Birchtown 's population grew further in July 1784 when free Blacks who lived in Shelburne were attacked in the Shelburne Riots which caused many such as the clergyman David George to flee to Birchtown for safety .
Birchtown 's population grew further in July 1784 when free Blacks who lived in Shelburne were attacked by whites in the Shelburne Riots . 
 Many blacks , such as the clergyman David George , fled to Birchtown for safety .