Golden Grove - Nabaclis Historical and Biographical Society

Call for Contributors History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis 1746-2011

2011-10-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

Call for Contributors History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis 1746-2011
I am interested in researching and documenting the history of Golden Grove and Nabaclis 1746-2011. I am referring to the history of the working class people of the district. I would love for you to list the names of the people with their occupation and era in which they functioned. I would include your name as the source. In fact, you should write a statement which you would love to appear within the text.
Also feel free to add professions I neglected to state herein . . . More over who do you recommend I communicate with seeking to collaborate on the project I would love to access historical articles written on the village by James Donald Ainsworth, James Alfred Trotman, Lambert Tuckness Sancho, and Leopold Duncan Sarrbo’s article - some time ago, 1941 - (the subject matter is Sugar mills in Golden Grove and Nabaclis) and others.
I am also very interested in accessing articles relative to the Dutch, Germans, and Irish on plantations Golden Grove and Nabaclis . . . any ideas how to locate and access them?

FARMERS (crops and animals) rice, guava jelly, hot sauce, pickles and ground provisions; cassava, plantains, yams, tannias, tomatoes, ochroes; cocoa, coffee and farinaceous substances; cornmeal, plantain flour, cassava flour, conquintay and arrowroot starch. Bees and Honey, Cattle, pigs, Sheep and goats, horses, and donkeys, fowls, turkey, ducks, meat-birds, pigeons, geese,
INDUSTRIAL
Coconut oil manufacturers, cart owners, cassava bread and casreep producers
Lemonade manufacturers, sausage makers, coconut pickers
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE - merchants - grocery stores, cinema, Gas stations, cake shops, bakers and bakeries, liquor store - entertainment venues - stall holders at the Market - people who sold food items at the schools,
RECREATION AND SPORTS
Cricketers, athletes, soccer players, musicians, cyclists, table tennis, volleyball, swimmers name the teams with their personnel?
SKILLED LABOURERS (Tradesmen/ Contractors)
plumbers, electricians, gutter smith, tinsmith, boat- builders, barbers, tailors, seamstresses, hair-dressers, cane-cutters, carpenters, shovel-men, masons shoemakers
HEALTH CARE
Doctors, nurses, midwives, sicknurses, dispensers, chemists, druggists, drugs store owners
EDUCATION
Teachers, Head Teachers, kindergarten schools, primary/elementary; high schools; secondary school, commercial school,
RELIGION
Churches, Hindu, Islam, Christianity and its denominations, Rastafarians and other religious dogma.
UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
Military, Law Enforcement, Fire service, Soldiers, police officers, Fire personnel, prison warders,
LEGAL
Lawyers, magistrates, judges, civil servants, police officers
ELECTRONICS
Radio repairers

Five Berbicians in Schoolboy team

2011-07-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Five Berbicians in Schoolboy team.
Amin Kalicharran of Berbice has been selected to captain Guyana's school boys' team to play in the regional tournament, which begins later this month in Barbados.
Ronald Austin of Central High School has been selected as vice captain, while Mr. A. Hazel of Berbice is the manager of the team.
The other members of the 12-man team are: K. Aaron (G'town), V. Adams (Mackenzie), D. Braithwaite (G'town), E. Douglas (G'town), S. Kalicharran (B'ce), M. Madramootoo (B'ce), L. Monilall (B'ce), S. Persaud (West Coast Dem.), R. Ramphal (B'ce), G. Robinson (G'town)
The team will leave the country next Saturday to play their first match against Barbados in Barbados on Monday, August 15.
It is understood that this team will play a practice match against a Rest team during this week.
The selectors were Mr. O. Miller, Mr. D. Whitehead, Mr. S. Barnwell (G.T.A.), Mr. L. Sancho (Secondary Schools), Mr. A. Hazel (Berbice). Mr. Clyde Walcott acted as adviser to the committee.
(Source: - Weekend Post & Sunday Argosy - - August 7, 1966: page 5)

Juliet Hughes

2011-05-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

OBITUARY: - Miss Juliet Hughes (19)
There was laid to rest on Sunday afternoon, June 4, at Golden Grove Village Cemetery, the body of Miss Juliet Hughes (19), the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert A. Hughes of Golden Grove Village, East Coast, Demerara.
She was the grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Hughes of the same Village, and niece of Mesdames Inverrary and Roberts.
Miss Hughes died at her Aunt’s residence, Mrs. Inverrary at Nabaclis on Saturday evening June 3, after a short illness.
The cortege left the residence of her aunt for the Golden Grove Methodist Church where she was a devoted member. The obsequies were performed by the Reverend E. McDonald.
The funeral was very largely attended a sign of esteem while loud were the expressions of sympathy, to the bereaved, the Daily Chronicle, through its correspondent renders sympathy.
Among those who attended were Messrs. Donald Ashley Trotman, James Alfred Trotman, R. DeAbreu, V. Longhorne, V. Salmon, George Cockfield, W. T. Benjamin, A. Abrahams, J. I. S. Bookey, Joseph Hope, M. Augustine, O. Wilson, B. David, E. DeCastro, B. Layne, A. Simon, W. Simon, R. Hodge, E. Jackman, O. Jackman F., J., and E. Benn, H. Holder, A. Solomon, W. Solomon, S. Roberts, E. Rutherford, J.R. Sertimer, E. A. Scotland, C. Ross, C. F. Adams, J. Adams, R. Farnum, R. I. Josiah, R. J. February, B. Kingston, L. Kingston, S. Jeune, H. Jeune, E. Bacchus, N. Hughes, B. Willis, S. Luke, O. Gonsalves, V. Gonsalves, R. Waldron, C. McKenzie, R. C. Kendall, J. Austin, I. Shamoan, O. Ramsay, W. H. Gibson, L. Rodney, S. Layne, T. Bollers, J. Pile, T. Perry, H. Perry, M. Hollingsworth, J. Hollingsworth, E. Stephen, S. Sumner, w. Glasgow, A. Younge, E. Primo, T. Eversley, J. Wason, K. Cummings, D. T. A. Jones, L. Caines, R. McAndrew, D. Sandiford, A. Mohamed, County Sergeant-Major Hughes and Corporal Collins.

BEARERS
The pall-bearers were: O. Hughes, V. Langhorne, G. Samuels, V. Solomon, A. Sertimer and James Hope.
Wreaths were received from: Members, Methodist Sabbath School; Girls’ League, R. Trotman and family, McLean family, J. Trotman and Family, B. Joseph, M. Jenkins, M. Sancho, the Spence family, M. Patterson, Perry and family, W. T. Benjamin and family, Cousin Clarabel, Mrs. Theresa Abrahams and family, the Hall family, the Simon family.
The following sent telegrams: Aunt Florette and Muriel, Uncle Charlie and Ramon, S. N. Collins.

CARDS
L. D. Sarrabo, and T. David, C. P. B. Melbourne, S. Abrams and C. Dougall
- D. T.A.J.
Source: D. T.A.J. Obituary -Miss J. Hughes (19) -The Daily Chronicle - Tuesday, June 13, 1944: page 4.

SCHOOL TREAT AT GOLDEN GROVE

2010-12-20T14:54:00.001-08:00

SCHOOL TREAT AT GOLDEN GROVE.

At half-past one on Tuesday, the children of the Golden Grove Day School were gathered in the school yard, where there was a band of music waiting. After enjoying themselves in dancing for sometime the music ceased and the Rev. Taylor with the Rev. Savory provided sweetmeats for which they scrambled. This finished, a foot-race, a three-foot-race and rope skipping followed, and the winners of these were prized. A contest of tug-of-war between the boys and girls formed the next amusement. The competition was five boys to six girls and the contest ended favorably on the side of the latter to the disappointment of the former. Having had enough of this, the boys were separated from the girls, the one to enjoy a game of cricket and the other again to scramble for peppermints; and to enjoy the music. These games being ended at about four p.m.., the Revs. Taylor. Savory and the children gave three cheers for the treat. The Rev Taylor then bade them adieu, expressing his regret that he could stay no longer with them, having a funeral service to conduct, and that he wished them all success both in the remaining outdoor sports and their indoor recitations. The Rev. Savory then took over the supervision, and the children enjoyed themselves in the school yard up to five o’clock p. m., when they left for home and returning were bedecked in their gayest and best. All being again assembled the band played a march out to Nabaclis Bridge and returned with them to the school-grounds. The outdoor excitement being now finished, indoors they marched to recite their pieces. Children, parents, and friends taking their seats and remaining orderly,
The night’s programme commenced by a song played by Mr. T. A. Archer, the teacher. Refreshments followed, after which the recitals begin to flow. At the end of every piece a song was sung with the accompaniment played on the harmonium by Mr. B.T. Collins and three violin players. Messrs. David Collins. Smith Glasgow and Peter Dick. After half of the programme was gone through refreshments were again served. Short recreation and the remainder of the recitations began, and at half-past 11 o’clock p.m. every thing terminated. A final serving out of cakes and drinks was given, the Doxology sung, and meeting concluded with a short prayer. Great praise is due to the teacher, Mr. Archer, who without any aid from the children’s parents, carried through the treat so successfully. It is, however, to be regretted that half the number of children were absent on the plea of want of new dresses.

FRACAS IN A WESLEYAN CHAPEL

2010-12-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

FRACAS IN A WESLEYAN CHAPEL.
At Belfield Police Court yesterday, before Mr. E. A. Northcote, James Johnson alias Castillo, was charged with having unlawfully assaulted one David Collin; thereby inflicting grievous bodily harm. The evidence adduced on the part of the prosecution went to show that on the night of the 14th instant, a Sabbath School Anniversary was held at the Wesleyan Chapel, Golden Grove. Whilst the children were delivering their recitations, they were frequently disturbed by several young men. The Rev. C. L. Tabraham requested them several times to behave, but without any effect, and they continued to stamp on the floor and made a great noise. Mr. Tabraham, finding that he was unable to suppress the disorder, applied to his leaders, one of whom was the complainant, to eject them forcibly from the chapel. Mr. Northcote said he did not know whether complainant would proceed with the charge as it stood, for it alleged that grievous bodily harm was inflicted on him; if so, he would have to take depositions..Complainant said he was waylaid by the prisoner, and a brick was thrown with great force at him.
Inspector Stevenson informed his Worship that he had asked the Doctor about the nature of the blow on Collin’s shoulder and he said it was merely a bruise ; therefore he did not think his Worship need waste time in taking, depositions. Mr. Northcote : Enormous charges are generally made against people, and they invariably fail to substantiate them.
Complainant said he would proceed summarily, and went on to state that the disorderly lads pointed to him were Trotman, Morrison, and defendant. He requested the two former to Ieave, which they did, but defendant refused, and complainant and one Sarrabo held him by the hands and dragged him outside of the chapel. At the close of the anniversary, whilst complainant was proceeding home, he was waylaid on the Golden Grove Middle Walk by defendant, who was seen by several persons to throw a brick at the complainant and then run away.
In defence, the defendant said be attended an anniversary at the Golden Grove Chapel, as he had relatives there. During the evening, at the conclusion of each recitation he applauded the scholars by clapping his hands, which was also done by several other persons., Complainant came to him and requested him to leave the Chapel, but he positively refused as no reason was assigned him for leaving.
Complainant then seized him by the jacket, assisted by the other members of the chapel, and dragged him to the door, where Complainant gave him three kicks. He called two witnesses who said they saw Collins kick the defendant at the chapel door. There was a cross-charge of assault against Collins, and the parties having changed places, the same evidence on both sides was adduced.
Johnson alleged that in consequence of the kicks inflicted on a delicate part of his body, he was compelled to consult a medical man, and he produced a medical certificate. Complainant said the Doctor was not present. Mr. Northcote said that in the case against Johnson it seemed to him that the defence set up was absolutely no defence. Defendant would be sentenced to imprisonment for two calendar months. The cross-charge against Collins was dismissed.
Source: Fracas In A Wesleyan Chapel - Demerara Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, May 23, 1883:page 3 Col. 3.

Transports and Mortgages

2010-08-31T11:31:00.001-07:00

Transports and Mortgages - Counties of Demerary and Essequebo - 7th August, 1897.
By Richard Thomas Arrindell Daly, the secretary of the Central Board of Health, hereto authorized by Section 130 of the Village Ordinance No. 6 of 1892, TRANSPORT of all that piece or parcel of land part of the Village of Golden Grove, on the East Sea Coast of Demerara of the County of Demerary and Colony of British Guiana, bounded on the East by Plantation Nabaclis, on the West by Plantation Haslington, on the North by lots A, B, E, F, 70, 71 and 74, and on the South by lots C, D, G, H, L, M and 75, measuring 10 Rhynland roods from North to South, and 114 Rhynland roods from East to West, as the same with the boundaries thereof is more particularly delineated and described on the plan of the said Village of Golden Grove, as surveyed and laid out by order of the Commissioners appointed by the Honourable the Court of Policy, under Ordinance 33 of 1856, to partition Plantation Golden Grove and its lands in 1873 by the Sworn Land Surveyor, Armer J. Alcorn, dated the 28th November, 1873, and deposited in the Registrar’s Office of the Counties of Demerary and Essequebo on the 23rd December, 1874, the North and South boundaries of the said piece or parcel of land being denoted on the said plan by dotted lines to and in favour of The Demerara Railway Company.

By Richard Thomas Arrindell Daly, the Secretary of the Central Board of Health, hereto authorized by Section 130 of the Village Ordinance No. 6 of 1892, TRANSPORT of all that piece or parcel of land part of Plantation Nabaclis on the East Sea Coast of Demerara of the County of Demerary and Colony of British Guiana, bounded on the East by Plantation Cove and John, on the West by Plantation Golden Grove, on the North and South by pasture lands, included in and constituting that part of the said Plantation Nabaclis, laid out and described on the plan hereinafter mentioned as Section C, measuring 10 Rhynland roods from North to South, and 120Rhynland roods from East to West, as the same with the boundaries thereof is more particularly delineated and described on the plan of the said Plantation Nabaclis, as surveyed and sub-divided at the request of the Commissioners appointed by His Excellency the Governor and the Honourable the Court of Policy, for the purpose of partitioning amongst the proprietors thereof, in accordance with the Section Ordinance No. 33 of 1856, by the Sworn Land Surveyor, T. G. Wight, dated January, 1871, and deposited in the Registrar’s Office of the Counties of Demerary and Essequebo on the 22nd of September, 1877, - to and in favour of The Demerara Railway Company.
SOURCE: Transports and Mortgages - Counties of Demerary and Essequebo (7th August, 1897) - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, August 1, 1897: page 2 column 7.

swamping of lands

2010-08-31T11:30:00.001-07:00

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
The Secretary read lengthy correspondence with reference to the swamping of lands, which had been planted with rice aback of the village. It appeared that some men had started to plant rice between the backdam and the service canal but they did so at their own risk, as they could not get drainage.
In order to save these lands during the recent rains some person had taken away the koker door and spindle from the Company’s Canal in order that the water from the interior might be drained off, but as this caused the water to run into the navigation trench the village was in danger of submersion.
Mr. Murdoch asked if the people had any general or undivided right to the lands on which they had planted the rice.
The Secretary said he did not think they had.
Mr. Murdoch said it was a serious matter that the koker door should be taken away in such a manner, and he thought these rice-growers should satisfy the Village Council that they were prepared to make arrangements for their drainage if they were to be allowed to stay.
It was agreed that the Council should be informed that if the persons complained of did not desist from planting, until they were able to make proper arrangements for drainage, they (the Council) should take steps to treat them as trespassers.
SOURCE: Central Board of Health - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, August 10, 1897: page 3 column 4.

certain irregularities

2010-08-31T11:28:00.001-07:00

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
It was reported to the Board that there were certain irregularities in the pay sheets of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, the Secretary mentioning that when he drew the attention of the Chairman and Dr. Grieve to the matter they said the best thing was to hold an investigation into the matter.
He did so directing the overseer of the Village Council to meet him on Friday last. (The Secretary here read the result of the enquiry, which is as follows: -
Minutes of a meeting held at Nabaclis Office on Friday 25th May 1893, at 8.20 a.m., to enquiry into a charge made by Mr. M. G. Pitta regarding the pay sheets forwarded from Golden Grove and Nabaclis Villages from the 15th April to 13th May inclusive.
There were present: - The Inspector of Villages, Adam Ridley, Chairman of the Village Council, Thomas Adams, Lammy T. Sancho, David Collins, M. G. Pitta, and A. M. Benn, Councillors.
The Inspector of Villages said that he had come up to make enquiry into pay list Nos. 1, 4, 11 and 13 in all of which the name of R. Agard appears.
He asked the Councillors if when they signed these pay sheets they knew that the parties whose names are on the pay sheets had performed the work. Messrs. Ridley and Collins answered in the affirmative, and Messrs. Sancho and Pitta answered in the negative.
The Inspector of Villages asked who witnessed the marks for the receipt, on the above pay sheets. Mr. Ridley replied that the overseer was not aware that it was necessary to have witnesses but that Mr. Collins, Mr. Benn and himself had seen the people paid.
The Inspector of Villages asked who had seen R. Agard paid.
Mr. Ridley and Mr. Benn replied that they had but Mr. Collins, said that he did not. Mr. Benn explained that R. Agard’s name was put down on the pay sheets but that no such person had worked and that Mr. Ridley the Chairman, received the amounts entered in Agard’s name as he (Mr. Ridley) had performed the work, but did not like his own name appearing in the pay sheets.
The Inspector of Villages pointed out that on pay sheets Nos 1 and 4 R. Agard’s name was signed by a cross (X) but on pay sheet No. 11, the signature was in full.
Mr. Ridley explained that on pay sheet No.13 R. Agard’s name had been entered but that on Mr. Adams inquiring who that party was he had admitted that it was himself (Mr. Ridley) and entered his own name over R. Agard.
Mr. Ridley admitted that he had committed a grave error, but that he had done it without the intention to fraud, as he really had worked during those weeks, but did not like to enter his own name as he was Chairman of the Council.
All the Councillors present admitted that they had worked at stopping the breach in the back dam and in digging the Sea Channel and they considered that as proprietors, they were justified in doing work for the benefit of the Village and receive payment for the same, just as any other proprietors might do.
The Inspector of Villages informed Mr. Ridley that he considered that he had committed a very grave fault in sending pay sheets which he knew were false to him for payment, and that the overseer was equally to blame for entering false names on the pay sheets. He would report the matter to the Central Board of Health at its meeting on Monday, and it would be for the Board to decide what should be done in the matter.
The chairman said the report opened up two questions, first the conduct of the Chairman himself in allowing a false name to be entered on the pay sheet, and secondly whether Councillors were to be allowed the privilege of working for the villages and receiving pay. He thought the second question would come up in connection with a letter, which would be read on the subject. He held very strongly in connection with the matter, which had been brought before them, and he moved that the Chairman of Nabaclis Village Council should be asked to tender his resignation.
Mr. North seconded the motion.
Mr. Murdoch agreed with what the Chairman had said and remarked that if they allowed matter of this kind to go on, the Ordinance could not be worked at all.
The motion was carried.
LETTER FROM VILLAGE COUNCILLORS
The Secretary read a Letter from three Councillors of Golden Grove and Nabaclis asking whether they would be allowed to work for the Council as they were not in a position to give their time and labour free.
Mr. Murdoch moved that the application be refused which was seconded by Mr. Anson and carried.
PAYMENT OF COUNCILLORS
Mr. Murdoch gave notice of motion to the effect that in consideration of the services of the Village Councillors they be remunerated in future for their work.
Source: Central Board of Health – Golden Grove and Nabaclis - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, May 30, 1893:page 4 columns 5&6.

letter from the Village Councillors of Golden Grove

2010-08-31T11:26:00.002-07:00

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
The Secretary read a letter from the Village Councillors of Golden Grove and Nabaclis saying they did not agree with the report of Mr. Bellairs which recommended the shutting up of Golden Grove sea koker and allowing the village to drain through Nabaclis.
Mr. North said he had had the koker opened between these two villages in order to get drainage when everything was under water. They drained through the sideline dam.
The Chairman: Did that meet with the approval of the villagers?
Mr. North: They did not like it, but I did so as a matter of necessity.
The Chairman: What is your opinion of the matter?
Mr. North: I think the drainage should continue through one koker. I think that if the channel was kept open it could drain both villages.
Mr. Craigen thought it would be a disadvantage to have two channels instead of one. It would be a loss – a substantial loss – to these villages if they had to keep up two channels. He did not think the matter should be settled that day until they got some information on the point.
If these two villages were working as one why should they not drain as one.
Mr. North said he agreed with everything Mr. Craigen had said.
The Chairman said that when this question of joining two villages was before the Board he took the objection knowing the difficulty that would arise in regard to this question of drainage.
It was understood that the villages should drain as at present.
The Secretary read a letter from the Village Council of Golden Grove and Nabaclis saying that a charge of $114.52, cost of repairing Nabaclis back-dam must be charged against the proprietors of the latter.
In the discussion, which followed, the chairman said the question was whether they would agree to a special rate being made on the Nabaclis people.
Mr. Murdoch thought that if the improvements had been made on Nabaclis the rates of Nabaclis should be made to meet it. He could very well understand the villagers wanting two kokers. If one got damaged the other existed to effect drainage.
The Chairman could not accept the view of Mr. Murdoch and said that if each individual ward claimed that their rates should be spent on it how would the business of the city be carried on? The question for the Board was whether they adhered to these special rates being levied over the whole of the villages.
Mr. Craigen: if these two villages are worked as one they must bear the burden.
It was agreed to point out that the Board had already decided the question as to the levying of rates for work done on villages.
Source: Central Board of Health – Golden Grove and Nabaclis - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, May 30, 1893:page 4 columns 5&6.

letter from the Village Council

2010-08-31T11:26:00.001-07:00

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
The Secretary read a letter from the Village Council of Golden Grove and Nabaclis requesting that the two places may be kept separate as regards finance and drainage. The following is the letter: -
To the Members of the Central Board of Health.
Sir, - We the undersigned Councillors of Golden Grove and Nabaclis villages beg to acknowledge the receipt of a letter dated 30th May ult., from Thomas Daly, Esq., Secretary, Central Board of Health informing us that the Board will not allow the supplementary estimate of $114.62, for the breach recently occurred at Nabaclis, to be paid by Nabaclis alone, so it has placed us in a very difficult position to make a new estimate on account of all the proprietors of both villages being strongly against it.
Therefore, we humbly beg that the Board would be good enough to help us out of this difficulty, by granting the wishes of the people, as there are two things that the villagers strictly against, that is, (a) Joint drainage, and (b) Joint estimate, as they are entirely different owners, having different interest.
Although admitting that we are slaves of the Ordinance, yet we think it is quite just to listen to the cries of the people. And, we beg to add that we are also against the same.
We have the honour to be, gentlemen,
Your obedient Servants,
M. J. Pitta, Thomas Adams, Lammy T. Sancho, A.M. Benn, David Collins, Councillors.
Golden Grove and Nabaclis Villages.
June 3rd, 1893.
Source: Central Board of Health - Letter from the Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Friday, June 13, 1893:page 3 column 4.

The thoughts as expressed by the Members of the Central Board of Health in response to the letter sent to them by the Village Council, dated June 3rd, 1893.
The Chairman said when the villages were joined at first they did not express their disapproval.
The Secretary said he thought the villagers did not understand the position. The villages had been working since they were taken over by the Public Works Department with one overseer. The villagers seemed to think that the rates collected in each place should be devoted to meet expenses incurred in each village. He did not think they realised that when they were joined they became one village.
The Chairman said a question came before the Board on a previous occasion as to whether it was possible to work these villages independently by a special rate, and the Board decided this could not be done. This letter went a step further, and in the face of the resolution of the Board they could not go into the present question.
Mr. Ross said it would be cheaper for them to have the work done as a whole.
The Secretary stated that the villagers of Golden Grove thought that if any work was performed there they should pay for it, the same thing to happen in the case of Nabaclis.
The Chairman: That could only be done by keeping them separate. It is a serious question for us to take up at present. I think we should point out that the Board think it advisable that the present system should be continued at present.
This was agreed to.
Source: Central Board of Health -Letter from the Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Friday, June 13, 1893:page 3 column 4.

Meeting of Village Councils

2010-08-31T07:07:00.001-07:00

MEETING OF VILLAGE COUNCILS - GOLDEN GROVE
As requested by the Secretary of the Central Board of Health a meeting of Village Councillors was convened in the Village Office on Wednesday morning (March 8, 1893) to deal with certain matters under the New Village Ordinance. The Councillors present were Messrs. Thomas Adams, Manoel Garce Pitta, Albert Massiah Benn, David Collins, Lammy Tuckness Sancho, and Thomas Adam Ridley, chairman.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Thomas Adam Ridley, Chairman, who pointed out clearly to the members present their occasion of being gathered together that morning, and hoped that everything would be done in a quiet and business-like manner.
Mr. Pitta was the next speaker. He declared that the Councillors had taken great responsibilities in carrying on the village works, and hoped that they all would work harmoniously in making all data concerning the village in a straight-forward manner.
Mr. Adams rose and said he believed the Constitution framed by the Honourable Dr. Carrington to be one of much liberality and hoped it would prove a success. He firmly believes the time had come when they could manage their own affairs.
Mr. Collins was the last speaker. He declared that he felt very glad to know that one of their own men had been honoured with the office of chairmen. The Chairman’s duty was one of much responsibility.
The Chairman read a letter from the Central Board of Health, regarding Section 37 &c.
Mr. Pitta proposed Mr. Leander as overseer. He believed him to be a fit and proper person, not being a proprietor, and therefore was independent of the village.
Mr. Lammy Tuckness Sancho proposed Mr. Jones Thompson as a fit and proper person as overseer. He believed Mr. Jones Thompson would take better interest in village works being a proprietor. The matter was then put to vote, and Messrs. David Collins and Thomas Adams seconded Mr. Manoel Garce Pitta. Messrs. Albert Massiah Benn and Thomas Adam Ridley, the Chairman seconded Mr. Lammy Tuckness Sancho. Mr. Jones Thompson was elected as Village Overseer with a salary of $20 a month.
The other matters which the meeting decided were that $5 per month should be paid to the koker watchman; and $6 per month to a ranger and watchman.
The meeting then terminated.
Source: Meeting of Village Councils - Golden Grove - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Saturday, March 11, 1893:page 3 column 7.

