As early as 1790, Black members of Butler’s Rangers were granted land in the New Settlement as a reward for their loyal service to the Crown during the American Revolutionary War. While it is unclear how many were able to meet the strict requirements needed to establish permanent homesteads, these early land grants mark the beginning of Black settlement in the region.

After 1817, Colchester Township experienced a signifi cant arrival of Freedom Seekers seeking freedom from the bonds of slavery. Joseph Mulder is widely recognized as the fi rst Black settler in Colchester Village, establishing a foothold for a growing community.

Located close to the American border yet removed from major urban centres, Colchester became a vital destination on the Underground Railroad—the secret network of routes and safe houses that helped Freedom Seekers escape from the United States to Canada. Many Freedom Seekers who fi rst arrived in Amherstburg were guided onward to Colchester, where distance from the border off ered greater safety from slave catchers who frequently crossed into Canada in pursuit of those seeking freedom.

Today, Colchester’s story stands as a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the enduring pursuit of freedom—an essential chapter in the shared history of the region.