Queenston in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Black Militia Units In Upper Canada, 1812-1850

Les Unités De Milice Noires Dans Le Haut-Canada, 1812-1850

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

1. Black Militia Units In Upper Canada, 1812-1850 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Black Militia Units In Upper Canada, 1812-1850
Through their service in the militia, Upper Canadians of African descent showed their determination to share in the duties and rights of British subjects. During the War of 1812, many served in regular units or joined the segregated Colored Corp, which worked on fortifications and fought at Queenston Heights and other battles of the Niagara campaigns. They also served during the Upper Canada Rebellion and many were kept on strength until 1850. When considered in proportion to the population, Black men volunteered in large numbers, a testament to their belief in Canada as a haven for those formerly enslaved.

Les Unités De Milice Noires Dans Le Haut-Canada, 1812-1850
En servant dans la milice, les Afro- descendants du Haut-Canada veulent exercer les droits et devoire des sujets britanniques. Lors de la guerre de 1812, ils joignent des unités régulières ou bien le Colored Corps, unité ségréguée qui travaille aux fortifications et combat sur les hauteurs de Queenston et ailleurs durant les campagnes du Niagara. Ils servent aussi lors de la rébellion du Haut-Canada et certains sonte maintenus en service jusqu'en 1850. Par rapport à leur proportion de la population, les Noirs servent en grand nombre, affirmant leur conviction que ce pays fut jadis un refuge pour ceux qui avaient été soumis à l'esclavage.

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Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 43° 9.616′ N, 79° 3.151′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Queenston. It is on Niagara River Parkway. The marker is on flat grass lawn 40 metres east of Brocks monument, near the east end of a stone wall that separates the flat park from the wild wooded escarpment. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14184 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1L0, 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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At

Black Militia Units In Upper Canada, 1812-1850 - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

2. Black Militia Units In Upper Canada, 1812-1850 - Marker in context

Photo faces north-west. Background shows the stone safety wall just north of Brock's monument. Marker is adjacent to an east-west walking path within the grassy plain of the park.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Decisive Battle / La bataille décisive (here, next to this marker); The "Colored Corps" 1812 - 1815 (a few steps from this marker); Sir Isaac Brock (within shouting distance of this marker); Brock's Monument - Queenston Heights Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Queenston Heights (within shouting distance of this marker); Brock's Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Queenston Heights / la Bataille de Queenston (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.