St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

1. Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838 Marker

Close-up view of the side of the historical marker with the English Text.

Inscription. One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16 he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer. During the American Revolution he enlisted in the British forces, thereby gaining his freedom, and served with Butler's Rangers. Disbanded at Niagara, "Captain Dick" settled near here. At the outbreak of the War of 1812 he joined the Coloured Corps and in 1821, recalling his militia service, he petitioned the government for passage home to Africa. Although his request was denied, the aged Pierpoint was granted land in present-day Fergus. Remarkably he filled the required settlement duties when over 80 and then apparently returned to this area.

Erected 1985 by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1744.

Location. 43° 9.664′ N, 79° 13.782′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is on Oakdale Avenue just south of Queenston Street, on the right when traveling south. This historical marker is located in a community

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park, beside the park entrance, off Oakdale Avenue, .4 km south of Queenston Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 Oakdale Avenue, St Catharines ON L2R, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Welland Canal 1824-1833 (approx. half a kilometer away); St. Paul Street United Church (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Harriet Tubman (approx. one kilometer away); BME Church (approx. one kilometer away); Harriet Ross Tubman c. 1820-1913 (approx. one kilometer away); a different marker also named Harriet Tubman (approx. one kilometer away); Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. one kilometer away); St. Catharines (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Also see . . .
1. Richard Pierpoint. 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. Richard Pierpoint: A very Canadian hero. This is a link to information provided by the Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. (Submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

2. Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838 Marker

Close-up view of the side of the historical marker with the French Text.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

3. Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838 Marker

View looking south along Oakdale Avenue, of the historical marker in the community park

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

4. Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838 Marker

View looking north along Oakdale Avenue, of the historical marker in the community park.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

5. Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838 Marker

View of the historical marker with the community park and park trail in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.