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“Drowned at Sea,” James H Martin was a ship’s cook born in Antiqua, West Indies. He was the second mariner his wife Adelaide married. His step-son became a ship’s cook too. “Seafarer” was the 2nd most common profession for Black men in Halifax at the time, after “labourer.” (1/2)
Martin & Adelaide are listed on the stone for the Granderson family (also sp. Grandison.) William was Adelaide’s sister. Their father was a cooper. His widow Margaret married a Jamaican ship’s steward named Augustus Reid after his death. Camp Hill (2/2)
A couple footnotes. Camp Hill was segregated. From what I read, the lines were fuzzy. This is as far away from any gate as possible, as you might expect. Also worth noting Martin was born in Antiqua when slavery was still legal & shares the surname of a prominent plantation owner
One more thing, in researching this I found this great essay by Judith Fingard @jiffnow called From Sea to Rail:
Black Transportation Workers and Their Families in Halifax, c.1870-1916. I am not sure how to link it, but of you search for it you can DL a PDF.
Black Transportation Workers and Their Families in Halifax, c.1870-1916. I am not sure how to link it, but of you search for it you can DL a PDF.