Petition Cane Farming

2010-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

Petition from Nabaclis Villagers (dated November 20, 1882).
The clerk read the following petition:-
The humble petition of the undersigned proprietors of Nabaclis Plantation and being residents of the village thereof, in the Parish of St. Paul, on the East Sea Coast, county of Demerary, in the Colony of British Guiana.
Respectfully Showeth,
1. That your petitioners are, and have been for a long time past, extensive, “Plantain Farmers”, such being in a relative point of local consumption the staple production of the Colony. But they finding the soil becoming more and more improverished and therefore unsuitable, as well as unprofitable to them, continuing to the same extent the cultivation of that commodity.
2. That your petitioners have, after mature consideration, thought it advisable and more conducive to their prosperity, to turn their most attention to the cultivation of the “Sugar Cane”, in the hope of getting the same manufactured into sugar upon some of the neighbouring estates, and share the proceeds upon the principle of the established, “metayer System”, but they have absolutely failed to realise that hope.
3. That your petitioners, amid all their disappointments, cannot overlook their duty of grateful acknowledgments to the Honourable C. L. Bascom, proprietor of Plantation “Cove and John”, for his many acts of kind help to them in times of extremity, but more especially do they feel their obligation to that gentleman for his profitable advices, as well as encouragements in their industrial movements. And they doubt not, he may have extended his help to even the grinding of their canes, but having enlarged his own borders of cultivation renders it impracticable.
4. That your petitioners under the foregone disadvantageous circumstances have been reduced to one alternative of selling their canes, and even doing so to the estates in nearest proximity to their village so as to economise the enormous expenses of transportation, yet in the end they get so little, or rather not so much as to compensate for the planting and nurturing of the canes in their growth. That the Honourable C. L. Bascom, although the nearest to them, yet it does not at all times suit him to purchase their canes, in which case their miseries are increased by too distant transportation.
5. That your petitioners have now between themselves no less than eighty (80) acres established in well cultivated canes estimated by two competent planter-gentlemen to yield 1150 hogsheads, or tons of sugar as per survey made by them and now herewith attached for Your Excellency’s and the Honourable the Court of Policy’s favourable consideration.
6. That your petitioners beg humbly to approach Your Excellency and the Honourable the Court of Policy in their united application to procure for them a “Steam Cane Mill”, capable of making not less than two tons sugar per diem. Also to cause the same to be erected on the Nabaclis Plantation aforesaid, and to furnish the necessary buildings and appointments requisite for the proper manufacture of their crop of canes into good and marketable sugar. And to furnish them with the probable cost thereof. In the meantime, they may mention that a multitubular boiler would be preferable, adding three iron sugar tayches to suit.
7. That your petitioners would rather leave the stipulatious and conditions to be proposed and entered into by the better judgment of Your Excellency and the Honourable the Court of Policy in whom they confide and hope for success. That the estimated crop of 150 tons of sugar with its compound proportion of molasses will very probably give the nett proceeds of about $10,000, more or less, which they respectfully anticipate might in the meantime be considered a guarantee of their faith and good honest intentions.
8. That your petitioners have, almost all of them, by long practical experience acquired that perfect knowledge of cane-growing as well as sugar-making as to now place them in a position to effect considerable savings in the ordinary expenses incidental to sugar-makers.
That in the fortunate event of Your Excellency and the Honourable the Court of Policy answering the prayer of their petition, you will not only enable them for the future to pay their village rates, but also to assist their neighbours in doing so, and further to help themselves and families, to encourage industry, and diffuse the blessings of prosperity far and wide in the district they dwell. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. H. J. Bristol, Joseph Rogers, Thomas Dick, Scipio Tom, John Kingston, Isaiah Benn, Thomas A. Ridley, Daniel Quashie, Neil Thomas, Samuel Williams, Jack Monday, Noel Leander, Brandford Trotman, Joseph Joe, George Jack, Caesar Chester, James Moore, Elids Lindon and others.
Nabaclis, East Coast.
20th November 1882.
In accordance with the request of Messrs. Rogers, and others connected with Nabaclis Village we rode round the cultivation of that place and found about 80 acres planted with canes, all of which were clean and seemed well attended to, which we think should yield about 150 hhds of sugar. T. S. Stoydon, Deputy Manager of Plantation Enmore. Charles Drake, Manager, Cove and John. Plantation Enmore, November 1st, 1882.
The petition was ordered to be on the table.
Source: Petition from Nabaclis Villagers - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Friday, January 12, 1883:page 3 columns 6/7.

New Village Ordinance

2010-08-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

THE NEW VILLAGE ORDINANCE – ELECTION OF VILLAGE COUNCILLORS FOR GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
The election of Village Councillors under the New Village Ordinance, which gives the villagers the right of self-government for the villages of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, took place yesterday morning at the Village Office, at Nabaclis, East Coast. The only person of importance present was the Returning Officer, Mr. R. T. A. Daly, Inspector of Villages. There was, however, a large attendance of the villagers. Who seemed to have taken a lively interest in the proceedings, which passed off quietly.
The Returning Officer, shortly after the appointed time opened the proceedings by saying that they had met there that day to elect six Councillors who were in the future to have the entire control of both villages which were now included under one head. The duty which developed upon them as voters was a serious and responsible one, and he hoped that they would elect good and true men as their Councillors, men that would look after the interest of their villages, men whom they could trust with that responsible position.
In the election of those men, he wanted them to put away all party feelings, and to elect those who would do the best for the welfare of their villages. If they had any private feelings against the men who were to be nominated he would ask them to put those feelings aside and elect them if they thought they would promote the welfare of the villages. The work that had been formerly done by the Public Works Department for the last 9 years would now devolve upon those persons who were going to be elected, and he again asked them to ponder well and see whether those persons had the interest of the two villages at heart. He believed a good number of the villagers had not been able to read the remarks that had been made by the Hon. Dr. Carrington when he addressed the people at Plaisance, and he did not think he could do better now than read some of his remarks which bore so much on the subject of election of Councillors. He then proceeded to read to the meeting some of the advises given by the Hon. Attorney General to the people of Plaisance, and again asked the Villagers to give their votes to the best men in the villages who would look after their interest. He then mentioned the necessary qualifications for a Councillor and a voter, and stated that a female was also entitled to vote. It was considered that the time had not yet arrived for ladies to have a seat at the Council Board.
Mr. Thomas Lawrence, of Victoria Village, said he would ask the villagers present to elect fit and proper persons to represent their interests at the Council Board. The duty which would devolve on those men they were going to elect was an important one, and they should consider well whom they were going to nominate as Councillors. He asked them to put away all party feelings in this important matter, and work together in harmony and unity. He asked if there was any difference of opinion among the Councillors and the carrying out of the necessary works for the improvement of the two villages they should give way to one another and work in that spirit of unity which was absolutely necessary. If they were unable to agree among themselves that it would be better they had no self-government.
The following gentlemen were then nominated as Councillors: -
Candidates Proposed by Seconded by
Adam Ridley Thomas Adams A. M. Benn
Thomas Adams Cuffie James L.T. Sancho
A. M. Benn Elias London J. N. Agard
L.T. Sancho Benj. Sandy W. J. Rodney
David Collins M. G. Pitta A. M. Benn
M. G. Pitta Thomas Adams Adam Ridley
No other nominations being forthcoming the Returning Officer precisely at nine o’clock declared the above named gentlemen duly elected. He said in a short time the work of the villages would be thrown entirely into the hands of the Councillors elected, and the proprietors would have to look to them in seeing that they were carrying out the trust reposed in them. He advised the Councillors elected to go round the two villages and see what was the most necessary work to be done first. He asked them to proceed first with works of emergency, and to frame their estimates of the ways and means to carry out those works. He would be happy to assist them in every possible way he could, and to give them any advice they needed. He would send up to the Overseer the Assessment book for last year by which they would see the amount raised, and it would give them an idea of how they should frame their estimate. He thought they should endeavour not to increase expenses, and thereby prevent increased taxation. (Hear, hear)
They must see that the amounts received from the rates would be sufficient to carry on the works. He considered that the most important work was the drainage of their villages.
They should endeavour to carry out that work first, and after that they should turn their attention to the sanitary condition of the villages. Those were the only words of advice he could give them. The villages would be handed over to the Councillors on the 1st April; and shortly they would have to prepare their estimate of necessary work to be carried out which would have to be approved of first by the Central Board of Health. Under the Ordinance the Central Board of Health might appoint two nominees to act juicing with the Councillors if they thought fit. He wished them success in their work.
Mr. David Collins said he would like to know whether it was the intention of the board to levy taxes on the houses. The properties in the villages were assessed and them a rate was levied on each villager. He saw a provision in the Ordinance with respect to the appraisement of buildings, and he would like an answer to his question, as there were some feelings of distrust among the people.
Mr. Pitta: our village is not an appraised Village.
The Returning Officer said both the house and the land could be appraised for assessment purposes if the Village Council deemed it necessary, and explained to the meeting the provisions of the Ordinance that dealt with that question.
Mr. Elias London thanked the Returning Officer for the kind remarks he had made. They as villagers were thankful to the government for this principle of self-government. With regard to the Councillors, he would ask them to work together with a cheerful mind and to keep down expenses.
Mr. Pitta moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer and said the villagers would be glad to receive his advice and assistance in the carrying out of the necessary works for the improvements of the two villages.
The Returning Officer acknowledged the vote of thanks, and said he hoped they would let that spirit of unity exists between themselves.
Mr. P. Riley said he wished the newly elected Councillors all prosperity in the work they had undertaken, and he hoped that they would not do like what the wealthy shopman did to the hungry dog. (Laughter).
The proceedings then terminated.
Source: The New Village Ordinance – Election of Village Councillors for Golden Grove and Nabaclis - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Friday, February 10, 1893:page 3 column 3.

petition

2010-08-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
A petition from certain proprietors of Golden Grove said that they had unanimously agreed not to consent to Golden Grove and Nabaclis being made one village under the ordinance, and would like the former worked entirely from the latter. The petition from Nabaclis was in similar terms.
The Chairman said the point seemed to be that they objected to amalgamate.
Dr. Grieve thought they should have some particulars as to the size of the places.
The Secretary mentioned that they had been both under one overseer since 1883.
SOURCE: Central Board of Health - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, November 15, 1892: page 4 column 4.

Cattle and Poultry Show 1948

2010-04-29T16:11:00.001-07:00

CATTLE AND POULTRY SHOW AT GOLDEN GROVE - ENCOURAGING FARMERS TO IMPROVE STOCK
The Cattle and Poultry Show held by the Department of Agriculture at Golden Grove, recently was a success although in view of the fact that it was open to farmers from Mahaicony to Plaisance, it may not have come up to the Department's expectations from the point of view of the number of cattle and poultry entered. It might be that farmers in those areas of the East Coast, Demerara, where shows and competitions had already been held did not quite appreciate that they could again have entered at least their prizewinning animals, and some of them could certainly have won again.
At Golden Grove, there appeared, for instance, to be no better milch cow with calf at foot than that which won the first prize at Betterverwagting. That was a Holstein blood cow giving 26 pints of milk a day at her first drop.
There were ten competitions at Golden Grove. The judging was done by Mr. Edwin I. Hugh, acting Livestock Officer, assisted by Dr. E. Ususki, Government Veterinary Surgeon.
As Mr. Hugh went along, he gave useful hints to cattle-farmers and poultry-rearers, how to improve their stock. Then, after the prize-giving, he emphasised many points and expressed the hope of seeing more and better Cattle and Poultry at next year's Show.
The presence of Mr. C. Holman B. Williams, Deputy Director of Agriculture, gave encouragements to all. Before presenting the prizes, he apologized for the absence of the Director of Agriculture (Mr. H. H. Croucher) who, the Deputy Director said, had found it impossible to attend.
Mr. Holman Williams next congratulated the people on the fine show they had put up, and said encouragingly, that they did not expect so many entries nor entries of such good quality. He again congratulated them and also the agricultural superintendent, Mr. H. A. Cole, and his assistants on the "very excellent show" which had been put up.
Prizes in cash and kind (including animal and poultry feeds) were awarded.

THE PRIZE WINNERS
the following were the prize winners:
HEIFER CALF (3 to 6 months): First ($14)- Bernard Madray of Paradise; Second ($11) - C. Allick of Nabaclis; Third ($8) - T. Solomon of Nabaclis; Fourth ($5) - Joseph Wrong of Golden Grove.
HEIFER CALF (7 to 16 months): First ($14)- F. Monplasir of Bachelor's Adventure; Second ($11) - A. McDonald of Nabaclis; Third ($8) - S. Smith of Nabaclis; Fourth ($5) - M. Williams of Enmore.
HEIFER (17 to 30 months): First ($14)- M. Bissett of Mahaica; Second ($11) - Parbatee of Bachelor's Adventure; Third ($8) - R. Mitchell of Nabaclis; Fourth ($5) - Geraldine Aaron of Golden Grove.
COW (31 to 48 months): First ($18) - Samaroo of Vigilance; Second ($14) - M. Bissett; Third ($10)- Ramkissoon of Mahaica; Fourth ($6) - Dindin of Vigilance.
EWE (age) (twelve months and over): First ($9)- W. Mahase of Enmore; Second ($6) - T. Joyce of Golden Grove; Third ($3) - Agnes Williams of Golden Grove.
RAM (twelve months and over): First ($9)- C. Deuwarder of Golden Grove; Second ($6) - W. Jagnarine of De Hoop; Third ($3) - Leonard Scott of Golden Grove.
LAMB : First ($6) - I. Mohamed of Golden Grove; Second ($4) - Hussein of Haslington; Third ($2) - A. Fernandes.
FOWLS (trio of the same breed): First ($10)- P. Singh of Golden Grove; Second ($8) - Partab of Bachelor's Adventure; Third ($6) - S. Jeune.
TURKEYS (Pair of the same breed): First ($6) - Janet Chester of Golden Grove; Second ($4) - S. Jeune of Golden Grove; Third ($2) - M. Isaacs of Nabaclis.
DUCKS (Pair of the same breed): First ($6) - I. Johnson of Golden Grove; Second ($4) - W. David of Golden Grove; Third ($2) - A. Johnson of Golden Grove. Consolation prizes were awarded to H. Hughes and J. Douglas.
Source: The Daily Argosy, Tuesday, September 7, 1948: page 4.

PLEASE NOTE: Please forward this article by any means possible to persons connected to Guyana and particularly to those linked to the villages and/or communities located between Plaisance and Mahaicony, inclusive, on the Sea Coast east of the Demerara river.
I would dearly love to be enlightened respecting the identity of the farmers mentioned in the article. Therefore, if you are aware of their names and their relatives will you then - please enlighten me. At this juncture I am particularly interested in the identity of A. Johnson, and I. Johnson of Golden Grove. I need to know their exact relationship( if any) with the mother of Teasie Johnson, Limmie Johnson and Agnes Bastiani. I also need to be enlighten regarding the name and other vital statistics of the mother of Teasie Johnson, Limmie Johnson and Agnes Bastiani, including the names of her husbands, and eight other children and grand children.
there are three photographs accompanying the article. They are that of the Champion Ram, the Champion Ewe and Lamb. The images of the animals and their owners are displayed top, centre and bottom, respectively. I would love to obtain copies of the images. if you have access to machines which transfer images from micro film format to PDF and/or any other format of digital images. If you can and/or would be able to facilitate please do so soonest. contact information : Email Inbox : - NABACLISMAN@GMAIL.COM
Every nation including the industrialized and/or the so called developed nations on earth depend on production in their rural districts. It is obvious Guyana cannot attain developed nation status without contributions from its agricultural communities and those of the hinterland. If not Guyana would remain as it is - a failed state - a consumer nation not a producer nation. Why is the Minister of Agriculture, and the technocrats employed at the Ministry of Agriculture being allowed to fail our people? Why are they receiving compensation for services they never render? Why are the agricultural communities failing to produce? What can and must be done to remedy the situation?

HORTICULTURAL SHOW AT GOLDEN GROVE

2009-12-09T15:33:00.001-08:00

HORTICULTURAL SHOW AT GOLDEN GROVE
The Horticultural Show held at the Village of Golden Grove, East coast, on Tuesday afternoon, 7th inst., was attended with a large measure of success. The day was fine and arrangements made were satisfactory. A large number of persons attended; and at 4o’clock the Rev. H. Gainer made a very suitable speech, after which he declared the Show open. Mr. Tappin J. Elliott, of the Committee of Management, replied. The number and variety of the exhibits were very large, numbering over 500. Chief among them were rice, guava jelly, hot sauce, pickles and ground provisions, including cassava, plantains, yams, tannias, tomatoes, ochroes; also economic products - cocoa, coffee and farinacious substances such as cornmeal, plantain flour, cassava flour, conquintay and arrowroot starch. There was also a very large number of exhibits of plants, and there were many exhibitors from the neighbouring villages of Ann’s Grove, Victoria, Paradise and Enmore. There was also an industrial section which included art needle, and fancy work. In the poultry section, Mr. Horatio Read, S.M., and Mr. Manoel De Souza carried first prizes. The Judges were Dr. Dickerson, Rev. Gainer, Rev. R. G. Fisher and Mr. Bethune. Ladies’ Judges; Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Bethune.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Friday, December 10, 1897: page 3.

GOLDEN GROVE FLOWER SHOW
The following is a list of the prizes obtained at Golden Grove Horticultural Poultry and Industrial Show held on 7th December: -
PLANTS:-ROSES-IN-FLOWER: Mrs. Lopes (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mrs. Teixeira (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
ROSE: Miss Mary Pitta (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mr. W. C. Brandon (Golden Grove) 2nd prize
MAIDEN HAIR FERN: Mrs. Lopes (Golden Grove) 1st prize,
FERNS OTHER THAN MAIDEN HAIR FERN: Miss Lily Brandon (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss Sarah Sealey, 2nd prize
FERN: Mrs. Lopes (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mr. M. De Souza (Victoria) 2nd prize Mr. C. Phillips (Golden Grove) special prize.
CROTONS: Miss M. James (Nabaclis) 1st prize, Miss Alice Brandon (Golden Grove) 2nd prize Miss Mary Pitta special prize.
CROTON: Miss M. James (Nabaclis) 1st prize, Miss L. Peters 2nd prize
BEGONIA: Miss Sarah Nelson (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss M. Nelson 2nd prize.
FLOWERING PLANTS: Mrs. Lopes (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss Lily Brandon (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
PEPPER TREE-IN-FRUIT: Miss Alice Brandon 1st prize, Mrs. C. Simon 2nd prize (Golden Grove).

CUT FLOWERS - CUT FLOWERS: Mrs. Lopes, 1st prize, Miss Sarah Sandy 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
CUT FLOWERS: Rev. H. Gainer (Enmore) 1st prize, Mrs. Lopes (Golden Grove) 2nd prize Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove) special prize.
BRIDAL BOUQUET: Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove) 1st prize, Mr. C. Phillips (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
FLORAL WREATH: Mr. C. Phillips (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
FLORAL CROSS: Miss E. Brandon, 1st prize.

FRUITS - BANANAS: Miss Lucy Lawrence (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mrs. Mary Sandy (Golden Grove) special prize.
BANANAS (FIG VARIETY) Miss C. Fernandes (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss E. Greene 2nd prize. BANANAS (SINGLE BUNCH): Mrs. E. Sandy (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.

PINE APPLE: Mr. T. Sumner (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mrs. M. Adams (Nabaclis) 2nd prize. MANGOES: Mrs. J. Castello, (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mrs. E. Sandy 2nd prize, Mrs. Judith Glasgow, special prize.
MAMMEE APPLES: Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove) 1st prize, Mr. H. Herod (Nabaclis) 2nd prize. SAPODILLAS: Mrs. M. Hughes, 1st prize, Mrs. Bookey, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
STAR APPLES: Mrs. Bookey (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
SUGAR APPLES: Miss A. Reid (Dochfour) 1st prize, Mrs. Martha Adams (Nabaclis) 2nd prize. CUSTARD APPLES: Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove) 1st prize, Miss A. Reid, 2nd prize.
SOUR SOP: Mrs. F. B. Trotman (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss A. Sumner, 2nd prize.
SWEET ORANGES: Mr. James Sumner, 1st prize, Miss E. Greene, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
SEVILLE ORANGES: Mrs. M. Adams (Nabaclis), 1st prize, Mr. J. Robertson 2nd prize.
GRAPE FORBIDDEN FRUIT: Mr. Francis De Silva (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
SHADDOCKS: Mrs. E. Sandy (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mrs. Bookey, 2nd prize.
LIMES: Mrs. E. Sandy, 1st prize, Mrs. E. Waldron, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
GRAPES: Mrs. E. Lopes, 1st prize, Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove), 2nd prize.
GUAVAS: Miss M. Sealey (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Miss E. Cromwell 2nd prize.
GUAVAS (ONE KIND): Mr. C. Phillips, 1st prize, (Golden Grove).
COCOANUTS: Mr. John D’Abreu, 1st prize, Mr. C. Phillips, 2nd prize, Mr. A. Moore, special prize.

VEGETABLES -PLANTAINS: Miss J. Hamilton, 1st prize, Mr. N. Hughes, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
YAMS: Mr. N. Murray (Victoria) 1st prize, Mrs. L. Seaforth (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
BITTER CASSAVA: Mr. R. Portsmouth, 1st prize, Miss M. Edwards, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
SWEET CASSAVA: Mrs. A. Waldron, 1st prize, Miss Phillis Collins, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
TANNIAS: Mr. John Nelson, (Victoria), 2nd prize.
EDDOES: Mr. John Nelson, (Victoria), 2nd prize.
PUMPKIN: Mrs. Sarah Lewis (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Pharbhoosingh (Enmore) 2nd prize.
SQUASHES: Mr. Jos. Lewis (Nabaclis) 1st prize, Mr. Jas. Robertson (Ann’s Grove) 2nd prize.
CUCUMBERS: Miss E. Waldron, 1st prize, Mrs. Sarah Seeley, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
BREADFRUITS: Mrs. E. Sandy, 1st prize, Miss Phillis Collins, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
BREAD NUTS: Mr. R. Charles (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Mr. Jas. Robertson (Ann’s Grove) 2nd prize.
CORN: Mrs. Lopes, 1st prize, Mr. Jas. Sumner, 2nd prize, (Golden Grove).
GREEN SHELLOTS: Pharbhoosingh, (Enmore), 1st prize, Miss Phillis Collins, (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
BEANS: Mr. T. Perry, (Enmore), special prize.
OCHROES: Miss Phillis Collins, 1st prize, Miss Sarah Kendall, 2nd prize.
PAPAWS: Miss J. Pereira, 1st prize, Mrs. Pitta, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
PEPPERS: Mr. W. C. Brandon, 1st prize, Edward Bailey, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
EGGPLANT: Hola (Plantation Hope) 1st prize, Miss M. Nelson (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
EGGPLANT: Ramnarine (Golden Grove) special prize.

ECONOMIC PRODUCTS - COFFEE: R. Charles 1st prize, A. Trim, 2nd prize (Golden Grove). LIBERIAN COFFEE: Mrs. Pitta, special prize.
COCOA BEANS: Mrs. Jane David (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
RICE: Parbhoosingh (Enmore) 1st prize, Bidessey, (Golden Grove) Second prize (Golden Grove) Mr. James Robertson (Ann’s Grove), special prize.
CORNMEAL: Phillis Clark (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
PLANTAIN MEAL: Mary Sandy, 1st prize, Eve Conwright, 2nd prize Miss Evelyn (Golden Grove), special prize.
FARINE: Miss E. Cromwell, 1st prize, Sarah Dick, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
ARROWROOT: Judith Glasgow, 1st prize, F. D’Silva, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
STARCHES: E. Brandon, 1st prize (Golden Grove) Mrs. Herod (Nabaclis), 2nd prize.
HONEY: R. James 2nd prize.
PICKLE: Eve Conwright, 1st prize (Golden Grove) J. Robertson 2nd prize (Ann’s Grove).
HOT SAUCE: E. Brandon, (Golden Grove) 1st prize F. B. Trotman (Golden Grove), 2nd prize. CURRY POWDER: Sarah Sandy, 1st prize, Sarah Nelson, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
GUAVA JELLY: E. Brandon, 1st prize, A. Brandon, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
TOBACCO: Joseph Parkinson (Enmore) special.
JAMS: Miss Evelyn, 1st prize, Mary Green, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
CASSAREEP: Miss D. Hamilton, 1st prize, Mary Sandy, 2nd prize (Golden Grove).
PRESERVES: Anne S. Elliott (Nabaclis), 1st prize, and, 2nd prize.
CASSAVA BREAD: Mrs. Rytiniyer (Golden Grove), 1st prize, Julia Pieters, 2nd prize, A. V. Hamar (Enmore), special prize.
SUGAR (VILLAGE MADE): Miss Evelyn, 1st prize, J. Evelyn, 2nd prize.
CAYENNE PEPPER: Mrs. Ralph (Enmore) special.
COCONUT OIL: Mary Sandy (Golden Grove) special.

POULTRY-FOWLS: M. De Souza (Victoria) 1st prize, Z. Mendes, (Golden Grove) 2nd prize. FOWL’S EGGS: Z. Mendes, (Golden Grove) 1st prize, A. J. Hamer, (Enmore) 2nd prize.
Turkeys: Mrs. Bookey (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
GUINEA BIRDS: D. McDonald, (Nabaclis) 1st prize.
DUCKS: Egma 1st prize, Miss James (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
PIGEONS: Horatio Read (Belfield) 1st prize, Nancy Nedd (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.
WILD BIRDS: Jerry Lopes (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Alfred Williams (Golden Grove) 2nd prize.

Class G. - FLOWER POTS: Jas. Robertson (Ann’s Grove), 1st prize.
RUSTIC FURNITURE: C. Phillips (Golden Grove) 1st prize.
BIRD CAGE: Alfred Williams (Golden Grove) 1st prize, Sookna (Golden Grove) 2nd prize. CROTCHET LACE: L. Ferreira (Golden Grove) 1st prize, V. Da Castro, 2nd prize.
FANCY WORK: Mary Pitta (Golden Grove) 1st prize, L. Ferreira, 2nd prize, J. Da Castro, special, Thomas Elliott (Golden Grove) special.
SOURCE: The Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, December 22, 1897: page 3.

