Richard Preston, (c. 1791 – 16 July 1861), was religious leader and abolitionist who escaped slavery in Virginia to become an important leader for the African Nova Scotian community and in the international struggle against slavery.
Contents |
Little is known of Richard Preston's early life. He is believed to have been born into slavery in Virginia but managed to gain an education and save enough to buy his freedom in 1816. He went to Nova Scotia in search of his mother who had escaped slavery in the War of 1812 as one of the 2000 African Americans who escaped to the British after the Cochrane Proclamation and settled in Nova Scotia where they became known as the War of 1812 Refugees. Discovering his mother who he had not seen for many years, free and alive in Preston, Nova Scotia, he was so moved that he took the name of her community.
Preston was described as being "mulatto" or "light-skinned" and was said to "6'1" in height. He never married. He was known a a gifted orator and also for his sense of humour.
Preston became one of the most important church and community leaders in Nova Scotia. He assisted in setting up 11 Baptist churches across the province.
Preston was trained as a minster in England and met many of the leading voices in the Abolitionist movement that helped to get the Slavery Abolition Act passed by the British Parliament in 1833. When Preston returned to Nova Scotia, he became the president of the Abolitionist movement in Halifax.
Preston founded churches across Nova Scotia. East Preston and North Preston in Nova Scotia are often believed to be named in his honour, although in fact it was these communities that inspired his name.