June 6, 2010. Western Head, N.S. 'The Book of Negroes'

Irene and David gave me the book last August in Nova Scotia and I left it on the table beside my reading chair in the bedroom, waiting for the time to read it right through. Now I have just completed it. It is one of those books that you already know a lot about the events taking place during the book but opens up many more questions. It is worth a read and is well written even though the story line is a bit unreasonable even though it is very interesting. The story is about a young woman, stolen into slavery, sold and taken to the Carolina's, transported to New York, sailed to Shelburne after the revolution, left to Sierra Leone with other free blacks and finally ended up in London working for rid the world of the slave trade and slavery. The story ends in 1806, having started in 1757.

I enjoyed the book. Last year I had read "Loyalists and Layabouts' the story of the rapid rise and faster fall of Shelburne, Nova Scotia 1783-1792, so I was aware of the black community in Shelburne. Also just outside the town is a sign 'Birch town', telling of the black Loyalists who had moved here after the revolution. Shortly after the large group left for Sierra Leone the rest of the inhabitants moved to what is now called Africa ville on the north side of Halifax, where they lived until about 1970 when urban removal obliterated their town. Now the powers that be are trying to put up signs and plaques commemorating their arrival and departure. Certainly, it was not easy being black in North America.

This book 'The Book of Negroes' will add to your knowledge of their history. Thanks to Dave and Irene for giving me this book. Now I will pass it on to Mary McD. tonight at dinner when we say a farewell tonight at the Mitchell's home.