Saint John, New Brunswick

Black Loyalists and later Black Refugees lived outside of Saint John proper in settlements reserved for them. While close to Saint John for certain work purposes, they had to create their own churches, schools and livelihoods in Loch Lomond, the Westfield area, and Kingston Peninsula.

The level of assistance available for them was much less than in Nova Scotia, and the laws, such as the1785 Charter of Saint John, prevented them from full participation in society; the laws ensured that they were poor. African-Canadians who had fought for the freedoms that all were enjoying were not allowed to be freemen of the city, could not practice a trade or sell goods in Saint John, could not fish in the harbour nor live in the city except for servants. These restrictions were lifted by the 1870s but the social and economic damage affected generations.

Black History in Saint John
A brief history of the Black community in the Saint John region. From the City of Saint John website.