{"id":551,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:36","latitude":42.58520250000000118006937555037438869476318359375,"longitude":-82.196466200000003254899638704955577850341796875,"title":"Uncle Tom&#039;s Cabin Historic Site","subtitle":"Creating a New Life","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/c99f98e121aa443bb84ecda36f8e7421.jpg","address":"29251 Uncle Tom&#039;s Road, Dresden, Ontario, N0P 1M0","all_locations":[],"zoom":8,"creator":["Joanna E. Hahn"],"description":"Though we cannot be sure exactly where Eliza Harris and her child ended up in Canada, we may have one clue. Levi Coffin wrote in his book that he and his wife, Catharine, visited Canada West in the Windsor and Chatham area east of Detroit, Michigan during the summer of 1854. This region was heavily settled by many who were formerly enslaved in the United States. While attending a gathering at a local church, Levi and Catharine were approached by a woman who they did not remember. When Eliza introduced herself, she reminded the couple that her first name was one that Catharine had given her. The Coffins were happy to visit with Eliza and her family who were living a “contented” life near Chatham.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nChatham would eventually become known as Canada’s “Black Mecca” as Black communities grew and thrived there. Canada West was attractive for settlement as Black men who met property requirements could vote. Building a life that included a profession to support a family seemed more attainable. Abolitionists like the Coffins were known to travel to the area hoping that those who had escaped slavery would aid others still enslaved. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nSettlement patterns in Canada West by Blacks show deep divisions in where people settled in the area. Blacks felt safer by not integrating into larger white communities. Some Black communities thrived, like the Elgin Settlement. Known today as North Buxton, the community had its own school, post office, hotel, and other businesses. Another community that aimed to be self-sustaining was the Dawn Settlement, established by freedom seeker Josiah Henson. Henson and his family arrived at Canada West in 1830. Though the community worked to provide opportunity for freed slaves, it did not have the success as its neighbor to the south. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nWith the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, two-thirds of Blacks returned to the United States. Some descendants of those who escaped to Canada West are able to trace their roots to the time when their ancestors called Canada home.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/c99f98e121aa443bb84ecda36f8e7421.jpg":{"id":2843,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Henson Home","description":"This home still stands today and is part of the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site in Dresden, Ontario. It was here that in 1841 Henson founded the community of Dawn. Like Eliza, Henson’s journey to freedom and life in Canada has similarities, though we don’t have a clear picture of where Eliza settled. Henson’s role in the area and support by other abolitionists may have made his name recognizable in the Chatham area. | Courtesy of the Toronto Star Photo Archives, via the Toronto Public Library | 1977 | Alf Weaver","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/c99f98e121aa443bb84ecda36f8e7421.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/f9ba409eee467b88b53a48dc8f71597e.jpg":{"id":2666,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Portrait of Henson","description":"The story of Eliza Harris is intertwined with that of Josiah Henson, though whether the two individuals every met will never be known. Henson escaped from slavery with his family in 1830 where they escaped on foot through the states of Indiana and Ohio. They crossed into Canada via boat. Henson dedicated most of his free life to establishing the free black community of Dawn in the Chatham-Kent area of Ontario. | Image courtesy of the Library of Congress | c. 1876 | Bradshaw &amp; Godart","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/f9ba409eee467b88b53a48dc8f71597e.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/cfe50bc0d08303aa640d28a09d2c742a.jpg":{"id":2667,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Samuel and Jane Harper","description":"Samuel and Jane Harper escaped in the winter of 1858 – 1859 from Missouri. They escaped as part of a larger group and were led to freedom to Canada by John Brown.  | Image courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, MSS 116 AV; Box 79, Folder 15 | c. 1892","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/cfe50bc0d08303aa640d28a09d2c742a.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/81ea95f55a3f3bbec0f33ecdbd5d70eb.jpg":{"id":2668,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"UGRR Map to Canada","description":"This map shows a wider view of the United States and the many possible routes of the Underground Railroad leading to Canada. | Image courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, MSS116AV BOX41 02IL 026","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/81ea95f55a3f3bbec0f33ecdbd5d70eb.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/2d112f97f166ba4cd01962993ed838c6.jpg":{"id":2669,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Canada West Map","description":"This map from 1855 shows the communities of Black settlers into Canada West. To the left of the map you can see the settlements of Chatham, Buxton and Dawn. | Image courtesy of the Archives of Ontario | 1855","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/2d112f97f166ba4cd01962993ed838c6.jpg"}}}