HIST 3560: Nelson Hackett and his Black Redcoat Defenders

Term: Fall 2025

Course Synopsis:

In 1841 Nelson Hackett stole his enslaver’s fastest horse and fled from Arkansas to Canada for freedom. His enslaver followed him and had him arrested for theft. Hackett was then seized in Chatham, Ontario and became the first freedom seeker in Canada to be extradited back to the United States and re-enslaved. While he was initially arrested in Chatham, a group of 16 armed Black militiamen stationed there attempted to free Hackett on the morning of his arrest. In this course students will work closely with the Chatham Kent Black Historical Society to help develop their programming and research services on the Black activism and Black resistance of both Hackett and his Black redcoat defenders as they struggled for freedom in 19^th century North America.

Method of Delivery:

Students will conduct independent work and attend scheduled meetings 6 times throughout the semester (date and times TBD). Students will also travel to Chatham for research and consultation with the Chatham Kent Black Historical Society in October (date TBD).

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, you will have made progress toward meeting the course learning objectives. This course is designed to help students:

1. Locate, explore, and interpret primary sources about Black resistance in North America.
2. Research the Black activist history of Canada and the United States.
3. Connect archival materials to the physical locations and communities that they are relevant to.
4. Make their research relevant and accessible with a wider public audience.
5. Engage and partner with a local Black institution.
6. Reflect critically on their own research and writing.

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

Class Participation: 5%                            
Weekly Reflections: 15%  

Story Map Collaboration: 25%                 

Redcoat Threads Assignment: 35%                        
Final Paper: 20% 

Texts and/or Resources Required:

There is no required textbook. Texts and materials will be provided.

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.