The Petition of Free Negroes The Petition of Free Negroes

On June 29, 1794, Richard Pierpoint and 18 other Black residents of Upper Canada signed a petition requesting that they be able to settle near each other so that they could establish a community and work together to clear their lands. This tract of land was to be separate from White settlers, which indicates that they likely faced prejudice and discrimination. The government rejected this request.

This document is from Library and Archives Canada, RG1 -L3. Upper Canada Land Petitions "F" Bundle Miscellaneous 1788 -1795, Vol. 196 (Pages 68,68a, 68b).