The third instalment of a four-part series from the article “A Brief Black History of Woodstock” that was edited and appeared in the What’s On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
Reports indicate that the number of slaves who reached Canada via the Underground Railroad was between 30,000 to 75,000. Although no accurate figures can be given for the number of fugitives or Free Blacks in British North America. It is estimated that about 30,000 fugitive slaves arrived in Canada between 1800 and 1860.
Whatever the number however, not all Blacks who came to Canada were ex-slaves. Following the American Revolution many free Blacks settled here too. Some Blacks even fought in the War of 1812. Similarly, by the 1800’s, many Black people made their way to Oxford County trying to make a living in their communities. They worked in a wide variety of occupations like domestic workers, preachers, blacksmiths, framers, carpenters, bricklayers, plasters, roofers, framers and barbers just to name but a few.
Whatever the number however, not all Blacks who came to Canada were ex-slaves. Following the American Revolution many free Blacks settled here too. Some Blacks even fought in the War of 1812. Similarly, by the 1800’s, many Black people made their way to Oxford County trying to make a living in their communities. They worked in a wide variety of occupations like domestic workers, preachers, blacksmiths, framers, carpenters, bricklayers, plasters, roofers, framers and barbers just to name but a few.
The Attawandaron or Neutral Indians inhabited Southwestern Ontario before being exterminated by the Iroquois and the Hurons, who were supplied guns with the arrival of the British and French. The area then became the hunting grounds for the Iroquois. Travelling through this area during 1792-1793, the First Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Graves Simcoe, felt the present site of Woodstock, would be a good spot for a garrison town. The area was named on the survey as “the Town Plot” and Simcoe proposed the name Woodstock after his hometown in England.
On January 1, 1851 Woodstock was incorporated and became the centre of a rich agricultural county with successful farms. Manufactures at the turn of century included the Woodstock Iron Works established in 1842 by H. P. Brown. The Vulcan Iron Foundry manufactured stoves, agricultural implements, tin and sheet-iron ware. There were a few grist and flouring mills in the city and two tanneries, a patent medicine factory, a large wholesale and retail book and paper warehouse that manufactured bookbindery. There was also an oil refinery and a brewery. Woodstock was also the chief station for the Great Western Railway which ran from the Town north, south, east and west. Documentation cites that some companies and business in Woodstock employed Black people.
A well-known barber in 1860 was Thomas Doston who escaped slavery in Kentucky in the 1840’s and came to Woodstock. Thomas and his wife Abigail had two sons, James and William. The family remained in the area until the 1880’s, when they moved to Detroit to live with their son James who became the Deputy Sherriff. Thomas died in Detroit in 1906.
Gilbert ‘Gil’ Sanders became known as the “only barber in town” who had a shop located on Dundas Street West in Woodstock. By the 1870 Census, Gilbert had two other Black men working for him as barbers, Henry Anderson and William Tillman. During the 1880s, Gilbert was married and had a family of three living in Woodstock.
Gilbert ‘Gil’ Sanders became known as the “only barber in town” who had a shop located on Dundas Street West in Woodstock. By the 1870 Census, Gilbert had two other Black men working for him as barbers, Henry Anderson and William Tillman. During the 1880s, Gilbert was married and had a family of three living in Woodstock.
Marshall Anderson, known as “Marsh”, was born in South Norwich in 1844. In 1871, when he was 27 years old, Marsh farmed on a rented property near Burgessville. He resided there with his first wife Sarah and their 3-year-old daughter Frances. Following Sarah’s death, Marsh married her younger sister Mary. The family moved to Woodstock in 1881 where Marsh joined the Woodstock town fire brigade until the fire department was made a permanent one and moved to the fire hall on Perry Street. However, that same year, Mary died. According to Joyce Pettigrew’ book A Safe Haven The Story of Black Settlers in Oxford County, the Woodstock Fire Brigade wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper as public note of condolence.
Marshall Anderson
During the 1890’s, Marsh was the municipality’s law enforcement and known as “Woodstock’s Faithful Night Watchman”. Hired by local merchants, this large Black man patrolled the city after dark when policing did not provide night coverage after six o’ clock. Lieutenant-Colonial John White came up with the idea of having Marsh protect stores and business at night. Marsh’s beat was from Vansittart Avenue to Wellington Street, on both sides of Dundas Street as well as the stores and business around City Hall Square.