VICTORIA NOTES
At a meeting convened by Messrs. J. A. Barbour-James and M. De Souza on Monday evening, 13th inst., at the Roman Catholic Schoolroom to consider the advisability of holding an Industrial Show on the Belfield Race Course, the following gentlemen were present, viz.; Messrs. A. Reis, T. Jupiter, F. Mayers, W. H. Carrington, D. N. Mitchell, H. Charles and R. Layne.
Mr. Barbour-James was unanimously appointed Chairman, Mr. Jupiter, Vice-President, Mr. A. Reis, Corresponding Secretary, Mr. M. De Souza, Assistant Corresponding Secretary, Mr. W. H. Carrington, Treasurer, Mr. F. Mayers, General Secretary, Messrs. D. N. Mitchell, and Louis De Souza, Auditors. The meeting resolved to hold the Show on the 30th May next (Whit-Monday).
The local obituary for last week includes the death of a respectable villager of Victoria, Mrs. Williams, wife of Mr. J. C. Williams (Engineer) Plantation Hope.
A Feast-in-honour of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated at the Roman Catholic Church, Victoria, on Sunday, the 12th inst., The Rev. A. Baroni, S.J., was the officiating priest, and preached an appropriate sermon to an unusually large congregation, Batman’s first mass was beautifully rendered by the Choir. An arch was erected for the occasion in front of the Church and decorated with Chinese lanterns. In the evening the tower was brilliantly illuminated.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Thursday, December 16, 1897: page 3.

For Sale or To Let

2009-03-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

For Sale or To Let:
- Brooklyn, 213 Upper Charlotte Street, Georgetown, a two-storey Residence with all the modern conveniences; also a two-storey Cottage at Golden Grove Village, East Coast, only two minutes walk to Railway Platform.
Apply to Mr. E. Heyliger, c/o M. N. Rieck, Georgetown or to J. J. Hutt Victoria Village, East Coast.
Source: The Daily Argosy – Wednesday, October 2, 1912: Page 1.

For Sale by Private Treaty
Queenstown Property – Lots 278 and 280 Queenstown with that substantially “L” shaped built one-storey building, fitted with all the modern conveniences.
The yard is well planted with fruit and other trees.
Fine Country Residence - Lots 12 and 13, situate at Golden Grove Village, East Coast, comprising of that very comfortable dwelling house, stable and carriage House, which can be used as a garage. All in perfect coder.
The land is very fertile and capable of producing any kind of vegetable.
Also; one English Victoria American mare and set of harness. A real good bargain.
Source: The Daily Argosy – Wednesday, January 1, 1913 and Friday, January 3, 1923: Page 1.

I believe the second is an advertisement by John Bradshaw Sharples (1845-1913), Building Contractor. Please note – some time around 1902; Robert Johnson Sancho sold land at Bush corner in Golden Grove Village, East Coast of Demerara, to John Bradshaw Sharples (1845-1913).

Anthony Trotman : Stabbed by brother

2009-01-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

A 39-year-old man was stabbed by a brother after he told him to leave the home following the older man’s threat to cut their mother’s throat.

Anthony Trotman of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital after being stabbed in the left side of his abdomen with a knife. Reports are that at about 11:15 am yesterday, the older brother who was said to be in the habit of making threats said that he would cut their mother’s neck. This prompted Trotman to tell his older brother to get out of the house.

However, the man picked up a knife and stabbed Trotman instead. The injured man was taken to the medical institution while his stabber was held by police.

Source:http://stabroeknews.com/news/stabbed-by-brother/

Mamadou Lumumba and Shango Umoja

2008-10-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

January 1973: Mamadou Lumumba and Shango Umoja deported from Guyana to USA. The PNC Administration stated the reason for deporting Mamadou Lumumba and Shango Umoja were their association with the activities of African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA) in Guyana.
Sources: Third World March 30, 1973:Pages11-13.
Eusi Kwayana in Black Scholar May-August 1973.

Please Note:
Mamadou Lumumba and Shango Umoja were two of my instructor at Golden Grove Government Secondary School, located in Golden Grove Village, on the East Sea Coast of Demerara in Guyana. They taught me while I was student in the First and Second Forms of the institution. That was the beginning of my self-realization that before I became Guianese I was; I am indigenous to the so-called “African” Continent.

revenue notice

2008-04-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

"The kind of ancestors we have is not as important as the kind of descendants our ancestors have"… Dr. Phyllis Ann Wallace (1920-1993)

REVENUE NOTICE
LIST OF BUYERS AND SELLERS OF PRODUCE TO WHOM LICENCES HAVE BEEN ISSUED DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, 1921

ESSEQUIBO COAST FISCAL DISTRICT
Rampersaud….Aurora

GEORGETOWN FISCAL DISTRICT
Manoel Rodrigues… Victoria Village
Frances Seymour…Nabaclis Village
Thomas Bollers…Nabaclis Village
James Dowridge…Nabaclis Village
John Robert Prince… Victoria Village
Edwin Simon...Cove & John Front, E.C.
Mary Ann Eversley...Golden Grove, E.C.
Jose Da Silva...Belfield, E.C.
Frances Gouveia...Belfield, E.C.
Elizabeth Barbour...Golden Grove, E.C.
Rebecca Hercules...Mahaica Village, E.C.
George Griffith… Victoria, E.C.

EAST COAST FISCAL DISTRICT
Chas. Dennis … Triumph

MAHAICA FISCAL DISTRICT
Henry June...Golden Grove.
Mary Ann Eversley...Golden Grove.
Henry David...Golden Grove.
Basil David...Golden Grove.
James Hercules...Golden Grove.
Thomas Bollers…Nabaclis
Rebecca Benn…Nabaclis
Lewis Martin...Golden Grove.
Thomas Harry…Nabaclis
Charles Henry Dawson…Nabaclis
Donald Campbell…Lancaster.
Robert Alfred...Golden Grove.
Frederick Williams...Golden Grove.
Thomas Forde...Golden Grove.
Alex. Nunes…Nabaclis
Leonard James...Golden Grove.
Manoël Mendes…Cove Front, E.C.
Frances Seymour…Nabaclis
James Hamilton…Nabaclis
Alex. Sancho...Golden Grove.
Frances Austin...Golden Grove.
George Barker...Ann's Grove.
Manoel M. da Silva…Nabaclis
Prince Barlow…Victoria Village
Jose Teixeira…Nooten Zuil
John Enverary…Victoria Village
Wm. Thomas…Victoria Village
John Rodrigues…Nooten Zuil
Domingo Da Silva…Nabaclis
Manoel Goveia…Nooten Zuil
Fastina Ferreira…Nabaclis
Prince Dover…Two Friends
Mary Smith…Nabaclis
Johannah Dover…Two Friends
Joseph Langhorne…Victoria Village
Wm. Herod...Golden Grove.
Nathaniel Hughes...Golden Grove.
Moses Henry…Victoria Village
Antonio Da Silva…Belfield
Andrew A. Benn…Victoria
Vincent Goveia…Victoria
Mary Melville...Golden Grove.
Manoel Goveia...Golden Grove.
Francis Gonsalves…Nooten Zuil
Francis Da Silva…Victoria
Isaac St. Kitts...Golden Grove.
Francis Fernandes…Two Friends
Leonard Baynes…Victoria
Mary Fernandes…Nooten Zuil
Joseph Machadi…Victoria
Thomas Adams…Nabaclis
James A. Layne…Nabaclis

WEST COAST BERBICE FISCAL DISTRICT
Jos. Williams...Golden Grove, E.C.
Alex. Sancho...Golden Grove, E.C.
Frances Austin...Golden Grove, E.C.
Thomas Henry…Nabaclis
J. J. Pestana…Huntley
Augustus Bobb…Zes Kenderen
Source: Revenue Notice - The Daily Argosy – Thursday, August 18, 1921: Page 3.

--
"The slave may have appeared in a profit and loss account as an item, a thing, a piece of property, but he faced his new situation as an African, a worker, and a man. At this level of perception – It is quite irrelevant to enquire from which tribe or region a particular African originated"… Walter Anthony Rodney (1942 -1980) Dares Salaam Tanzania October 1969

"The similarity of African survivals in the New World points not to tribal peculiarities but to the essential oneness of African Culture; that culture was the shield which frustrated the efforts of Europeans to dehumanize Africans through servitude"… Walter Anthony Rodney (1942 -1980)

Death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples

2008-04-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

DEATH OF MR. D. E. SHARPLES - COLONY’S LEADING SCHOOLMASTER – END OF A USEFUL CAREER.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples, head master of St. Thomas Scots School, Georgetown, which occurred at his residence at lot 40 Parade Street, Kingston at about 10 o’clock last night. Death was due to heart failure, after a few hours illness, Mr. Sharples although not in the best of health, attended his school yesterday but was taken ill during the afternoon.
On his return home, he sat as usual in the gallery until about 7:30 PM when a call from his servant got no response. It was then discovered that he was seriously ill and unconscious. Dr. Wharton was summoned and on arrival held out no hope of his recovery. Death ensued at about 10:00 PM
Mr. Sharples, who was known to several generations in the colony as “the Boss”, was the most successful primary school master in the colony. Born in the colony about 71 years ago he was educated at Bishop’s College where he had a brilliant career. He was appointed master at St. Swithin’s school in the early eighties and 45 years ago (in 1876) he took charge of St. Thomas School where he has served until death.
“Dan” Sharples as he was familiarly known was a man of very strong principals and a kind heart. He was a big figure among the primary school masters of the colony and has built up for St. Thomas school the highest reputation among the primary schools of this colony.

A LOVE FOR TEACHING
He had an innate love for teaching, the art of which was highly exemplified by his method of instruction. Scores of persons in all walks of life in the colony owe their success to the valuable foundation laid at St. Thomas under the tuition of Mr. Sharples. Scholars of St. Thomas School have won the majority of Primary Scholarships year after year and many of them have continued their careers into the higher branches of Education. Several ex-pupils of St. Thomas have won the Guiana Scholarship and now adorn the various professions in the colony. Others, occupy positions in the Civil Service, mercantile life and other positions of credit and distinction. All these bear living testimony to the splendid public service of an able teacher who was truly devoted to his life’s work.
Mr. Sharples was of a very retiring disposition, so much so that he declined to avail himself of an opportunity to go to England to qualify in any profession he desired. He loved to teach and gave up his life in the noble service. His loss will create a great void in the public school life of the colony. He was an Elder of St. Thomas Church and a staunch churchman.
Mr. Sharples leaves two brothers Messrs. J. B. and “Henry” Sharples, several nephews and nieces to mourn his loss.
The funeral will take place at 4 o’clock this afternoon.

ATTENDANCE
Among those in attendance were the Revs. Dr. D. P. Talbot, and M. A. Cosson, Drs. F. G. Rose, Joshua S. Nedd and Loris Rohan Sharples, the Hons. P. N. Browne, KC. and E. G. Woolford KC., Messrs. H. W. Sconce, E. R. D. Moulder, J. D. Lawrence, H. A. Matthews, J. B. Woolford, W. G. Smellie, T. Hiscocks, J. J. Valladores, McLean Ogle, J. S. Johnson, R. Dimey, E. A. W. Sampson, Samuel Edgar Wills, Hubert De Lohme Durant, L. R. Chase, Stephen Arminius Robertson, E. Millington, E. E. S. Blackman, W. A. Osborn, C. Medas, Samuel Augustus Campbell, F. E. Pollard, J. Owen, A. E. Collins, George W. Lawrence, J. Cannings, D. Jackson, E. A. F. Weeks, C. A. Joseph, A. E. Barker, William Arno, A. E. Small, D. Maskell, Jacob Alexander Nicholson, E. Bentham, S. Persico, C. Campbell, E. A. Campbell, J. B. Sharples, Jr., J. A. M. Osborn, H. L. Franck, C. L. Collins, J. S. Denny, S. St. Clair, Roman, S. H. Parkinson, Frank Wight, H. Cyril Lord, Gustavus Nelson Lord, S. T. Conway, H. H. Jones, R. L. Bentham, J. E. Forde, Gerald Cossou, J. E. Tafaras, W. J. Raatgever, T. G. Wrigglesworth, R. A. Savory, T. B. Henderson, E. G. D. Hinds, F. A. Cummings, E. A. Hackett, R. L. Edwards, W. Harrison, K. H. Cregan, C. H. Harewood, E. C. Johnson, A. R. Hunte, O. A. Richardson, C. S. Percival, P. C. Cox, J. L. Ewing-Chow, G. A. Brown, W. October, S. D. Morrison, R. L. Douglas, E. Elcock, F. O. Richards, C. A. Cregan, R. E., & C. K. Franker, F. O. Richards, J. N. Cox, J. L. Ramsay, J. W. Ogle, Charles Thomas Holder, C. V. Lewis, S. Headley, A. McLean and Sampson Nathaniel Collins.
Source: the Death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples - The Daily Argosy – Tuesday, November 22, 1921: page 6.

A MEMORIAL SCHOOL

2008-04-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

Dan E. Sharples by L. Evelyn Moe
Happiest of men, He found his niche of labour,
And to the goal, reckless of fear or favour,
Of high preferment, or of breath of slander,
Onward he pressed, his single aim to
mould the minds of youth,
so seek beyond, the golden streams of
knowledge and of truth.
Nor ceased be when, this happily accomplished,
Time rolled, and others named them
“men.”
“Boys” ever were they; and with jealous
care
He gazed, to glean perchance how each did
fare.
Now bursting forth in anger choleric,
He stormed and scolded, fretted, argued,
fumed,
A fleeting moment, and with mind attuned
To gentler feelings, forth he stretched his
hand,
to smooth their pathway as with fairy wand.
This was a man. Now we mourn his loss.
Old Master, True Friend, “Dan,” “Old Sharples,” “The Boss.”
Freely he gave, and recked not, of his best.
God grant him rest.

A MEMORIAL SCHOOL
TO THE EDITOR: “The Daily Argosy.” SIR, - It is not too late in the day for the City Council of Georgetown to identify itself more closely with education by establishing a fine Borough School well appointed, well and efficiently staffed. It is a reproach to our “Garden City” that it should be without a school standing and amongst the rest as a model in every respect. However, much we may praise the work done by St. Thomas’ School under the late Mr. Sharples we cannot disguise the fact that the atmosphere of the School is not desirable. It is disgraceful that the best school of the city and of the colony should be found coupled up in one of the worst alleys of the city – tiger Bay, the rendezvous of the cut throat and the demimonde – a school the pupils of which have to fall back upon a broad pavement and the open street for a playground! My suggestion is that a large building of distinct architectural merit be erected at a corner of the Parade Ground in Middle Street to house the pupils of this school.
A more ideal spot for such an institution could not be found for this “Sharples Memorial School”. The principal should be a Master of Method from an approved Normal College in England or Canada (Canadian teachers are not to be despised). A capable Kindergarten teacher ought also to find a place on the staff. The assistant teachers who could be found locally should all be certificated. In recommending an outsider as Principal, I do so, not in disparagement of our local headmasters, but, however, proud we may feel of many of them the fact remains that they have never had the advantage of the foreign trained man.
As for the financial side of the scheme. I see no difficulty. The money for the building could well be raised by a loan and as for running expenses I do not think that the levy of a small educational rate on the citizens would drive them all into Bankruptcy Court. We are not a whit poorer than our neighbours in Dutch Guiana and their educational system which I had the good fortune quite recently to study on the spot, puts us to shame. We in British Guiana thrive on talk and good intentions, but good intentions are not deeds. I commend this suggestion to our able City Fathers in particular, and to the citizens of Georgetown in general, for their earnest consideration and hope to live long enough to see the Model School rearing its proud head on the site I have suggested for it. I am, etc. W. G. Burgan the Vicarage, Belladrum 26th November 1921

Golden Grove Affairs - Ex-Overseer’s Statement.

2008-03-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

Golden Grove Affairs - Ex-Overseer’s Statement.
To the editor – “The Daily Argosy”, Sir – the paragraph published in your last Friday’s issue is a fabrication of lies by some notorious characters in the district.
After I was checked by Mr. Sarrabo, I was told the Chairman to go home and bring all the cash and money orders that I had in hand but just before this the Chairman made me give a receipt to one Henry for seven dollars, knowing that I had not this amount I did not return to office but sent on the Money orders for $ 94, and some cents kept with me the $29 and some cents that I collected Tuesday. I went and got the seven dollars and gave it all up Thursday, morning, when I was told that I was suspended (by the chairman) the abominable lie that I left the district and can not be seen is quite unfounded, but we all know that the monkey that lost his tail advised the others to do away with theirs. It is nothing else but that the concoctors want every man character to be like theirs – Yours truly, Munro Rodney, Ex-Overseer.
Source:
“Golden Grove Affairs”, The Daily Argosy, Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana, Wednesday, August 9, 1922: page 4.

William Simon Assaulted Willie Simon

2008-03-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

William Simon Assaulted Willie Simon at Golden Grove:
A wounding affray took place at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, on Monday night last, as the result of which a man named Willie Simon was seriously injured. Willie and William Simon had a dispute during the day and as night came on William is alleged to have attacked Willie, inflicting a nasty wound in the abdomen. The injured man was attended to shortly afterwards at Victoria by Mr. C. R. Crust, a dispenser, after which he was brought to the City the same night and admitted in the Public Hospital. His condition slightly improved yesterday.
Source:
“Wounding at Golden Grove” The Daily Argosy, Thursday, January 5, 1922: page 4.

Melbourne Returns

2007-09-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

County of Demerara - East Coast – Victoria
Mr. Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne, Head Teacher of Cove and John Anglican School, who recently returned from London as guest-scholar of the British Council was given a very rousing welcome on Thursday November 4, when he paid a visit to the school.
Upon his arrival, the entire school sang the song “Guiana’s Children”, after which a very appropriate expression of welcome was made by Mr. W. O. Garnett, Acting Head Teacher. This was followed by a recitation entitled “Flying by Joseph Whall a pupil of the Middle Division. Speeches were then made by other members of the staff after which there were recitations by two other pupils; Cecil Saul and Rahaman Sawh and then songs by each division followed.
Mr. Melbourne, in the course of his reply, referred to the many experiences of his travels during which he visited over twenty schools, and also the Liverpool University, where he took a course in English and where also he met with teachers from all parts of the World.
The children after listening to their, Head Teacher’s oratory were recipients of several pounds of sweets, supplied by Mr. Melbourne, who resumes his duties on December 1, next.

VICTORIA DISCUSSION CIRCLE
The Victoria Discussion circle met on Thursday night, November 4, at the Victoria Roman Catholic School hall presided over by Mr. F. B. Miller, who informed the meeting that Mr. Burrowes who should have been the guest-speaker that night was unavoidably absent. Consequently Messrs. Garnett and Austin, students of Law were there to speak on “Law and Order”. These two gentlemen gave interesting talks on the value and benefits of Law and Order.

GOLDEN GROVE - NABACLIS VILLAGE COUNCIL
The Meeting Statutory of the Golden Grove - Nabaclis Village Council was held on Friday, afternoon, November 5, 1948.
Presided over by Mr. Hubert Augustus Hughes, Chairman; other councilors present were Messrs. Augustine Fernandes (Deputy Chairman), Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman, Stephen Livingston Jeune, W. A. Mc Donald, Mitchell Fraser, and Thomas Henry Benn, with Messrs. M. Fernandes (Assistant District Commissioner (acting), M. Madramootoo (Cane-farming Overseer), N. Sattaur (Sanitary Inspector ), J. H. Stephen (Clerical Assistant) who acted as Clerk to the Council, vice Mr. Frederick B. Solomon who was indisposed, and Isaac Nelson (Ranger)

After prayers, the Assistant District Commissioner was welcomed and introduced to members of the Council by the Chairman. In accepting the welcome the Assistant District Commissioner expressed his eager willingness to cooperate with the Council.
The Chairman informed the meeting that repairs to bridges had not yet been carried out as only part of the materials had arrived.
Replying to a question by Councillor Fernandes, the Chairman said that the work on the East Sideline trench had been completed.
The Sanitary Inspector’s Report was read and adopted. It disclosed that all was not well at the Abattoir which needed extension as well as new vessels. It was decided that the Council visit the Abattoir on Friday, November 12, at about 4.30 PM in order to inspect conditions there.
Correspondence was then dealt with.
It was decided that the Bell-Crier should go around to give warning to defaulting rate-payers that legal proceedings would be taken against them shortly for failure to pay rates.
The Chairman informed the meeting that the board had approved of the confirmation of the appointment of Mr. J. H. Stephen, Clerical Assistant.

Source: Covering the Country Districts -The Daily Chronicle - Friday, December 10, 1948: page 6

Bridge in Industrial Area Requires Widening

2007-09-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Golden Grove and Nabaclis
Bridge in Industrial Area Requires Widening
The Statutory Meeting of the Village Council of Golden Grove and Nabaclis was held on Friday, February 1, 1946.
Present were the Chairman; Mr. Hubert Augustus Hughes, the Deputy- Chairman Mr. Joshua Arthur Younge, Councillors; Mr. T. R. Persaud, Mr. Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne, Mr. Charles Herman Collins, Mr. Thomas Henry Benn, with the Overseer, Mr. William Theophilus Benjamin, the Assistant Overseer Mr. Frederick Solomon, and the Sanitary Officer, Mr. L.O. Barton.
Letters were received from Messrs. Sahaish Persaud, Teddy Summer, and Mrs. Matilda Lynch, asking that a bridge in the Industrial Area be widened to ease their burden in fetching out their coconut-oil, pigs, etc, by carts.
Mr. Persaud offered to advance the cash for doing the work and to wait for a refund until the Council was able to make good. It was decided that the entire council visit the scene to ascertain the true position.
A letter from another coconut-oil manufacturer again brought up the question of the difficulty proprietors experience in getting good supplies of portable water. It was decided to interview the Director of Medical Services, by a deputation with a view to get an extension of pipe-lines on an additional well to supply the needs of the proprietors.

PERMISSION TO PERUSE THE ASSESSMENT BOOK
Abdul Rahim and others wrote asking permission to peruse the Assessment Book for the purpose of getting the names and number of proprietors of Golden Grove in connection with their petition to the local Government Board for the allotting, and distribution of Section C, to proprietors was deferred in order to find out whether such was permissible.
The Overseer’s Report showing an income for the month of $340.50, with an expenditure of $133.86. He reported that a half gallon of carbon bisulphide had been purchased to abate the Coushi Ants nuisance in the farmlands.
It was decided to send around the bell-crier calling upon defaulters to pay up Arrears rates immediately

CHAIRMAN TO USE PERSUASIVE MEASURES
The Sanitary Inspector submitted a list of defaulters who had failed to carry out certain works although served with notices for a long period. The Chairman promised to use persuasive measures to get them to comply with the orders, failing which they would be prosecuted.
The Deputy Chairman queried the amount of money the Council had in the Reserve Fund, if it was in the Bank and whether it had earned any interest. The Chairman promised to find out.
Before the end of the meeting Councillors extended congratulations to the sanitary Inspector Mr. L.O. Barton in connection with his recent success at the examinations in Barbados. Mr. Barton suitably replied
Source: Covering the Country Districts -The Sunday Chronicle - February 10, 1946: page 7.

Hubert Alfred Thompson

2007-08-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA HENRIETTA THOMPSON
In loving memory of our beloved, Victoria Henrietta, wife of Ex-County Sergeant Major Thompson, mother of Eustace (USA), Burchell, Cedric and William who departed this life of February 4, 1935 at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara.
“Rest in Peace”
Inserted by her loving husband and children
Source: Announcements: In Memoriam - The Sunday Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana, South America, February 6, 1944: page 6.

THOMPSON RETIREMENT
It is rumoured that Miss Baby Thompson, sister of Mr. Hubert Alfred Thompson ,J.P., retired Schoolmaster and Chairman of the Local Authority, will be following her brother into retirement on pension during the year. Miss Thompson has been an Assistant Teacher at St. Andrew's Anglican School, Cove and John Front for many years (Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones)
Source: District News, The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana, Sunday, June 10, 1934 : page 3.

DEAD:
THOMPSON – On Sunday, January 3, 1943, Mr. Hubert Alfred Thompson, retired Schoolmaster and Organist, St. Andrew's Episcopal School and Church, Father of Franz (Mackenzie); Flora (Charge Nurse, Public Hospital, Georgetown); Stella (Aruba); Mae, Clair Veaux, Enid and Percy
Source: Daily Chronicle, Monday, January 4, 1943: page 1.

Obituary: HUBERT ALFRED THOMPSON, J.P (1870-1943)
The remains of Mr. Hubert Alfred Thompson, (72) were laid to rest in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, on Monday, January 4, 1943. There were many sympathizers from far and near, an index of the high esteem in which Mr. Thompson was held.
The deceased was born at Nabaclis, and received his early training at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, where he filled the post of head teacher for many years. He was transferred to Christ Church Episcopal School,
Georgetown, but remained for a short time returning to St. Andrew's Episcopal School until his retirement eleven years ago.
His death as the Reverend Fr. Sears stated in his funeral panegyric, closes a chapter in the history of St. Andrew's Anglican Church, as well as of the entire Upper East Coast District but particularly, Victoria.
For more than twenty-five years Mr. Thompson served the Village Council of Victoria first as Chairman and later as a Government nominee. He was also Returning Officer of the Council of Beterverwagting-Triumph, Secretary of the Victoria Co-operative Credit Bank, and years ago he was chairman of the Victoria Institute, now defunct, and also of the Victoria-Belfield Agricultural Society.
Up to the time of his illness he carried out with unflinching devotion the assiduous duties of Organist and Lay Reader of the Church. "His musical Genius" states the incumbent, "is all too well known; he charmed all by his masterly performances."
The corpse arrived from Lee's Funeral Parlour at 3.30 p.m., and was followed in procession from the village to the church where it lay in state in the Chancel.
At 4.30 p.m., the service began with the Reverend Fr. Sears officiating, assisted by Reverend Canon William Garnett Burgan, M. A., of
St. Augustine's Friendship. Fitting Tribute was paid by the incumbent to the life and work of the deceased.
While the corpse was borne from the Church to the cemetery, the Dead March in Saul was played.
The chief mourners were Clair, Percy (sons), Flora, Mae, Enid, Dolly (daughters); Edna, E. M. Storey and Family, Robert William Storey, William Thompson and Arabella Thompson (relatives).
The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. R. Muss, E. M. Storey, and S. E. A. Talbot, H. A. Lewis, Clayton Spencer, E. A. Borman, W. N. Arno, W. A. Pollard, S. B. Dolphin, Aaron Victor Lawrence, County Sergeant-Major Thompson, Dalin Chand Persaud, and Frank Russell.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE
Among those in Attendance were reverends Canon William Garnett Burgan, M. A., and W. Sears, Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones, County Sergeant-Major Thompson, Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne, Basil Arno, J. R. Butcher, George H. Morrison, Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman, James Alfred Trotman, H. E. Reis, Theophilus Augustus Luke, George Herbert Westwell Luke, C. St. Hill, Randolph Aaron Abrams, P. M. Richards, Wheeler and Ogle, R. W. Storey, Carl Bradshaw, F. A. Niles, W. T. Sullivan, Samuel Edgar Austin, G. R. Daniel, William Theophilus Benjamin, Richard Evelyn Thompson, R. Correira, W. Fidelle, Sydney Payne, S. E. Persico, W. B. Castello, W. Yearwood, R. Kendall, Ex-Sergeant Thomas Benn, P. J. Holder, J. R. Johnson, Arnold Sealey, Thomas A. Barry, H. A. Hazlewood, Lionel Rodney, P. J. Storey, Egan Benn, O. Roberts, Eric Andrews, B. Goring, B. Hope, P. Serroa, E. Dos Mattos, W. N. Scotland, Newburn Scotland, George V. Immanuel, Adam Gillis, Dolphin Ainsworth, and numerous old pupils.

