African Nova Scotians in the Age of Slavery and Abolition

William Hall, VC (1827-1904) was the first Black person, the first Nova Scotian, and the third Canadian to receive the British Empire’s highest award for bravery, the Victoria Cross. He spent much of his life in Summerville and Hantsport, Nova Scotia, the son of formerly enslaved refugees who arrived in the province following the War of 1812. Hall was awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts defending the British forces at Lucknow, India, during the Indian Rebellion against British East India Company.

Date: [ca. 1895]

Photographer: unknown

Reference: C. Bruce Fergusson  Nova Scotia Archives  accession number 1980-030 negative number: N-852