Marsh had an assistant; a large Newfoundland dog named “Duke.” The two made an effective team but Duke was poisoned when he was 11 years old. Marsh’s second dog was a Great Dane named “Seeker”. While Marsh tried the doors of the local merchants, Seeker would stand and wait. If there were any sign of trouble, Marsh would let Seeker in to investigate. The beat back was in reverse; Seeker would lead the way down the allies behind the stores, followed by Marsh. If something usually was found, Seeker would “utter a deep growl and stand guard until Marsh” arrived with his gas lamp to investigate and make an arrest if necessary. If someone had to be placed in the lock-up, located in the cellar of the town hall, Marsh would lead the way, followed by the culprit and Seeker bringing up the rear. It was reported that Marsh and Seeker never lost a prisoner. In the morning, the prisoner would be freed.
Marsh had an assistant; a large Newfoundland dog named “Duke.” The two made an effective team but Duke was poisoned when he was 11 years old. Marsh’s second dog was a Great Dane named “Seeker”. While Marsh tried the doors of the local merchants, Seeker would stand and wait. If there were any sign of trouble, Marsh would let Seeker in to investigate. The beat back was in reverse; Seeker would lead the way down the allies behind the stores, followed by Marsh. If something usually was found, Seeker would “utter a deep growl and stand guard until Marsh” arrived with his gas lamp to investigate and make an arrest if necessary. If someone had to be placed in the lock-up, located in the cellar of the town hall, Marsh would lead the way, followed by the culprit and Seeker bringing up the rear. It was reported that Marsh and Seeker never lost a prisoner. In the morning, the prisoner would be freed.
However, according to the late historian, Edwin (Ed) Bennett, not all people who stayed overnight in the county jail were criminals or vagabonds. Ed once explained how his father, a well-known prosperous businessman the late Bill Bennett Sr., spent the night in jail. In the early morning in 1904, Bill first arrived in Woodstock by train. Bill met Marsh and asked if a hotel would be opened. Marsh offered Bill a bed in a section of the jail used as a hostel by prisoner’s dependants. Marsh told Bill that ‘it’s cheaper than a hotel!’ The senior Bennett accepted, and in the morning, he moved to the Oxford Hotel.
After 40 years of public service, Marsh retired at age 81 in 1925 and was granted a pension for life by the Woodstock Police Commission. In 1932, Marshall Anderson died in hospital after succumbing to illness by his coal-gas oven. A poem written about Marshall Anderson that went:
After 40 years of public service, Marsh retired at age 81 in 1925 and was granted a pension for life by the Woodstock Police Commission. In 1932, Marshall Anderson died in hospital after succumbing to illness by his coal-gas oven. A poem written about Marshall Anderson that went:
Go home to supper now.
You proud business man.
The “Seeker” and Marshall
Will secure all your land.
No crook will accost you.
No robbers appear
For in spite of brave Marshall,
It’s “Seeker” they fear.
J.C.D.
You proud business man.
The “Seeker” and Marshall
Will secure all your land.
No crook will accost you.
No robbers appear
For in spite of brave Marshall,
It’s “Seeker” they fear.
J.C.D.
The Smith family were well-known and respected in Woodstock. Peter Smith was born into slavery on April 2, 1844 in Richmond Virginia. He escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad to Canada possibly in a crate that family members still have. Peter settled in Chatham but later moved to East Oxford in 1871, according to the Census that same year with his wife Martha who was from Chatham. The couple then lived in East Zorra then eventually moved to Innerkip. They had six children Samuel, Albert, Leonard, Martha, Annie and Rose.
Peter worked as a blacksmith, he farmed, and he also worked in the lime kilns in Ingersoll. He would gather scarps of metal, rags and bones to recycle. After his wife died on April 9, 1911, Peter moved to Woodstock to find employment. He eventually moved to the House of Refuge where he died on January 17, 1929 at the age of 85.
Samuel Walter Smith was the eldest of six children born to Peter and Maude Smith on December 13, 1871. Of his five siblings, Samuel was the only one of the six who reminded in Oxford County. He was born in Innerkip then moved to Woodstock to find employment. Samuel married Mary A. Anderson from Chatham in 1903.
Peter worked as a blacksmith, he farmed, and he also worked in the lime kilns in Ingersoll. He would gather scarps of metal, rags and bones to recycle. After his wife died on April 9, 1911, Peter moved to Woodstock to find employment. He eventually moved to the House of Refuge where he died on January 17, 1929 at the age of 85.
