Updated: June 9, 2005

CANADIAN STUDIES RESOURCES
Underground Railroad Refugees in Canada

This page is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Canadian Studies Roundtable,
the MSU Canadian Studies Centre and the MSU Libraries

Note: All locations and call numbers for books & other materials pertain to the Michigan State University Libraries.

***UNDER CONSTRUCTION***

Chronology (from the North American Black History Museum)|
Primary Sources
| Secondary Sources | Web Sites

Primary Sources

Black abolitionist papers, 1830-1865 [Microform Set]. Sanford, N.C. : Microfilming Corporation of America, 1981. 17 microfilm reels. MICROFORMS Microfilm 21950

Black abolitionist papers. Volume II: Canada, 1830-1865. Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, 1986 560 p. MAIN E449 .B624 1985 v.2

Drew, Benjamin.. A north-side view of slavery. The refugee: or, The narratives of fugitive slaves in Canada. Related by themselves, with an account of the history and condition of the colored population of Upper Canada. Boston, J.P. Jewett and Company. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Rare Books E450 .D77

Four fugitive slave narratives. Reading, Mass., Addison-Wesley Pub. Co. [1969] MAIN E450 .F75

Henson, Josiah:

Howe, S. G. Report to the Freedmen's Inquiry Commission, 1864; the refugees from slavery in Canada West. MAIN E450 .H85 1969

Provincial Freeman [abolitionist newspaper published in "Chatham, Canada West"] Available to MSU affiliates only. Last examined on 07/29/04.

Secondary Sources
Underground Rail Road Operations | Canada | Ontario | Abolitionist Press

Underground Rail Road Operations

Blockson, Charles L. The Underground Railroad 1st ed. New York : Prentice-Hall Press, c1987. MAIN E450 .B66 1987

Dorsey, Benjamin F.Underground railroad. Toronto : [s.n.], 1898. MICROFORMS Microfiche CIHM 28260

Fairchild, James Harris. The Underground railroad. [Cleveland?] 1895. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Rare Books E450 .F3 1895

Mitchell, William M. The underground railroad from slavery to freedom. London, W. Tweedie, 1860. MICROFORMS Microcard E450

Still, William. The underground rail road. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author; together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders, and most liberal aiders and advisers, of the road. Philadelphia, Porter & Coates, 1872. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: American Radicalism E450 .S85

Canada

Brode, Patrick. The odyssey of John Anderson Toronto : Published for the Osgoode Society by University of Toronto Press, c1989. MAIN KE228.A53 B76 1989

Collison, Gary.

Hembree, Michael F. "The Question Of "Begging": Fugitive Slave Relief In Canada, 1830-1865," Civil War History Vol. 37, no. 4 (1991 ): 314-327. MAIN E461 .C5

Hill, Daniel G. The freedom-seekers : Blacks in early Canada. Agincourt [Ont.] : Book Society of Canada, c1981. MAIN F1035.N3 H55

Kelly, Wayne Edward. "Canada's Black Defenders: Former Slaves Answered the Call to Arms," Beaver v. 77, no. 2 (1997): 31-34..MAIN F1060 .A1 B4

Martin, Ged. "British Officials And Their Attitudes To The Negro Community In Canada, 1833-1861," Ontario History Vol. 66, no. 2 (June 1974): 79-88. MAIN F1056 .O58

Pease, William H.; Pease, Jane H. "Organized Negro Communities: A North American Experiment," Journal of Negro History Vol. 47, no. 1 (Jan. 1962): 19-34. MAIN E185.5 .J86

Simms, Glenda P. "Diasporic Experience Of Blacks In Canada: A Discourse," Dalhousie Review Vol. 73, no. 3( 1993 ): 308-322. MAIN AP5 .D3

Thomson, Colin A. "Doc Shadd," Saskatchewan History vol. 30, no. 2 (Spring 1971): 41-55. MAIN F1070 .S245

Walker, James W. St. G. A history of Blacks in Canada : a study guide for teachers and students. Ottawa : Minister of State Multiculturalism, 1980. 181 p. GOV DOCS Canada CI45-2/1980E

Winks, Robin W. The Blacks in Canada : a history. 2nd ed. Montreal ; Kingston : McGill-Queen's University Press, 1997. MAIN F1035.N3 W5 1997

Winks, Robin W. "The Canadian Negro: A Historical Assessment," Journal of Negro History Vol. 53, no. 4 (Oct. 1968): 283-300 & Vol. 54, no. 1 (Jan. 1969): 1-18.MAIN E185.5 .J86

Winks, Robin W. "A History Of Negro School Segregation In Nova Scotia And Ontario," Canadian Historical Review v. 52 no.2 (1969 ): 64-191. MAIN F1001 .C27

