Richard Pierpoint
Encyclopedia
Richard Pierpoint also known as Black Dick and Captain Dick, was born about 1744 in Bondu
, Senegal
. When he was about sixteen he was captured and sold as a slave. He survived the crossing of the Atlantic and was sold in New York
to a British officer named Pierpoint. It was common for the slaves to take the last name of their owner. The officer owned a vast amount of land on the Hudson River
and Richard Pierpoint acted as his personal servant.
, many African American
slaves were offered freedom on the condition that they fought on the side of the British. By at least 1780 Pierpoint was one of about a dozen Africans fighting with the Butler's Rangers
regiment. Some members of the regiment were former black slaves, which enlisted blacks only as non-combatant labourers or sapper
s. The total number of black soldiers in Butler's Rangers is unknown, although Pierpoint is the only one who enters into the historical record.
. Among the Loyalists
who came to Upper Canada
(where they were given the name United Empire Loyalists) were several hundred Blacks (the "Black Loyalist
s"). Blacks represented about 10% of the total Loyalist emigration. Communities such as the Pierpoint Settlement and the Queen's Bush Settlement were examples of how Blacks created communities and helped develop many of the communities in Southern Ontario.
Blacks were entitled to the same proportion of land as their fellow Loyalists.
In 1788 Pierpoint was located on 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of land near present-day St. Catharines. Under normal circumstances, a private would have only received a grant of 100 acre (0.404686 km²) so the reason for the additional 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of the grant is open to speculation. His commanding officer John Butler
may have considered him to have been an NCO (non-commissioned officer), such men being entitled to 200 acre (0.809372 km²). Additionally, he might have been considered a United Empire Loyalist and thereby entitled to an additional 100 acre (0.404686 km²). Alternatively, he may have had family with him, each family member being alloted an additional 50 acres (202,343 m²). There is some evidence that Pierpoint did not arrive alone as victualling records from 1786 indicate that a woman accompanied him and it isn't out of the realm of possibility that there was also a child. However, Pierpoint didn't appear on either an assessment or census and no documentary evidence exists to explain the situation.
In 1794 Pierpont signed the Petition of Free Negroes
to Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe
. The Petition was read by the Executive Council of Upper Canada Government on July 8, 1794 and dismissed.
, Pierpoint proposed to organize a Corps of Men of Colour on the Niagara frontier. His offer was refused, but a small Black corps was raised locally by a white officer, Jordan tavern-owner Robert Runchey. Pierpoint volunteered immediately, although he was at least 60 years old. The corps served with distinction at the Battle of Queenston Heights
, the siege of Fort George
and the Battle of Lundy's Lane
as well as other engagements. For the remainder of the war the corps was used for labour and garrison duty. In 1821 Pierpoint would found the Garafraxa Settlement, a black farming community near Fergus, Ontario
, Canada, and a terminus of the Underground Railroad
.
His request was denied and instead Pierpoint and approximately 8 to 10 other black families, including other 1812 veterans, were given land grants in Garafraxa, just outside present day Fergus.
A "land ticket" was issued to him on July 30, 1822. Pierpoint would only get full ownership of the plot once he had cleared at least 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) of trees, cleared a road to the plot and built a house:
The farm became a settlement with a number of blacks living there, but the exact number is unknown. Very few records were left and even orally transmitted history is limited.
Pierpoint died in 1838 and many believe that when he died the strong leadership that held the community together also died. Some Scottish families purchased the settlement land and the black community dispersed, possibly to Glen Allan, Priceville, and Collingwood.
Bondu
Bondu was a state in West Africa, later a French protectorate dependent on the colony of Senegal. It lay between the Faleme River and the upper course of the Gambia River, that is between 13 and 15 N., and 12 and 13 W.-Description:...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. When he was about sixteen he was captured and sold as a slave. He survived the crossing of the Atlantic and was sold in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to a British officer named Pierpoint. It was common for the slaves to take the last name of their owner. The officer owned a vast amount of land on the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and Richard Pierpoint acted as his personal servant.
Butler's Rangers
In 1776, with the outbreak of the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, many African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
slaves were offered freedom on the condition that they fought on the side of the British. By at least 1780 Pierpoint was one of about a dozen Africans fighting with the Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist John Butler.Most members of the regiment were Loyalists from upstate New York...
regiment. Some members of the regiment were former black slaves, which enlisted blacks only as non-combatant labourers or sapper
Sapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
s. The total number of black soldiers in Butler's Rangers is unknown, although Pierpoint is the only one who enters into the historical record.
The Pierpoint Settlement
Following the British defeat the Rangers settled in NiagaraNiagara Peninsula
The Niagara Peninsula is the portion of Southern Ontario, Canada lying between the south shore of Lake Ontario and the north shore of Lake Erie. It stretches from the Niagara River in the east to Hamilton, Ontario in the west. The population of the peninsula is roughly 1,000,000 people...
. Among the Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
who came to Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
(where they were given the name United Empire Loyalists) were several hundred Blacks (the "Black Loyalist
Black Loyalist
A Black Loyalist was an inhabitant of British America of African descent who joined British colonial forces during the American Revolutionary War...
s"). Blacks represented about 10% of the total Loyalist emigration. Communities such as the Pierpoint Settlement and the Queen's Bush Settlement were examples of how Blacks created communities and helped develop many of the communities in Southern Ontario.
