken promises and hardships, blacks persisted. The two faces featured on the Willow Grove stamps are Liza Taylor and Alex Diggs. Diggs was one of the first to lay down roots in Willow Grove and was a well-known member of the community. Taylor arrived a little later. I couldn’t find a verified photo of Alex Diggs but found Eliza.
Liza Taylor taken 1 August 1872 | photographer George F. Simonson (Canadian, c. 1841 – 1908), William B. Tennant Collection, 1933 (21227.3), New Brunswick Museum Collection
According to an obituary published in the Saint John Evening Gazette of 2 July 1889, Liza (Fisher) Taylor was born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia, in 1783 and came to New Brunswick when a child of about 5 years of age. She went to work as a domestic servant in the household of James Peters who lived in Saint John and Gagetown. About 1803 she ran off with local farm hand, James Taylor, and they were married by Parson Willis in Saint John.
They relocated to Willow Grove with the Black refugees who arrived after the War of 1812. Eliza Taylor made a small income from selling clothesline poles, gum, a few brush brooms, a pair of chickens or a pail or berries that she would bring into the city. In contests of wit, it is said that she was “never left far behind” and was well-remembered for her rollicking good humour. Illness and poverty at the end of her life meant that she removed to the Alms House in Saint John where she died on 1 July 1889 at about 106 years of age.
Black History Month 2021 stamps
Willow Grove, New Brunswick stamp for 2021
Willow Grove, NB and Amber Valley complete Canada Post’s 13th year honouring Black History month. Designed by Lime, both the Amber Valley and the Willow Grove stamps, are rich in content and beauty. The Willow Grove stamp, of the two, is my favoured. It has so much happening in such a small space, it’s difficult to stop looking at it. Lime’s distinctive illustrations and designs are behind 6 previous Black History stamps.
Willow Grove FDC
If you find this set & their history interesting, check out Lime Design’s previous Black History Month stamps to see their other offerings. Canada Post has both sets available for purchase at their online store.
You can find the first article on Amber Valley here:
Canada Post’s 2021 Black History month issues – Amber Valley
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