Near Louisbourg in Cape Breton Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Marie Marguerite Rose

(1717-1757)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 3, 2014

1. Marie Marguerite Rose Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

English:
Captured in Africa at the age of 19 and transported to Ile Royale, where she was sold to a member of the colonial elite, Marie Marguerite Rose is seen to be a key figure of the initial phase of Black slavery in Canada. Gaining her freedom after spending 19 years in slavery, she married a Mi'kmaw man and opened a tavern in Louisbourg, becoming part of the colony's business community. Both were rare occurrences among emancipated slaves in New France. Rose's experience speaks to the presence of slavery on Ile Royale and in Canada, where an estimated population of 1,375 Black slaves existed during the French Regime.

French
Capturée en Afrique à 19 ans et amenée à l'île Royale où elle fut vendue à un membre de l'élite coloniale, Marie Marguerite Rose devint une figure célèbre du premier chapitre de l'esclavage des Noirs au Canada. Elle obtint sa liberté après 19 années de servitude, puis épousa un Mi'kmaq et, par l'ouverture d'une taverne à Louisbourg, accéda au groupe des commerçants de la colonie, faits rarissimes parmi les esclaves affranchis de la Nouvelle- France. Son histoire témoigne de la présence de l'esclavage sur l'île Royale et au Canada, où la population globale d'esclaves noirs était estimée à 1 375 personnes sous le Régime français.

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Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Women. In addition, it is included in the Acadian History, and the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series lists.

Location. 45° 53.519′ N, 59° 59.058′ W. Marker is near Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, in Cape Breton Region. It is on Royale. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisbourg NS B1C 2L2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island.

It is also in the Maritimes

and in Atlantic Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

and Acadia.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Slavery / Freedom (here, next to this marker); Fizel House (within shouting

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 3, 2014

2. Marie Marguerite Rose Marker

This marker is in the center/

distance of this marker); Canada’s First Observatory (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Fortress of Louisbourg (approx. 2 kilometers away); The Lobster Fishery (approx. 2.3 kilometers away); 19th-Century Lighthouse (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); First Lighthouse Tower (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); First Lighthouse (approx. 2.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisbourg.

More about this marker. This marker in on the grounds of Fortress Louisbourg near the McLennan House.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.