Windsorites gathered in Sandwich Town on Saturday to remember a trifecta of accomplishments completed by a trailblazing couple nearly two centuries ago. Hosted by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the event honoured Mary and Henry Bibb. Notably, it recognized their work to create Canada’s first sustained Black newspaper, the Voice of the Fugitive, establish the Refugee Home Society, and start the North American Convention of Colored Freemen. All three efforts were achieved 175 years ago in 1851, according to Irene Moore Davis, the president of the society. “We gathered people together today to talk about that history and really to shine a light on Henry and Mary Bibb. They don’t get enough focus and attention for all of the incredible contributions that they made,” Davis said. Participants walked around Mary E. Bibb Park in Sandwich Town detailing the stories of the Bibbs’ three historic feats. “We were really focused with the walk on, not only celebrating the history and the individual and collective accomplishments of Mary and Henry, but encouraging people to kind of take those forward and see what they could do in the present day to address some of the situations and issues that we face in our society,” Davis said. At the time, the newspaper advocated for the abolition of slavery and documented the challenges and triumphs of formerly enslaved people in Canada. Through the Refugee Home Society, Davis noted that the Bibbs helped formerly enslaved people find land and opportunities to work. Meanwhile, the convention attracted delegates to discuss the U.S. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, its harm to people of African descent, and steps towards a prosperous future in Canada. Davis described the Bibbs as the “Black power couple” of the Underground Railroad era. “To think that they lived right here in Sandwich and then later in Windsor is just incredible. They were far ahead of their time, and they were making moves that were not just local in their impact,” Davis added. Davis noted that history is often shared of individuals who are recent in history, or who have descendants to share their stories. She’s hopeful more Canadians, and especially those in Windsor-Essex, will take time to learn about prominent figures like the Bibbs.
