Born into slavery in Missouri Joshua Glover endured hardship and abuse. He yearned for freedom. This is the story of his daring escape and his life in Canada. The Joshua Glover Plaque commemorates his incredible journey. It stands as a testament to his resilience.
In 1850 Glover was sold at a St Louis auction. He was stripped and examined. He was then forced to work on a farm. Glover’s knowledge of the land aided his escape in 1852. He fled to Wisconsin seeking refuge. He chose the surname Glover. He found work at a sawmill.
His freedom was short-lived. In 1854 his former enslaver Garland tracked him down. Garland used the Fugitive Slave Act. He arrested Glover in Racine. Glover was imprisoned in Milwaukee. News of his capture sparked outrage. Abolitionists rallied to his defense. They freed him from jail.
The crowd broke into the jail. They used pickaxes and a battering ram. Glover escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. He found new life in Etobicoke Ontario. He worked for Thomas Montgomery for over 30 years. He lived in Islington and Lambton Mills. He married twice both times to Irish women.
Despite finding freedom Glover faced racism and discrimination. Black Canadians were legally equal. Yet social stigma and prejudice remained. Segregation was common in schools and churches. Glover’s later years included legal troubles. In 1884 he was accused of stabbing a man. He was defended by community members. His sentence was reduced. He spent three months in prison.
In 1888 Glover was admitted to a poor house. He died there six months later. His body was mistakenly donated to a medical school. William Montgomery tried to recover his remains. He was unsuccessful. Glover is buried in St James Cemetery.
The Joshua Glover Plaque reminds us of his struggle. His story became part of the abolitionist movement. His escape is a symbol of hope and perseverance. His legacy inspires us to fight injustice. This plaque ensures his memory lives on.