Richard Preston (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
Richard Preston, was religious leader and abolitionist who escaped slavery in Virginia
to become an important leader for the African Nova Scotian
community and in the international struggle against slavery
.
but managed to gain an education and save enough to buy his freedom in 1816. He went to Nova Scotia in search of his mother who had escaped slavery in the War of 1812
as one of the 2000 African Americans who escaped to the British after the Cochrane Proclamation and settled in Nova Scotia where they became known as the War of 1812 Refugees
. Discovering his mother who he had not seen for many years, free and alive in Preston, Nova Scotia
, he was so moved that he took the name of her community.
Preston was described as being "mulatto" or "light-skinned" and was said to "6'1" in height. He never married. He was known a a gifted orator and also for his sense of humour.
churches across the province.
Preston was trained as a minster in England
and met many of the leading voices in the Abolitionist movement that helped to get the Slavery Abolition Act
passed by the British Parliament in 1833. When Preston returned to Nova Scotia, he became the president of the Abolitionist movement in Halifax.
and North Preston
in Nova Scotia are often believed to be named in his honour, although in fact it was these communities that inspired his name.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to become an important leader for the African Nova Scotian
Black Nova Scotians
Black Nova Scotians are people of Black African descent whose ancestors fled Colonial America as slaves or freemen to settle in Nova Scotia, Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries. According to the 2006 Census of Canada, there are 19,230 black people currently living in Nova Scotia, most of whom...
community and in the international struggle against slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
.
Personal life
Little is known of Richard Preston's early life. He is believed to have been born into slavery in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
but managed to gain an education and save enough to buy his freedom in 1816. He went to Nova Scotia in search of his mother who had escaped slavery in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
as one of the 2000 African Americans who escaped to the British after the Cochrane Proclamation and settled in Nova Scotia where they became known as the War of 1812 Refugees
Black Refugee (War of 1812)
The Black Refugees from the War of 1812 were African American slaves who fought for the British and were relocated to Nova Scotia. The Black Refugees were the second group of African Americans, after the Black Loyalists, to flee American enslavement in wartime and be relocated to Canada...
. Discovering his mother who he had not seen for many years, free and alive in Preston, Nova Scotia
Preston, Nova Scotia
Preston is an area in central Nova Scotia, Canada in the Halifax Regional Municipality, located on Trunk 7. The population in 2006 was 2,360 including East Preston and North Preston....
, he was so moved that he took the name of her community.
Preston was described as being "mulatto" or "light-skinned" and was said to "6'1" in height. He never married. He was known a a gifted orator and also for his sense of humour.
Ministry
Preston became one of the most important church and community leaders in Nova Scotia. He assisted in setting up 11 BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
churches across the province.
Preston was trained as a minster in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and met many of the leading voices in the Abolitionist movement that helped to get the Slavery Abolition Act
Slavery Abolition Act
The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 was an 1833 Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire...
passed by the British Parliament in 1833. When Preston returned to Nova Scotia, he became the president of the Abolitionist movement in Halifax.
Legacy
Preston founded churches across Nova Scotia. East PrestonEast Preston, Nova Scotia
East Preston is an expansive rural area located in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Atlantic Canada.East Preston was founded in the 19th century. It is believed to have been named after Preston, Lancashire, England or Thomas Preston, a British army officer involved in the...
and North Preston
North Preston, Nova Scotia
North Preston is a rural community in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Canada. North Preston has a population of about 3,700 people. The community is populated mainly by African Canadians. The community borders its sister community East Preston. The community traces its...
in Nova Scotia are often believed to be named in his honour, although in fact it was these communities that inspired his name.