During the American Revolutionary War, the British sought to undermine the American economy by promising freedom to any slave who escaped and joined their cause. Numerous slaves seized this opportunity, lured by the prospect of liberty, land, and supplies. However, the British struggle was unsuccessful, and many escapees were recaptured by American forces and returned to slavery. Those who stayed with the British were relegated to menial tasks and barred from armed service.
As the war concluded, the British honoured their promise of freedom to these slaves. General George Washington demanded their return, but the British refused and proposed unpaid compensation. Over 3500 newly freed slaves departed New York for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick between April and November 1783, settling in places like Saint John. Despite British promises of land and provisions, few received any, leading many to fall into servitude or low-wage jobs.
In 1785, 31 freed Black individuals, including Richard Corankapone Wheeler and families with surnames like Morris, Heron, and Cox.
Richard Wheeler, along with 35 other Black Loyalist settlers, was granted land near Richards Lake (formerly known as Negro Lake) in the Westfield-Grand Bay area. Possessing literacy skills, Wheeler played a pivotal role in his community by drafting petitions to address the inequities in land distribution and quality compared to what white loyalists received. Throughout the 1780s, he persistently advocated for enhanced rights and support for his community through these petitions.
The Black community faced immense hardships, with many relocating to Saint John, where discriminatory laws hindered their progress. By 1790, disillusionment led many to abandon their land or sell to White settlers. Thomas Peters, a former slave, convinced the British to facilitate relocation to Sierra Leone. In December 1791, Richard Wheeler and others trekked to Halifax, and in January 1792, around 1200 departed for Sierra Leone, facing mortality and challenges upon arrival. Some settled in Freetown, where their descendants remain.
Those who stayed in New Brunswick endured discrimination, poverty, and harsh conditions. Their stories of struggle and resilience are chronicled online.
In 2017, Grand Bay erected two history panels to commemorate the Black Loyalists and refugees in the region.
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