London and Middlesex Branch – “The Bones of Catharine Reid Mason: Lessons Learned and Reflections on the Genealogy of Black Londoners”

A bit about our Speaker:

Hilary Neary has been involved with learning more about the history of London and region for many decades. She has lived here for most of the past sixty years and as librarian, historical researcher, editor and general sleuth has written about     people, buildings, land, rivers, roads, and mills for publication and for talks like the one she will give to the London and Middlesex chapter of the OGS. Her book, A Black American Missionary in Canada: the Life and Letters of Lewis Champion Chambers, was published in 2022 by McGill Queen’s University Press in its Studies in the History of Religion series. It won the Ontario Historical Society’s Donald Grant Creighton Award for the best book of biography or autobiography highlighting life in Ontario for 2022-23.

Synopsis: In 2006, bones were discovered off Proudfoot Lane in London, along with a coffin plaque. Using the name on that plaque, Hilary Neary discovered that the bones likely belonged to Catharine Reid Mason, who had died c.1857. Neary’s research has shed light upon many aspects of the lives of Black Londoners in the last half of the 19th century. In her talk on 4 January 2025, Hilary will discuss the various sources she used to understand more about the lives of Catharine Reid Mason, her husband John and their sons, his second and third wives, and their communities in both London city and township. There are fascinating lessons here for historical and genealogical researchers. 

This is a hybrid meeting, so you may attend in person, or virtually – your choice. Registration is required for those planning to attend virtually. Attendance is free and open to all.

Link to register (virtual): https://bit.ly/LMOA-Jan2025

Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent with the meeting details.