Canadian writer Lawrence Hill's 2007 best-selling novel,
The Book of Negroes (published as
Someone Knows My Name in the USA) inspired the 2015 CBC-TV miniseries of the same name.
Hill's novel, in turn, was inspired by a historic non-fiction book of the same name.
The
Black Loyalist Heritage Centre located in Birchtown, just outside Shelburne, Nova Scotia, is dedicated to telling the history of the Black Loyalists who are listed in the original
Book of Negroes.
In a corner of the Centre is a display dedicated to the
Book of Negroes. As the interactive touch panels relate...
As the American Revolution was ending, New York City was the last British stronghold. Loyalists, those who fought on the side of the British, were considered enemies of the newly formed United States, and had to flee for their safety. This included Black Loyalists who fought for the British for the promise of freedom, including many former slaves who escaped from their former slave holders.
"General George Washington pressed Sir Guy Carleton to ensure that no Black people who were 'claimed' by Americans left New York. Carleton however, stayed true to the loyal Black people who fought for the British. Over 2,800 Black Loyalists, their names recorded in the Book of Negroes, would depart from New York for Nova Scotia and other parts of the world. Less than 1,000 listed in the Book of Negroes arrived in Nova Scotia."
First page, Book of Negroes
(touch-screen display, Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.)
Page spread from the actual Book of Negroes
(touch-screen display, Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.)
The
Book of Negroes is a list of Black Loyalists who left New York with the British. As noted on the touch panels:
"The book gives a description of the person, a name, name of their former enslaver, the name of the ship they left on, the captain's name, destination, past and present status, and the port and date of embarkation."
Two copies were recorded at the same time. One by the Americans and one by the British.
"The Americans intended to use this document to claim financial compensation from the British for losses during the war. This included claims of slave holders..." many of whom descended upon New York City to attempt to re-enslave Black Loyalists by any means possible before their departure to freedom.
On display behind thick glass is the facsimile of the
Book of Negroes created for the 2015 CBC-TV miniseries. This imposing, brown, linen-covered, half-bound 150-page ledger features a red and yellow headband and marbled endpapers.
Front cover of facsimile with gold-embossed name plate.
The facsimile book on display was a joint creation between NSCAD instructors, master bookbinder Joe Landry and bookbinder Katherine Taylor. Katherine offers: "It was early in my time with Joe. I did the sewing and the headband and helped Joe do the rest as much as my skills would allow at the time. We also worked on set of the show."
Top view of facsimile showing marbled end papers.
Whatever happened to the original
Book of Negroes?
Andrea Davis, Executive Director of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, shared that the book created by the British is kept at The National Archives in Kew, England, and that a petition has been created to get the book on loan to Canada for display.
The book created by the Americans is kept at The National Archives in Washington, D.C. This version was published (not as a facsimile) in 1996.
"The original archival Book of Negroes, intended to serve as the basis for compensation claims made by American enslavers. More than an inventory, this is a record book of survival. Through it we remember our ancestors. Through it we recover our families.”
The history of the Black Loyalists is a story of oppression, resilience and survival against all odds. Black Loyalist history is both inspiring and uplifting, as well as harrowing and deeply disturbing.
If you wish to plan a visit, the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre is open until mid-October. Check website for hours and open dates:
blackloyalist.novascotia.ca.
Review by Charles Salmon
When someone speaks with passion about their craft, you can't help but be excited to learn more.
