Wilson Ruffin Abbott
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Wilson Ruffin Abbott (c. 1801 – 1876) was an American-born Black Canadian and successful businessman and landowner in Toronto, Ontario. He was the father of Anderson Ruffin Abbott, Canada's first Black physician.
Wilson Ruffin Abbott | |
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| Born | c. 1801 |
| Died | 1876 (aged 74–75) Toronto, Ontario |
| Resting place | Necropolis Cemetery 43°40′06″N 79°21′37″W / 43.668282°N 79.360259°W |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse | Ellen Toyer |
Born to a Scotch-Irish father and a free West African mother in Richmond, Virginia, Wilson Ruffin Abbott left home when he was aged 15 to work as a steward on a Mississippi River steamer.[1]
He married Ellen Toyer, and moved to Akron, Ohio, where he opened a general grocery store, but left in 1834 after receiving a warning that his store was to be pillaged.[1] In late 1835 or early 1836, he moved to Toronto, Upper Canada, where he prospered as a businessman.[1] He served in the militia that protected Toronto from the rebels in the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion and was elected to Toronto city council in 1840.[2]
His son Anderson Ruffin Abbott in 1861 became the first African Canadian to practise medicine.[3]
Wilson Ruffin Abbott died in Toronto, aged 74 or 75.[citation needed]
- ^ a b c Winks, Robin W. (1972). "Wilson Ruffin Abbott". Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. X. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-3287-7.
- ^ Henry, Natasha L. (7 January 2012). Talking About Freedom: Celebrating Emancipation Day in Canada. Dundurn. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-4597-0050-5.
- ^ Thomas, Owen, "Abbott, Anderson Ruffin", Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
- Winks, Robin W. (1972). "Wilson Ruffin Abbott". Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. X. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-3287-7.
- Hill, Daniel G. (1960). Negroes in Toronto: A Sociological Study of a Minority Group. University of Toronto Press.[permanent dead link]
- Hill, Daniel G. (1981). The freedom-seekers: Blacks in early Canada. Book Society of Canada. ISBN 0-7725-5283-5.
- "The Freedom Seekers". Black Dominion. 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2009.