By David Anderson
Hilary Dawson, a genealogist and historical researcher, was at the Schomberg Public Library recently to talk to members of Lloydtown Rebellion Association regarding black history in Ontario.
Dawson is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Toronto. She has a degree in archaeology and mediaeval history from Southampton University, U.K.
She has worked in a number of museums in the U.K. and Canada, and currently plays the role of Mrs. Henderson, the 1858 schoolmistress at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse in Toronto.
Her research in the 19th century Etobicoke Township, which is now part of Toronto, uncovered a previously unknown Black presence she said.
Dawson said her interest in Black History has deep roots.
“My hometown was also the birthplace of William Wilberforce, the abolitionist,” Dawson said.
Dawson’s talk was about slavery and emancipation, but mostly about William Wilberforce in Ontario.
Dawson said Wilberforce was a deeply religious man who pushed for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery.
“He fought to abolish the slave trade which, after many years of defeats, he finally achieved in 1807,” Dawson commented. “However, this did not completely abolish slavery.”
That didn’t happen until the Slavery Abolition Bill of 1833. Dawson said that was passed through the House of Lords.
“It became law August 29, 1833 and came mandatory August 4, 1834 on that date slavery was abolished throughout the vast British Empire,” Dawson said.
Dawson is now completing the Certificate in Genealogical Studies at the University of Toronto and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Between genealogy clients, she said she continues to uncover the fascination story of Ontarians of African descent. She is currently working on the biography of Alfred Lafferty, Chatham’s first black lawyer.
Source: The King Township Sentinel
March 3, 2010