Ontario

Armstrong, F. H. " The Toronto Directories And The Negro Community In The Late 1840's," Ontario History v. 61, no. 2 (June 1969): 111-119. MAIN F1056 .O58

Baily, Marilyn. "From Cincinnati, Ohio To Wilberforce, Canada: A Note On Antebellum Colonization," Journal of Negro History v. 58, no. 4 (1973): 427-440. MAIN E185.5 .J86

Cooper, Afua. "The Search For Mary Bibb, Black Woman Teacher In Nineteenth-Century Canada West," Ontario History v. 82, no. 1 (1991): 39-54. MAIN F1056 .O58

Hepburn, Sharon A. Roger. "Following The North Star: Canada As A Haven For Nineteenth-Century American Blacks," Michigan Historical Review 1999 25(2): 91-126. MAIN F476 .G7

Hill, Daniel G. "Negroes In Toronto 1793-1865," Ontario History v. 55, no. 2 (1963 ): 73-91. MAIN F1056 .O58

Hubbard, Stephen. Against all odds : the story of William Peyton Hubbard, black leader and municipal reformer Toronto : Dundurn Press, 1987. MAIN F1059.5.T6853 H834 1987

Kelly, Wayne Edward. "Race And Segregation In The Upper Canada Militia," Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research v. 78 (2000) : 264-277.NOT IN THE MSU LIBRARY; OBTAIN ON INTER-LIBRARY LOAN

Knight, Claudette. "Black Parents Speak: Education In Mid-Nineteenth-Century Canada West," Ontario History v. 89, no. 4 (1997 ): 269-284. MAIN F1056 .O58

Lewis, James K. "Religious Nature Of The Early Negro Migration To Canada And The Amherstburg Baptist Association," Ontario History v. 58, no.2 (June 1966): 117-132. MAIN F1056 .O58

Lyons, Nancee L. "The Road Most Traveled: A Legacy Of Black History In Canada," American Visions v. 7, no. 2 (1992 ): 52-54. MAIN E185.5 .A43

McLean, Stuart. Welcome home : travels in smalltown Canada Toronto : Penguin, 1993, c1992. MAIN F1017 .M32 1993 [Chapter on "Dresden, Ontario"]

Rieke, Tom. "Triumph Over Tragedy: The Story Of The Sons And Daughters Of Buxton, Canada," American Visions v. 6, no. 3 (1991 ): 32-36. MAIN E185.5 .A43

Riendeau, Roger E. An enduring heritage : black contributions to early Ontario. Toronto : Dundurn Press, 1984. MAIN F1059.7.N3 R54 1984

Schweninger, Loren. "A Fugitive Negro In The Promised Land: James Rapier In Canada, 1856-1864." Ontario History Vol. 67, no. 2 (1975 ): 91-104.MAIN F1056 .O58

Stouffer, Allen P. The light of nature and the law of God : antislavery in Ontario, 1833-1877. Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press, 1992. MAIN HT1052 .S76 1992

Stouffer, Allen P. "A 'Restless Child Of Change And Accident': The Black Image In Nineteenth Century Ontario," Ontario History v. 76, no. 2 (1984 ): 128-150. MAIN F1056 .O58

Thomas, Owen A. Niagara's Freedom Trail : a guide to African-Canadian history on the Niagara Peninsula. Thorold, Ont. : Region Niagara Tourist Council, c1995. MAIN F1059.N5 T46 1995

Wilson, Ruth Danenhower. "Negro-White Relations In Western Ontario," Negro History Bulletin v. 18, no. 5 (1955 ): 105-106. MAIN E185.5 .N383

Yee, Shirley J. "Gender Ideology And Black Women As Community-Builders In Ontario, 1850-70," Canadian Historical Review v. 75, no. 1 (1994 ): 53-73. MAIN F1001 .C27

Abolitionist Press

Bearden, Jim and Linda Jean Butler. Shadd : the life and times of Mary Shadd Cary. Toronto : NC Press, 1977. MAIN LA2325.C34 B4

Cooper, Afua. "In Light of New Evidence...Mary Bibb: Pioneer Abolitionist, Educator, Publisher and a Place History," Paper given at the 2001 Annual Conference of the Canadian Historical Association. To obtain a copy, phone (613) 233-7885 and ask for Conference Paper 67.2.

Hancock, Harold B."Mary Ann Shadd: Negro Editor, Educator, And Lawyer," Delaware History v. 15, no. 3 (Apr. 1973): 187-194.

