One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16, he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer. During the American Revolution, he enlisted in the British forces, thereby gaining his freedom, and served with Butler's Rangers. Disbanded at Niagara, "Captain Dick" settled near here. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he joined the Coloured Corps and, in 1821, recalling his militia service, he petitioned the government for passage home to Africa. Although his request was denied, the aged Pierpoint was granted land in present-day Fergus. Remarkably, he fulfilled the required settlement duties when over 80 and then apparently returned to this area.

Location

In Centennial Gardens, Oakdale Avenue, near the site where he settled, St. Catharines

Themes

• Black heritage
• People
• War and conflict