FLORAL TRIBUTES
Floral tributes were received from his sorrowing children – Stella (Aruba); Franz (Mackenzie City); Flora, Mae, Enid, Clair, Percy, Dolly, Edna; Agnes, Rico and May Clement (Step-children); Ada (Trinidad)
Source: Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, January 12, 1943: page 8.

Golden Grove and Nabaclis Working People, 1960

2007-05-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Please note the entries identified fifty-three (53) Farmers, seven (7) Oil Manufacturers, ten (10) labourers, twenty-three (23) Carpenters, Five (5) Diamond Seekers, five (5) tailors, one (1) barber, one (1) Tinsmith, one (1) baker, six (6) Landed Proprietors, three (3) masons, two (2) plumbers, one (1) Gutter-smith, two (2) Shop-Keepers, one (1) Store Manager.

Who do you recall among those listed below? Can you identify their residence, and relatives?
Whose heritage is likely to include members of the kinships of Campbell, Sancho, Young/e Glasgow and Sarrabo?

James ABRAMS (Farmer); Randolph ABRAMS (Gutter smith & Plumber) Charles ADAMS (Mason, Nabaclis); Charles Stephen ADONIS (Farmer); Ivan AGADA(Labourer); Joseph AGEDA (Farmer, Golden Grove); Cecil ALLICK(Farmer); Reginald ALLICK(Farmer); Joseph AUSTIN(Carpenter)

Mohamed BACCHUS (Store Manager, Golden Grove); Ernest BASSO (Landed Proprietor, Nabaclis); Cyrus Egan BENN(Sugar Boiler); Egbert Frederick BENN (Carpenter); Isaiah BENN(Oil Manufacturer); Neville BENN(Landed Proprietor); Rickford BENN(Farmer); Thomas BENN (Farmer); Wilfred BENN (Farmer); BHARRAT(Farmer); Aubrey BLACKMAN (Cabinet Maker); Clement BLAIR (Labourer); Moses BLAIR (Farmer); Joseph Henry BOLLERS (Carpenter, Nabaclis); Thomas BOLLERS (Farmer, Nabaclis); Benjamin BRISTOL(Carpenter); Edward BRISTOL(Farmer); Gershom BRISTOL(Landed Proprietor); Henrique Jerome BRISTOL(Diamond Seeker); Ivan Dolphin BRISTOL(Carpenter); James BRISTOL(Carpenter); Joseph BRISTOL(Landed Proprietor); Oswald Alwyn BRISTOL(Electrician); Sendall McPherson BRUMELL(Farmer); Edward BURGESS (Farmer, Nabaclis);

Charles CAMPBELL (Engineer, Nabaclis); Benjamin CHARLES (Farmer, Golden Grove ); William Barrington CHESTER(Shopkeeper, Golden Grove ); Aubrey CLARKE(Carpenter, Golden Grove ); Fred CRANMORE (Farmer, Nabaclis); Hilton Richard CROWTHER (Carpenter, Nabaclis); Henry CULLEY (Diamond Seeker, Nabaclis);

Frederick DALY (Farmer, Golden Grove); Joseph Ignatius DA SILVA (Salesman, Golden Grove); Bernard DA SOUZA (Farmer, Nabaclis); Vivian DOUGLAS (Labourer, Golden Grove);

Bruce James ELIAS (Farmer); Esau ELIAS(Farmer); Gladstone ELIAS(Farmer); Jacob ELIAS(Farmer); Joseph EVERSLEY (Labourer, Golden Grove); Thomas Rockliffe EVERSLEY (Assistant Book-Keeper)

Hubert FERGUSON (Farmer, Nabaclis); Richard FRANK (Labourer, Golden Grove);

Selmo GARDENER (Farmer, Nabaclis); Wesley GARDENER (Labourer, Golden Grove); Gershom GEORGE (Farmer, Nabaclis); George GILL (Operator, Tobacco Company Limited); Theodore GILL (Laboratory Assistant Clerk, Rodrigues Limited); GIRDHARI (Farmer, Golden Grove); Joseph GONSALVES (Farmer, Golden Grove);

Carlton HARPER (Labourer, Golden Grove); Oscar HARPER (Carpenter, Golden Grove); Cecil HARRY (Farmer, Nabaclis); Ivan Gordon HARRY(Farmer, Golden Grove); Walter Emanuel HARRY (Diamond Seeker, Golden Grove); George Stanislaus HODGE (Crop Inspector, Golden Grove); John Edward HOLLINGSWORTH(Carpenter, Golden Grove ); Milton Sampson HOLLINGSWORTH(Oil Manufacturer, Golden Grove); Majeed HOOSSENY(Tailor, Nabaclis); Martin Leopold HOYTE (Plumber, Nabaclis); Oliver HUGHES(Farmer, Nabaclis); Robert Felix HUNTE (Carpenter, Nabaclis);

Charles ISAACS (Farmer, Golden Grove); Edward ISAACS (Farmer); Joseph ISAACS (Farmer);

Henry JACK (Nabaclis); Joseph Alexander JACK (Farmer); Timothy JACK (Labourer); Winston JACOBS (Electrician, Nabaclis);

Rupert JOSIAH (Farmer, Golden Grove); Theophilus JOYCE (Mason, Golden Grove);

Oscar KHAN (Tailor); Egan KINGSTON (Mason, Nabaclis); James KIRKWOOD (Farmer, Golden Grove); Henry KLIEN (Oil Manufacturer***, Golden Grove);

Clifton LAWRENCE (Carpenter, Nabaclis); Lancelot LAWRENCE (Carpenter); Hugh Alphonso LAYNE (Diamond Seeker, Nabaclis); Lawrence LAYNE (Carpenter, Nabaclis); Stephen LAYNE (Farmer, Nabaclis); James LEWIS (Painter, Golden Grove); Stephen LIMERICK (Carpenter, Nabaclis); George LIVERPOOL(Black-Smith, Golden Grove); Clayton LUKE (Labourer, Golden Grove);

Burchell Donald MARKS (Oil Manufacturer, Golden Grove); Donald MARK (Farmer, Golden Grove); Byron MONTROSE (Shopkeeper); Milford MONTROSE (Farmer); Brinsley MORGAN (Carpenter, Nabaclis);

James RALPH (Farmer); Aaron RICHARDS (Carpenter); Donald RICHARDS (Mason); Aubrey ROBERTS(Carpenter, Golden Grove ); Stephen ROBERTS(Carpenter, Golden Grove ); Cyril Clifton RODNEY(Farmer); Maxwell RODNEY(Landed Proprietor); Randolph RODNEY (Oil Manufacturer); Cardigan ROSS (Oil Manufacturer, Nabaclis);

Frank SAMUELS (Farmer, Golden Grove ); Leonard Augustus SCOTT(Farmer, Golden Grove ); John SHARPER (Mechanic, Golden Grove ); Caswell SIMON (Carpenter); Conwright SIMON (Landed Proprietor); Gerald SIMON (Farmer); Jeremiah SIMON (Farmer); Milton SIMON (Tailor); Robert SIMON (Boat Builder); Ronald SIMON (Labourer); Rupert SIMON (Mechanic); Kousyas SINGH (Farmer, Golden Grove ); Ramdat SINGH (Farmer, Nabaclis); Algernon Guy SOLOMON, Alwyn SOLOMON, Charles SOLOMON, Clifton Simon SOLOMON, David Montague SOLOMON, Godfrey SOLOMON, Jethro SOLOMON, Jonathan SOLOMON, Moses Augustus SOLOMON, Orville John Arthur SOLOMON, Rudolph SOLOMON, Terrence Earl SOLOMON, Wilfred SOLOMON, Felix SUBNER (Carpenter, Golden Grove ); Alexander SUMNER (Farmer); Hilton SUMNER (Diamond Seeker, Nabaclis); Jonathan SUMNER(Farmer); Joseph SUMNER (Oil Manufacturer); Thomas SUMNER (Farmer);

Charles TANNER (Carpenter, Golden Grove );Rampersaud TIWARI (Tailor); Henry THOMAS (Baker); Wilfred Albert THOMAS (Farmer); Henry THOMSIDE (Tinsmith, Golden Grove); Henry TROTMAN (Tailor); James TROTMAN (Barber); Sincere Oliver TROTMAN (Carpenter);

Fitzgerald WEATHERSPOON (Farmer, Golden Grove); David Alexander WRONG (Farmer, Golden Grove);

Source:
List of men qualified to serve as Jurors in the County of Demerara for the year, 1960-1961 Number # 47 - The Official Gazette of British Guiana - July 12, 1960: Pages 36-173.

Working Class People of Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Haslington

2007-04-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

OIL MANUFACTURERS
Nabaclis:
Randolph RODNEY, Joseph SUMNER, Cardingon ROSS,

Golden Grove:
James Alexander SOLOMON, Louis FERNANDES

FARMERS
Nabaclis:
Clifton RODNEY, Ramdat SINGH, Linden AGEDA, Samuel ABRAMS, James ABRAMS, Charles Stephen ADONIS, Reginald ALLICK, Cecil ALLICK, Thomas BOLLERS, Arnold SOLOMON, Sheridan SMITH, Gerald SIMON,

Golden Grove:
Richard ROBERTS, Leonard Augustus SCOTT, Ramnarine SINGH (Rice Farmer), Sahadeo SINGH, Alexander SUMNER, Jonathan SUMNER, John SUMNER, Kenneth Grandison STEPHENS, Moses BLAIR, Abraham SOLOMON, William Wilkens SIMON, Jeremiah SIMON, Frank SAMUELS,

SHOPKEEPERS
Nabaclis:
Reginald Cecil FARNUM, GOODUNG, HENDERSON, Eddie DE CASTRO

Golden Grove: DE CASTRO

FARMERS
Haslington:
Clifford GLASGOW

GOLDEN GROVE:
Conwright SIMON (Landed Proprietor), Alexander SIMON (Carpenter), Bob SANCHO (labourer), Aaron RICHARDS (Carpenter), James Augustus TONEY (Watchman),Joseph Ignatius DA SILVA (salesman), John FERGUSON (Driver), Richard FRANK (Labourer)

NABACLIS:
Randolph ABRAMS (Guttersmith), John Allen ADAMS, Charles ADAMS (Mason), Joseph Cornelius AUSTIN (Guttersmith),

Source: The Official Gazette of British Guiana - July 26, 1952: pages 139-147

Sharples of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara

2007-03-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

It seems the Leper Asylum at Mahaica was designed and built in 1858 by the architect James Bradshaw Sharples (1799-1859). Sharples was born in the Lancaster , in England , in the United Kingdom . Mr. Sharples resided at Golden Grove, East coast, Demerara. He married an African slave. They reproduced numerous off springs. Subsequently, James Bradshaw Sharples (1799-1859) became the father of the legendary African Guyanese kinship of academic excellence; Sharples. Among them are the following;
JOHN BRADSHAW SHARPLES (1845-1913), Building Contractor.
DANIEL EDGAR SHARPLES (1852-1921) Head Master, for 46 years at St. Thomas School in Georgetown.
Dr. LORIS ROHAN SHARPLES (1889-?), Medical Practitioner.
JOHN BRADSHAW SHARPLES (b. 1891), Registrar of Deeds.
MARIE WAVENEY SHARPLES (b. 1899), Guider and Brown Owl.
RICHARD GUI PENNINGTON SHARPLES (1906-1956), Magistrate, and Artist.
O. E. L. SHARPLES, Magistrate.
Dr. E. M. SHARPLES, Medical Practitioner.
ELOISE SHARPLES, Librarian, Reading Rooms of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society.
ELWYTH MENDESHALL SHARPLES.

DANIEL EDGAR SHARPLES (1852-1921) Head Master
One of Guyana ’s most brilliant Teachers. Educated at Bishop’s College and graduated brilliantly. He first taught at St. Swithin’s School and then for 46 years was Head Teacher of St. Thomas Scots School (nicknamed the Tiger Bay Academy ) he was the most successful Primary School Teacher in Guyanese History carrying off the majority of Scholarships year after year. He owned property at Parade and Crown Streets and walked to the school, everyday in his bowler hat along Carmichael Street , swinging a cane to the salutations of passerby, some of whom would say “good Morning Boss”, he was a bachelor and a strong disciplinarian, known to discipline his teachers also, if necessary. His star pupils are said to have been Samuel Edgar Wills, S. J. Van Sertima, Edgar Mortimer Duke, and F. G. Rose.

JAMES BRADSHAW SHARPLES (1799-1859) Architect
Born in Lancaster . He was educated in the United Kingdom , and became an architect and builder. He came to British Guiana and lived at Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara, where he was connected with the building of the Mahaica Hospital . He is reported to have died either during or at the end of the construction in 1859. While in British Guiana , he had several children by a slave (this is reported in a letter from one of his descendants) and was the founder of the Sharples family.
Source: Seymour, Arthur J. and Seymour, Elma (editors) 1985 A Dictionary of Guyanese Biography pages: 98-99

JOHN BRADSHAW SHARPLES (1845-1913) Building Contractor
In 1880, he started business at the British Guiana Steam Saw Mill and Kingston Steam Woodworking factory at lots 6, 7, and 10 Water Street. Allister MacMillan in his book the West Indies (1909) records that he built all the railway stations, bridges and store shelf for the British Guiana Railway Company between Georgetown and Rosignal in a three year contract for $85,000. He is also built 17 railway carriages for the company. He designed and built many houses in Georgetown , all recognizable by the iron stairs, the gable roofs, and carved doors. The house at 42 Anira and Oronoque Streets, we are informed by one of his descendants by letter, was designed to copy the Switzerland Chalet in which he spent his honeymoon. Son of James Bradshaw Sharples (1799-1859), he had a family of eleven strapping sons and was buried at sea at his own request.
Source:Seymour, Arthur J. and Seymour, Elma (editors) 1985 A Dictionary of Guyanese Biography pages: 98-99

Dr. LORIS ROHAN SHARPLES (1889) Medical Practitioner
Educated at Queen’s College and Edinburgh University , gaining degrees of M.B., Ch. , B. (Edin) and Certificates of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In 1914 he was first appointed Government Medical Officer, Public Hospital Georgetown. In 1918 he was appointed Justice of the Peace. He served as a Government Medical Officer, and resident Surgeon in man districts. On the Corentyne he was regarded as a father of the people. It was reported that he was willing to try out home medicines and he developed a quasi-psychologist approach to the understanding of his patients. The cricketer Kanhai was named Rohan after him. In latter years, he was involved to some degree in Politics.
Source:
Seymour, Arthur J. and Seymour, Elma (editors) 1985 A Dictionary of Guyanese Biography: pages 99-100

RICHARD GUI PENNINGTON SHARPLES (1906-1956) Magistrate, Artist
Educated at Ursuline Convent Kindergarten, St. Thomas School , Queen’s College and Gray’s Inn, London . He was articled to S. L. Van B. Stafford and became a Solicitor. He was appointed Magistrate. He was one of the best of Guyana ’s water-colour artists. Some of his paintings were in 1983 in his widow’s possessions in London and others illustrate Albert Raymond Forbes Webber (1889-1932)’s Centenary History of British Guiana, 1931. He was also involved in amateur theatricals with Dr. Fred Rose and his group.
Source: McWatt Clive W. (2006-05-07) Richard Gui Sharples - magistrate, artist and bon vivant: A centenary tribute http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=54958799Seymour, Arthur J. and Seymour, Elma (editors) 1985 A Dictionary of Guyanese BiographyRoth, Vincent and Delph, Claude Noel (editors) 1948 Who is Who in British Guiana Fourth Edition 1945-1948 Daily Chronicle Co. Ltd., Georgetown, British Guiana.

JOHN BRADSHAW SHARPLES (1845 – 1913)
A distinctive `style’ of domestic architecture emerged in British Guiana during the late 19th century through the creative skill of a slave woman’s son. John Bradshaw Sharples, fathered by British architect, James Bradshaw Sharples (1799-1859) was born in 1845 in the colony.

John followed in his father’s footsteps and became a builder/contractor. In 1880, he started his own business: British Guiana Sawmill and Kingston Steam Woodworking Factory, located in Water Street . His woodworking factory was extensively equipped with machinery allowing for the finest craftsmanship in his work. Venturing into building contracting, John Sharples carried out possibly the largest contract of that time, building all the railway stations, bridges, stores and other railway projects from Georgetown to Rosignol and from Vreed-en-hoop to Greenwich Park . Sharples also designed and built a number of houses in Georgetown , recognised by the iron stairs and balconies, steep gable roofs and carved doors. Two outstanding extant examples can be seen in Queenstown: one in Forshaw Street and the other in Anira and Oronoque Streets. Another fine example, still existing, is in Duke Street , Kingston .

SHARPLES - On the 8th instant at Friendship, East Coast, Demerara, MARIA AGATHA, wife of the late JOSEPH SCOTT SHARPLES. Aged 68 years. Funeral this morning. (Barbados papers please copy)
Source: The Daily Argosy, Georgetown, Demerara, August 6, 1922: Page 4.

African Association, Golden Grove Branch

2007-02-20T09:10:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove Mutual Relief and Burial Society
Medical assistance and financial assistance in Sickness and Death.
Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara.
Founded 1888. [October 16, 1888]
Average Membership - 104.
Secretary -- James A. Trotman, Esq., Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara.
(Source: Who is Who in British Guiana [Fourth Edition] 1945-48 Page 823)

African Association, Golden Grove Branch
Golden Grove - Branch of African Association
Golden Grove: The African Association founded at Beterverwagting by the Rev. Dr. Rodney has extended its branches to Golden Grove. Many prominent villagers met at the hall of the Mutual Relief Society and heard Dr. Rodney and his supporters from Beterverwagting as theyexplained the object of the society. The audience was impressed.
The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Mr. D. N. E. Hughes retired County Sergeant Major of Police.Many villagers expressed their willingness to become members and an invitation was extended to the Doctor to visit them. Mr. S. E. Austin asked questions and they were satisfactorily answered. After extending thanks for the visit, the meeting ended.
Source: Covering the Country districts - the Daily Chronicle, Thursday, December 23, 1948: page 6

BACK TO LIFE: Death of Mr. Oliver Hughes

2007-02-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove Villagers a week ago were thrown in great waves of sensation through the death of Mr. Oliver Hughes, who was reported dead early on Tuesday morning.
Mr. Hughes was to be buried the very afternoon.
The 2:30 P: M train from Georgetown, and elsewhere brought friends with wreaths to attend the funeral.
Not long after the arrival of friends the dead man came to life, again to the surprise of the dead man's relatives and friends. Telegram was immediately sent to the Stable which was engaged for funeral - to stop the Hearse and coffin as Mr. Hughes came back to life.
Mr. Oliver Hughes is the son of Mr. Nathaniel Hughes and the brother of Corporal Hughes - the Well-Known Obeah Specialist.
Grave Diggers Stop Digging The Grave.
Source: Jones, D.T. A. "District News - East Coast Demerara" - the New Outlook -- November 8, 1942: page 6.

Golden Grove – Nabaclis – Haslington Association’s Annual Breakfast

2007-02-14T11:57:00.000-08:00

I am hereby simply requesting; You publish the invitation found above in your print medium. You inform members of your loop and thereby they maybe able to participateand or determine other ways to contribute to this effort.Every one pitches in and makes the effort to rebuild our communities. Thanking you in advance for your tolerance and kind cooperation on the behalfof the people of the Golden Grove Nabaclis and Haslington communities.The struggle continues

Never Forget - People over Political Entities

2007-01-31T13:01:00.001-08:00

Never Forget - People over Political Entities

May the souls of the ancestors, rest in peace.

May the souls of the Africans in Guiana, who fought against the Europeans for self-determination, rest in peace?

May the souls of all Africans who were killed and or wounded by Europeans everywhere but especially those who were violated on the East Coast of Demerara, rest in peace.

May the souls of the farmers, rest in peace.

May the souls of the leaders the villages, from November 18, 1839 until the end of the first half of the twentieth century, rest in peace.

May the souls of all who were denied social justice, rest in peace.

May the souls of all who attempted to eradicate prejudice, and racism rest in peace?

May the souls of the teachers, particularly the Primary School teachers, until July 1973, rest in peace?

May the present crop really begin to represent the people over political entities and thus witness meaningful changes?

Above all, good people, we, must never forget Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones, James Alfred Trotman, Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman, Carlton Patton Browne Melbourne, Tappin Johnson Elliott, Leopold Duncan Sarrabo, George Cocksfield, Joseph A. Parkinson, Alexander Simon, and Nathaniel Maison, and all those who made efforts to improve the conditions of life in our community. The people who advocated and lived for community development of Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Haslington district.

Living in truth and walking in the light of the previous generations of our adopted ancestral home, is the motivation for the aforementioned thoughts.

THE DEFALCATIONS OF THE GOLDEN GROVE EX-OVERSEER

2007-01-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

The secretary reported that the surety for the defalcating ex-overseer of Golden Grove and Nabaclis was responsible to the extent of $240.00. He was allowed by the Board to pay $30.00 a quarter, and had paid up to the present $50.00. He asked now that the Board allow him to pay $20.00 a quarter, and he hoped to have the whole amount paid off in two years.
The arrangement was accepted after several members had expressed the opinion that making concessions to the sureties was a bad principle.
Source: The Daily Chronicle April 10, 1901: page 3.

Correspondence: The Voice of the Working Class People of the East Coast Demerara.

2006-12-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

THE GOLDEN GROVE CHAPEL
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle” Sir, - it having been reported to me that letters of sympathy are been written concerning the non-completion of the Golden Grove Wesleyan Chapel, I shall feel obliged, if you will kindly allow me to intimate to our friends, that these letters should be addressed to Rev. J. Grimshaw at Friendship or myself at the above place. And that there being accompanied with subscriptions in aid of the building fund will render them most welcome to
Yours truly,
Chas. L. Tabraham
Golden Grove
Demerara
May 8th, 1882
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, May 9, 1882: page 3

REV. C. L. TABRAHAM
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle” (NO TYRANNY) Sir, - perhaps it will be well that the rev. Chas. L. Tabraham of Golden Grove should know at once, that the people of this colony are not still slaves, and can sympathize with whom they think proper. It seems to me, he requires to be reminded of the fact that slavery was abolished in the West Indies long since. If he wants sympathy or money, he can beg for either, and if it gratifies his vanity to see his name figuring in the papers, he can write it as often as he pleases appended to vapid effusions, if he thinks this course creditable. But let him not presume to dictate to a people as free born and as good as himself.
Yours & etc
NO TYRANNY
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Thursday, May 11, 1882: page 3

The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Thursday May 11, 1882
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle” Sir, - in your issue of the 8th instant, I have noticed a letter from the pen of the above named reverend gentleman, which I think requires better punctuation and grammatical construction. I look upon that letter as an indirect attack or reflection on the Rev. J. A. Campbell, whom Mr. TAbraham succeeded. There are hundreds in this city and colony who know the worth of Mr. Campbell and of his building and past oral abilities, and he has friends on the very station where Mr. TAbraham is now labouring. I am sure these friends of Mr. Campbell, at Golden Grove do not appreciate Mr. Tabraham’s letter, nor his reflection upon the unfinished condition of the new and strongly built chapel in the village. The members and friends at Golden Grove, Victoria, and Ann’s Grove villages did what they could to aid Mr. Campbell to erect the edifice, and if he could not succeed in obtaining all the money he wanted to complete it to the satisfaction of Mr. TAbraham, it was no fault of his. There is only a small, a very small, portion of the tower of the New and substantial Chapel that is left unfinished, which Mr. TAbraham, without having recourse to newspapers, must try and finish ere long. It is not right, not charitable, for a successor to throw any reflection, directly or indirectly, upon the efforts and labours of his predecessor. The tenor of the letter referred to by me and published in your valuable journal on the 8th inst. remind me of the following story; one day a large bull was grazing in the field, when a conceited fly came and sat on one side of his horns. The fly began to say in her own mind, “I am very heavy, and if I remain here, assuredly, the bull will not be able to lift his head from the ground”. Then the fly said a loud, “O bull, I am afraid I am giving you great inconvenience; if so it be, then speak out, and I will immediately depart.” The bull answered, “O fly, be not uneasy on my account, for I was not in the least aware of your being there till you spoke to me,” Mr. TAbraham knows the moral. I would advise him to gain the hearts and affection of the people among whom he is called to labour and then he will soon be able to complete the tower of the chapel he is complaining of.
Yours & etc
A Friend To Both
May 10th 1882
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Thursday, May 11, 1882: page 3.

DISTRESS AT NABACLIS AND GOLDEN GROVE
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle”
Sir, - permit me through the medium of your valuable columns to state the extent of losses sustained by myself and other persons who owned provision lands at the above villages for a number of years.
I was employed at Pln. Cove and John and all my hard-earned wages was spent on my provision ground, in the hope of getting a reward.
But alas! Bad times have come. In consequence of a breach in one of the dams at the back of Golden Grove Village, all my crops, which would have yielded a return of two or three hundred dollars, are now damaged, In consequence of the water covering them over for days.
Who is to blame for this state of affairs? What redress have I got? The two villages are still submerged, and no one knows when the water will abate.
I am & c,
Adonis Isaac Campbell
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, June 27, 1882: page 3.

