People Archives | Our Black Heritage: Early Black Settlers of York-Sunbury Counties (New Brunswick) 1783-Present

Make Your Ancestors Proud

I would say definitely… your lives matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter. I kinda liken the moment to the moment of the early 60s… of the Civil […]

I Wouldn’t Change a Lot in My Life

[When her son took her to Ottawa to see Barack Obama] I said to John, can you imagine this… I’m from the horse and buggy days, I’m in […]

Measha BrueggarGosman-Lee

Measha Brueggergosman-Lee (b 1977) grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, singing at her local Baptist church. When granted an honorary doctorate from Concordia University in 2017, she was […]

Mary Matilda Winslow

Mary Matilda Winslow (1880 – 1963) graduated Suma Cum Laude (top ranked) from the University of New Brunswick in 1905, winning the Montgomery-Campbell Prize in the Classics.

Graduate of the University of New Brunswick

Mary Matilda Winslow graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1905, with a bachelor’s degree in Classics. She graduated top of her class, winning the Montgomery-Campbell Prize for […]

Georgianna Jaques

“…if you dream you are in company with a young man, whose person and conversation is pleasing to you, you may depend that you will one day become […]

Descendants of George Rexford Leek

The names of these children are not yet known, but they are believed to be members of the Taylor Family (descendants of George Rexford Leek).

Portrait of Lt Col Isaac Allen

The aftermath of Nancy’s trial was such that—although she did not obtain her freedom—her case served as a catalyst in the fight against slavery in this province.

Portrait of Rev. Jonathan Odell

When the British government established the Sierra Leone program for Black settlers wishing to re-settle in Africa, Jonathan Odell was appointed New Brunswick’s recruiting agent.

Portrait of Ann de Cou Odell

Although by 1822 there were reportedly no slaves in New Brunswick, servitude certainly continued in the form of indentured service. Many within Fredericton’s social elite maintained a strict […]

Measha BrueggarGosman-Lee

“I can’t speak to being a force for change, but I take it and wear it proudly.” – Measha BrueggarGosman-Lee , 2017 World-renowned Canadian opera singer, Measha Brueggergosman-Lee […]

The Balance of Power

Even those who came to a new land as “free” found themselves with little power over their future. Often ending up in servitude rolls.