Download English I

Coloured Corps Part I: Origins Narrative
Shortly after the Americans declared war on the British in June 1812, a 68 year old West African
named Richard Pierpoint proposed the formation of a Black fighting unit, a “Corps of men of
Colour.” A small militia unit was formed and became known as the Coloured Corps. Richard
Pierpoint was one of over 50 who served in that unit throughout the war. The Coloured Corps
fought in at least two key battles as foot soldiers and were involved in the repair of Forts George
and Niagara, and the building of Fort Mississauga. While the commanding officers were white,
six of the enlisted Black men served as sergeants or corporals and the rest served as privates. The
number strength of the unit varied throughout the war due to fatalities, illness, desertions and the
occasional addition of Black soldiers from other militias. There were usually between 25-30
men.
At least one man had fought for the British in the American Revolutionary War: Richard
Pierpoint was an experienced soldier who, despite his advanced age, took up arms against the
invading Americans. The Black population throughout British North America had much to fear,
should the Americans win the war: those who were free men might find themselves sold into
slavery. Those who were enslaved might have hoped that their service to the King as soldiers
would win them their freedom.
There were both free and enslaved men in the Coloured Corps’ ranks. While Pierpoint gained his
freedom for his service in Butler’s Rangers, he was one of many who were free men when the
Corps was founded. Robert Scott, a free man and farmer living in the town of York, joined up.
George Martin, another Coloured Corps enlistee, had been a slave as a child, until his freedom
was purchased by his own father who, like Pierpoint, had served in Butler’s Rangers. However,
others were not so lucky. “Jack” was a slave who had enlisted in the Coloured Corps, perhaps
believing that by doing so he might gain his freedom. He was owned by a white slaveholder, W.
A. Nelles, who resided near present-day Grimsby. Nelles requested that the military return
“Jack” to him in March 1814. Prince Henry was the legal property of William Jarvis, the
Provincial Secretary of Upper Canada. He appears on the muster roll in 1813. Was he signed up
by Jarvis, or was he a ‘run-away,’ hoping his military service would gain him his freedom?
The Coloured Corps was a unique fighting unit within the British military, consisting of men
who valued freedom and who were willing to fight to ensure freedom for themselves, their
families and their country.