St. Lawrence in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Mary Ann Shadd Cary
— 1823 – 1893 —
Photographed By Grace C. Miller, July 14, 2012
1. Mary Ann Shadd Cary Marker
Mary Ann Shadd Cary was an anti-slavery activist, an advocate for the rights of women, and a pioneering woman newspaper editor and publisher. The daughter of a free African American shoemaker and abolitionist, Shadd began a life of teaching at age 16 by founding a school for African American children in the slave state of Delaware. Following the passing of the Fugitive Slave act (1850), many escaped and free African Americans (like Shadd) sought refuge in Canada. Shadd moved to Windsor, Ontario, opened a school, and in 1853, founded with Samuel R. Ward the Provincial Freeman, a newspaper “devoted to anti-slavery, temperance, and general literature.” Through 1854 and 1855, Shadd lived in Toronto and published the struggling Freeman from a former building on this site. She married Thomas J. Cary in 1856, but was widowed with children only four years later. Shadd Cary returned to the United States in 1863 to recruit African American soldiers for the Union Army during the American Civil War. She later became one of the first American women of African descent to earn a law degree.
Erected 2011 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans
this page online
Location. 43° 39.007′ N, 79° 22.379′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in St. Lawrence. Marker is on King Street East just east of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 143 King St E, Toronto ON M5C 1G6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cholera Epidemics of 1832 & 1834 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James' Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Lawrence Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Toronto Sculpture Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); York Council Chambers (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Francis Collins (about 120 meters away); The Cathedral Church of St. James (about 120 meters away); The Daniel Brooke Building (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Additional keywords. Journalism;
Photographed By Grace C. Miller, July 14, 2012
2. Mary Ann Shadd Cary Marker, 143
143 King Street East, former home of the Provincial Freeman
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,907 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
