14
Bertie Hall, Masonic Style House - safe house for Freedom Seekers22 June 2009
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
15
It is well known that the Upper Canada Prince Hall Masons had become a major comfort for many new Canadians who had escaped slavery. Maybe the best known of Prince Hall Freemasons, Josiah Henson's biography depicting his escape from slavery and resettling in Canada was the inspiration of the book "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "Uncle Tom's Cabin" has been credited with turning public opinion against slavery for the most part which lead to the American Civil War. In Asia, Africa and Europe, Freemasons welcomed different racial groups of all religions and nationality but in North America historically two distinct racial groups grew parallel organizations with virtually the very same objectives of fraternal friendship and support.16
Josiah Henson Crossing into Canada, Famous Prince Hall Mason22 June 2009
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
17
Josiah Henson's grave monument - Masonic symbol can be seen towards the top20th Century, Circa 1900
Dresden, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site
18
Providing a relatively safe haven for the 35,000 run-away-slave, refugees and freed slaves may have been Simcoe's most significant civic contribution to North America. Peter Martin essentially acted as Upper Canada's first policeman in giving evidence to Canada's Executive was instrumental in the first enforcement of anti-slavery in Upper Canada. Regrettably, it was too late for young Chloe Cooley who was never heard from again.19
Bertie Street Ferry 1796-195022 June 2009
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
20
Not surprisingly Simcoe's statute does not stand in the middle of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It stands across the street from the Masonic Hall Niagara Lodge No. 2., facing north, as a stark reminder of the direction to Canada from the cotton fields of the slave plantations. To this day, Niagara-on-the-Lake's buildings, as the former capital of Upper Canada, are adorned with Masonic tradition and imagery.21
Statue of Governor John Graves Simcoe, a well-known Mason22 June 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
22
The Court House, designed and built by a Mason, takes the shape of a traditional Masonic temple including scorning faces looking at passers by and pillars at the entranceway.23
Masonic Symbol on Court House in Niagara-on-the-Lake, built by Freemasons22 June 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
24
To the south on the escarpment where the Coloured Corps fought alongside General Brock during the War of 1812, Brock's monument features uniquely Freemason images. Not surprisingly, Brock's monument points north as a grim reminder of the direction the slaves walked to the promised land of freedom. Of the hundreds, if not thousands, of people associated with the evacuation of the slaves from the United States along what is commonly known as the Underground Railroad, there would likely be approval of Brock pointing north -- the direction of the North Star that helped guide the American refugees to the land of freedom.25
Brock's Monument, Famous Masonic Lodge Member, pointing north22 June 2009
Queenston Heights Park, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
26
Medusa, the woman from Greek mythology who had snakes for hair, adorns four sides of Brock's monument to ward off evil spirits. The Provincial Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has a similar Medusa face prominently displayed to ward off evil spirits as you enter that building.27
Detail from Brock's Monument, Medusa with Snake Hair, a Masonic symbol22 June 2009
Queenston Heights Park, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
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