Introduction

Simcoe's Plan

War of 1812

Moravians

Baldoon Mystery

A Place of Refuge

Dresden

Elgin Settlement

Talbot Road

Bothwell's Boom

Civil War

Conclusion

Buxton National Historic Site

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Black Mecca

Canadians in the Civil War

Wikipedia Article

The American Civil war had a multitude of causes, but one notable catalyst was John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Brown came to Chatham to enlist men in his plan to attack and seize a federal arsenal in the northern U.S.A. He did not find what he was looking for in Chatham though – only one man followed Brown to fight.

Latter, when the Civil War commenced, many Blacks from Chatham-Kent went to fight, in spite of the threat of slavery.  A large number of the few black officers who fought in the war were from Chatham-Kent.

After the war many Blacks returned to the U.S to find lost family and to help with reconstruction. But many stayed in Chatham-Kent and continue to contribute to the area’s wealth.