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

Negro Burial Ground

1830

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

1. Negro Burial Ground 1830 Marker

Inscription. Here stood a Baptist church erected in 1830 through the exertions of a former British soldier. John Oakley, who although white, became pastor of a predominantly negro congregation. In 1793 Upper Canada had passed an act forbidding further introduction of slaves and freeing the children of those in the colony at twenty-five. This was the first legislation of its kind in the British Empire. A long tradition of tolerance attracted refugee slaves to Niagara, many of whom lie buried here.

Erected 1957 by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 43° 15.135′ N, 79° 5.057′ W. Marker was in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It was on Mississagua Street just north of John Street West, on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located

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in the burial ground on the east side of Mississagua Street . Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 454 Mississagua Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It was also in Central Canada.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground (here, next to this marker); The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) (a few steps from this marker); William and Susannah Steward House (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Memorial Cairn For John Butler (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler 1725-1796 (approx. half a kilometer away); St. Andrew's Church (approx. half a kilometer away); Butler's Burial Ground (approx. half

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

2. Negro Burial Ground 1830 Marker

View of the historical marker and two gravestones at the Negro Burial Ground.

a kilometer away); 1813 - 2013 (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Regarding Negro Burial Ground. The church formerly at this site was called the Niagara Baptist Church.

Also see . . . Negro Burial Ground (Baptist)+, OGS#3353 Niagara-on-the-Lake - Niagara (Lincoln & Welland) , Ontario. This is a link to information provided by the CanadianHeadstones.com website. (Submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

3. Negro Burial Ground 1830 Marker

View of the historical marker looking northeast along Mississauga Street.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

4. Negro Burial Ground 1830 Marker

View of the historical marker and grave yard looking southwest along Mississauga Street.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

5. Negro Burial Ground 1830 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,451 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.