Thus far the life of Hiram Wilson has been detailed regarding his activities as a Lane Rebel, an Oberlin seminarian, and as an aid in various parts of Southwestern Ontario, but one aspect of Wilson’s life has not been detailed, and that is his final years in St. Catherines, Ontario. Because of rising tension at the Dawn Settlement between Wilson as administrative official and, Josiah Henson as a “spiritual leader,” Wilson would be forced into resignation in 1847. [1]

After leaving the Dawn Settlement Wilson and his family would move to St. Catherines to protect fugitive slaves as well as provide education both theologically and academically. Much of his work was with the American Missionary Association where he would act as both preacher and teacher. During this period he would help many fugitives on their passage of the Underground Railway network, and even house many in his own household.

One noteworthy slave which Wilson would aid was the famous Harriet Tubman who arrived to Canada in 1851. At this time she would meet the Rev. Hiram Wilson at “Bethel Chapel” an church which would eventually become Salem Chapel a British Methodist Episcopal Church in 1855. Both Wilson and Tubman were very influential in guiding the slave activity in the region. [2] 

Wilson would remain an influential preacher and teacher as well as abolitionist in St. Catherines. The activities of Wilson and Tubman at Bethel Chapel, later Salem Chapel would place it as St. Catherines first National Historical site.

For further reading: 

[1] HENSON, JOSIAH in Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=39700

[2] http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/BritishMethodistEpiscopalChurchSalemChapel.asp