Richard Pierpoin
Richard Pierpoin war born in 1744, Bondu (now known as Senegal). when he was just 16 years old he was captured and was brought to the America. In america he was sold to a British officer. 20 years later in America he had finally won his freedom by being a member of the Butler’s Rangers and fighting in the American Revolution. Since he had supported the British in reward he was given land in the Niagara region. In 1783 Richard had settled in Niagara and he served as a griot (storyteller) for the Black community. Richard had travelled around Upper Canada to retell the stories of the Black community.In the war of 1812, Richard at the age of 68 had requested to the military if they could create an all black unit by making a list of black men that wanted to fight. the request was rejected, but the leadership was charged to Captain Robert Runchey. Captain Robert Runchey accepted the request and the unit was called Captain Runchey’s Corps of Coloured Men. October 13, 1812, they went fought at Queenston Heights , and gave their very best effort through out the war. then 1813, they unit was assigned to the Provincial Corps of Artificers and served during the war by building and rebuilding important important posts. later when the war had ended Richard stayed in Niagara, but then in 1821, he had asked the government to ship hime back to his homeland in Senegal. the Government had rejected but had given him another land in Garafraxa. He then accepted the offer for the land in Garafraxa and the became a leader in the black community helping salved people move through the Underground railroad. at the age of 93, Richard had died (around 1837). Richard Pierpoin was one of the thousand Black loyalist that came to Canada after the American Revaluation.
Richard Pierpoin war born in 1744, Bondu (now known as Senegal). when he was just 16 years old he was captured and was brought to the America. In america he was sold to a British officer. 20 years later in America he had finally won his freedom by being a member of the Butler’s Rangers and fighting in the American Revolution. Since he had supported the British in reward he was given land in the Niagara region. In 1783 Richard had settled in Niagara and he served as a griot (storyteller) for the Black community. Richard had travelled around Upper Canada to retell the stories of the Black community.In the war of 1812, Richard at the age of 68 had requested to the military if they could create an all black unit by making a list of black men that wanted to fight. the request was rejected, but the leadership was charged to Captain Robert Runchey. Captain Robert Runchey accepted the request and the unit was called Captain Runchey’s Corps of Coloured Men. October 13, 1812, they went fought at Queenston Heights , and gave their very best effort through out the war. then 1813, they unit was assigned to the Provincial Corps of Artificers and served during the war by building and rebuilding important important posts. later when the war had ended Richard stayed in Niagara, but then in 1821, he had asked the government to ship hime back to his homeland in Senegal. the Government had rejected but had given him another land in Garafraxa. He then accepted the offer for the land in Garafraxa and the became a leader in the black community helping salved people move through the Underground railroad. at the age of 93, Richard had died (around 1837). Richard Pierpoin was one of the thousand Black loyalist that came to Canada after the American Revaluation.