The Underground Railroad is an important part of St. Catharines’ history – but the journey of freedom seekers out of slavery into Canada is far from the end of the story. Escaped slaves, led to St. Catharines by Harriet Tubman or one of many other Underground Railroad conductors, quickly put down roots in our City and contributed to building our community. The three stories below offer a snapshot of life after the Underground Railroad for St. Catharines’ Black community.
Richard A. Ball was born in St. Catharines, a descendant of slaves who escaped on the Underground Railroad. Ball began his career as a barber in St. Catharines. Active within the B.M.E. Church, he was ordained a Minister in 1892.
Following the American Civil War, some of St. Catharines Black population returned to their homes in the U.S., but others remained in Niagara, including the Ball Family.
Rev. Ball, his wife, children and grandchildren all sang and played musical instruments. Their gospel music group, the “Ball Family Jubilee Singers” toured Canada and the United States.
Alex Nicholson is pictured with his son, Mallagy (Mal). Alex is the son of escaped slave Adam Nicholson, who came to St. Catharines via the Underground Railroad.
A local entrepreneur, Alex started a hauling business, transporting gravel and stone using a horse and wagon. Eventually, the business expanded and Nicholson replaced the horses with a truck.
His son Mal went on to have a trucking company.
Many Blacks, including the coachman John Dorsay, found employment in St. Catharines’ world renowned spas, such as the Welland House Hotel, pictured here.
While the local spa hotel industry had many Black employees, they did not welcome Black patrons. In 1854, the hotel stagecoaches of two local hotels refused to accept black passengers. Waiters at the hotels boycotted work and eventually the hotels reversed their decision.
Meredith Leonard is the Visitor Services Coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre.
Excellent topic. Thank you. There is a website with many primary documents about the early Nicholsons in Niagara and the stories of many other black settlers in Ontario as well. http://breakingthechains.tubmaninstitute.ca/adam_nicholson
As well, Google Books has a copy of Ebony from Dec 61 featuring wonderful and lengthy article on Mal Nicholson and his reputation for excellence in the railroad industry, highway construction and laying the foundations for many big local projects. Pg 25-35, https://books.google.ca/books?id=-9YDAAAAMBAJ It includes a photo of Mal and his parents, Alex and Mabel.
Great post.
[…] Source: Post Underground Railroad […]
Reblogged this on Global Eyes Magazine.
This is a fantastic post – however you spelled St. Catharines incorrectly in the first line.
Nevermind. Time to put my reading glasses on.
Thank you!
Great stuff. Who wrote this article?
Hello, Rev Richard A Ball is my 3rd Great Grandfather, I’d love to get connected if possible.
Hi Robert! Thanks for your message, let’s get in touch! Please send along an email to museum@stcatharines.ca, we’d love to know if you have any information to share, or if you are looking for any information from us!