WANT OF COHESION: GOLDEN GROVE, EAST COAST
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle”
Sir, - I would feel obliged if you will kindly give publicity to the following; - the cane growers of Golden Grove and Nabaclis estates, where the are two small wind Mills, one being on each estate, erect with the primary understanding of manufacturing sugar on the “metayer system” as is now carried on throughout the West India islands, and even by the Sugar King here – an arrangement which I know to be fair and fully remunerates the labour of the cultivation. Indeed, in the islands I know of a great many men of the peasant class that have, through this mode of industry risen to independence. But the same class of men in this colony seems to form a far different estimate of labour and economy that is in no way profitable to themselves. Hence the truth of what I state is demonstrated by the fact that the villagers withdraw or rather swerve from this arrangement, and chose for themselves as they term it) the more profitable way of disposing of their crops, by conveying and selling their canes to the neighbouring estates.
And, besides almost giving them away, incurring those enormous expenses incidental to transportation here. The issue, therefore, is that selling canes after this manner, at the rate of $3 per ton, is, I emphatically say, worse than laying out $6 to make $3. Mr. Wilson, the practical engineer of Plantation Enmore is about to confer a great boon on these villagers, through the fact, that he has recently purchased in Georgetown, a suitable steam cane mill, to be erected on a spot of ground, his own property, in Golden Grove Village, and has made the most fair and reasonable proposals to the Villagers for temporary assistance only. But the most of them have bluntly rejected his offers, and altogether treated his laudable actions with indifference.
Therefore I cannot reasonably see where, and in what manner they require the help they sought, and still are seeking in this direction, except it must be; that each man would have a Mill of his own, but I as a proprietor, will not agree in any further arrangement that might entail a mortgage on the estate.
Thanking you for the space so kindly allowed.
I am & c,
AN OBSERVANT PROPRIETOR
Golden Grove, East Coast,
1st September 1882
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, September 5, 1882: page 3.

RESPONSE - J. HORATIO REYNOLDS OF VICTORIA, EAST COAST.
To the editor: “Daily Chronicle” Sir, - For some time past I have noticed several letters inserted in your valuable columns, dating from Golden Grove Village, East Coast, relative to various matters, and amongst these is one headed “Want of Cohesion” and signed “An Observant Proprietor,” in you issue of the 5th instant; to which I particularly desire to draw the attention to the public. I might state at the outset that the whole tone of that letter is entirely antagonistic to the Creole peasantry; and would show that the statements of “An Observant Proprietor,” are entirely unfounded. The whole sum and substance of his letter, as I understand it, goes to show that he considers there is want of cohesion on the part of the villagers, because they would not agree to come to certain terms for Mr. Wilson’s engine. When a certain class of industrious persons are charged with want of cohesion, it becomes the duty of some one, who has been resident amongst them for a long period, to step in without fear, and show by uncontroversial testimony, the contrary. Now nearly the whole of the back lands of Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Victoria are in cane cultivation, and this is owing to the united efforts of the villagers.
These canes are found either on mills driven by wind, or on the neighbouring sugar estates, but from the increased cultivation of the canes by the black people, which the wind mills are unable to take off, and a certain dissatisfaction with regard to the amount charged by the planters to grind the canes; they have come to the conclusion to purchase steam machinery, and several meetings have been held, largely attended, for the purpose of discussing the advisability of approaching the Government for a loan to assist them, offering properties as security. The Creole peasantry are generally charged with want of unanimity, and want of industry, and where there are signs of improvement and reformation on their part, a paternal Government ought to take their case into consideration and show its mark of approval. I contend, that if there were no cohesive action on the part of the villagers of Victoria village, one of the largest and the finest villages on the East Coast, would have gone into the hands of the Government long ago. Apologising for taking up so much of your space.
I am & c,
J. Horatio Reynolds
Victoria Village
Sept. 18th
Source: Correspondence -The Demerara Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, September 21, 1882: page 4.

The Villagers’ Grievances to the Editor; “Daily Chronicle”
Sir, - In looking over the Inspector of Villages’ recent Annual Report, I find the following twelve village Ordinances have been passed between 1845 and 1873:- No. 18 of 1845, No. 10 of 1849, No. 11 of 1849, No. 4 of 1851, No. 10 of 1852, No. 33 of 1856, No. 4 of 1858, No. 10 of 1862, No. 10 of 1863, No. 26 of 1864, No. 1 of 1866, No. 10 of 1873.
Is it not appalling, to reflect on this array of Village Laws? And looking at, without reading them, will any one deny that the village legislators of the colony is its bete noir? If some of the ablest, astutest, and most accomplished administrators of the affairs of the colony tried, but failed to grapple with, and settle our village administration.
Now that a lamentable breakdown has occurred, is it fair, is it just, to make the Inspector of Villages the scape-goat for the sins of the former governors, who had as Councilors such able men as the Messrs. Porter of Enmore, the Late John Brumell, who published “The Hand-Book of Village Laws”, the present Inspector General of Police, and others, who took great interest in our Village affairs? On whose shoulders is the break-down to rest? Let us be just; let us eschew-denunciation, abusive language; let us unite as reasonable intelligent and respectable Village proprietors, and represent our grievances in respectful terms to the representative of our gracious queen; and let the executive take the Village question in hand, sweep off the Statute Books all the Ordinances above enumerated, and enact a simple consolidated Village Ordinance.
Don’t you think that there ought to be an assistant or sub- Inspector of Villages while the Ordinance No. 10 of 1873 is in force? The Inspector of Villages has to travel all over the colony. This very often causes a dead-lock in the Village office in town. Were Mr. Daly in town on Saturday, instead of having to go to the Arabian Coast, we might not be in the plight we are now. He would have been within speaking distance, and almost direct personal communication, but being at a distance delay resulted, the down-pour of rain continuing meanwhile, then, as a consequence, the misfortune which we all deplored. Let the Financial Representatives consider this.
I am, &.,
A Village proprietor

DISTRICT NEWS – EAST COAST - GOLDEN GROVE

2006-12-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

DISTRICT NEWS – VICTORIA
On Sunday night there was quite a sensation in this village, when over thirty male lepers, who had made their escape from the Mahaica Asylum, passed through on their way to see the Governor.
The police of Belfield were apprised of this fact by the night watch at the gate, and when they reached Belfield, Corporal Griffith with his staff of three men commanded them to stop, but his order was of no avail for they resisted with sticks.
At Golden Grove, however, the people came out and assisted the Police in bringing the lepers back to Belfield Police Station, where they were lodged for the night.
Source: District News -The Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, June 30, 1903: page 4.

DISTRICT NEWS – EAST COAST – VICTORIA
Some of the colleagues of Mr. E. B. Collins, who was recently deposed from the office of chairman of the Victoria Village Council, are preparing a petition to be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor opposing the appointment of Mr. H. D. Dolphin as Chairman.
A runner was busy on Monday telling the people to raise their voices against “Stranger” being appointed. Many have received not to interfere with what the Village Committee see fit to do. It is reported from several quarters that many of the “Signatures” to the last petition asking that Mr. Collins be allowed to remain in office have been fictitiously placed there on. Also that the villagers were informed by “the person who took it round” that it was the Immigration Memorial to the King.
Source: District News -The Daily Chronicle, Friday, June 26, 1903: page 3.

GOLDEN GROVE & NABACLIS
Meeting Of the Credit Bank
The monthly meeting of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis Cooperative Credit Bank took place on Wednesday morning in the village office presided over by the chairman Mr. CC Dowding, Agricultural Instructor
Members of the Committee present were Messrs. Elliott, Savory, Hughes, Williams, Kendall, Jackman, Josiah and Sancho with Mr. J. Sealey, Secretary.
Twenty- four members, the majority of whom appeared in person asked for an extension of time to meet their loans in most cases they promised to pay on cutting of their canes around March or April.
The financial statement disclosed $372.54 in the bank and $65.25 in hand.
Application for loans were made by five members amounting to $126 and of this $96 was granted to four members and the other Application deferred until the production of transport.
One member had five shares transferred to her name
Source: District News -The Daily Argosy, Wednesday, February 10, 1937: page 11.

DISTRICT NEWS – GOLDEN GROVE
A Rally entitled “Voices from the Field” was held by the Head Master of the Golden Grove Methodist School, Mr. D. A. Trotman, in aid of the funds of the School. The Rally was opened by the Rev. R. Daniel and there were several Musical items. Miss L. Parris was crowned Queen. A collection was taken amounting to $32.29.
Source: District News – East Coast – The Daily Argosy, November 24, 1937: page 3

DISTRICT NEWS – EAST COAST - GOLDEN GROVE
A friendly game of cricket was played Saturday last on the Golden Grove Oval between the Golden Grove Cricket Club and the Modern High School.
Golden Grove batted first and made 134 runs in their first innings to which the High School replied with 43.
In the second innings Golden Grove made 116 runs and the High School could do no better than muster 32 runs.
Source: District News -The Daily Argosy, Friday, November 26, 1937: page 6

Questions: Golden Grove Wesleyan/ Methodist Church and School

2006-09-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Relevant information will be obtained, found, recorded in the records of the Colonial Administration of British Guiana; the Blue Books of Statistics.
Such information regarding the tenure of James Alfred Trotman, at Golden Grove Wesleyan School, including the names of the managers, and data reflecting the annual understanding of the number of Pupils on the Register and the average annual attendance of the pupils, will be accessed.
It would be a most fascinating journey, the experience, to note the growth of the institution, particularly the periods, 1920-1928, and 1928-1932. Those periods represent my immediate ancestor’s most intimate experiences at the institution. Beginning, as a pupil, and ending most regrettably, as a Pupil Teacher. It must be noted my immediate ancestor was one of the prized protégées of the legendary Schoolmaster, and Community Development Advocate, James Alfred Trotman.

The interests are the following;

1. When were the doors of Golden Grove Wesleyan School thrown widely open admitting pupils to the institution?
2. What is the accurate length of service James Alfred Trotman rendered to the noble profession?
3. What is the accurate length of James Alfred Trotman’s tenure at Golden Grove Wesleyan School?
4. What is the accurate length of service Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman rendered to the noble profession?
5. What is the accurate length of Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman’s tenure at Golden Grove Wesleyan School?
6. When Golden Grove Wesleyan School was renamed Golden Grove Methodist School?
7. When did Golden Grove Methodist School cease to exist?
8. Who are the schoolmasters of the institution?
9. Who are the managers of the institution?
10. Who are the ministers of Golden Grove Wesleyan/ Methodist Church?
11. Who are the local preachers who practiced at the institution?
12. When Golden Grove Wesleyan/ Methodist Church were built?
13. When Golden Grove Wesleyan/ Methodist Church’s doors were opened for service to the community?

It is likely there were fewer than twenty persons who participated at such a capacity as the Head Teacher in total experience of the institution.
The Reverend William Hudson, the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missionaries in British Guiana, is perhaps, the first Minister of Golden Grove Wesleyan Church, at some point around 1852.

“SPEECH NIGHT” AT INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

2006-08-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA
“SPEECH NIGHT” AT INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
The “Speech Night” of the International High School, Golden Grove, took place on Friday night December 17, presided over by Mr. C. A. L. Mittleholzer, District Commissioner (Acting).
Mr. C. P. B. Melbourne, J.P., Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school, in very glowing terms introduced the Chairman. He extended a hearty welcome to him and referred to the favourable opportunity now afforded the community for secondary education. He also touched on the progress of the school from the time of its inauguration to the present day.
Many appropriate songs were rendered by the pupils and also a recitation by G. Singh.
The report of the School for the year was read by Mr. A. R. Alli, Principal. It showed that the School was founded on January 6, 1947, and functioned under the guidance and tutelage of a Board or Governors, consisting of eight members – Messrs; C. P. B. Melbourne, J.P., Chairman, D. C. Persaud Vice- Chairman, D. A. Trotman, R. Tiwari, W. H. Gibson, M. Alli, J. A. Lam, and R. E. Thompson, with Mr. A. R. Alli, Principal and ex-offico Secretary to the Board. Twelve students enrolled during the first month of its inauguration and the year closed with twenty seven. At the close of 1948 there were forty seven pupils on the roll.
The Chairman in the course of his remarks referred to the steady progress the School had made and paid high tribute to the work of the Principal and his staff.
Prizes were distributed by Mrs. Mittleholzer, seventeen children being happy recipients.
The program concluded, light refreshments were served, and dancing indulged in. An enjoyable evening was spent.
Source:
District and Interior News – County of Demerara – the Daily Chronicle; Tuesday December 28, 1948: page 6

Death of Mr. Henry Alfred Bristol, Retired School Master of Golden Grove

2006-07-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Death of Mr. H. A. Bristol retired East Coast Schoolmaster.
Victoria: Wednesday – Mr. Henry Alfred Bristol, retired School master of over fifty years’ service died at his late residence Golden Grove East Coast, Demerara, on Monday, February 9, and was buried the following afternoon. Rev. Fr. J. J. Purcell performed the last rites.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, February 20, 1931: page four.

Dr. Samuel L. Herbert – formerly GMO of the Mara District and the first Negro practitioner in the Colony. A skillful doctor and much given to research work. Died from blood poisoning contracted while making a post Mortem dissection. A short sketch of his career appears in the recently published “British Guiana Centenary Year Book, 1831-1931. (Georgetown) 1931” edited by Mr. E. S. Stoby.
Old Berbice – being some personalities of the past century with sidelights on the times by Joseph Ruhomon
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Sunday August 2, 1931: page two.

Deaths of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Scotland,and Mr. Josiah McRue

2006-07-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Scotland - On Tuesday January 27, 1931 at Pln. Ruimveldt, East Bank, William B Chief Pan Boiler of Pln. Ruimveldt, father of Mrs. D. A. Spencer (Victoria), and Eleazer (Barbados) and grand father of S. H. Spencer(Victoria), and H. A. Spencer (Leguan) and Mrs. J. A. Stephens (Wakenaam) – aged 92.
Funeral will take place from Pln. Ruimveldt at 4PM to-day.
Friends, please accept this, the only intimation
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana – Wednesday, January 28, 1931: page 4

Death of An East Coast Centurian and nonagenarian
Mrs. Scotland and Mr. Josiah McRue
Nabaclis, East Coast: Monday.
Mrs. W. B. Scotland, breathed her last breathe here yesterday morning at 11o’clock just four days after the death of her husband W. B. Scotland, Chief Pan Boiler of Pln. Ruimveldt East Bank. The deceased who had attained the ripe age of 100 years was a member for several years of St. Andrew’s Church, Cove and John.
The funeral rites were performed by the Rev. Father W. H. Townsend

The late “Buddy Bosey”
Victoria Monday
Mr. Josiah McRue popularly known as “Buddy Bosey” a 92-year-old Victorian died on Friday night last and was buried on Saturday. Deacon Samuel Nelson of the Wilberforce Congregational church of which the deceased was a member performed the last rites at the graveside.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana - February 6, 1931: page 5.

Boxing: - Striking Henry Wants To Meet Kid Jack

2006-07-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

Boxing: - Striking Henry Wants To Meet Kid Jack
Striking Henry (148lbs.) in a letter to the Editor announces his acceptance of the challenge of Kid Jack, the Egyptian Boxer, who expressed a desire to meet any middleweight in the colony.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Thursday, June 18, 1931: page 8

Shareholders, not Burnham, are the neglected and unknown heroes of Guyana

2006-05-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

Shareholders, not Burnham, are the
neglected and unknown heroes of Guyana

Dear Editor,
I respond to Hamilton Green's letter, captioned, “Campaign to excise Burnham from our history” as printed in the Kaieteur News – New York Edition of Friday, June 10, 2005 on pages four and five.
It is reflective of the kind of pettiness which marked the PNC's illegal administration. Hamilton Green's points are neither valid nor enlightening. It is indeed very sad that, a former Prime Minister of Guyana would be reduced to such tasteless and pettiness. I cannot begin to comprehend how history of political Guyana can ever omit the Burnham era. It would be like omitting the need and the rise of the Working Peoples Alliance, and its charismatic leading light, Walter Rodney.
It is clear to me that Hamilton Green is voice crying out of the political wilderness in which he has found himself, today. Mr. Green's lamentations ring hollow. Hamilton Green's rationales are all illogical and irrelevant. What was his aim? The letter indicated a self-serving attitude.
I would like to offer my opinions on the Monument at Enmore and the President's College at Golden Grove.
The President's College serves as vestigial of Burnham's dictatorship. I see no honour in its construction – especially since there was a functioning Golden Grove Government Secondary School in the Community which I attended. I am still convinced; there was no need to go to great lengths to a copycat in Golden Grove what Burnham had seen in Africa and Korea. It was simply Burnham's reality, and not a necessity.
I am not opposed to educational institutions in the Golden Grove and Nabaclis community. I simply remain opposed to the idea and the symbolism of the birthing and, what is most important, the manner in which the President's College was realised in Golden Grove. The construction of the President's College remains a sore point with me - a descendant of Bentick Sancho, a shareholder and village father of the Nabaclis–Golden Grove Community. Bentick Sancho played a vital role in February 1856, during the Angel Gabriel Riots between Enmore and Belfield, in helping to keep the peace and protecting the lives of Portuguese and damage to their property. Thus, Bentick Sancho stood for tolerance of ethnic and other differences. Bentick Sancho actions must be interpreted as one which subscribed to the political philosophy of the power of the people. Make no mistake about it - the communal experiences in rural British Guiana are the foundation upon which Guyana stands today. I will always argue to pay homage to education in Golden Grove, and Nabaclis District is to honour the father and son, James Alfred and Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman – who spent most of their lives as Head Masters of Golden Grove Wesleyan School, Members of the local Authority of Golden Grove and Nabaclis District. The Trotmans participated in all phases of life in the community. It would be quite an honourable gesture to rename the College in their honour. It is the correct thing to do. In fact, it is the only thing to do. Those responsible should not only remove Burnham's image – even though a great great grandson of Bentick Sancho, and son of Nabaclis may have painted it, Emerson Samuels (1928 - 2003) – but replace it with images of educators, other members and scenery from the community. In fact, the known history of Golden Grove and Nabaclis should be on the curriculum in the College.
I am quite confident that at some point, the names of the institutions in Golden Grove and Nabaclis will reflect that of the heroes - the shareholders and residents of the community. The shareholders are the original proprietors of Golden Grove and Nabaclis. The shareholders laid down the foundations for settled life in that community. Therefore, they are both my ancestors and my heroes.
There are no Burnhams among those shareholders. There is neither Green nor Licorish on the list. I believe the Burnhams, Greens and Licorish were all, still in Barbados. In 1848, Golden Grove and Nabaclis was doing just fine and dandy without them. Traveller wrote an article entitled “Golden Grove: A village of Cane-Crushing Mills” which was printed in the section “Covering the Country Districts,” and in the issue of the Sunday Chronicle, dated, May 26, 1946, on page 7, in which the writer tells us, “Politically, Golden Grove people are in no way behind the inhabitants of the other villages. It’s Sandys, and Sealeys, Simons and Kendalls, Sarrabos and Collins; its Herods, Sanchos, Bristols, Glasgows, Davids, McLeans, Hughes, and Trotmans have all left their impression on the political pages of the village.” Do the residents of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis community recall the unsung heroes of their community? Do they name institutions in their honour? Do they worry about their places in history of the district? Well! I am positive you and I both know the correct answer to such a question.
I am very confident there will be a period in the not-too-distant future, when leaders will again rise up and point the community onto a path of self-emancipation and economic development, thereby realising the dreams of the heroes of the community. The politicians and their supporters, who were all concerned with their narrow self-interests, turned their dreams into nightmares.
The current situation in Guyana – begs for folks who subscribe to both the theory and the practice in the interest and common good of the people - Mr. Green ought to be both concerned and committed to the preservation of life and all phases of development in Guyana. Yet, while Black on Black crime reigns supremely in the land, just a bit short of anarchy – once-great communities, such as the Buxton-Friendship, the Golden Grove-Nabaclis and Victoria-Belfield districts are reduced to fear and utter despair. The present administration is incapable or reluctant, or both, to arrest the violent criminal element, whoever and whenever they are to be found. Corbin and the PNC have done little or nothing to address issues affecting the people and the state of Guyana. The Military and Para Military commanders are doing their utmost – not stepping on toes – the people cannot, in their right minds, look to those entities for leadership – in solving their unending hurt, which they experience daily.
Mr. Green, try telling your thoughts concerning “a Campaign to Excise Burnham from our History” to relatives whose loved ones have been murdered by the criminals; try telling it to the relatives of Walter Rodney and the others, who were victimized between October 1953 and this very day.
Mr. Hamilton Green, why were the people of Golden Grove not given the opportunity to accept or reject the construction of the College? They were relieved of their land without compensation. In fact, my mother, Mrs. Muriel Ross, a great-grand-daughter of Bentick Sancho, lost two beds aback, without compensation. While this has nothing to do with the college - Mrs. Muriel Ross served her county dutifully for a 45-year career as a primary school teacher – only to be disrespected by the government who revoked her pension. How about the business of possessing a PNC card? Ptolemy Reid asked me why I did not have a PNC card, while I was a student at Burnham Agricultural Institute at Arakaka in the North West District. I am sure I told Dr. Reid I do not support the ideal of a divide and conquer. I am positive Burnham is symbolic of what's wrong with the so-called leaders of non-European nations. They are, for the most part, puppets of European nations, especially the USA. Burnham is no hero – he is the creation of the governments of UK and USA – who was put in placed at the expense of the popular leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Mr. Green, you know that many of us, who are still alive, know that is the truth.
I understand the construction of the Monument in memory of the Enmore Martyrs, was nothing more than political. Let me address that issue – it is clear Burnham was seeking to steal the PPP's thunder. The Jagans' rise to prominence is linked to their actions on the behalf of the working class peoples at Enmore Estate during 1948. Mr. L. F. S. Burnham is no hero of mine. My thoughts of Burnham and the PNC are similar to those I have for the colonial administrators of British Guiana. Burnham's actions revealed a pattern of behaviour that is reminiscent of the Europeans in the history of British Guiana. Burnham copied the actions of several heads of states, mostly of the non-aligned nations. What was the idea of building a mansion at Belfield? The Governors of British Guiana, including Korkright, removed themselves from Georgetown to Belfield for rest and relaxation. I consider Joseph Ruhomon, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, J.O. F. Haynes, Eusi Kwayana, Martin Carter, Shridath Ramphal, Rohan Kanhai and Walter Rodney, national heroes of Guyana.
The mere fact that Hamilton Green is allowed to utter sentiments on Burnham's behalf, is repulsive to me. Are politicians above the law of the land? The PPP harped and wailed for many years about crimes committed by the PNC against the People and state of Guyana, but to this very day, not one of the members of the PNC has faced a note of justice. Mr. Green, you know those who could testify and present damning against the PNC, including you, are either deceased, or unwilling to do so. Shirley Field-Ridley, Walter Rodney, Vincent Teekah and countless others, remain unresolved murders in my eyes and exhibits against the PNC. I wish eyewitnesses had the nerve to tell us the truths of the rumours of crimes, which were committed by and for political reasons.
Mr. Green, the truth is the shareholders of the African Villages are the neglected and unknown heroes of Guyana. It is upon their bold attempts of self- emancipation in the face of great odds, which ushered in the foundations upon which the nation political Guyana was built. I am neither shocked nor perturbed at Hamilton Green, a beneficiary of his relative's position as Head of State of Guyana. Mr. Green would attempt to defend his cousin and self at all costs.
Mr. Green's article only serves to demonstrate the reasons for the establishment of an International Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate those long rumoured occurrences and the known facts of the events, dating from October 1953 in British Guiana, to this very day in Guyana. Let the chips fall where they may. I will put my life on the line. I will bet Burnham will not come out of such, smelling like a rose.
Mr. Green and fellow Guyanese, it is obvious descendants of shareholders of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, those pride themselves upon the footsteps of their ancestors, who will lead the community to equal and surpass the heights set by their ancestors on January 5, 1848.
I will rest in peace, confident in the power of the people, in support of the common good and the will of the people. Long live Peoples Power – and it will never die. The struggle continues
M'lilwana Osanku

Golden Grove and Nabaclis: the Works of Leopold Duncan Sarrabo Traveller, and Letroy Cummings.

2006-02-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove and Nabaclis – A Review of the Transition from Cotton Estate to Agricultural Community - the works of Leopold Duncan Sarrabo Traveller, and Letroy Cummings.

This article is not intended in no way shape and or form an attempt to discredit Leopold Duncan Sarrabo Traveller, and Letroy Cummings. On the contrary, this descendant of the shareholders admires their work. This Sancho is grateful they made efforts to research and document the history of Golden Grove and Nabaclis. Their works must be reviewed, and considered foundation, for a comprehensive effort to document the history of the village district. Therefore, this is an attempt to add on that foundation laid down by those three writers. Scholars, will access the articles, use the sources of data, and produce the working-class people’s perspectives in a form that is honourable to those who gave service to community development in the district.

Letroy Cummings, Traveller, and Leopold Duncan Sarrabo produced articles on the history of Golden Grove and Nabaclis. Their works are understood, and appreciated. Their understanding of naming the cotton plantations Golden Grove and Nabaclis are not exact. They did not consult the records of the era of the Dutch. They did not examine the early nineteenth century records of the cotton estates. I am positive they did not research articles in the newspapers of beginnings of the nineteenth century. It appears they wrote the musings of Africans who were resident in those locations. In fact, Sarrabo mentioned consulting the January 1893 edition of the official Gazette of British Guiana. The writers never mentioned accessing publications, which detailed showing the cotton plantations. It is accurate to assume the Dutch were the first European colonizing force in the location. Perhaps, Sarrabo consulted the colonial administration records of the buy of the cotton estates. I make the following pronouncements after consulting the Royal Gazette of Essequebo and Demerary, the official organ of colonists, as early as 1807, and Emília Viotti da. Costa, Brazilian scholar, whose composition, Crowns of Glory, Tears of Blood, describes afro centric perspectives of the enslaved peoples’ struggle to achieve a measure of self-determination, known as the Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823.

An announcement published in the Public Vendues section in the Royal Gazatte of Essequebo and Demerary tells us African slaves were running away from the plantations in Essequebo and Demerary, dated 10th October, 1807;
• Africans brought from Barbados and enslaved in Demerara.
• Slave masters placed rewards for recaptured Africans
• There were bounty hunters in Guyana
• The estates known as Plantation Nabaclis and Golden Grove.
Plantation Williamsburg does not appear in any of those texts. Thus it Golden Grove may have been so named during the Dutch phase of the colonial experience, and the name was obsolescent by 1807.
The esteemed Letroy Cummings, presented historical perspectives from the era of the village movement to the recent past. Those on Golden Grove and Nabaclis community impresses on readers the socio-economic of community development of the village district. Mr. Cummings work attacks the accepted propaganda that refers to Africans in Guyana as shiftless Negroes. It pointed out Africans did not sit around hoping and praying for the arrival of messianic figures to present them with handouts. The emergence of Burnham and his platform, the PNC was not a blessing to Africans. This concept is embedded among other ethnic groups, in the Guianese society, during the post independence era. Such grossly blatant and outrageous misrepresentations of the contributions of peoples of African origins have always been a source of discomfort with me, during my sojourn in my adopted homeland. Paraphrasing the most honorable truth seeker, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, the Africans in the Guyanese experience must repair and offset.
Cummings tells us, the vacant plot of land was acquired in 1852 and christened Nabaclis. Unlike golden Grove, two schools of thought exist to explain how the name Nabaclis was arrived at. One source suggested that the name was derived from an ex-slave whose name was Naba. The other explanation contends that during a name searching discussion an argument broke out over a list circulated by the colonial authorities and one person exclaimed Na-ba-ca-lis. However, amidst this uncertainty, Nabaclis was nicked named “Bucklish”.
The Dutch experience in the region is likely to shed light on the origins of the name Nabaclis. The Essequebo and Demerary Royal Gazette, mentions several variants of what appears to be that of Nabaclis. They are the following;
1. Nabachlis
2. Nabacles
3. Neibachles
4. Nabaclis

An entry styled and dated “Lord's Day Oct 10” found in the diary of the Reverend John Smith, who adherents of Eurocentric indoctrination commonly and naturally mistakenly identified as the Demerara Martyr, informs readers as follows, “ The catechising went on as usual, only with this difference, that Mrs. S left the women to Mrs. Mercer, and taught the girls herself. At 12 I preached from 2 Cor.13.14 to an overflowing congregation. Blessed be God I enjoyed much liberty of thought and expression, both in the pulpit and at the Lord's Table. A Mr. Sackett from Golden Grove desired communion with us to day which was granted after proper enquiries. It appears he was a member of Mr. Young's church at Margate. After the service in conversation he gave me to understand that he is much ridiculed for favoring religion. He told me that he had been informed, and had every reason for believing it, that Mr. Hughes of Paradise kept his slaves at work on Sundays on purpose to prevent their coming to our chapel.

