This one-page letter, dated 1854, believed to be from a runaway slave from Kentucky, describes his preference for his new country, Canada West.  The significance of the letter lies in the credible first hand account of a fugitive slave who traveled, in much probability, via the Underground Railroad to Chatham, Ontario. 

There are very few first-hand accounts from fugitive slaves at the Archives of Ontario making this letter an important item in the rich collection of materials documenting Black History in Ontario.

Despite the condition, it is remarkable that the letter has survived and it is hard not to be moved by the sentiment. It was written in manuscript ink (possibly iron gall ink) on blue wove paper. Scroll down to see the complete text.

Click to see a larger image (555K)
Letter from Tom Elice to Mary Warner dated July 9, 1854
Tom Elice (Ellis) letter
Reference Code: F 4536
Archives of Ontario, I0029599

Please note that the transcription reflects the original spelling and grammar of the letter.

Resources:

For more information on Black History in Ontario visit these online exhibits:

• Images of Black History: Exploring the Alvin McCurdy Collection
• The Black Canadian Experience in Ontario 1834-1914: Flight, Freedom, Foundation
• The Freedom Seeker: The Life and Times of Daniel G. Hill
• Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada

• Alvin D. McCurdy fond, F 2076
• Daniel G. Hill fonds, F 2130
• Narrative of the Life and Sufferings of Rev. Richard Warren, 1856.
  Pamphlet no. 42, 1856
• The Common Schools Act, Pamphlet no. 24, 1850
• Correspondence for 1850, letter from S. Wickham to D. B. Stevenson October 12, 1850, F 499 MU 2885
• The Provincial Freeman, Microfilm Reel N 40
• Petition of the "People of Colour" of Hamilton to the Governor General protesting the practice of segregated schooling for Black children, October 15, 1843
• Department of Education Incoming General Correspondence, Correspondence for 1843, RG 2-12
• Map entitled: "Southwestern Counties of Canada West - showing the principal stations of the free colored population," 1855. Pamphlet no. 41
• RG 2-42-0-5331   Colchester South Township, S.S. #11. Request for temporary certificate for Miss Elva Dixon. "This is a colored school for which we cannot get white, certificated teachers."
• RG 2-42-0-580  Colchester S.S. #12 (colored school) - certificates for teachers: Rev. Josephus O. Banyoun (or O'Banyoun); Annie Keyes; Mary Griffin; Mrs. R. J. McCormick
• RG 2-42-0-5495   Harwich Township, S.S. #9; S.S. #9 1/2 - "people in No. 9 wished to exclude from their school certain colored children." Section 9 1/2 formed, but school closed, leaving children without education
• RG 2-42-0-5890 Sandwich, Town of. Request for permit for teacher Miss Ella Gooderich for colored school. Also Tilbury West Township, S.S. #2 - request for permit for teacher Mr. Louis Dorais (able to teach English and French)
• RG 17-20 Archives of Ontario historical research files.  Blacks - Escaped SlavesFonds
• Mackenzie - Lindsey family fonds, F 37 (selective correspondence)

Feedback

Please let us know what you thought of this exhibit. We also welcome any suggestions for ways it can be improved so please take a few moments to send us your comments by filling in the form below.