Rhonda McEwen was recently appointed as an honorary captain of the Canadian navy in Halifax, continuing her family’s enduring legacy. Her ancestors embarked on a schooner from Halifax harbor in 1820, seeking refuge in Trinidad from mistreatment and discrimination. Reflecting on her naval honor, McEwen expressed awe at the connection to her family’s past.
Honorary navy captains like McEwen play vital roles as ambassadors for the Royal Canadian Navy. McEwen, who also serves as the president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University in the University of Toronto, holds a distinguished position as the first Black woman to lead a Canadian university.
The family’s history traces back to the War of 1812 when a proclamation by Sir Alexander Cochrane in 1814 offered freedom and resettlement to enslaved Africans under British military protection. This initiative led to the arrival of Black Loyalists in the Maritimes and marked the beginning of the refugees’ journey to Nova Scotia.
Approximately 2,000 refugees settled in Nova Scotia, where they were granted licenses for four-hectare lots, facing challenges due to rocky and infertile soil. Economic downturns and changing attitudes in Nova Scotia led to mounting difficulties for the refugees. Eventually, officials considered relocating the refugees to Trinidad as an alternative.
Despite uncertainties, a significant number of refugees chose to remain in Nova Scotia, forming tight-knit communities. In late 1820, some refugees boarded the schooner William for Trinidad, aligning with the American refugees known as Merikins who had already established themselves as successful farmers in Trinidad.
The settlers in Trinidad cultivated various crops, selling their produce in nearby communities. Celebrating their unique heritage, the descendants of the Merikins emphasize their self-emancipation through escape from plantations.
For McEwen, her family’s connection to the Black Refugees and the Merikins holds personal significance. Discovering her ancestral roots among the migrants from 1821 solved longstanding family mysteries. This lineage explains the naval service of her cousins, highlighting the profound journey from refugee to recognition over two centuries.
McEwen’s honorary captaincy serves as a poignant reminder of her family’s past struggles and triumphs. She acknowledges the importance of her heritage and remains curious about the future paths that may unfold in the next 200 years.
This story sheds light on the enduring resilience and rich history of the Black Refugees and the Merikins, highlighting the legacy passed down through generations.