Today we will be revisiting the compelling story of the Jamaican Maroons. This time focusing on their continued history after the Jamaican Maroon Wars, regarding their displacement to Nova Scotia. This is an often overlooked chapter in Canadian history that bridges the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of Canada. Their arrival, resistance, and legacy continue to shape the identity of African Nova Scotians and the wider fabric of Canadian society.
In 1796, over 500 Maroons from Trelawny Town, Jamaica were forcibly transported to Nova Scotia following a protracted war with the British colonial government. These individuals were descendants of formerly enslaved Africans who had established autonomous communities in the rugged Jamaican interior. They had successfully resisted slavery and colonial rule for decades, forging a fierce legacy of self-governance and cultural preservation. But their forced exile to Nova Scotia marked the beginning of a difficult new chapter.
"The watercolour painting by George James Rowe is the only known view of the arrival of the fleet of Nova Scotian ships carrying those who founded the city of Freetown in Sierra Leone." Parks Canada
A Shift in Tides
On arrival in Nova Scotia, the Maroons were met with inhospitable weather and an unwelcoming society. Despite these conditions, they brought with them a profound sense of community, resilience, and independence. They were housed in the Preston area and employed by the colonial government to assist in various public works. Notably, they contributed to the construction of the third Citadel on Citadel Hill and Government House—two significant architectural and military landmarks that still stand in Halifax today.
An illustration of Jamaican Maroons working on Citadel Hill. CBC
Adaptation, Resistance, and Relocation
Though the Maroons adapted to many of the expectations placed upon them—attending Christian churches and schools, for instance—they continued to practice elements of their cultural and spiritual traditions. They resisted assimilation, advocated for their rights, and continually petitioned the government for the freedom to leave. After four years of negotiation and protest, the British arranged for their relocation to Sierra Leone in 1792 and 1800. There, many of the Maroons helped to establish new communities alongside earlier Black Loyalist settlers.
Legacy & Recognition
But not all Maroons departed. Oral histories, customs, surnames, and language patterns among African Nova Scotians suggest that some remained, contributing over generations to the cultural and demographic foundation of communities like North Preston—now considered one of the oldest and largest Indigenous African Canadian communities in Canada.
In February 2023, the Government of Canada formally recognized the arrival and experience of the Jamaican Maroons in Nova Scotia as an event of national historic significance. This designation affirms the Maroons’ role in shaping the province’s infrastructure, identity, and Black heritage. More importantly, it invites Canadians to reflect on the enduring presence and influence of African-descended peoples in this country—not only as survivors of colonial displacement but as agents of history who built, resisted, and thrived.
Until next time, remember to embrace the lessons of history, but never get caught up in its cobwebs.
Warm regards,
Hugh
“The Trelawny Maroons of Jamaica, demonstrated sheer will and determination through adversity to make significant contributions to Nova Scotia.”
- Russell Grosse Executive Director, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
Heading Image: Commemorative plaque for The Jamaican Maroons in Nova Scotia National Historic Event, located on Citadel Hill, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
