Fortune, Rose National Historic Person

Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Detailed view of the HSMBC plaque © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2023 (Paul Paquette)
HSMBC Plaque
© Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2023 (Paul Paquette)
Detailed view of the HSMBC plaque © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2023 (Paul Paquette)Plaque in the Plaza at corner of St. George and Church Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2023 (Paul Paquette)The artist, date and source of this watercolour are unknown. It may have been painted from life, from memory, or from another artwork. © Nova Scotia Archives Documentary Art Collection: acc. no. 1979-147/56 | NSARM neg. N-6955 CN-9813 // Archives de la Nouvelle-Écosse Collection d'art documentaire: acc. no. 1979-147/56 | NSARM neg. N-6955 CN-9813
Address : Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 2017-07-20
Life Date: 1774 to 1864
Dates:
  • 1774 to 1864 (Significant)

Other Name(s):
  • Fortune, Rose (c. 1774-1864)  (Designation Name)
  • Fortune, Rose  (Historic Name)
Research Report Number: 2015-05

Importance: Epitomizes the perseverance of Black Loyalists, who confronted prejudice and inequality

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque:  Plaza at corner of St. George and Church Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

Rose Fortune, with her parents who had been enslaved in Virginia, were among the more than 3,000 Black Loyalists who gained freedom and resettlement in Nova Scotia in 1783–1784 by supporting Britain in the American Revolution. They came to Annapolis Royal, where many years later, Fortune started a successful baggage-carting business and earned respect by informally policing the waterfront. Long a source of pride for African Nova Scotians, the story of Rose Fortune epitomizes the perseverance of Black Loyalists, who confronted prejudice and inequality to make a place for themselves in Canada.