Wilson Ruffin Abbott

Wilson Ruffin Abbott (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
Born1801
Richmond, Virginia
Died1876 (aged 74–75)
Toronto, Ontario
Resting placeNecropolis Cemetery
43.668282°N 79.360259°W / 43.668282; -79.360259
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse(s)Ellen Toyer

Biography

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 Mobile, Alabama, 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]

Death

Wilson Ruffin Abbott died at age 75 in Toronto.

References
  1. Winks, Robin W. (1972). "Wilson Ruffin Abbott". Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. X. Toronto. ISBN 0-8020-3287-7.
  2. Henry, Natasha L. (7 January 2012). Talking About Freedom: Celebrating Emancipation Day in Canada. Dundurn. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-4597-0050-5.
  3. Thomas, Owen, "Abbott, Anderson Ruffin", Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Sources
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