Shelburne riots facts for kids

The Shelburne riots were a series of attacks that happened in July 1784. These attacks were carried out by Loyalist soldiers who had fought in the American War of Independence. They targeted Black Loyalists and government workers in the town of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and the nearby village of Birchtown. These events are known as the first attacks based on race in Canada. They are also among the earliest such events recorded in North America.

Why Did the Shelburne Riots Happen?

A Black Nova Scotian wood cutter in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1788.

The town of Shelburne was created in 1783. It was a new home for people called United Empire Loyalists. These were American colonists who had supported the British during the American Revolutionary War. Shelburne quickly became a large city. It had about 10,000 people. More than 1,500 of these were African Americans. They had escaped from slavery to join the British. The British had promised them freedom.

Land and Jobs for Loyalists

The British government gave land to the Black Loyalists in Birchtown. This village was about six miles from Shelburne. Many Black Loyalists also lived and worked in Shelburne itself. However, Black Loyalists faced many unfair challenges. They were not allowed to vote. They also received harsher punishments in court.

Tensions grew in Shelburne in the spring of 1784. Many soldiers had finished their service. They were waiting for land and supplies that had been promised to them. These delays made them angry and frustrated. They needed jobs while they waited for their land. But they found that Black Loyalists were willing to work for less money. This was because Black Loyalists received even less land and food supplies.

The Story of David George

David George was a respected Black Baptist preacher. He became a target for the growing anger. He had started a Baptist church in Shelburne. Many people, both Black and white, joined his church.

In the spring of 1784, David George was going to baptize a white couple. Their names were William and Deborah Holmes. A small group of Deborah's relatives tried to stop the service. Local leaders were called to help. They decided that the couple could be baptized in any church they chose. The baptism went ahead. But the anger among white Loyalists who did not have land grew stronger.

What Happened During the Riot?

The attacks began on the night of July 25. A large group of white men attacked David George and other Black Loyalists in Shelburne.

On the first night, David George's home was destroyed. So were 20 other homes belonging to free Black people in Shelburne. Many free Black people ran to Birchtown for safety. David George stayed and kept preaching in Shelburne. But at his next service, white attackers stormed into the church. They threatened him. The next day, they attacked him. They beat him with sticks until he escaped into a swamp outside Shelburne. He returned at night to get his family. They went to Birchtown. Most free Black people who had lived and worked in Shelburne also sought safety there.

Attacks on Others

Benjamin Marston was a land agent for the Loyalists in Shelburne. After the first day of attacks, he wrote: "A big disturbance today. The former soldiers have risen against the free Black people. They want to drive them out of town because they work for less money." The next day, the attackers went to Marston's house. He escaped to the army buildings across the harbor. That afternoon, he left on a boat for Halifax. The attackers arrived at the army buildings soon after, reportedly wanting to harm him.

The attacks continued in town for ten days. Some white Loyalists were also targeted. For example, Thomas and James Courtney had received large land grants. They planned to build a sawmill. The Courtneys were wealthy. They hired armed guards to protect their property.

Attacks continued for another month. The attackers went into the Black settlement at Birchtown. Many Black Loyalists were also army veterans. They formed groups to protect themselves. At first, they could defend themselves. But they could not stop the ongoing violence. Attacks on Black people traveling between Birchtown and Shelburne for work and supplies continued for a month. News of the attacks spread across Nova Scotia. Simeon Perkins, from the town of Liverpool, wrote about it. He said, "A huge crowd or disturbance has happened at Shelburne. Thousands of people gathered with clubs. They drove the Black people out of the Town." The attacks finally stopped when soldiers arrived. They were from the 17th Regiment of Foot. Crew members from a warship also helped.

What Happened After the Riots?

Many homes, mostly belonging to Black Loyalists, were destroyed. Others were robbed. Some people were hurt, but no deaths were recorded. Most attackers wounded and threatened their targets. Few of them had guns. Free Black people were mostly forced out of Shelburne. This made Shelburne a community mainly for white people, except for Black enslaved people and servants. Black Loyalists had to try to make a living in the poor and crowded settlement of Birchtown.

The Governor of Nova Scotia, John Parr, came to Shelburne on August 23. He wanted to solve the problems with land grants. Governor Parr said the attacks happened because of delays in giving out land. He blamed Marston, calling him "a greedy person trying to take advantage of helpless settlers." Marston was removed from his job. None of the people who attacked the Black Loyalists or Marston were identified or punished. Later, when white people attacked some Mi'kmaq people in Shelburne in November, the main attacker was punished. He was put in stocks and sent to prison for six months.

Shelburne's Decline and New Beginnings

Loyalist land grants were finally settled in 1785. However, Shelburne's economy became very weak in the late 1780s. The town did not have good farming land. The whale fishing business failed. Trade routes inland were also poor. Because of this, four out of five people left Shelburne for other places.

David George and over 1200 Black Loyalists left Shelburne in 1792. They wanted to escape the unfair treatment and poverty. They moved to Freetown, Sierra Leone, in West Africa. In this new colony, they became known as The Nova Scotian Settlers.

Experts like James Walker believe the attacks happened because of money problems for the Loyalists. These problems made racial anger worse. Many experts see Marston as someone who was blamed for bigger issues. These issues included problems with land settlements and unfair treatment based on race in the community. Some white Loyalists still owned enslaved people. Others were upset about competing with Black people for the few jobs available.

How the Riots Are Shown in Stories

The Shelburne riots have been shown in different ways in popular culture.

• The BBC Two show Rough Crossings showed the riots. This show was based on a history book by Simon Schama.
• The riots are also part of the story in the book The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. There was also a TV show made from the book. In these stories, the date of the riot was changed to fit the plot. Also, the stories show the riots as having many murders and a church burning. These events were not recorded as facts.