Bibliography:

Allen, James E. (James Egert), 1896-1980. 1975 The legend of Arthur A. Schomburg Cambridge, Mass. : Danterr Pub. Co. ; New York, N.Y. : Distributed by Ojemba Productions, c1975.
da. Costa, Emília Viotti 1994.Crowns of Glory, Tears of Blood : the Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823 New York : Oxford University Press, c1994.
de Rivera Flor Piñeiro 1989 Arthur A. Schomburg : a Puerto Rican's Quest for his Black Heritage / his writings annotated and appendices,; foreword, Ricardo E. Alegría.
San Juan de Puerto Rico : Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe, 1989.
Rodney, Walter. 1981 A History of the Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905 Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins University, c1981.
Rodway, James, 1848-1926.History of British Guiana, from the year 1668 to the present time. Imprint Georgetown, Demerara, J. Thomson, 1891-1894.
Sinnette, Elinor Des Verney. 1989 Arthur Alfonso Schomburg, Black Bibliophile, and Collector: A Biography New York, NY: New York Public Library; Detroit: Wayne State University Press, c1989.
Wallbridge, Edwin Angel. (1848) The Demerara Martyr. Memoirs of the Rev. John Smith, missionary to Demerara, with prefatory notes containing hitherto unpublished historical matter by J. Graham Cruickshank ... Edited by Vincent Roth for the "Daily chronicle," ltd. Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana, 1943.
Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. The missionary Smith [microform] : substance of the debate in the House of commons on Tuesday the 1st and on Friday the 11th of June, 1824, on a motion of Henry Brougham, esq. respecting the trial and condemnation to death by a court martial of the Rev. John Smith, late missionary in the colony of Demerara. With a preface containing some new facts illustrative of the subject. Published with the sanction of the London missionary society. London: Printed by Ellerton and Henderson, 1824.
London Missionary Society (1824) The London Missionary Society's Report of the Proceedings Against the Late Rev. J. Smith, of Demerara F. Westley, London, 1824
Reprint Edition: Negro Universities Press, New York, 1969

Newspapers and Pamphlets

Golden Grove Celebrates Centenary As Village, in B.G. News - The Daily Argosy -Friday, May 7th. 1948: page 4 and 6.
Sarrabo, Leopold Duncan 1948 Historical Review of Golden Grove Village: Events, Improvements and Achievements, 1848 -1948, in B.G. News - The Daily Argosy - Friday, May 7th. 1948: page 3.
Cummings, Letroy Orwin Michael “A Brief Historical Review of Golden Grove and Nabaclis” Stabroek News Thursday, August 6th, 1998: Page 14.
The Royal Gazette of Essequebo and Demerary
Arrested Slaves Plantation Nabachlis 18150527DERG
Arrested Slaves Plantation Nabachlis 18150603DERG
Arrested Slaves Nabacles 18150408DERG
A List of Estates in Demerary Nabaclis 18150909DERG
Public Vendues. The Royal Gazette of Essequebo and Demerary. (No. 93. Vol. II.) Saturday, October 10th, 1807
Public Vendues. The Royal Gazette of Essequebo and Demerary. (No. 103. Vol. II.) Saturday, December 19th, 1807.

Heroes - Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949)

2006-02-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949)
Merchant, Tailor and Social Welfare Worker

He was educated at Cove and John Anglican School and won a Bursary in 1912. Being the winner of a Trade Scholarship, he spent two years in London at the Tailors and Cutters Academy and obtained an Hons. Diploma in 1924. He then returned to Guyana and opened his own Tailoring Establishment.

He was a Methodist Local Preacher, and staunch Bedford member, member of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Founder and President of BG Producers Association and Founder-Member of the Kitty Brotherhood Movement. He was also Fellow of the Royal Empire Society. In 1934 he became member of the International and Inter-Racial Committee of U. S. A.

In 1930 he invited Marcus Garvey to Guyana and Garvey was house guest of Dr. T. T. Nichols.

He was well-read, and an excellent speaker, and was described by his son Dr. B. A. N. Collins as having a genius for friendship.

Cummings: A Brief History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District (Part Five)

2006-02-12T00:26:00.000-08:00

Cummings: A Brief History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District (Part Three)

2006-02-11T23:20:00.000-08:00

Cummings: A Brief History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District

2006-02-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

Letroy Cummings: History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis

2006-02-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

A Brief Historical Review of Golden Grove and Nabaclis

2006-02-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

History Today: A Brief Historical Review of Golden Grove and Nabaclis by Letroy Orwin Michael Cummings.

What is now Golden Grove and Nabaclis was Plantation Williamsburg in the colony of British Guiana in the parish of St. Paul. This Plantation was manned by a predominantly Black Labour force. They were the property of their white masters who held exclusive power over them.
In 1838, when the apprenticeship system came to an end, the bondage people began articulating a new vision and one superior to political freedom which was won in 1834. They articulated the vision of economic independence which they believed would be realized if they acquired property. Among the properties they sought to acquire was land. This sudden rush to become land owners gave rise to what become known as the village movement through which golden grove was established.
During the apprenticeship period the slaves with a mission in mind practiced the art of saving. This gave them the economic base upon which to launch off. Taking a cue from the establishment of Victoria and other communal villages, sixty ex-slaves met regularly under a tamarind tree at the eastern of Plantation Williamsburg. At the historic meeting place, which is now marked by a house in Sand Street, plans for acquiring Williamsburg plantation were discussed and finalized. In a co-operative effort these ex-employees pooled all their life savings to purchase plantation Williamsburg on the 5th January, 1848. No evidence has been found to explain how it got its name but golden grove was one of the premier villages along the East Coast of Demerara.

In 1850 a decision was taken to lay out the newly acquired village. To this extent it was lotted out with the aid of a survey conducted by the orders of the Commissioners appointed to do the partition of Golden Grove. The survey was done by a Senior Land Surveyor, Mr. F. Jackson. Each of the sixty purchasers was allocated a plot both at the back and front lands.
In the said parish of Saint Paul and adjacent to Golden Grove on the eastern side existed a vacant plot of land. Its close geographical proximity made it an ideal spot to satisfy the needs of the early residents of Golden Grove, to have a pasture for their cattle to graze. It was with this in mind that the vacant plot of land was acquired in 1852 and christened Nabaclis. Unlike golden Grove, two schools of thought exist to explain how the name Nabaclis was arrived at. One source suggested that the name was derived from an ex-slave whose name was Naba. The other explanation contends that during a name searching discussion an argument broke out over a list circulated by the colonial authorities and one person exclaimed Na-ba-ca-lis. However, amidst this uncertainty, Nabaclis was nicked named “Bucklish”.

Initially, Nabaclis was not used for residential purposes but as pasturage. Thus it came to be known as Golden Grove pasture where the residents took their cattle to graze. This did not continue for very long. In 1854, Nabaclis was surveyed and upgraded to residential status.

Both the 1852 and 1854 surveys divided the two villages into residential and non residential sections. The residential portion served mainly for housing purposes. There, families resided in houses built on stilts, clustered on both sides of the public road and along cross streets, the non residential section, used primarily for agricultural purposes, extended the villages deep into the backlands where farming was practiced as the primary economic activity.

Together, the two are usually referred to as the twin villages comprising a total area in excess of 3000 acres of land and can be found on the East Coast of Demerara approximately 17 miles from Georgetown.

Apart from being residential areas both Golden Grove and Nabaclis emerged as agricultural communities with farming being the primary economic activity. Farm lands at the back of the residential lots are of crucial importance to the substance of life for the village people. The early residents looked to the back dam as a constant and reliable source of food production where produce such as mangoes, coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, plantain and cassava were cultivated. The abundance of vegetables and ground provisions made the farm lands the food basket of the village.

The produce from the back dam led to the emergence of cottage industries and the village economy boomed as different small industries sprang up almost simultaneously. However, their development was hindered by word-wide economic difficulties, the lack of modernization, and neglect of the backlands in low soil fertility.

Apart from this, commercial business enterprises mushroomed over the years alongside the cottage industries and took their places as the industries declined. This did not change the free enterprise nature of the village economy underlined by self-employment.

As change continued to be manifested, an agricultural-based cottage industry economy premised on sole proprietorship, evolved into a commercial enterprise as another form of sole proprietorship. The commercial enterprises relied on imported goods for continuity. This is believed to have resulted in a movement away from the backlands that molded and shaped the village economy in early times. The consequence was the underdevelopment of rural-based industries. The large scale production of oil, cassava bread, casareep, sugar, rice and lemonade speaks of the industries that existed in the villages. Many operated as a family business under bottom houses and drew a ready supply of labor from among family members and other villagers. It is important to note that not all the villagers worked in the cottage industries as some migrated in search of work elsewhere, including the Gold and diamond fields.

The establishment of bottom-house industries depended, to a great extent, on the kind of crops produced in the back dam. It follows, therefore, that the activities in the bottom house factories were fundamentally an extension of what took place in the backlands where the village pioneers cultivated almost every possible square inch with ground provisions, fruits, greens, cane and other crops considered suitable for human consumption. This is indicative of the fact that a definite rhythm characterized the economy. Crops were sowed at a certain time, reaped at a certain time, and produced at a certain time and in a particular way.

Production took place almost at the point of cultivation and villagers ensure that nothing wasted. What was not considered safe for human consumption was indeed good for livestock.

It is interesting to point out that the variety of produce taken from the backlands led to persons engaging different productive activities. This was indicative of the specialization of the economy. Specific activities, the individuals involved, developed specific skills relevant to a particular industry whereby people did not lose sight of the simplicity of the productive process and found time to learn the entire operation. This made it possible for any one person to fit in anywhere and be able to complete the entire production process, all alone.

As early as 1872, canes, mainly bamboo and diamond were cultivated and sold to the estate at Enmore where they were processed into sugar for local and export consumption. The processing of sugar was not only found at Enmore estate, it was also in operation in the village. According to L. Sarrabo, writing in the Daily Argosy dated 20th July 1941, there were two sugar mills and one steam plant owned by L. Chase of Nabaclis and J. W. James and Isaac Evelyn of Golden Grove. These mills produced sugar on a relatively small scale, mainly to supplement the stock of grocery shops.

It is important to note that the two small scale sugar factories were not dependant on the canes that were planted in the back lands but on those planted outside of the village. This is probably one case where an existing industry had little linkage with the backlands. Another such situation existed with the milling of rice for human consumption. Two rice factories operated in golden grove sometime around the 1920’s with a small labour force made up essentially of villagers. Also popular were two lemonade factories owned by Williams and Martin respectively.

Sugar, rice and lemonade production were not integrally linked with and dependent on the backlands for raw materials. Coconut oil, cassava bread, quenches and casareep were sustained. These were economic activities that engaged the attention of almost every household precisely because of the simplistic technology and the easy access to the abundance of raw materials.

Coconut tree proliferated and decorated the two villages making it difficult to find a yard without a coconut tree or trees. This was the result of planting the fist coconut tree in Nabaclis, some time around the early 1860’s by Thomas Alleyne Adams who died in 1925 at the age of eighty-six. Around the early 1900s a number of coconut cultivations served several useful purposes. Residents responded positively and set up small factories mainly for making oil either under their homes or attached onto the house. In these factories, primitive technology based on manual labour was employed. The manufacturing of oil did not require a factory, because, like the production of casareep and cassava bread, it could be produced within the confines of the household kitchen.

Coconut farming did not only sustain the oil-making industry. It also contributed to the making of brooms as a spin-off activity. Production of brooms required no complex technology dozens were made with great ease.

In spite of the level of semi-industrial activities, the primary economic life of villagers centered on farming. Like their ancestors, the villagers earn their livelihood from rearing cattle and tilling the soil.

Each day they leave their homes and travel to the farm, in some cases covering several miles either on foot over the dams or by boat along the trenches to labour for a living.

Apart from agriculture, villagers also embarked on livestock farming, they rear among others, cows, pigs, sheep, ducks and chickens. It is evident, therefore, that livestock contributed meaningfully to the economic survival of residents. They provided a valuable source of income that supplemented the earnings derived from bottom-house industries. As a matter of fact, livestock farming along with crop farming and bottom house industrial activity complemented each other.

[Source: Cummings, Letroy Orwin Michael “A Brief Historical Review of Golden Grove and Nabaclis” Stabroek News Thursday, August 6th, 1998: Page 14.]

A Brief History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis

2006-02-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

History Today: A Brief History of Golden Grove and Nabaclis (Part Two) by Letroy Cummings.
This article will examine the economy of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, focusing on the emergence of cottage industries and assessing their contribution to village life.

Apart from being residential areas, both Golden Grove and Nabaclis emerged as agricultural communities, with farming being the primary economic activity. Farm lands at the back of the residential lots are of crucial importance to the sustenance of life for village people. The early residents looked to the back dam as a constant and reliable source of food production, where produce such as mangoes, coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, plantains, cassava, and other commodities were cultivated. The abundance of vegetables and ground provisions made the farmlands the food basket of the villages.
The produce from the back dam led to the emergence of cottage industries and the village economy boomed as different small industries sprang up almost simultaneously. However, their development was hindered by word-wide economic difficulties, the lack of modernization, and neglect of the backlands in low soil fertility. Apart from this, commercial business enterprises mushroomed over the years alongside the cottage industries and took their places as the industries declined. This did not change the free enterprise nature of the village economy underlined by self-employment.
As the phenomenon of change continued to be manifested, an agriculture-based cottage industry economy premised on sole proprietorship evolved into a commercial enterprise as another form of sole proprietorship. The commercial enterprises relied on imported goods for continuity. This is believed to have resulted in a movement away from the backlands that molded and shaped the village economy in early times. The consequence was the underdevelopment of rural-based industries. The large scale production of oil, cassava bread, casareep, sugar, rice and lemonade speaks of the industries that existed. Many operated as a family business under bottom houses and drew a ready supply of labor from among family members and other villagers. It is important to note that not all the villagers worked in the cottage industries; some migrated in search of work elsewhere, including the Gold and diamond fields.
The establishment of bottom-house industries depended, to a great extent, on the kind of crops produced in the back dam. It follows therefore that the activities in the bottom house factories were fundamentally an extension of what took place in the backlands where the village pioneers cultivated almost every possible square inch with ground provisions, fruit trees, vegetables, cane and other crops. This was indicative of the fact that a definite rhythm characterized the economy in that Crops were sowed at a certain time, reaped at a certain time, and processed at a certain time and in a particular way.
Production takes place almost at the point of cultivation and villagers ensure that nothing is wasted. This is not to suggest that a system of recycling existed; rather the contention is that the by-products (classified as waste by some people) were valuable commodities, if not for human consumption, at least for livestock. The conversion process determined by the cottage industries responded to the need of residents to create their own employment to generate wealth and consolidate their independence. This need became more pronounced, given the fact that the nearby estate at Enmore offered employment on a seasonal basis.
(Source: Stabroek news August, 1997: page)

Harry, Sancho and Thomas: Boxers from Nabaclis, 1940 -1959

2006-02-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

An article entitled, “Boxing Reminiscences with Sir Griff”, published in the Daily Chronicle in November 1962, commenting on the skills of immediate relatives, primarily brothers in the ring in British Guiana, tells of the fighting Policeman, Oswald Sampson who won the Light Heavy Weight Championship of British Guiana and the West Indies, when he knocked out “Striking” Oxley Agard. Oswald Sampson was knocked out by Oxley Agard in the rematch.
Mention is made of the Garraway family of boxers, two brothers and their nephew; Simeon, Arthur and Calvin, the Nedd brothers Sam and Mike. The main feature of the article were the Adrian brothers; popularly by their fighting names; Young Tanner, Kid Tanner, and Young Jack Johnson. There given names are Cecil Allan Adrian, William Richard Adrian, and Henwood Adrian.
I am positive Oswald Sancho knocked out Oswald Sampson. It was no contest according to my recollection of the event as told to me by Oswald Sancho. My uncle told me he threw one punch a left hand at that and turn his back – Ossie Sancho knew that was all which was needed. Most of his victims, fell, face forward. They were struck so powerfully. I saw my uncle then in his 50’s; presence drove fear in grown folks’ eyes. The eyes, seldom, ever lie.
What struck me about the article, immediately, was the omission of the Harry brothers; Patrick, Thomas, and Michael of Nabaclis, who were all members of the British Guiana Police Force. The Harry brothers are easily the best trio of brothers ever to put on boxing gloves in British Guiana. Their achievements in the ring were note wordy during the 1940’s. The Harry brothers ruled the roost in the lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Welterweight PC Harry won by a knock out from Pte Braby, and in the lightweight division, PC 4941 Harry beat Pte Brown, in the Police versus the Militia Boxing Tournament. The three brothers from Nabaclis defeated fighters from Trinidad. These three brothers were for the most part always contending for championships. They would loose occasionally. The Finals of the Local Amateur Boxing Championship, held on Sunday, April 20th, 1947 at Cinema Olympic, in Georgetown, Patrick Harry (134.5 lbs) lost to Kenneth Simon (137 lbs) in the Lightweight division, while Thomas Harry (141lbs) defeated Oswald Carter (138lbs) in the Welterweight division, and Michael Harry (150.5lbs) defeated Ulric Durant (151 lbs)
During this era there was also another boxer from Nabaclis, “Striking Henry” Thomas, who made his mark in the colonial tournaments held in Georgetown. “Striking Henry” Thomas, is also a descendant of Sancho, the son of Omni Sancho, however not much has been accessed validating his skills. Again as is the scenario with the others of his era, research is ongoing the effort to access and document the lives and times of those who came and left before us – is our responsibility to future generations.
I have not found published reports of boxing matches in which my uncle participated. Thus my impressions of him are his tales and eyewitness accounts. I believe most of Oswald Sancho’s fights were between 1944 and 1959. Joseph Patterson, a relative told me he saw the Sancho – Sampson brief encounter was born in 1938. Patterson was a Police Officer when he witnessed the action. That would mean such an encounter took place around 1959. By then Oswald Sancho was approaching his 40th. Birthday. Therefore one can only imagine what he was in his prime – say between 22 and 29 years of age. Uncle must have been some kind of a puncher. However, I heard elders saying, repeatedly, that Oswald Sancho was a light weight compared to two of his older brothers; Lambert Sancho, and Selbourne Sancho, who by most accounts, knew how to throw a punch for the desired effect - especially in defence of their women folks, relatives and property.
Today such an option is ridiculous folks in these times intend to bury each other rather cowardly. Guns rule every thing around us these days – or so it seems. There is most certainly too much Black on Black crime…..peace….

Source:
“Police-Militia Boxing Tournament End in Draw”, The Daily Chronicle, Monday, March 15th 1943: page 3.
The Daily Chronicle – Monday, April 21st 1947: page 8.
The Daily Chronicle, November 3rd. 1962: Page7.
Conversations with Joseph Patterson, Formerly of the British Guiana Police Force.

Former East Coast Bread Basket Slumped in Rusticity

2006-01-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Former East Coast Bread Basket Slumped in Rusticity
A once lily white sign post now rusting, about sixteen miles from Georgetown, announces, you are in the village of Golden Grove.
Measuring seven miles by one hundred yards, the village that is twinned with its neighbour; Nabaclis, is home to roughly 2000 families, many of them related. It falls in the Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which is chaired by Godfrey Henry, Sr., who hails from Nabaclis.
This village has produced many outstanding sons and daughters. Among them are Justice Donald Trotman, Major Keith Booker of the Guyana National Service (a national awardee) and Prof. Bradley Solomon, all of whom still live there. Dr. Barton Scotland, Justice Kenneth Barnwell, Leila Warde, and T. Anson Sancho are others. Promising singer Bevon Semple also hails from there. There was also a famous barber called “Barber Dude” who was contracted to cut the hair of the members of the Royal Air Force at Atkinson Field during the Second World War.
Now predominantly populated by Afro-Guyanese, the village was once the home of Portuguese, Chinese, and East Indians, too. Old Villagers recalled that every one lived in harmony until the riots of 1964 when other races fled the village.

HISTORY
Golden Grove, founded in the parish of St. Paul, was formerly a Cotton Plantation – Plantation Williamburg. Here, ex-slaves worked with Portuguese, and Chinese, indentured servants. Those from the latter group who opted to remain there after there indenturedship period was over, when into the commercial sector. They remained there after the village was bought by 61 ex-slaves in the year 1848. Some say it was on January 5, while others gave May 15, as the purchasing date. However, the former date seems more likely because the original villagers were the one who built the Methodist Church which is adjacent to the cemetery that borders half the northern part of the village, was built on May 6, 1848.
Social worker, Letroy Cummings, who lives in Nabaclis, and was knowledgeable of the history of Golden Grove, identified the spot in Centenary Street, formerly Sand Road, where the purchasers met under a tamarind tree to discuss this on the purchase of the village. A plague was erected at the head of the street in remembrance of those Purchasers, among them were; Sancho, Sarambo, john, Kendall and Simon.
It was a typical African village comprising eastern and western side line dams, which are the drainage canals and a middle walk which is the irrigation canal. Two years after the purchase was made, the village was surveyed and plotted out by a Britisher whose name was Jackson. The allocations were made of the front lands and the back lands used for farming and raising of livestock. A section of the village was earmarked by the village fathers for pasturage. It must have been soon after the construction of the church that the primary school was built on a piece of adjacent land. Both the Church and the School are still in the original spots.
Cash crop farming and livestock rearing was the lifeblood of the village. Produce was sold at the weekly Saturday market. This market also served as a venue where the villagers could socialize. The Saturday market still operates and in the same spot and attracts vendors and buyers from nearby villages.
Sugar cane farming seemed to have been done on a small scale. But only an enterprising early settler, William James, who was a carpenter by trade, built a factory and produced sugar. This was in 1870.
According to Cummings, the factory was initially operated manually. But James who Cummings said appeared to be a meticulous person from records he managed to see, purchased a windmill soon after. And so it was that James became the first resident of Golden Grove to own a wind-powered mill.
This factory was operable for about ten years. During this time, sugar produced was sold within the village as well as the surrounding ones. His descendants are still living on that lot.
Cummings said that after ten years of that operation which he opined was experimental; James opened a loan bank and shifted across to Nabaclis.

BREAD BASKET OF THE EAST COAST
But from the beginnings of village life, Golden Grove was the Bread Basket of the lower east coast. The first real agricultural fair in the country was reportedly held there in August of 1894. It became an annual event for the villagers to show off their produce. Probably, because of its rich soil, the villagers named it Golden Grove. Unlike, today, when the village is easily flooded, the drainage system in the early years was remarkable.
Throughout the years, generations of Golden Grove residents were accustomed to having their own coconut oil from the coconut palms cultivated and their beef, chicken, pork from animals reared by their parents. The village was noted for its production of pepper sauce, cassava bread and casareep.
Justice Donald Trotman, whose great grand father and ex-slave named Conwright was one of the original purchasers, recalled there was an export market for provisions in Trinidad and Barbados. But the hub of industrial activity centered around the production of coconut oil and stock feed.
At one time rice was grown on a small scale and there was a lemonade factory. Farming is still the main activity in the village. But, Golden Grove is no longer the bread basket for the neighbouring east coast villages. The decline began in 1934 when there was a huge flood and water covered the land. So serious was the flood that the governor had to use a boat to paddle around the village.

PRESENT
At a first glance, one finds, it hard to believe this was the once prosperous village. Old unpainted houses dominate.
With the growth of commercial activity, people tended to move away from the farm lands. The community spirit that was responsible for so many developmental aspects of the village seems to be fading. Drainage is now very, very poor, according to officials.
There are some sixteen streets in the village, running east to west. Most are named after the village fathers. Hence, Simon, Kendall, David and Hackett streets. But Centenary Street, for example, was so named one hundred years after the purchasers bought the village. But to them streets is a hyperbole for they seem to be no different than they probably were in the 1860s.
In contrast, the self-help housing scheme to the far north of bush corner is a complete contrast to the original village. The houses are well-kept, the yards fenced, and there is a general air of prosperity.
Construction on this housing scheme begun around 1976 on land that was swampy and was used as the village pasture. Evelyn Machado was the second person to settle there with her family.
According to her, neighbours would combine their efforts and maintain a clean environment. Cummings suggested the reason for this was because the people there had retained that spirit of cooperativity.
Golden grove remains twinned to Nabaclis. The administrative office and health centre is there, while the playground is in Golden Grove. A permanent market is also there. But prior to the construction of the market, a gas station, one of the two found in the village, was owned by Joseph Da Silva in the 1930s.
The station changed hands and the new owner, Marin Perreira migrated. The other gas station which was nearer to the cinema was owned by a relative of Justice Trotman, whose title was Lam. There was also a cinema, but little is there in its remembrance except the iron fence.

Source: Stabroek News, Saturday, August 19, 1997:page11.

The Village of Enterprise Hall

2005-08-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE.

Enterprise Hall is a small village of a little over one hundred acres n the parish of St. George, near the center of Barbados. Until the middle of the nineteenth century it was a family owned and operated sugar plantation. In the early official records it was known as “Brace’s Plantation” and the last member of that family to control it was one Edward Brace. Near the end of the eighteenth century it was sold to Ann Workman in payments of debts owed to her by Brace. Ann Workman, in a will dated September 15, 1790, left it to her daughter Katherin Spry. There is no record of the sale of the property by Katherin nor is it mentioned in her will.

