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Samuel Stoutt escapes slavery in the USA and makes his new home in Port Perry There are a few early accounts of escaped slaves mak- ing their way into Reach Township, however, none took up permanent residence here until 1866 when an escaped slave named Samuel Stoutt arrived and decided to make Port Perry his home. Samuel Stoutt was a man of just under average height and of a stocky build. When he arrived in Port Perry, he immediately made his way to one of the local barber shops and asked for employment. He quickly established himself in that trade and gained an excellent reputation. Samuel had another talent which helped him to gain acceptance in this pioneer community. He was an extremely proficient musician and was apparently able to play well on any kind of wind instrument. He helped to organize the town band in Port Perry and was its first leader. Because of his musicianship, he became known as "Professor" Stoutt. Shortly after his arrival in Port Perry, Harris Burnham, clerk of the division court, gave Stoutt per- mission to build a modest dwelling, at the rear of his property where he remained until 1876. That year he married Elizabeth Organ. The Stoutts moved into rented accommodation on Lilla Street (now Simcoe Street) and they raised five children - Joseph, Samuel John (who died in infancy), a second Samuel John, (who died when 23 years old), Alice, and William. The Stoutts became loyal members of the Presbyterian = Church. Samuel continued as a barber until the turn of the century. His wife Eliza died in 1907. Samuel's age is difficult to determine. His birth date has been recorded as 1812, 1815 and 1817. When he died on May 11, 1911, his obituary declared that he was a cen- tenarian and "... for years he has held the honours of being the oldest man in Port Perry.” All the Stoutt children spent their lives in Port Perry. None married. When Alice, the youngest, died in 1959 at the age of 74, the heritage of Samuel Stoutt passed into history. Story researched and written Samuel Stout, is seen in this early 1900s photograph leading the Port Perry Band by Paul Arculus ig Queen St. during a parade through t website: www.focusonscugog.com CELEBRATING 40 YEARS! FOCUS - MAY 2008 27