Hite, Roger W. "Voice Of A Fugitive: Henry Bibb And The Ante-Bellum Black Separatism," Journal of Black Studies Vol. 4, no. 3 (Mar. 1974 ): 269-284.MAIN E185.5 .J8

MacDonald, Cheryl."Last Stop On The Underground Railroad: Mary Ann Shadd in Canada,". Beaver v. 70, no. 1 (1990): 32-38..MAIN F1060 .A1 B4

Rhodes, Jane. Mary Ann Shadd Cary : the Black press and protest in the nineteenth century. Bloomington : Indiana University Press, c1998. 284 p. MAIN E185.97.C32 R48 1998

Rhodes, Jane, "Race, Money, Politics And The Antebellum Black Press," Journalism History v. 20, no. 3-4 (1994 ): 95-106. MAIN PN4700 .J63

Silverman, Jason Howard. "'We Shall Be Heard!' The Development Of The Fugitive Slave Press In Canada," Canadian Historical Review Vol. 65, no. 1 (Mar. 1984 ): 54-69. MAIN F1001 .C27

Yee, Shirley J. "Finding A Place: Mary Ann Shadd Cary And The Dilemmas Of Black Migration To Canada, 1850-1870," Frontiers [University of Colorado, Boulder. Women Studies Program. ISSN 0160-9009] v. 18, no. 3 (1997): 1-16.

Web Sites
Blacks in Canada


National Library of Canada:

SchoolNet Digital Collections: The Underground Railroad Years: Canada in an International Arena. Last examined on 07/29/04.
Some Missing Pages: The Black Community in the History of Quebec and Canada: Primary and Secondary Source Materials: Unit 3: Fugitives for Freedom: A subunit of a collection of "materials that focus upon Blacks in the history of Quebec and Canada help learners to understand more fully the social and cultural realities of the past centuries. These pages depict joy and sorrow, struggle and triumph, courage and determination." A combined effort of the Quebec Provincial Association Of Social Studies Teachers, the Quebec Board Of Black Educators, and the Quebec Ministère De L'éducation. Last examined on 07/29/04
Underground Railroad: Niagara's Freedom Trail: "The focus of this website is to bring to life the History of the Underground Railroad in the city of St. Catharines and the Niagara Region." Last examined on 07/29/04
Underground Railroad in Canada: A Parks Canada site commemorating the refugees. Last examined on 08/04/04.

Blacks in South-West Ontario

African Canadian Heritage Network/Ontario's Underground Railroad: "celebrates the history of those who made the arduous journey to freedom in Canada via the Underground Railroad.. The tour shows the history of the communities they lived and worked in. Each site offers a different twist in the rich historical journey you will take while visiting South Western Ontario. Descendants of these people will guide you at each site. Last examined on 07/29/04.
Buxton National Historic Site & Museum: "This museum, officially opened in 1967, was Raleigh Township's Centennial Project as a memorial to the Elgin Settlement, haven for the fugitives of the American system of slavery in the pre-Civil War years. Last examined on 08/04/04.
Heritage Room at the W.I.S.H. Centre: "provides visitors with the history of Chatham's Black Community after escaping slavery. Their achievements and their struggles are chronicled through dramatizations, slide presentations and videos." Last examined on 08/04/04.
Marsh Collection Society:
"A non-profit organization, is based on the historical collection of John Marsh and his sister Helen, owners and operators of the Amherstburg Echo for over 50 years". Last examined on 08/05/04.
North American Black Historical Museum: "Situated in the midst of the original Black settlement in Amherstburg, the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre was built to preserve Black history and promote community and cultural activities." Last examined on 08/05/04.
OBHS Online: Ontario Black History Society Archives: "An Extension Collection of things historical, of things modern...of things black" detailing Black Settlements, Oral Tales, Movies, Burial Grounds, Black Fiction & Academic Literature, Historical and Contemporary Personalities, the Underground Railroad, and the Maroons." Part of the SchoolNet Digital Collections Program. Last examined on 08/05/04.
Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site: "...commemorates the life of Reverend Josiah Henson and his contributions to the famous Underground Railroad. It was Henson's life experiences that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's creation of the character Uncle Tom in her 1852 outcry against slavery." Last examined on 08/05/04.

Underground Railroad in the U.S.

Menare Foundation's North Star Website: The Menare Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and restoration of Underground Railroad safe-houses and environments. In 1998 the Foundation sponsored "The Walk to Canada: The Revival:" a three-month journey through ten different states from Alabama to Canada, where Anthony Cohen traced routes of the Underground Railroad to bring attention to its important history. The site contains excerpts from Mr. Cohen's trip. It also contains information on documenting Underground Railroad sites and preserving safe-houses. Finally, it lists special resources and educational activities." Last examined on 08/05/04.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: "Using the Underground Railroad as a lens through which to explore a range of freedom issues, the Freedom Center offers lessons and reflections on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present, and for the future. And it helps visitors discover the power of one voice - shared with many - by speaking out about the meaning of freedom." Last examined on 08/05/04.

 


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