Exploring history can be an elusive quest. Sometimes tidbits peak through the fabric of time and attempts at finding out more can be both fascinating and frustrating. Such seems to be the case with Alexander Hunter of Port Credit, and his wife Bridget.

The story first came to light in the book “Credit Valley Gateway: The Story of Port Credit” by Betty Clarkson, which was published in 1967. In the book, Alexander Hunter is described as being a former slave who, along with his wife, lived in a three-room shack on the west side of the Credit River, not far from where Riverside School is today. According to the published story, Alexander worked for James Robinson Shaw, a prominent Port Credit resident, doing odd jobs including cleaning and sweeping of Shaw’s store and the nearby Methodist church.

Toronto Township Council minutes from November 26, 1887 record “that the petition of James R. Shaw and 32 others in reference to Alexander Hunter and wife that the Reeve be instructed to have them placed in the house of Providence or some other public institution.” The indication being that the elderly couple were no longer able to care for themselves.

The nearest House of Providence was in Toronto. The institution opened its doors in 1858 and provided housing for some 700 elderly residents, orphans and society’s most vulnerable people. The institution was founded by the Catholic Church and operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph where they tended to the needs of the poor, homeless, sick and newly immigrated.

It appears, however, that Alexander did not live long enough to make the move to the House of Providence. Toronto Township Council minutes from February 25, 1888 state: “Moved by Mr. Cook seconded by Mr. Price that the sum of $5.00 be paid to W.D (unreadable) for building a Cu (unreadable) and four dollars for removing Mrs. Hunter an indigent to the House of Providence as certified by Mr. H Shook.”

But what else can we learn about the life and times of Bridget and Alexander Hunter? In short, we can find tidbits, but as with many other examples of early Black history, records are scarce and much about Alexander remains unknown.

We can pick up the thread back in the 1861 census – albeit with some uncertainty. We find an A. Hunter living in St. John’s Ward in Toronto – an area that became known simply as “The Ward”. From an article by Chris Bateman for blogTO in 2012, The Ward is described as “being home to some of the city’s poorest people and large parts of its Irish, Chinese, eastern European and African population … The Ward was already designated a slum in 1850. It didn’t get much better from there … The area was often the first port of call for penniless men, women and children fleeing desperate situations elsewhere in the world thanks to its relatively close location to Union Station and the port … The crowded parcels of land containing homes, shelters and other dwellings were often subdivided by landlords to extract the most money from tenants. As a result, overcrowding became worse as people banded together to cover the cost of the property. In many cases, six or more people would share a room a single, filthy room.”

The description certainly does not paint a picturesque scene of the slums of Victorian-era Toronto.

While we do not know if the A. Hunter in the 1861 census IS the same Alexander Hunter from Port Credit, there are parallels. The approximate age of 47 years old loosely fits, as does his being African and born in the United States. But that is all we have. He is also not listed as being married at the time.

We are on more solid ground in the 1871 Census where we find Alex Hunter living in Etobicoke along with his wife Bridget. In 1871 Alex is listed as being born in the United States, of African origins, and a labourer by trade. Bridget is listed as being born in Ireland. They are described as belonging to the Church of England (Anglican church) and both were illiterate.

In the 1881 Census we find Alexander and Bridget now living in Port Credit. As in the previous census, Alex is listed as being born in the United States, of African origin, and a labourer by trade. His wife is listed as being of Irish origin but having been born in Spain. Unlike in the 1871 Census, in 1881 they are listed as belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. There is also another discrepancy between the census records, as Alex is listed as being aged 55 in 1871 and aged 75 in 1881. Bridget is listed as being aged 50 in 1871 and aged 65 in 1881. Perhaps their illiteracy contributed to this confusion? We can only guess.

As mentioned earlier, Alexander likely passed away in late 1887 or early 1888, although we have not found any records for his death or burial (or marriage) yet – which is not uncommon for the poorer members of society. In the 1891 Census we do find Bridget living in the House of Providence in St. David’s Ward in Toronto, so it appears that following Alexander’s death, Bridget did indeed go there.

As mentioned at the beginning, we only have tidbits of information, and much is left to the imagination. Where was Alexander from? Had he been enslaved, as mentioned in the book by Betty Clarkson? If so, when and how did he come to Canada? He likely arrived in Canada prior to 1861, and married Bridget sometime prior to 1871. They were older, and no children were listed. One wonders what life must have been like for this interracial couple in Port Credit in the 1880s.