Blacks were entitled to the same proportion of land as their fellow Loyalists.
In 1788 Pierpoint was located on 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of land near present-day St. Catharines. Under normal circumstances, a private would have only received a grant of 100 acre (0.404686 km²) so the reason for the additional 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of the grant is open to speculation. His commanding officer John Butler
John Butler (pioneer)
John Butler was a Loyalist who led an irregular militia unit known as Butler's Rangers on the northern frontier in the American Revolutionary War. He led Seneca and Cayuga forces in the Saratoga campaign. He later raised and commanded a regiment of rangers.-Background:John was born to Walter...
may have considered him to have been an NCO (non-commissioned officer), such men being entitled to 200 acre (0.809372 km²). Additionally, he might have been considered a United Empire Loyalist and thereby entitled to an additional 100 acre (0.404686 km²). Alternatively, he may have had family with him, each family member being alloted an additional 50 acres (202,343 m²). There is some evidence that Pierpoint did not arrive alone as victualling records from 1786 indicate that a woman accompanied him and it isn't out of the realm of possibility that there was also a child. However, Pierpoint didn't appear on either an assessment or census and no documentary evidence exists to explain the situation.
In 1794 Pierpont signed the Petition of Free Negroes
Petition of Free Negroes
The Petition of Free Negroes was a document created by a group of freed slaves who had fought for the British in the U.S. Revolutionary War, and been rewarded with land grants in Upper Canada for their service to the Crown...
to Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe
John Graves Simcoe
John Graves Simcoe was a British army officer and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791–1796. Then frontier, this was modern-day southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior...
. The Petition was read by the Executive Council of Upper Canada Government on July 8, 1794 and dismissed.
The War of 1812
Following the outbreak of the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Pierpoint proposed to organize a Corps of Men of Colour on the Niagara frontier. His offer was refused, but a small Black corps was raised locally by a white officer, Jordan tavern-owner Robert Runchey. Pierpoint volunteered immediately, although he was at least 60 years old. The corps served with distinction at the Battle of Queenston Heights
Battle of Queenston Heights
The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812 and resulted in a British victory. It took place on 13 October 1812, near Queenston, in the present-day province of Ontario...
, the siege of Fort George
Fort George, Ontario
Fort George National Historic Site is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, that was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812...
and the Battle of Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
as well as other engagements. For the remainder of the war the corps was used for labour and garrison duty. In 1821 Pierpoint would found the Garafraxa Settlement, a black farming community near Fergus, Ontario
Fergus, Ontario
Fergus is the largest community in Centre Wellington, a township within Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. It lies on the Grand River about 25 km north of Guelph.-History:...
, Canada, and a terminus of the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
.
Petition
In 1821 Pierpoint petitioned Lieutenant Governor Simcoe for passage back to his homeland in Senegal. A certificate from the Adjutant General Nathaniel Coffin was attached.
The Petition of Richard Pierpoint, now of the Town of Niagara, a Man of Colour, a native of Africa, and an inhabitant of this Province since the year 1780.
Most humbly showeth,
That Your Excellency's Petitioner is a native of Bondu in Africa; that at the age of Sixteen Years he was made a Prisoner and sold as a Slave; that he was conveyed [transported] to America about the year 1760, and sold to a British officer; that he served his Majesty [George III, the king of England] during the American Revolutionary War in the Corps called Butler's Rangers; and again during the late American War in a Corps of Colour raised on the Niagara Frontier.
That Your Excellency's Petitioner is now old and without property; that he finds it difficult to obtain a livelihood by his labour; that he is above all things desirous to return to his native Country; that His Majesty's Government be graciously pleased to grant him any relief, he wishes it may be by affording him the means to proceed to England and from thence to a Settlement near the Gambia or Senegal Rivers, from whence he could return to Bondu...
York Upper Canada
21st July 1821
His request was denied and instead Pierpoint and approximately 8 to 10 other black families, including other 1812 veterans, were given land grants in Garafraxa, just outside present day Fergus.
- "Grant to Richard Pierpoint of the Township of Grantham in the County of Lincoln in the Niagara District, farmer -- as a private in the Coloured Corps under Captain Runchey and Lieutenant Robertson -- the easterly half of Lot No. 6 in the 1st Concession of the Township of Garafraxa -- containing one hundred acres."
A "land ticket" was issued to him on July 30, 1822. Pierpoint would only get full ownership of the plot once he had cleared at least 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) of trees, cleared a road to the plot and built a house:
Location Ticket grant on fulfilment of settling duties req'd by Order in Council of 20 Oct. 1818: to clear and fence 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) for every 100 acre (0.404686 km²) granted; to erect a dwelling house of 16 by 20 feet (6.1 m); to clear one half of the Road in front of each lot. The whole to be performed within two years from the date of the ticket. Note The Settlement duty performed as attested & admitted. 15 Sept. 1826. Sig. T. Ridout.
The farm became a settlement with a number of blacks living there, but the exact number is unknown. Very few records were left and even orally transmitted history is limited.
Pierpoint died in 1838 and many believe that when he died the strong leadership that held the community together also died. Some Scottish families purchased the settlement land and the black community dispersed, possibly to Glen Allan, Priceville, and Collingwood.