Remembering Richard Pierpoint
Pierpoint's story is one of struggle, resilience, and service - it's a Canadian story
February is Black History Month, a chance to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians.
Wellington—Halton Hills is home to a historically significant Black Canadian, Richard Pierpoint. He was a Black Loyalist, soldier, and storyteller, who was instrumental in the War of 1812.
Pierpoint was born in the kingdom of Bundu (in present-day Senegal) in 1744. At 16, he was captured and transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Thirteen Colonies, which later became the United States. He gained his freedom from 20 years of enslavement by fighting for the British during the American Revolutionary War.
After the Revolutionary War, Pierpoint came north to Canada, along with thousands of United Empire Loyalists. As a Loyalist, Pierpoint was granted land in what would become Grantham Township (now St. Catharines).
He became a leader among the Black Loyalists of Upper Canada, where men of African descent faced social isolation and prejudice. He later sold his land and worked as a day labourer between 1806 and 1812.
Shortly before the War of 1812 broke out, Pierpoint petitioned British military leadership to create an all-Black militia to fight for the British. During the war, at 68 years old, Pierpoint joined Captain Robert Runchey’s Corps of Coloured Men (the Coloured Corps), a militia of free Black men.
The militia made significant contributions to the war, including helping repel an American invasion during the Battle of Queenston Heights.
Following the war, Pierpoint petitioned the lieutenant governor for permission to return to Africa. His request was denied, but he received 100 acres of land in Garafraxa Township, just outside of what is now Fergus. Pierpoint died circa 1838 at the age of 94.
According to oral history in the Black Canadian community, throughout his life Pierpoint was a gifted griot, a West African storyteller that preserves and shares genealogies, histories, and oral traditions.
Richard Pierpoint is a Canadian we should all be proud of. His story is one of struggle, resilience, and service. It is a Canadian story.
Parks Canada is in the process of erecting a plaque for Richard Pierpoint near his 100-acre farm.