Robert Wilson (1806 - 1888)

Born May 1806 in Ireland

Descendants

Died 22 May 1888 at about age 82 in Oakville, Halton, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Catherine Wilson-Charkhabi [send private message]

Biography

Robert Wilson, an Irish immigrant to Upper Canada (Ontario), was a Great Lakes ship captain operating out of Oakville, Ontario, who helped black slaves escape to freedom as part of the Underground Railroad.

Wilson was the master of the Lady Colborne, a schooner that shipped grain on the Great Lakes. Slaves would be picked up from Ashtabula, Ohio, and hidden in the hold with grain shipments. Following the American Civil War, African Americans in the Oakville area celebrated Emancipation Day at George's Square in the town, and would also visit the home of Wilson.

The home at 279 Lawson St. was known as the "Mariner's Home" as it was open to ill and homeless sailors during the winter. The Captain R. Wilson Public School is named in his honor.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Robert Wilson (ship captain)
• "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JNWN-X4J : 2 March 2021), Robt. Wilson, 22 May 1888; citing Oakville, Halton, Ontario, Canada, , Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm .