1840s - Early Black history

Early records from the cathedral indicate that several Black families also lived in the neighbourhood just east of the church on Stewart’s Lane, the precursor to Francis Street. Alfred Mitchell Lafferty, Ontario’s first Canadian-born Black lawyer, was born here in April 1839, third son to William and Sarah Lafferty. William was a licensed carter who delivered water throughout the town by horse and buggy. Shortly before Alfred’s birth the church caught fire. With his own home and family at threat from the flames, William made ten hasty trips to and from the lake to church to help douse the fire.

Alfred and his brothers attended the Central School across the street at Jarvis and Adelaide, an integrated school initiated by John Strachan. He then attended Upper Canada College and won a  scholarship. In 1863 he graduated from the University of Toronto and became a principal of several grammar schools in different parts of the province. Later he attended law school, was called to the bar in 1886 and practiced in Chatham.