Beaver Harbour became the first place in British North America to abolish slavery
The forgotten History
This became the only place in North America to abolish slavery in 1783, 80 years before President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation to end slavery in the United States. England abolished slavery in 1833.
Forty nine Empire Loyalist heads of household from Pennsylvania formed a colony called Penn's Field Colony, what is now Beaver Harbour. On July 5 1783, they met and all signed the agreement which consisted of six rules and regulations. The document's fourth article clearly stated that no slave could be bought, sold or kept by any member of the settlement. There was a sign posted at the settlements entrance "NO SLAVE MASTERS ADMITTED"
Although the hope of creating a community of racial equality failed after the great fire, seven years later which wiped out all except one house, they decided to seek better opportunities in other settlements along the coast.
This monument stands on the old burial grounds, there are no stones to mark it as a burial ground because the Quakers did not believe in markers.
One hundred and forty nine lots were laid out as the first grants, soon followed by 950 more.There were 300 homes with 800 residents when the town was incorporated June 4,1785.
The Beaver Harbour Community Achives & Museum is only a few feet away, it was an old Pennfield Airport building from World War II. Admission is free. You can view over 200 artifacts.
To log this virtual, email me the date on the back of one of the monuments. Dedicated and Erected-????
Pictures are always welcomed but not required.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.