This region is dotted with a number of historic Black settlements. Weymouth, Weymouth Falls, Danvers and Southville, for example. The descendants of Black Loyalists who settled in the area who remained in Nova Scotia, rather than accompany Thomas Peters to Sierra Leone. One of the notable decedents was Sam Langford, who grew up in Weymouth Falls. Langford was considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
In his teens he moved to Boston and eventually took up boxing, known as « the Boston Bonecrusher », « the Boston Terror » or his famous if somewhat diminutive « the Boston Tar Baby ».
Unfortunately during the early twentieth century with the rise in racism, Langford was denied a shot at the World Championship. He was a serious threat, and the reigning champ, Jack Johnson refused to fight him.
The Maritime provinces were a spawning ground of great Black boxers and Langford was arguably the best of them all.
Image: Sam Langford, Weymouth Falls Church Picnic – wikipedia
Video: TheTartanSoldier on Youtube
Podcast: Loyalist Connections Creative Society