Samuel Walter Smith was the eldest of six children born to Peter and Maude Smith on December 13, 1871. Of his five siblings, Samuel was the only one of the six who reminded in Oxford County. He was born in Innerkip then moved to Woodstock to find employment. Samuel married Mary A. Anderson from Chatham in 1903.
Like his father, Samuel was a hardworking man and an entrepreneur. According to his son, Fred Smith, Samuel was the first person to plough the streets of Woodstock with his team of horses and a snow plough. He also delivered wood and cleaned up after fires. Sometimes Fred would accompany his father and his team of horses ploughing the streets at 4:00 in the morning.
Samuel also founded a gravel company in Woodstock. He built his home at 256 Phelan Street in 1903 which would become known as the Homestead. According to the book A Safe Haven, Samuel supplied milk from his two cows to the Silverwood’s Dairy. Samuel and Mary had nine children: John, Fred, Walter, Madeline, Leta, and Hilda, Selena who died at a young age, Mabel and Mildred. Only 4 of the Smith children remained in Oxford County.
On January 15, 1937, Samuel died from carbon monoxide poisoning while fixing his vehicle in his garage. He was 67 years old and credited as a prominent man who helped to re-build the church in his community.
The grandson of Peter Smith, John Smith and his wife Shirley resided in the family Homestead on Phelan Street. John worked at Oxford Regional Centre. Like members of the Smith family, John and Shirley were also active members of their church. In October 1974, they dedicated a Memorial Light and Plaque to the Dundas Street United Church in Woodstock in memory of John’s parents.
Samuel also founded a gravel company in Woodstock. He built his home at 256 Phelan Street in 1903 which would become known as the Homestead. According to the book A Safe Haven, Samuel supplied milk from his two cows to the Silverwood’s Dairy. Samuel and Mary had nine children: John, Fred, Walter, Madeline, Leta, and Hilda, Selena who died at a young age, Mabel and Mildred. Only 4 of the Smith children remained in Oxford County.
On January 15, 1937, Samuel died from carbon monoxide poisoning while fixing his vehicle in his garage. He was 67 years old and credited as a prominent man who helped to re-build the church in his community.
The grandson of Peter Smith, John Smith and his wife Shirley resided in the family Homestead on Phelan Street. John worked at Oxford Regional Centre. Like members of the Smith family, John and Shirley were also active members of their church. In October 1974, they dedicated a Memorial Light and Plaque to the Dundas Street United Church in Woodstock in memory of John’s parents.
The memorial light is an outside light that was installed over the east side door of the church. Installed with a photocell, the light comes on automatically at dusk and turns off at dawn. The inscription on the plaque reads as follows: “This light is given to Dundas Street United Church by Mr. and Mrs. John W. Smith to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Smith.” John Smith died on February 1, 2002.
Born on March 22, 1909 and raised in Woodstock, Frederick (known as Fred) Alfred Smith was well-known and respected person around town. Fred was known to ‘break into song’ wherever and whenever he went. He was known as the area’s finest gospel singer who sang for churches and gatherings and even travelled to the States to sing.
Born on March 22, 1909 and raised in Woodstock, Frederick (known as Fred) Alfred Smith was well-known and respected person around town. Fred was known to ‘break into song’ wherever and whenever he went. He was known as the area’s finest gospel singer who sang for churches and gatherings and even travelled to the States to sing.
Fred used to deliver the newspapers for The Daily Sentinel-Review, he worked as a polisher and janitor for James Stewart Manufacturing Company when he was 16 and worked there for 32 years. The James Stewart Manufacturing Company was established in Woodstock in 1892 then moved their operations in the early 1960s’ they wanted Smith to follow but he declined.
In 2000, Fred donated his family-owned century-old Stewart Good Cheer coal/wood burning stove to the Woodstock Museum which continues to be part of their collection. After the company left town, Fred then worked at the local freight company Overland Express Company as a janitor for 38 years.
Fred married Phyllis LaSalle and had 4 daughters: Gloria, Brenda, Shelia and Tammy. Of his 4 daughters, only one resides in Oxford County. Sheila Picknall is an Education Assistant in Woodstock and has two sons Nathan and Justin. Fred Smith died at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock on October 2, 2007 in his 98th year.
In 2000, Fred donated his family-owned century-old Stewart Good Cheer coal/wood burning stove to the Woodstock Museum which continues to be part of their collection. After the company left town, Fred then worked at the local freight company Overland Express Company as a janitor for 38 years.