The next reference is found in the will of Thomas Applewaite who refers to it by the name “Braces or Enterprise” but adds that it was then part of his plantation called “Walkers”. His will of 1816 leaves the entire estate, Walkers with Enterprise included, to his grandson Edward Applewaite.

It appears that Edward, like many other property owners, left Barbados for England soon after emancipation. A deed dated December 23, 1856, records the sale of “Enterprise Land” to Peter Chapman. Applewaite made the transaction while resident in England. A price of €3,500 was paid for the 1023/4 acres. Chapman, an enterprising solicitor, had the property surveyed, divided into one and two acre lots and put up for sale at a price that averaged €70 per acre. This pattern, incidentally, was followed in the founding of the majority of the villages on the island. The sale of the land began before the end of 1856. On the payment of a fraction – usually close to half- of the total price, the purchaser took possession. The balance, plus interest, had to be paid within a specified time. Some of the sales were recorded at the registrar’s office in Bridgetown, but as the law did not require this, the majority of the sales were not recorded. Many persons could not complete payment after making a deposit and lost both the land and their money. As a result, Chapman never sold all of the land since sections were returned to him whenever payments could not be met. On his death there is no mention of this property in his will, but informants reported that the land, plus the money due for it, went to his son-in-law.
Of the original purchasers, only 23 recorded their deeds, the amount of land involved being 321/4 acres. A large group of present-day landholders, however, have no clear title to their property, and they attribute this to the fact that most of the land in the village was never “paid off”. The descendants of Peter Chapman collected payments for many years, but the landholders could never raise the amount required to obtain title. Many landholders migrated, leaving friends and relatives to continue making sporadic payments.
After many years, the Chapman family stopped making collections. The purchasers or their heirs were then left in possession of the land but without legal title thereto. Today the Chapman family owns none of the village. The villagers explain this by referring to a legendary deathbed statement of the last member of the Chapman family. “In his speech”, Villagers claim, “he said that Enterprise people have paid enough; they can keep the ground”.
The holdings were worked in the same way the poor whites worked their land and the estate labourers worked their allotments. Sugar was the crop and most acreage was used to grow it. Provision crops were raised, but everyone grew some cane. The major difference between the villager and the plantation tenant was that the latter usually did his own heavy work while the landholder hired a labourer to do this for him. In most cases the male villager was primarily an artisan who earned his livelihood by working outside of the village. As a result, he was away most of the day, often leaving before sunrise and returning after sundown. This left him only Sunday to take care of his crops. During the week his wife took care of such matters as the hiring and directing of labourers.
In the Pre-World War 1 era of wind-driven sugar mills, the villager arranged with the estate to bring his cane to be ground at a give date, and only his cane would be ground at that time. He received all the sugar and molasses produced, less the twenty-five percent charge for the use of the mill. The villager then had to take his sugar into town to sell it to a merchant for cash. All of this was done by the men and it was possible, though difficult, for them to do this in addition to holding a full-time job. From the very beginning the sugar crop grown on the small holdings was an extra source of revenue for a man, a lump sum that supplemented his weekly wage.
This may be part of the explanation for the continued preference for growing sugar, as opposed to provisions and vegetables. The man markets the sugar and receives a lump sum, often more than he can collect at any one time from any other endeavour he might undertake. He can accomplish this in addition to holding a full-time job. Food crops, as contrasted with sugar cane, require almost daily care. They mature quickly and must be harvested and sold quickly or they will spoil. All this takes time and attention not available to a man who works from sunrise to sundown six days a week. Food crops, therefore, are the woman’s province. The “mistress of the house” cares for them herself. She either sells them herself or turns them over to passing hucksters. Money received for food crops, is kept by the woman and usually forms a supplement to her household budget. From the man’s point of view, he receives nothing from the part of his land planted in food crops. As one man put it, the money from provisions and vegetables “goes into the pot and never into the pocket”.
For the island as a whole, the amount of sugar cane – as opposed to food crops – planted by all villagers varied from year to year according to cycles of depression and prosperity. In the good times more cane was grown to earn more cash while in periods of depression provisions replaced cane. Since the island never experienced the “fall of the Planter Class”, sugar never lost its place as the crop. Some ginger and arrowroot were grown for export and for a time sweet potatoes and cotton were considered, but none of these ever seriously threatened the supremacy of sugar.
One of the first central sugar factories in Barbados developed near Enterprise Hall. At the beginning of the present century the owner of a neighbouring plantation was able to purchase and control several contiguous plantations. By coordinating their management he expanded one factory to handle the canes from his growing number of estates. As the factory grew, it was discovered that still greater efficiency could be gained from increased production, and cash payment was offered for raw cane. This policy was first instituted to obtain cane from small plantations, but it soon was extended to the freehold villages. The establishment of the factory and the payment of cash for raw cane was a further stimulus for the growing of cane by the villagers. The small holder benefited because he had a sure market for his plants. He no longer had the problem of finding a buyer for small quantities of the finished product.
Factory management soon offered cash advances to induce the villagers to sell to them and not to competitors. In the 1956-57 crop season, the largest in the history of the island, twenty-five percent of the cane ground by the factory near Enterprise Hall came from the villagers in the surrounding area. The factory, which was then the largest on the island also, had about $70,000 in loans outstanding to these villagers. The possession of land did not produce a subsistence economy. Instead, the land became a part of the money economy.

THE VILLAGE TODAY

The freehold village of Enterprise Hall contains 630 persons. It is not a complete community in the sociological sense. It has a primary school, but children from other villages and plantation tenantries in the vicinity attend and mix freely with its children. There is no single church attended by all the inhabitants. As is true for most of the island, the majority of villagers are nominally members of the Church of England. Those villagers who attend services, however, have to go to a parish church several miles from their homes. Within the village there are several “meeting halls” used by members of the numerous evangelical sects. The diversity of Protestant sects present on the island makes community adherence around church organization an impossibility.
There are no meeting places where the local inhabitants can come together and there are no associations to which they belong solely as members of the village. All associations are joined freely and are not organized on the basis of kinship or residence. Occupational diversity precludes the formation of associations that could provide communal integration on this level.
Though the inhabitants of Enterprise Hall do not form an integrated sociological community, they see themselves as “Enterprise people” as distinguished from the inhabitants of other villages and plantation tenantries. There is a sense of a historical connection to a place of residence with specific neighbours, rather than one of membership in a functioning community. There is, however, a definite and effective public opinion which sanctions behaviour for all inhabitants, even for those who have little or no contact with their neighbours. This public opinion carries over to other villages at the borders of Enterprise Hall and ties into an island-wide value system. There is no such thing as an isolated area on the island, since all villages border on other villages or plantation tenantries which in border on other villages or tenantries. Within this chain each village or tenantry sees itself as a distinct entity with historical boundaries and enumerated members. Individuals do or do not “belong to the village”.
There are no legal boundaries, there is informal agreement as to where each village begins and ends. There are fifty – three such villages in the parish varying in size from a little over five acres to over 175 acres. The population vary from twenty in the smallest to over thousand in the largest and 9,714 of the 16, 527 residents of the parish reside in such villages. The remainder rent from the estates which own 88.6 percent of the 10,750 acres of land in the parish.
The residents of Enterprise Hall regard themselves as distinct from their neighbours and the difference relates to the specific historical continuity of the village. The land became freehold before the other present day villages in the area and its occupants became differentiated earlier than their neighbours.
The village area, a little over one hundred acres, is inhabited by 630 people distributed in 187 holdings ranging in size from an eighth of an acre to one piece that is five and a quarter acres. The average size of each holding is one-half acre, thus making any attempt at subsistence agriculture hopeless. Only four adult males devote their full time to working their own land, and even this is on a cash crop rather than subsistence basis. Three of the four are over sixty years of age. Two have lost an arm and a leg respectively, and are unable to find other employment. The third is seventy five years old and a retired blacksmith who works the land more to occupy his time than from necessity. The fourth, still in his forties, is a former shopkeeper trying to earn enough cash from a large irrigated vegetable garden so that he can buy a lorry and go into the transportation business.
A large percentage of village land is owned and worked by people from other villages who came to tend the land and then return home. In the same way, many of the people from Enterprise own or work land in other villages. These plots that are distant from the owner’s home are usually planted only in sugar cane. It is said that food crops will be stolen if the owner is not continually on hand to watch them.
Opportunities for employment within the village are limited. In addition to the landholders, there are a few shopkeepers, several tailors and seamstresses who work at home on orders taken from both in and out of the village, the teachers at the primary school, agricultural labourers hired occasionally to work peasant holdings, the local butcher and tinsmith, a few masons and carpenters occasionally hired to repair homes or construct new ones and a few stonecutters employed in the local stone quarries. Most employed is found outside the village.
Those employed in the sugar industry work at the neighbouring estate or factory. Factory workers especially must travel considerable distances to get to work. Many people go to the city for their employment, travelling several hours per day. Others, such as the artisans in the construction field, travel all over the island to find work, and many of these men –particularly the younger ones – do not return home until the weekend, or when the job is finished.
Individuals who are employed are unable to spend many hours at home. They must rise early and travel long distances to arrive at the job by eight in the morning. Then there is the trip home, plus a little work on the land before dinner. It is dark before there is time for other activities.
The work habits of the villagers correspond to the general economic cycle of hard times and crop prevalent throughout the island. Many individuals move into jobs in the sugar industry during crop, returning to others after the season is over.
Most villagers own some livestock, such as cows, donkeys, pigs, goats, and fowl. These are held in small quantities and each individual generally participates in stock raising as another supplementary activity. Income collected from this source is added to the rest, and an individual’s total income is the combination earned from several sources. The income and expenditures of the villagers conforms to the general pattern for the island described by K. H. Straw and summarized in an earlier section.
THE DAILY ROUND

Seasonal conditions bring about slight variations in the daily round, but not enough to merit mention here. The normal time of rising is between 5 A.M. and 6A.M., but this will vary from household to household, some rising a little earlier and a few sleeping until 7 A. M. or later. The one-or two-burner kerosene stove – or a fire, if the family has no stove- is lighted as the first act of the day. This is usually done by the woman of the house, but there is no set rule. Everyone then washes up, either out by the standpipe, if there is one near the house, or in the yard, where water is stored in large cans. Most people fill the cans in the morning before eating and this means that someone must walk to the standpipe, fill a bucket and carry it to the can. Water is usually carried by the women and children, but if the latter are small and the woman is busy, a man will carry water. The communal standpipes, of which there were four in the village, are centres where people meet and gossip in the mornings, especially during the slow season when there is no great rush to get to work. The women often stand talking while the children do most of the work.
The family then takes “tea”, a hot drink that has been prepared while the members of the family were busy washing themselves and filling the water can. The tea maybe made of leaves of a local bush, or it may be cocoa, or chocolate purchased at the local shop. It may be nothing more than hot water with sugar and milk added. “Rice tea” used to be popular before the war when long grain rice imported from Burma was available. Informants claim that the new rice imported from British Guiana is not suitable for tea. Green tea or coffee is used only by those who can afford them. A biscuit or a slice of bread may be eaten with the tea by those who can afford to purchase such things. Others will eat anything left over from the day before, or have their hot drink without eating.
After tea the men will leave for work. During crop, work on the sugar estates starts at 7 A. M., before the sun is very high. Men who work outdoors like to start early to get as much done as possible before the heat of the midday sun is felt. Construction workers start at 8 A. M. and, since most have long distances to travel, they too must leave home early. Men, who are employed in the city, or in other distant places, cannot return home for their midday meal, called “breakfast”. Some will carry it with them and in these cases it must be cooked along with the morning tea. Most men like a hot meal at midday, and whenever possible a child, or some other member of the household, carries the hot food to the man’s place of employment. At 11 A. M. the worker gets his hour off for “breakfast”.
The man is away all day and has very little contact with other members of his household. Normally he will not see them until dinner time. On his way home he may stop the “shop” and spend several hours drinking and talking with other men. If he has work to do on the land, or repairs to do around the house, he will go out again right after eating. Often he will go back to the shop after dinner, not returning home until after 11 P.M. when the local radio station signs off. The shop provides the only place for men to come together to drink, talk and relax. It might be said to function more as a social centre for men, than as a centre for the distribution of alcoholic beverages.
Since the men are away working for most of the day, and away from home in the evenings socializing with other men, their contacts with their women and children are restricted to Sundays and holidays, and even these days are often spent at the shop with other men.
After morning tea the women begin their daily activities. These include cleaning, washing and ironing, caring for small children, tending the animals, managing the land, and marketing. The older children are sent out to weed the land before going to school, although this practise is becoming less common than in former years. Children must also help care for and feed the animals, milk the cow or goat and cut “meat”, the local term for green grass or cane tops. They also help with the cooking, cleaning and shopping as soon as they are considered old enough.
By 8:30 A. M the school children are ready, their mother or older sister having “platted their hair” and helped them to dress. School commences with a prayer at 9 A. M and classes run until noon. The children go home for lunch, returning at 1 P. M., and classes resume until 3 P. M.
The recently introduced twelve o’clock lunch has disturbed the schedule of many mothers who have to cook the midday meal by 11 A.M. for their men folk and wait until noon for their school children.
After the youngsters are off to school, the women do their cleaning, washing, ironing, and shopping. Clothes are washed in the yard with water from the standpipe. There are no traditional washing days and some washing or starching is done every day. Since it takes at least two days, and longer if it rains, before clean clothes can be washed and ironed, the women must be at it constantly.
By 10 A.M. the stove or fire must be started up again to cook breakfast. Very often as much as a half hour is spent in deciding what to prepare. The women may walk out to see what a neighbour is making, or visit the house of someone who is harvesting yams, potatoes, or other vegetables, and purchase some for the midday meal. The phrase “I don’ know wha’ fa cook” can be heard over and over throughout the island at this time of the day. The half hour of uncertainty is usually ended with a decision to make the inevitable rice dish once again.
During crop the woman will have to carry food to her man by 11 A.M. Her cooking will have to take place a little earlier so that she can walk to the “cane piece” or factory and arrive as he goes off to eat. If there are older children or non-working relatives in the house, they may save her the job of carrying the food. In many instances, older children are kept home from school to help with the housework and to carry breakfast.
If the man works close to home, he will return for his food, usually eating alone. When he is finished he will take care of odd jobs, leaving to return to work before the children are home from school. Only in rare instances will he have time to play with the younger children or to see the older ones on their return from school.
When the school children come in the woman has already “shared out” the food for each member of the family. The man’s share is always taken out first, even when he eats after the others. The food is placed in bowls and in most cases there is one utensil for each person. Often the children quarrel over portions and try to steal each other’s food. They eat in groups formed on the basis of similar age and sex. Very often the woman does not take a share, but leaves some in the pot. She uses this food for herself and as extra for a favourite child. After eating, the older girls “wash the wares”.
After 1 P. M. the woman may finish what she had been working at earlier, or she may embark upon some new task. Often she will visit with neighbours, either at their homes or, as happens most often, at the shop or standpipe. Women may take care of their shopping at the local store or get water to fill the can, but even if these tasks are started, their completion is usually postponed until the children are available to help.
At 3 P. M. the children are let out of school and they return home to change into old clothes. Many must then finish carrying water or do such other chores around the house as caring for the “stocks”. When these tasks are completed some will receive permission to return to the school pasture to play games with the other children. This play is unsupervised and unorganized, but the games are usually continuations of those organized by teachers and played during school hours.
When the older boys return home from school or work, the smaller children are chased from the school pasture which then becomes the village cricket field for several hours. The boys are joined by most of the adult males in the village. Those who do not play will sit and watch either from the steps of the school, or from one of the two shops situated just across the road. There are endless debates as to the best batsman and best bowler. The debate is not always restricted to cricket, and may range from varieties of sugar cane to politics, the latter being a favourite topic.
With the evening meal the women again face the problem of what to cook. Since the children are home, they are sent to run errands and carry messages. They may go to the shop for last-minute purchases, or they may be required to help with the preparation of food. If the children fail to do their lessons before the sun sets they will have to rise very early the next morning to do them, or face the anger of the teacher.
In the poorest homes the evening meal will consist of another “tea”. Bread, cake or biscuits are served if the family can afford them. In some homes the evening tea may be as large as the midday meal. In any case, it is served and eaten in the same manner as the other meals. By sunset everything is cleaned and put away and the family sits down to relax. The adult males may go out to the shop to talk or to play dominoes and cards. If the women have someone to stay with the young children, they may go out to the various prayer meetings held each night by one of the several denominations. It makes no difference which denomination the woman belongs to; she will usually attend all. Political meetings or showings of the mobile cinema provide special treats for which the children are allowed to stay up late. On other nights they are put to bed, according to their age, when the evening meal is finished.
This description of the daily routine assumes the existence of an employed adult male and the presence of an adult female to run the house. Many households do not have a separate wage earner and the woman must double as breadwinner and housewife. Understandably, her routine differs from that described above, but only in that she has more of the enumerated tasks to perform. The woman may be a widow receiving money from her adult children. She may also have adult daughters and grandchildren to help her in the performance of her tasks. A woman left alone with small children is in the most difficult position of all as she must obtain cash in addition to caring for the house and children.

HOUSING

“If there’s one golden rule we all on this island got”, says a character in George Lamming’s novel, “ It is this: if the good god give you health and strength, work till you can get yuhself a shelter over ya head by day, and a corner to rest yuh bones at night. And once you get it, give the good God thanks and never get rid of it”. This quotation indicates the value placed on owning a home by a Barbadian. As another character puts it, “A man ain’t a man til he can call the house he live in my own. And it ain’t matter how small it be once you can call it my own house”.
According to the 1946 census of Barbados, 77.2 percent of the 47,987 houses on the island were owned by the occupants. The overwhelming majority of rented houses are to be found in the capital city of Bridgetown where only 38.2 per cent of the occupants owned the houses in which they lived. In the Parish of St. George, 88.2 per cent of the houses were owner-occupied.
While it is usual for the inhabitants to own the house, it is quite common for them to rent the land on which the house stands; 46.7 per cent of the total house owners rented the land on which their dwellings were erected. In the Parish of St. George, 59.9 per cent of the homeowners rented the land. Only 30.5 per cent of the homeowners on the island owned the land while only 28.3 per cent of the homeowners in the parish owned the land upon which their houses were built.
A selected study of 34,360 houses in eight of the eleven parishes on the island in 1946, including St. George, revealed that in 9,712 cases, or only 28 per cent, did the occupants owned both house and land. In 17, 599 cases, or 51 per cent, the occupants owned the house but rented the land. In only 6,652 cases, or 19 per cent, did the occupants rent both house and land, and 5,375 or 80 per cent of these were in the Parish of St. Michael which contains the main city of Bridgetown.
Thus, the most common situation is for the householder to own the house, but to rent the spot on which it stands. However, this is not true for the inhabitants of Enterprise Hall, the great majority of whom owned both land and dwellings. Of the 135 functioning households in the village, 106 owned both house and land while 22 houses were owner-occupied on rented land. In only 7 cases were both house and land rented, and 2 of these cases represented the shopkeepers from outside of the village who rented the dwelling area with the shop from the merchant who owned them. Another 2 cases reflected single individuals who were allowed to occupy vacant houses for which they did not pay rent. Only three cases represented families who did not own their own dwelling and were forced to rent a shelter.
The great value placed on home ownership makes every man strive to be able to own the house in which he and his family live. It is degrading for a man to live in the home of his wife or her family. Even where the couple has been living together for many years in a house inherited or built by the woman, the man will not rest until he has built his own house. Several of the vacant houses in the village are owned by women whose husbands have built new dwellings for their families.
Of the 156 houses in the village, only 135 are occupied, with 10 vacant, 2 under construction, 2 used part time by the occupants of other houses and 6 used as shops or meeting halls.
The buildings themselves range in size from large stone bungalows, two stories high, to 14 feet by 8 feet board and shingle structures. Of the 156 houses in the village, 46(30 percent) are at least part stone. The stone is locally quarried coral limestone. This percentage is larger than is usual on the island, this again being the result of land ownership. The estates would not allow tenants to build immovable buildings on their property. The tenants, on the other hand, would not build immovable buildings on immovable houses on rented land for fear of having their property confiscated by the landlord.
The remaining 110 houses are of varying size. All are built with imported Canadian pine. There are five standard-size houses built, ranging from 14 feet in length to 22 feet, and from 8 feet to 12 feet in width. Larger dwellings developed over a period of time as a new house is attached to one already being used. Many structures are composed of several smaller houses built together.
Of all the buildings, 113, or 72 per cent, are more than ten years old. The inflation which hit the island since the end of the Second World War has raised prices greatly. The devaluation of the BWI dollar in response to the new exchange rate of the pound sterling, has added to the increase in the cost of housing. As the islanders must now pay approximately seventy per cent over par for Canadian and American dollars, this amount must be added to the already highly cost of building materials. Since almost all building materials are imported from these two countries, the individual Barbadian must spend well over two hundred per cent above the cost of the same items before the war. The increased cost of labour, which has gone up at least as much as the cost of materials, has added to the present high price of housing.
A few examples of the cost of building new wooden houses will illustrate this point. The following estimates are based on 1957 costs.
Case 1. 14’ by 8’ house of Canadian pine.
930 feet of wood at 35c per foot $306.90
7 bundles of shingles at $6. per bundle 42.00
3 sheets of hard board 4’ by 7’ at 13c per sq. ft. 10.92
20 pairs of hinges at 60c 12.00
2 locks at $2.16 4.32
18 lbs. of nails at 34c per lb. 6.12
8 window bolts at 12c .96
2 door bolts at 72c 1.44
Freight (between $1.50 and $2. per 100 feet) 17.50
Total Cost of Material for House $402.16

If the individual has the time and the talent, the building can be constructed for this figure. If a carpenter is hired to do the job the normal labour fee is approximately one-third of the cost of the materials. This would add another $133.00 to the cost of the house, bringing the total to$535.16. This will not give a complete living unit, since there is still no kitchen. The normal practise is to build an additional structure called a “shed roof” to serve as a kitchen. The shed roof that accompanies a 14’ by 8’ house is the same length as the house, a foot less in width and a foot lower in height. The materials cost:

438 feet of wood at 33c $144.54
8 sheets of galvanized iron at $4. 32.00
7 lbs. of nails at 34c per lb. 2.18
4 pairs of hinges at 60c 2.40
Freight (between $1.50 and $2. per 100 feet) 7.00
Total Cost of Material for Shed 188.12

If a carpenter is hired, $63.00 must be added to the cost, raising the price of the “shed roof” to $251.12.
The materials alone for this tiny house cost $590.28. The labour cost comes to almost two hundred dollars, raising the total cost for the serviceable dwelling to almost eight hundred dollars and no calculations have been made for the cost of sanitary conveniences and paint.

Case 2. For a slightly larger house measuring 20’ by 11’ the estimated cost would be:
1500 feet of wood at 33c per foot $495.00
18 bundles of shingles at $6. per bundle 108.00
3 sheets of 4’ by 8’ hard board at 13c per sq. ft. 12.48
75 feet of extra wood for windows (glass windows can
be had for $20 in glass and $50 in labour)at 33c per foot 24.75
27 lbs. of nails at 34c per lb. 9.18
20 pairs of hinges at 60c 12.00
2 locks at $2.16 4.32
8 window bolts at 12c .96
2 door bolts at 72c 1.44
176 feet of extra wood at 33c 58.08
Freight (between $1.50 and $2. per 100 feet) 30.62
Total Cost of Material for House $756.83

If we estimate the cost of materials for the shed roof at three hundred dollars, the cost of the materials alone is over one thousand dollars. A completed estimate for the house and the shed with the cost of the carpenter’s labour raises the figure to almost fifteen hundred dollars, again leaving out the cost of sanitary conveniences and paint.
The ideal of a man bringing his wife and children to live with him in his house is difficult to achieve. It may take many years to accumulate the money needed and other arrangements have to be made during the period of saving.
The estimated life of these houses is short –between fifteen and twenty years – and frequent repairs, restoration or renovation are necessary. It has been noted that more than seventy per cent of the houses were more than ten years old in 1957. This attests to the fact that the houses are not only old, but that they are constantly being repaired. Houses are frequently handed down from generation to generation. After a decade so little is left of the original wood building, and so much is added in repairs, that the unit may be considered to be a new house on the basis of cost and materials.
Wooded houses can readily be inherited because they are so constructed as to be dismantled, reassembled or moved at any time at little cost or damage. For this reason, too, disputes over land do not affect these houses. Stone houses, on the other hand, cannot be transported nor taken apart. In many cases they may be termed untransmissable unless specific instructions for the inheritance are made in a will. There are several cases of fine old stone buildings falling apart from neglect because the children concerned could not agree upon the division of their parent’s property. These cases result from intestacy. Usually the legal heirs are absent from the island. Even in cases where detailed provisions are made in a parent’s will, the absence of one or more of the heirs from the island will result in the neglect of the stone building concerned.
An example f this can be seen in the estate of J. E. Sealy. At his death, he left a will leaving his fine stone house and five and one-half acres of land to his children. Detailed provisions were made in the will, and the house was assigned to his son john. The will also contained the provision that the house would pass to his daughter Anita and her heirs in the event that John had no issue. John went to British Guiana, where married, and later went to Africa, eventually returning to Barbados, where he died. Though married twice, he had no children. At his death, the house passed to his sister Anita, who had lived in the family residence until she emigrated to the United States. She never married, has no children and is still living in New York City. All the other children mentioned in the will are either dead or have left the island, with the exception of one daughter, Mary. She married one Hillary Taylor and still lives in Enterprise Hall. She had two children, a daughter who now resides in Trinidad, and a son with whom she lives. The latter, a 42-year –old school teacher, is therefore the only member of the family on the island. He has taken charge of the land, but has done nothing with the house. Until the end of 1956, it had been rented to a family in the village, the teacher collecting the rent. By that time it was so badly in need of repairs that the tenant was forced to move. The teacher would make no repairs, claiming that the house did not belong to him and that all repairs should be made by his aunt in New York. The latter wanted no part of the property since she did not plan to return to the island and had no children to inherit it. The result is that the fine old stone building is falling apart and can no longer be occupied.
Several other cases similar to this were noted. The original cost of these old stone buildings are difficult to estimate, but today a six-or seven-room stone bungalow with running water and a toilet may cost between six an seven thousand dollars to build. This figure includes the cost of labour for masons and carpenters. The price can vary slightly depending on the desires of the owner, but in any event it requires a sizeable sum to build a bungalow.
These estimates all serve to show that the ownership of a house requires more cash than most young men can raise. Inheritance can ease the situation, but it usually entails complications which make for greater difficulties. As a result, most young people starting families cannot move into their own home immediately. Some temporary measures are necessary while the capital is being accumulated.
The general housing shortage makes renting difficult, and in any case strong sentiments are expressed against renting. Villagers argue that paying rent is wasting money that can be put toward building your own house. Every dollar spent in this way is considered wasted, and Barbadians only rent houses as a last resort.

