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

The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

1. The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Inspired by the abolitionist sentiment emerging in the late 18th century, Lieutenant-Governor J.G. Simcoe made Upper Canada the first British territory to legislate against slavery, which had defined the conditions of life for most people of African ancestry in Canada since the early 17th century. The Act of 1793 did not free a single slave, but prevented their importation and freed the future children of slaves at age twenty-five. Faced with growing opposition in the colonies, slavery declined. The Imperial Act of 1833 finally abolished slavery in the British territories in 1834.

Inspiré par l'abolitionnisme de la fin du XVIIIe siècle, le lieutenant—gouverneur J.G. Simcoe fit du Haut-Canada le premier territoire britannique à légiférer contre l'esclavage, état de la plupart des personnes d'ascendance africaine au Canada depuis le début du XVIIe siècle. La loi de 1793 n'affranchit pas un seul esclave, mais elle empêcha désormais d'en importer et décréta l'affranchissement à l'âge de vingt-cinq ans des enfants nés d'esclaves par la suite. Face à une opposition croissante dans les colonies, l'esclavage déclina. La Loi impériale de 1833 abolit enfin cette pratique dans les territoires britanniques en 1834.

Erected by Historic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 43° 15.127′ N, 79° 5.059′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Mississagua Street just north of John Street West, on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located in the burial ground on the east side of Mississagua Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 494 Mississagua Street, 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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

2. The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) Marker

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

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground (a few steps from this marker); William and Susannah Steward House (about 210 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); Butler's Burial Ground (approx. half a kilometer away); St. Andrew's Church (approx. half a kilometer away); 1813 - 2013 (approx. half a kilometer away); The Claus Family Crypt / La crypté de la famille Claus (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Negro Burial Ground (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Act Against Slavery. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery. This is a link to information provided by Wikisource. (Submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

3. The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) Marker

View of the historical marker (lower right of picture) and the grave yard.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

4. The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 982 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. submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.