A Black Wood Cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, by William Booth
Painting
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Look closely at the painting and complete the following sentences.
- I see . . . in the painting [describe what you see].
- I think . . . is happening in the painting.
- I wonder . . . about the painting [what questions does it prompt?].
THINK
What does the painting tell you about life in Nova Scotia in 1788? How much information can you gather before reading the historical context given?
THINK
Based on the painting, and what you know about its time period, do you think the woodcutter was a free Black Loyalist or an enslaved person? What influenced your answer? Can we be certain, one way or another?
Answer: It’s not possible to tell just by looking at the painting if the man is a Black Loyalist, enslaved, or simply a free man. More information is needed to make a definitive answer.
THINK
What key facts are missing from the historical context? Make a list of questions that the painting prompts. Can you find the answers to any of them by doing some external research?
DO
Imagine you are in Nova Scotia in 1788, and you see the woodcutter working. You’re curious about him and want to hear his story. Research what the experience of Black people in 1788 Nova Scotia might have been like, and then use your creative writing skills and the evidence you’ve gathered to document an interview with the woodcutter, so that readers can hear his story.
Details
Date 1788 
Materials - Paper
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788.
- During the late 1700s, those living in America who were loyal to Britain moved into British North America (now Canada).
- Several thousand free Black Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia during this period.
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1788.
During the late 1700s, those loyal to the British Crown moved from the new United States of America into British North America. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788. He may be cutting wood for a fire, or sawing logs to make a home.
The late 18th and 19th centuries saw massive immigration to British North America. After the American Revolution (1775–1783), Loyalists (those who remained loyal to the British Crown) were not welcome in the new United States of America. These Loyalists began a wave of immigration. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America, where slavery was not abolished until the early 1800s.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.
- This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788.
- During the late 1700s, those living in America who were loyal to Britain moved into British North America (now Canada).
- Several thousand free Black Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia during this period.
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1788.
During the late 1700s, those loyal to the British Crown moved from the new United States of America into British North America. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788. He may be cutting wood for a fire, or sawing logs to make a home.
The late 18th and 19th centuries saw massive immigration to British North America. After the American Revolution (1775–1783), Loyalists (those who remained loyal to the British Crown) were not welcome in the new United States of America. These Loyalists began a wave of immigration. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America, where slavery was not abolished until the early 1800s.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.
Summary
- This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788.
- During the late 1700s, those living in America who were loyal to Britain moved into British North America (now Canada).
- Several thousand free Black Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia during this period.
Essential
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1788.
During the late 1700s, those loyal to the British Crown moved from the new United States of America into British North America. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.
In-Depth
This watercolour shows a Black man cutting wood in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1788. He may be cutting wood for a fire, or sawing logs to make a home.
The late 18th and 19th centuries saw massive immigration to British North America. After the American Revolution (1775–1783), Loyalists (those who remained loyal to the British Crown) were not welcome in the new United States of America. These Loyalists began a wave of immigration. Most, but not all, of these immigrants were of European ancestry. Several thousand free Black Loyalists also settled in Nova Scotia during and after the American Revolution, and some white Loyalists brought Black slaves to British North America, where slavery was not abolished until the early 1800s.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, most immigrants came face to face with dense forests. Their first tasks would have been to clear and plant the land, make a home and survive their first winter.