Black Militia Units in Upper Canada, 1812-1850 National Historic Event

Black Militia Units in Upper Canada (1812-1850) were designated as a national historic event in 2014.

Historical importance: a step towards the acceptance of Black people to share in the duties and rights of British subjects.

Commemorative plaque: 14184 Niagara Parkway, Queenston Heights National Historic Site, Queenston, Ontario^{Footnote 1}

Black Militia Units in Upper Canada, 1812-1850

Through their service in the militia, Upper Canadians of African descent showed their determination to share in the duties and rights of British subjects. During the War of 1812, many served in regular units or joined the segregated Colored Corps, which worked on fortifications and fought at Queenston Heights and other battles of the Niagara campaigns. They also served during the Upper Canada Rebellion and many were kept on strength until 1850. When considered in proportion to the population, Black men volunteered in large numbers, a testament to their belief in Canada as a haven for those formerly enslaved.

Black Militia Units in Upper Canada, 1812–1850

Throughout the first half of the 19th century, Upper Canadians of African descent served in the Upper Canada militia, showing their determination to share in the duties and rights of British subjects. During the War of 1812, many were in regular units while others joined the segregated Colored Corps, which worked on fortifications and fought in battles of the Niagara campaigns, including at Queenston Heights. Many also served during the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837-38 and a segregated unit was kept on strength until 1850. A testament to their belief in Canada as a haven for those formerly enslaved, Black men volunteered in large numbers when considered in proportion to the population.

With the outbreak of the War of 1812, many militiamen of African descent joined integrated units. In August 1812, a segregated company (numbering 38 men at one point) was formed as a unit in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia under a white officer, Robert Runchey, and participated in the final charge at the Battle of Queenston Heights. In early 1813, the company became known by several different names, including the Colored Corps, and became part of Upper Canada’s militia. In the Colored Corps, men played a role as infantry in various battles and worked as labourers on the construction of fortifications. In May 1813, the Corps participated in the defence against American landings at Fort George. Following the American force’s withdrawal from Fort George in December, the Colored Corps was attached to the Royal Engineers and employed as a labour unit to assist in building Fort Mississauga before being disbanded in March 1815. Its members subsequently experienced difficulty and delays in obtaining gratuities and land grants offered to other militia units.

 

Black militiamen also served in the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837-38. Throughout the rebellion, the Black population in Upper Canada overwhelmingly supported the government. The 1793 Act Against Slavery, which limited slavery in Upper Canada, along with the act which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire in 1834, had made Upper Canada a relatively safe refuge for those fleeing slavery in the American South. Following the rebellion, Black militia were kept on strength until 1850. In the face of increasing commitments around the world, the British government continued to reduce its military presence in Canada and on 30 April 1850 these units were disbanded.

Considered together, the Black Militia Units of 1812-15 and 1837-50 represent a strong and continuing tradition of military service on the part of early African-Canadian communities. Practically, the tradition formed part of a strategy to maintain Upper Canada as a refuge for formerly enslaved people. Symbolically, it demonstrated the community’s commitment to Upper Canada.

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