Solomon Kendall is the first one that ended up on that land in Lower Queensbury, where my mother grew up… (Jennifer Dow, 2020)
Jennifer Dow speaks about Solomon Kendall
Across the river from St Peter’s was another important Black community in Lower Queensbury, known as “The Hill”. Growing up, Jennifer Dow, was often told stories about “The Hill”. It was a place where many generations of the Kendall family lived, and where extended family gathered for over 200 years.
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| Return of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers, drummers, and privates, men, women, and children of the Guides and Pioneers, August 5 1785; UNB Archives & Special Collections |
This property was first acquired by Solomon Kendall (after receiving a nearby grant of 209 acres in 1798). He was a Black Loyalist and farmer who served with The Guides and Pioneers, commanded by Colonel Beverly Robinson. Solomon Kendall must have been a man of great respect, since he was granted 209 acres, at a time when other Black settlers were receiving only 50 acres (if any at all).
Solomon Kendall arrived in New Brunswick with his wife Pricilla, and a child under the age of 10, in the fall of 1783. Together, they raised at least three children: Absalom (birthdate unknown), Solomon the 2nd, born in 1794 and Mary born in 1799.
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| 1878 Atlas of York County New Brunswick by Halfpenny & Co. |
Solomon 2nd remained on “The Hill” and married Kesand Smith from Kingsclear Parish. In some of the census records they are listed as having 16 children. Of those 12 children, two sons, Solomon Kendall 3rd and William Kendall, remained living on the farm. They each built a house on either side of the original road that extended through Lower Queensbury.
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| The Kendall House on "The Hill" Lower Queensbury; Photo courtesy of Jennifer Dow |
“The Hill” became a refuge of sorts for Black families in the area; it was a place where many different families would leave their children so they could travel elsewhere to find work. The last Kendall descendant to live on “The Hill” was Hewlett Marr, a blacksmith by trade. He passed away in 1999.
Jennifer Dow at Gravesite of her ancestors