"Rose Fortune"(March 13,1774-February 20 1864)

Was an African-American woman who came to Annapolis Royal,Nova Scotia with the  Black

Loyalists where she became a successful businesswoman and the first female police officer in Canada.Rose was born into slavery in the British colony of Virginia.Her family escaped slavery during the American Revolution and settled in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia as part of the Black Loyalist migration when Rose was 10.In 1825,she started her own business,carting luggage between the ferry docks and nearby homes and hotels.She became entrusted with safeguarding property and maintaining orders on the wharves and warehouses of Annapolis Royal,acting as the town's waterfront police officer.Rose died in the small house she owned at the engineer's lot near Fort Anne.The business she founded was continued by her son in law Albert Lewis Transfer Company and continued for several generations remaining in business until 1980.She was buried in Annapolis Royal in the Garrison Cemetery.Her grave is unmarked but a plaque in the Petite Parc on the Annapolis Royal waterfront commemorates her life and contribution to Nova Scotian history.