Oshawa’s Black History: One Family’s Story, Part 1

By Lisa Terech, Youth Engagement/Programs

In early 2012, the Oshawa Community Archives was invited to participate in a Black History Month event at Trent University; specifically, we were asked to present on Black History in Oshawa.  A few months prior, while researching the Port Oshawa Pioneer Cemetery and those buried there, I came across the Dunbar family who were laid to rest there.  My initial research showed that this was a family of Black descent, a pleasantly unexpected find for this early pioneer cemetery.  Jennifer Weymark, our archivist, and I saw this Trent project to be a good chance to investigate further the Dunbar family, who they were, what was their story, and what would have brought them to Oshawa.

Black History Month at Trent University Oshawa, 2012

Two years later, and this family’s story is one that still intrigues us, and we are continually adding to our knowledge of this early settler family.  As their story can be told through several generations, we will be sharing parts of the story throughout the month of February.

 

With any story, let’s start at the beginning.  Wealthy Ann Dunbar was born in 1795 in Vermont, a daughter to Samuel Dunbar Sr.  The family would move across the border to Stanstead, Quebec.  Wealthy married a man named Peter Andrews in c. 1821 and together they had 4 known children (Sarah, Freeman, Elizabeth, and Mary) and 1 adopted daughter (Amy Jane).  We do not know for sure when Peter and Wealthy relocated to East Whitby Township, but it likely after the death of Wealthy’s father in 1843.

Given the incredibly small percentage of “coloured” people living in East Whitby, the reasoning behind moving to this area is unclear.  According to the 1852 Census of Canada West, there were 17 people listed as coloured in East Whitby Township.  This means that .2% of the population of 8479 were listed as coloured. Most of those counted were single men but there were a couple of families listed as well.  How did Jennifer find this statistic?  It’s simple.  She counted the column for “Coloured – persons – Negroes,” a statistic the enumerator had to account for.

The reasons why the Andrews moved are not known and neither are the reasons for choosing to settle in East Whitby township.  There was no black settlement in the township at that time.

That being said, we have a theory that there may have been a connection between the Andrews family and the Shipman Family which may have contributed to settling here.  Wealthy is recorded as living with John Shipman in the 1861 Census, and there are several ‘unique’ names appearing in both family trees.

Eliza Conant (nee Shipman)

As well, according to Robert Pankhurst, great-grandson of Wealthy Andrews, Wealthy and her family resided in a log house on property owned by Thomas Conant, whose wife was Eliza Shipman.  With enough small coincidences like this, we strongly feel that the Shipmans may have been the reason for settling here in Cedar Dale.

What became of the family after they moved to East Whitby?  The story continues next week.

The Month That Was – February 1948

Bomb Blast Injure 20 in Palestine
February 2, 1948
Written By, Carter L. Davidson

Jerusalem, Feb.2- (AP)- Police said today they were still unable to fix the blame for a bomb blast which wrecked the Palestine post last night, injured at least 20 persons and touched off an $800 000 fire.

One Arab source said Arabs did it, other informants blamed Jewish extremists who have threatened the pro-Zionist, English-language daily newspaper because of its moderate stand on Jewish defence.

 

More Receive Employment in 3 Months
February 3, 1948

Leonard Coulson, manager of the National Employment Service Office here, said today that despite a natural upswing in unemployment the number of unemployed placed in the last three months were up to percent over the same period one year ago.

 

Council Asked For Grants Totalling Almost $6,500
February 3, 1948

Mayor William Davidson and members of the Whitby Town Council, sitting at last night’s regular session of the council, heard deputations requesting grants totally nearly $6,500 during the year 1948.

 

Milk Increase in London Area
February 3, 1948

London, Ont., Feb.  3-(CP) – Milk price increases ranging all the way from half a cent to 1 ½ cents per bottle went into effect here Monday.

 

Tentative Approval to Budget Boosts of Nearly $97,000
February 3, 1948

Higher tax rate for the city in 1948 was forecasted last night when city council gave tentative approval to departmental estimates which exceeded by approximately $97, 000 the total provided under these heads in last year’s budget.

 

Toronto Leafs Break Boston Jinx, Win 4-2
February 5, 1948

The highflying Toronto Maple Leafs cleared another obstacle in the teams bid for National Hockey League pennant that had them stymied since March 6, 1945.

 

Gas Trickle Brings Break for Jobless
February 6, 1948

Windsor, Ont., Feb 6 – (CP) – The pall of gloom and lines of temporary joblessness began to lessen throughout western Ontario today as small supplies of natural gas trickled back to shut down industries. About 5, 220 of almost 25,000 workers, unemployed for nearly two weeks, were expected back to production lines at 45 companies.

 

Ford Sees Drop in Car Production by Import Quotas
February 11, 1948

Windsor, Ont., Feb 11 (CP)- As a result of import quotas announced yesterday by Trade Minister Howe, Ford of Canada may be forced to produce fewer cars and trucks than originally planned for this year.

Student Museum ‘Musings’ – Alexandria

My name is Alexandria Harris and I am currently a Durham College student in the Library & Information Technician program. I’ve been accepted at the Oshawa Museum & Archives for a 100-hour placement, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far!! So far all I’ve done is transcribe letters but I actually love it, I find it extremely interesting to read these personal letters between the Henry family members, and get a first-hand sense of the time period back then. There’s a video game I play called Red Dead Redemption, and it’s set back in this era so it’s what I see in my mind as I read these; back when you had to write to each other because you hadn’t seen each other in months, when you had to hope that elderly people would still be alive for you to see them one more time.

A013.4.2, letter from George Henry to his step-mother Lurenda Henry

Some of the grammar is pretty terrible and the handwriting hardly legible but that’s also part of the fun- I love my puzzles J I get to piece together what it is they are saying to each other and some of the words or phrases are quite amusing. ‘Irotoyou’ instead of I-wrote-to-you, and ‘agonto’ instead of am-going-to, are just two examples of this.

Student Museum ‘Musings’ – Kelley

After attending Co-op at The Oshawa Community Museum for just about 4 months I can honestly say that it was a great experience. I’ve learnt a lot in my short period of time being here with tasks ranging from learning how to give tours of the historical homes to learning different programs to create promotional videos and photographs. These tasks have taught how to effectively communicate with people and how to design in a suitable way with input and constructive criticism which I can now take with me to use in my everyday life. All in all being here at the Oshawa Museum was a great learning experience which allowed me to grow as an individual. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to experience what it’s like in a work place, especially a workplace with such nice and welcoming people. I have no regrets or disappointments in taking Co-op at The Oshawa Community Museum and will miss coming every afternoon.

Thank you Kelley for all of your amazing work! We’re going to miss you too!

Happy Birthday Sir John A!

January 11 marks the birthday of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John Alexander Macdonald.  He was born in Scotland, raised in Kingston, and made political waves in Ottawa, and throughout the Dominion of Canada.  While Prime Minister, he saw the country grow both in population and in geography.  He was not without scandal, however he remains the second longest serving Prime Minister in Canadian history, second only to William Lyon Mackenzie King.

In honour of his 199th birthday, raise a glass (of whatever your drink of choice might be), to one of our Fathers of Confederation!  Happy Birthday Sir John A!

Sir John Alexander Macdonald, c. 1868, from Library and Archives Canada

Macdonald’s gravesite, Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston. The simple stone cross marker for Sir John A. A historical plaque and Canadian flag have been placed in his honour.

A960.19 .4 – Letter in the Oshawa Community Archives Collection, from Macdonald to Thomas N. Gibbs, MP from Oshawa.