Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
William and Susannah Steward House
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025
1. William and Susannah Steward House Marker
Inscription.
William and Susannah Steward House. . William, an African American teamster, and Susannah Steward (also spelled Stewart) lived in Niagara from 1834 to 1847. The Steward home was part of Niagara's "coloured village", a vibrant community of former Canadian slaves, Black Loyalists and African American refugees. Later, the Stewards divided their lot for sale to Robert Baxter, a local Black resident. In 1837, William Steward was one of 17 local Blacks who signed a petition asking Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head to refuse to extradite Kentucky fugitive Solomon Moseby. Moseby was rescued from the Niagara jail by more than 200 African Canadians. In 1847, they moved to Galt (now Cambridge) where they lived for the rest of their lives. The Stewards' modest cottage is an excellent example of local vernacular architecture. It serves as a compelling memorial to these hardworking people who contributed to the building of Niagara-on-the-Lake and to protecting Black American refugees in the region.
William, an African American teamster, and Susannah Steward (also spelled Stewart) lived in Niagara from 1834 to 1847. The Steward home was part of Niagara's "coloured village", a vibrant community of former Canadian slaves, Black Loyalists and African American refugees. Later, the Stewards divided
their lot for sale to Robert Baxter, a local Black resident. In 1837, William Steward was one of 17 local Blacks who signed a petition asking Lieutenant
Governor Sir Francis Bond Head to refuse to extradite Kentucky fugitive Solomon Moseby. Moseby was rescued from the Niagara jail by more than 200
African Canadians. In 1847, they moved to Galt (now Cambridge) where they lived for the rest of their lives. The Stewards' modest cottage is an excellent
example of local vernacular architecture. It serves as a compelling memorial to these hardworking people who contributed to the building of Niagara-on-the-Lake and to protecting Black American refugees in the region.
Location. 43° 15.153′ N, 79° 5.201′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of Butler St and John St W, on the right when traveling south on Butler St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 507 Butler St, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Negro Burial Ground (was about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