Fred married Phyllis LaSalle and had 4 daughters: Gloria, Brenda, Shelia and Tammy. Of his 4 daughters, only one resides in Oxford County. Sheila Picknall is an Education Assistant in Woodstock and has two sons Nathan and Justin. Fred Smith died at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock on October 2, 2007 in his 98th year.
In 1959, Mildred Smith, the youngest of Samuel Smith’s children, was appointed pastor of the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church in Woodstock where she had been the deaconess of the church since 1950. Her duties of a deaconess included visiting the sick and dying as well as assisting the pastor with service. In a newspaper article that appeared in the Woodstock Sentinel Review on July 9, 1959, Pastor Smith reported that she is on “old fashioned” type of minister and people would expect to hear an old-fashioned Gospel service. Despite her small congregation of five, Pastor Smith hoped that the old church would be bulging to its seams with people. This never occurred however, but the Smith family still went down in the history book.
The Smith family are one of the few remaining Black families who arrived in Oxford County via the Underground Railroad during the mid-1880s. The family has 150 years of history contributing to their community.
The Smith family are one of the few remaining Black families who arrived in Oxford County via the Underground Railroad during the mid-1880s. The family has 150 years of history contributing to their community.
Built by former slaves, the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church was once the religious and social centre of Woodstock’s Black community. Known by various names: Hawkins’ Chapel and Park Row Community Chapel, the church opened its door on December 2, 1888. A porter at the O’Neil House George Washington and stonemason Dan Anderson, started canvassing in 1883. By 1886 the two local Black men purchased lot number 1 at 257 Park Row in Woodstock, to build the 200-seat frame church.
Also known as Hawkins’ Chapel and Park Row Community Chapel
The church was named Hawkins Church after the first minister, the Right Reverend Walter Hawkins. During the 1880s, the church serviced about 75 Black families and was one of the few Black churches in the community. The last burial service held at the church occurred on January 15, 1937 for Samuel Walter Smith (Peter Smith’s eldest son.)
After being closed for six years, Reverend George Boyce took over the church in July 1977 and re-opened it a year later as Park Row Community Chapel. To show that the church was open for any race, it was painted black and white. Reverend Boyce baptized Kevin James Mitchell, of Stratford son of Ray and Cecilia Mitchell (Mabel Smith’s daughter) on February 6, 1978, during the church’s re-opening. The child was the fourth generation of the Smith family to be baptized in the church before it was closed permanently in 1986. A single-family dwelling now stands at the site that was once a centre for Blacks in Woodstock.
After being closed for six years, Reverend George Boyce took over the church in July 1977 and re-opened it a year later as Park Row Community Chapel. To show that the church was open for any race, it was painted black and white. Reverend Boyce baptized Kevin James Mitchell, of Stratford son of Ray and Cecilia Mitchell (Mabel Smith’s daughter) on February 6, 1978, during the church’s re-opening. The child was the fourth generation of the Smith family to be baptized in the church before it was closed permanently in 1986. A single-family dwelling now stands at the site that was once a centre for Blacks in Woodstock.
Susan LeBurtis was born Susan Brown in Artemesia Township in Grey County in 1857. She was one of seventeen children born to Lemuel and Phebe Brown. Susan moved to Collingwood, Ontario to find work and met Reverend Charles William LeBurtis. In 1885, the couple moved to Woodstock where Reverend LeBurtis was a minister at the BME Church. Susan provided herbal remedies to cure her friends’ and neighbours’ numerous aliments. This became so popular that she sold herbal medicines from their home located at 331 Dundas Street. In advertisements, the business called The William LeBurtis Medicine Company in which was known for the manufacturer of LeBurtis’ Blood Purifier.
After Reverend LeBurtis died in 1910, Susan took over the business. By 1912, she renamed this business Le Burtis Medical Company and moved to 327 Dundas Street. Susan was so well known for curing ailments with her herbal remedies that many of her clients came from the United States. She only charged when there was a cure. Although charged by the Ontario Medical Association for practicing without a license, Susan’s case was dismissed. Susan LeBurtis continued to sell and practice herbal medicine until her death on April 8, 1926.
After Reverend LeBurtis died in 1910, Susan took over the business. By 1912, she renamed this business Le Burtis Medical Company and moved to 327 Dundas Street. Susan was so well known for curing ailments with her herbal remedies that many of her clients came from the United States. She only charged when there was a cure. Although charged by the Ontario Medical Association for practicing without a license, Susan’s case was dismissed. Susan LeBurtis continued to sell and practice herbal medicine until her death on April 8, 1926.
(The last instalment will be posted next week.)
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