POPULATION

The 135 functioning houses contain 630 people with an average of 4.7 persons per dwelling. There are 294 males and 336 females, a sex ratio of .872 males per female. This is higher than both the island rate of .801 and the parish rate of .860. When only adults over 25 years of age are considered, there are 113 males to 155 females, a ratio of .728 males per female. The under 25 age groups show a total of 181 males and 181 females, but a 146 of the males are under 14 years of age, compared to only 122 females. In the 15 to 24 age category there are 58 females to 35 males or 1.657 females per male. The discrepancy in this category may be partially explained by the high rate of emigration, both internal and external, for young men. Many still go off as contract farm labourers to the United States in order to earn comparatively high wages. Others have participated in the recent emigration to England. Of those remaining on the island, many of the artisans do not sleep at home, returning only for weekends. The pattern is for these young men to sleep at the homes of young girls with whom they have become friendly while working in different parts of the island.
In the main reproductive age category, 25 to 44, there are 68 men and 71 women, and a ratio of 1.044 females per male. It is only in the age categories over 45 that the number of women greatly exceeds the number of men. In the 45 to 54 group there are 1.727women per man. This ratio drops to 1.222 in the 55 to 64 age bracket, but increases to 4.750 in the 65 to 74 age category and to females per male in the over 75 group.
This preponderance of females over males in the upper age brackets may be explained partly by the greater longevity enjoyed by women. Another explanation, however, derives from this study: men who are unable to fulfil their roles within the family unit depart in later years, leaving their conjugal partners with the families that have been produced during their years together.

Source: Greenfield, Sidney M. 1966 English Rustics in Black Skin: A Study of Modern Family Forms in a Pre-Industrialized Society. College and University Press, New Haven, Connecticut: pages 77-95.

Disaster and Distraction: Party Politics in Guyana, 1953 – 2005

2005-08-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely convinced topics addressing the life and the times of Linden Forbes Samson Burnham, for the most part, result in illogical expressions, uttered primarily by those who choose to defend the culprit, and his cohorts.

They simply continue to rehash their interpretations of the history of Africans in Guyana – lifting the Burnham era, Paramountcy of the PNC, idolizing the politicians, and the most disastrous period in Guyana’s history since the days of slavery - over, above and beyond the era of the village movement, the shareholders, their own ancestry, and other relatives. It is all, too sickening for my tastes.

I will readily admit I would often use political and religious articles to drum up interests, and to assess people's thought process. The revelation is as always narrow-mindedness and indoctrination. People's expressions lack personality, they display the parroting of their political choices.

Only a very few seemed at all concerned, about the people, the masses of Guyanese and the state of underdevelopment which seems ever so permanent in the life and times of Guyana. They refuse to charge the politicians with holding up the country. They simply refuse to accept the simple fact, that more than any singular force, it is the politicians who have held Guyana hostage, and are continuing to do so – all because the people of Guyana permit them to continue to do so unabated.

It is the people of Guyana who gave, are giving and will give, their politicians free passes, to do whatever they please.

I am simply tired of the rethreaded discourse, especially in which logic has taken wings. I am at the stage of life where I am not bemused by the folly of others. Enlightenment is a rare bird, and that's what I intend to seek daily until I shall see no more. I remain surprised at the level of indoctrination, people express, completely tossing out that, what even Steve Wonder can see.

I can not believe that after 52 years and counting Guyanese will still be so blinded. Walter Rodney and the WPA, made their mark, and for an all too brief a period were pointing the working class peoples towards the light; self-emancipation – the glory of our ancestry. The powers that be, Burnham and the PNC assassinated the dynamic young leader.

Dr. Rodney displayed such rare qualities which seemed destined to move Guyana on the path of economic development. You and I know what followed – for most of us intensified our effort – to show Burnham and the PNC a clean pair of heels – opting for the racisms of Europeans over the oppression of those who look like us in the land where we are birthed.

And that's the truth. Deny it all you can or will publicly but I know that you know you will never fool yourselves – for you know that I am telling you, reminding you of the truth. And that's the bottom line.

Party politics in Guyana, informs us even to day – that the PPP and the PNC – are arrogant. They will forever continue to assume Guyana is their monopoly. It seems it will be in the hands of future generations to break the yoke of the politics of ethnicity in Guyana. Guyanese will resort to alternative methods to replace in competent administrations.

Why not begin today by supporting a third party or a coalition of parties? People, by so doing sweep those two inept units out of the political landscape. I am confident Guyanese must make an issue, create an event and establish a national position based on the will of the people and thus committed to the common good of the people, adopting such a position is paramount if Guyana is rise above the petty ethnic insecurities which has been promoted by the politicians for their own selfishness.

I am positive unless Guyanese confront their stereotypes, and make the necessary changes – regardless of the initial consequences – progress will remain a dream and the reality nothing but nightmares.

THE PAST ARE LESSONS THE PRESENT OUGHT TO KNOW AND NOT REPEAT THE MISTAKES.

2005-08-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

THE PAST ARE LESSONS THE PRESENT OUGHT TO KNOW AND NOT REPEAT THE MISTAKES.

“Racism wears different masks in different places at different times, but when the mask is torn away, the same malevolent face of exploitation and greed is exposed”. Jan Carew, 1925.
“Only lunatics want war”, Jawaharlal Nehru

Eurocentric trained academics are failing us in the Twenty first century. Why hasn’t Guyanese scientists – as intelligent as they appear – produced the answers to Guyana’s political, social, religious, economic, educational and other ills plaguing the nation – which has been ever present in our history? They got together in Howard university, a few years ago, and allowed their political interests to destroy that attempt. I offer the view the behaviour at Howard University was an embarrassment. One Indo–Guyanese female was reduced to tears – such was the folly among those who are employed in the Class rooms in colleges in Guyana and the Eurocentric world. The call is to try again and again until they get it right. . How is it that a vast majority of the print media found in the libraries of Great Britain, and USA, relate to racism in British Guiana (Now Guyana) yet Dr. Gibson’s scholarship is scrutinized to such an extent? It is absurd at best. People, the truth is racism has been in the society from the day Europeans disembarked in Guyana. Guyanese political scientists ought to research, do the analysis, and prepare documents detailing efforts in pursuit of resolution. The political philosophers must endeavour to exterminate this “gridlock of perpetual racial antagonisms” which has entrenched itself between the two major groups, almost from the day the Hesperus and Whitby arrived at Vreed-en-Hoop.
The shareholders of the East Coast Villages recognized this situation, and begun to do something about it. Whether the principal reason was economics – our nineteenth century representatives saw, and understand the need for self-preservation and unity. The other ethnic groups of Guyanese were allow to participate in every phase of life in the villages. How it is the leaders of rural communities in the nineteenth century were more progressive than the so-called national leaders of the modern era? The intellectuals of the latter half of the twentieth century has failed to build upon the ambitions of the former slaves and indentured servants – our ancestors – who recognized the need for self-determination, and the role of unity of the various ethnic groups in community development.
Guyanese has misconstrued the damage the party system has done to our collective physique. The truth is the two major political parties continued the practise of divide and conquer the routine which the Europeans employed against melanin dominant people of the world with a high degree of success for centuries leading to the privileges, the descendants of Europe continue to enjoy, ever since Europe emerged from the dark ages. Oppression gave rise to two groups the privileged and the victimized. The premises holds true with the scenario of racism. Doesn’t that make you angry? If you love yourself - If you love your ancestors – if you love Guyana – it would. Who is the Guyanese leader who will place national unity, and development above even their own life? I know such a leader has not held the highest office in the land.
The masses were and are being manipulated. I am sick and tired of this “Tricknology” with which the PNC, and PPP has poisoned Guyanese for 52 years.
It’s as sure the sun shines; they used us for their personal triumphs – and protecting personal interests – seem to be their paramount concern. Paraphrasing these ringleaders who has mislead, and continue to mislead Guyanese with tranquilizing effect has bankrupt the country. When is their day of reckoning? Come on – How long will this continue? Show your love for Guyana- tear away at the racism which has survived for far too long among us – from British Guiana to Guyana. Can you explain how the PPP and the PNC convinced thousands for whatever reasons to disrupt and endanger the lives of fellow Guyanese? I am convinced it is not about the majority of Guyanese. I am convinced from Jagan to Jagdeo, all placed themselves above the people – instead of what’s best for the colony, the nation – self interest has been their priority. The solution is education. The solution is restructuring the administration – from Central to local Government. Peoples Power, the working class people must make the necessary steps to strengthen local government administration. The grass root must see themselves – neither PPP nor PNC, neither African nor Indian – but identify as Guyanese. Guyana above and beyond all else. That is the indoctrination needed, and is sadly missing.
I can not in my right mind see Guyanese as the politicians who prey upon the people by promoting division. I fondly recall the days of being with indo-Guyanese friends – and pleasing the stomach by the hand of Indo-Guyanese females. What’s revolting is there are many who seek only to destroy. Jawaharlal Nehru
said, “only lunatics want war”. You and I ought to agree with him on that statement. The blood shed of the 1960s is more than enough for me. Local government reform – political reform at the national level. Good people must over come bad structure.
The lessons will be learnt, and new practises will be put in place spring boarding national development. I do believe generations in the future will reclaim, and embark upon the journey bring about, realizing the dreams of ancestors, and Guyana would be a proud united developed nation. I would not be around to witness – I know and I am very sadden –such is unlikely to occur in my life time. The call, therefore is for leaders of villages, local authorities, and villagers, and overseas based Guyanese to work together to improve the present conditions. Thus preparing and making the effort to eradicate this situation which has not benefited the nation. I am afraid the small man will never be a real man but will accomplish rewarding experiences when they stand side by side – ever united for the same cause, only then the people would overcome this political malady which has imprisoned them. The masses of people – Afro and Indo Guyanese – must recognize the choice of national unity is representative of the dreams of the Indentured Servants and the Shareholders of the villages. It’s crystal –until Guyanese nationalists, the masses of the people, and the exploited retire these conmen and gunmen, including these politicians, and their faithful pattern of simply promoting, hiding behind, and exploiting, an atmosphere of ethnic fears, conflicts and groupings – while betraying the nation will not put to rest – cycle of poverty, and violence for which Guyana has become noteworthy. Thus moving Guyana swiftly along the road from underdeveloped country to the top of the world’s stage. Isn’t that where the aim ought to be? Down with mass ignorance. Vote for change. Long live the power of the people.

I am Who I am - Who I always were - Who I always Will

2005-08-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

“The English…lumped us all together as ‘niggers’ – Asians, Africans, West Indians, the lot. They compel us to unite whether we like it or not. Of course, throughout the empire, we had the same educational system inflicted on us and so we carry the same cultural baggage… so despite enormous cultural differences, we can still communicate fairly easily with one another”. – Jan Carew, Ghosts in my Blood.
“Our liberation struggle is a complex one in which historical conflicts of race, class, caste, colour, and culture determine both how we see ourselves and how others see us” Jan Carew, Ghosts in our Blood.
“It’s our destiny as an African people to fight for our Civil Rights and Human Rights”, Malcolm X
“People have to come to realize that THE FATHER created us for each other, and until we understand that we are going to make a whole heap of problems out of differences instead of accepting the privileges of similarities because we are all of the human family”, Bunny Wailer

Do Guyanese of all walks of life take great pains to forget the past? The articles, and conversations I access, for the most part, leaves me wondering –Why am I accessing such an unfamiliar British Guiana? Why are their experiences in British Guiana so vastly different from mine? Even though, I did not spend great amounts of time in Georgetown and was born twenty years after Noel Compton Bacchus I am familiar with a number of with a number of events and experiences he documented in his book, Guyana Farewell. I can recall Military Bands, British Anthem, Union Jack, and Radio Demerara. The business of singing “God save the Queen” was not something I anxiously anticipated. I would be hard pressed to recall and identify which parade was the Empire Day Parade. I remember the train stations along the railway line from Georgetown to Rosignol, especially that of Enmore and Golden Grove. The confectionaries and the array of refreshing drinks were sold at what we called ‘Cake Shops’. I am not sure, either Brindley Benn or Balram Singh Rai was then the Minister of Education when the radio was introduced as an instructional aid – the programme, “Broadcast to Schools” – loved the Guyanese folks and patriotic songs but oh those English folk songs – ‘Oh! Where have you been charming Billy?’ and the powdered milk and biscuits were distributed to pupils.

The first noted racial violence between working class peoples occurred in New Amsterdam, Africans and Portuguese were the combatants, in 1848. When I opened my eyes, more than a hundred years later, New Amsterdam, was a sleepy, and seemingly innocent town of 12, 000 souls. The event occurred in Alexander Street, during the Interim Government’s administration, between October 1953 and 1957. Kanhai and Butcher were the masters of batsmanship at regional level. Walcott, Weeks, and Worrell were among the ten best batsmen in Test Match Cricket. The differences between Burnham and Jagan were noticeable. The PPP were split into the Burnham Fraction and the Jagan Fraction. Emmett Till, an African child in the USA, was murdered, for whistling at a white woman. Rosa Parks was tired of riding in the back of the bus. In the days, the beginnings of my youth, children of the neighbourhood would play, mostly Cricket and Soccer, on the streets it would be hours before vehicles would travel down Alexander Street, interrupting the activities. Although it was located just one block from the Public Hospital, traffic was very sparse.

Alexander Street offered a microcosm of British Guiana with all six peoples represented on the two blocks between Water Street and Back dam. Among the residents of Alexander Street, New Amsterdam in 1952, were the following; Z. B. Amerally, Kingsley Brassington Coddett, Randolph Leon A. Coddett, Irene Albertha Choy, Cyril Choy, Thomas N. Davis, Marlon E. Ferrell, Clifford Fredericks, Joan Fredericks, Ralph Fredericks, Stanley Fredericks, Rupert L. Fung-Fook, Habiblulla, Kathleen Headley, Hubert Hopkinson, Edward Houston, Philbert O. H. Howell, Hughes, Hunter, Isaacs, Richard Jones, Kingsley H. Mars, J. T. Mook-Sang, Jane E. Mook-Sang, Eric Nicholas, David Reddock, Ross, Winston Rozario, Lambert Edward Smith, Duncan McGregor Stuart, William Sullivan, Winston Sullivan, Eric C. Tello, James Ten-Pow, Phyllis M. Warn, and Saizie L. Warn. Amerally owned the saw mill, and there was a grocery store at the corner of Alexander and Water Streets. Desmond Bryan’s father was employed at Harvey’s bakery which was located on Alexander Street between Water and Main Streets. A tenement yard was also found on that block. At the corner of Alexander and Main Streets were four places of business, including three parlours – cake shops – and grocery stores. The Choy family also ran a taxi service. The Berbice River, and Back dam trench, was out of bounds, associating with residents of the tenement yard, complaints by adults, and not at home by sundown, were all capital offences. Martin, Reddock, and Sharper were known relatives resident in New Amsterdam, during that period. By April 1966, the fire station was then under construction in then swamp land, over Back dam.
Mr. W. O. R. Kendall was the top ranking politician in New Amsterdam. It was futile to oppose him at the polls. Mr. Kendall was a father figure. In fact Mr. Kendall is the first politician I ever saw performing at a podium, on a platform at a street corner - the same street on which Central Police Station is found and Main Street - before a considerable gathering. It was the image of the colourful and emotional Cheddi Jagan which had a lasting impression on mind. I know I can not recall a word he said but I seem to recall a crowd of the vast majority, Afro-Guyanese responding and the Doctor firing - like a Baptist preacher. I would, years later, see and hear Cheddi speaking to a crowd in front of Golden Grove Methodist School. He was not as impassioned as I remember his performance I witnessed in New Amsterdam. Mr. Austin, the barber, whose business place was located on Water Street, near Alexander Street. Mr. Austin administered a solitary hair style for boys, the much dreaded, baldhead. Mr. Harold Christopher Scarder, formerly Head Master of St. Patrick’s Anglican School, East Canje, Berbice, was the Head Teacher at Victoria Preparatory School – known as Scarder’s School. I am now aware both Mr. Austin and Mr. Scarder are connected to the Buxton-Friendship Village District.
Edward Augustus Chapman (1892-1974), popularly known as A. E. Chapman, former mayor and businessman, owner of Chapman’s Bookstore. Errol Alphonso, then a businessman, grocer and Eustace Wilson, the mayor, principal and owner of Victoria High School. In the 1930’s the outstanding Joseph Eleazer reigned supremely in New Amsterdam. B. L. Crombie shouting, “Sports Flashes” at five minutes to eight, and ending with his creed, “It’s not whether you win or loose but how you played the game”. Mr. Brindsley Lewis Crombie (1908-1972) stressed athletes to be good sportsman and women. Prominent Guyanese associated with New Amsterdam include the following; Mr. Shridath S. Ramphal, Rashliegh E. Jackson, Norman E. Cameron, Edgar Mittelholzer, Edith Pieters, the Legendary legal family – the Luckhoo and their first cousins, the Rohomon family, including brothers, the writers; Joseph, and Peter, Wilson Harris, Joseph Oscar Fitz Haynes, perhaps the most brilliant legal mind ever born in British Guiana, Dr. John Monteith Rohlehr, and Milton Pydanna.

The matriarch of my household, as I reminiscence, seemed to plan her life around the event, “Kanhai at bat”. It seemed activities stopped when it was announced Kanhai is approaching the crease. Immediately after Kanhai was dismissed, cricket commentaries ended and life resumed. If Kanhai destroyed the bowling I was likely to be granted my wishes, and often escaped the rod but not the verbal discipline. Rohan was one of her pupils in 1947 at Port Mourant Roman Catholic School. I believe Mrs. Magnel Grovesnor, was the midwife, in the district and participated in the birthing and health care of Rohan, prior to Mrs. Muriel Ross, her niece instructing him in the classroom. Kanhai was certainly a member of the household.

Holidays were spent in Golden Grove and Nabaclis village district, and occasionally in Georgetown. The brief interludes in Georgetown were spent at my father’s residences on Charlotte, and lots 105 and E1/2 115 Regent Streets, and the residences of my Cousins Dorothy McIntosh and Gloria Duguid, in East Ruimveldt, and East La Penitence Housing Schemes. I loved hanging out with my cousins – to this very day fond memories of those experiences, surfaces – but my father’s residence remains what I term encounters of the close kind with dictatorship – children must be seen and not heard – I might add my rebellious nature often resulted in painful experiences. I love going visiting my father’s place of employment – for it afforded me opportunities to interact the best legal minds in the colony of British Guiana, J. O. F. Haynes, and Fred Willis, and others. I loved the Jazz and Calypso music my father played – I remember hearing him declaring there is no comparable pianist in Guiana – Count Bassie, Ahmad Jahmal, Duke Ellington, Miles, Charlie, Dizzy, Ray Charles and Lord Kitchener were a far cry from the Soul Stirrers, Mahaila Jackson and the Gospel music I was allowed in New Amsterdam. While so near, Bourda was just too far away. Thus it was never my Mecca. I still hear the sound of the bullets and the cries of people – Police shot another – next door at Prince Rum shop on Regent Street, and the echo of the slap which sent me angrily to sleep – vowing to keep my distance from my male parent – all the remaining days of my life. I never found out who were the participants. I believe to this day it was bias crime.

I preferred Golden Grove and Nabaclis. It afforded opportunities for the grounding with several members of the Sancho family, including the following families; Abrams, Adams, Benn, Cosbert, Elliott, Hinds, Joyce, Kendall, Lutchman, Marious, Patterson, Ralph, Roberts, Sandy, Scotland, Sharper, Valentine, and Willis, on the East Coast. I experienced, prior to the Racial Disturbances, every ethnic group, except the indigenous of the land, in Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District. It was on the East Coast of Demerara, I begun to notice differences among the working class peoples of British Guiana. The aftermath of the violence which erupted in the community, during the racial disturbances of the early 1960s resulted in changes to the social dynamics of the Village District. I have no idea when East Indians, Chinese and Portuguese were allowed to purchased land, reside and partake in phases of life within the community. I concluded only Africans were allowed to own property and conduct business in the community for a number of years, after the cotton estates were purchased on January 5th, 1848, for among the articles of the Agreement for the local government of Victoria Village which was signed on May 2, 1845, by 79 of the 83 shareholders before Mr. Thomas Porter Jr., the Acting Stipendiary, stated the following;
# 12th – And be it fully understood by all the proprietors and householders, that they shall dispose of no land (either in front or back of the estate) to any stranger that may wish to purchase from them, without the consent of the President and Committee –
# 13th – Any proprietor or householder wishful of disposing of their shares in the estate, or any portion of the land they be in possession, is to mention the same to the President and Committee, so that arrangements may be made by the other proprietors for the purchase of said property.
# 19th – No stranger shall be allowed to remain on the estate without being able to give a clear and satisfactory account of himself such as, his business and with whom he is staying – (Young 1958: 224)

It is known, Afro-Guyanese performed community service to prevent death and destruction to Portuguese and their property in the village district, during the Angel Gabriel Riots of February, 1856. Violence pitting Africans versus East Indians were not noticeable except concerning labour. In the main, policemen following the instructions of European officers were the folks victimizing Indo-Guianese. I subscribe to the thought process that the exodus of Indo-Guyanese from the community had far reaching effects on the social, economic, and local government development of the village district. The aftermath of the events of the early 1960s highlighted mass ignorance, differences, propagated ethnic insecurities, produced further division, and prevented unity of the Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese sector of the population.

I am not sure when and where I first encountered racial slurs. I believe it was at # 68 Village, on the Upper Corentyne Coast in September 1966. I attended Blairmont Estate Primary and Cumberland Methodist Schools located in predominantly Indo-Guyanese communities on the West Bank of the Berbice and the East Bank of the Canje rivers. I have no recollection of being addressed in derogatory manner in those communities. In fact, I recall residents treating me most respectfully. I was offered a number of items – without compensation – simply because I was a teacher’s son. What used to bother me was the members of the community seemed genuinely offended when I refused their offers. Therefore, I would accept such, with the widest grin I could muster, even if I did not care for same. The folks of prior generations, especially in the rural districts, and particularly in Berbice, did not it seemed drunk from the well of racial hatred. While residing in the villages # 64, 65, and 68 on Upper Corentyne Coast, even during the fraudulent accounting of National Elections of December 1968 I have no recollection of threat to my welfare because I am Afro-Guyanese. The PNC meetings were held at Oscar King’s residence at #64 village and at Tucker’s residence at #65 village. I do not recall witnessing East Indians in attendance. PPP and PYO meeting were held all over the community. I would go to those in #66 Village. The meetings presented another opportunity to see Chitrani, who had bedevilled me ever since I first saw her in September 1966, in Fourth Standard - Common Entrance Class - in #68 government school. We would often walk together to and from school. Indo-Guyanese of the area would be so offended that they decided to attempt to put an end to it, (including perhaps my like) – a mob gathered at #66 Creek bridge to greet me; I did not like the odds – I quickly assessed the creek afforded me the only opportunity to escape without being victimized. I am here today without a scratch from that event.

I fondly remember ole Mahrajee of # 68 village, ensuring I learnt the art of eating with my fingers as the Indo-Guyanese did – how delighted the old woman seemed when I knocked down a few of her Dhal phouris. While residing at # 64 village Joe Doolam, his mother and relatives were whom I considered my closest friends. Randolph Etwaroo and Joe Doolam are the folks who taught me how to master the game of cricket. Joe is a big brother to me. I would go any place with Joe at any hour. In fact, I remember shedding tears when I understood Joe was getting married – that meant less time to share his company. Joe’s marriage hanging out all hours of the night listening to test cricket commentaries from Australia was a thing of the past. It was in this period Roy Fredericks told me, playing table tennis, well, improved the hand eye coordination and mastering that game would lead to improved performance at the crease –I ran with it. I would play in a limited number of organized matches representing Skeldon Line Path Government Secondary School, at the secondary school cricket, and # 64 Village, at the club level in Davson Cup Competition in Berbice. Among the cricketers I interacted with are the following; Liquat Alli, Ansel Hazel, Leonard Baichan, Sam Suchit, Annand Sookram, Isaac Suirnarine, Shew “Black Jack” Shivnarine, Ramchiritar, Burlin Shaheed, Reginald Etwaroo, Gopie and Vinoo Beasmonie, Seebalack brothers of # 71 village, and Lall Munilal.

I am sure I am not anti-ethnic. I believe the Ancients of Earth is the Blackman, and every human being is descended from the Blackman. Thus every kind of man is that of a Blackman, regardless of their interpretation of themselves. I did not know I have East Indian bloodlines within my genealogical make up. I recently understand Kissoon, Mootoo, and Ramotar of Golden Grove-Nabaclis, and Unity-Lancaster districts on the East Coast of Demerara, are my relatives. I am firmly against social systems which cast one group over another – that’s it. I resolutely believe the option is either national unity or complete separation. It is necessary to choose one or the other. Guyanese must study and practise the positives of the global experience of the relationship between Africans and East Indians if they intend Guyana to foster national unity. The composition of Guyana’s population will neither allow Africans to convert Guyana into an African state nor will provide Indians with another Indian. I suggest let Guyana be Guyanese. The people and the state of Guyana must diligently work to improve the conditions of life and develop the country for future generations. Live for tomorrow – let peace and love abide – support National Unity – support Alliance For Change – support Working peoples Alliance – vote for peace progress and prosperity. Vote for change from 52 years of PPP and PNC’s politics of ethnicity, and inept administrations. Vote for Alliance For Change.

Recommended Reading:
Young, Allan (1958) The Approaches to Local Self-Government in British Guiana.
Bacchus, Noel Compton (1995) Guyana Farewell.
Carew, Jan (1994) Ghosts in my Blood.

Will of Richard Reed

2005-07-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

Aug 17 1830 Thomas Prendergast, bach, CE, Quidi Vidi & Jane Brace, widow, CE, Quidi Vidi. WIT: Catherine McGrath, William Earle" Volume 26 E: ANGLICAN MARRIAGES : Cathedral of St John the Baptist (St John's Anglican Cathedral) Jill Marshall

1831 "Will of Richard Reed

from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 129 to 132 probate year 1831.

In re

Richard Reed deceased.

Barbados. This is the last will and testament of me Richard Reed late of the Colony of Demerara but at present of the Island of Barbadoes Esquire. I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid and satisfied as soon as possible after my decease and I do charge all my estate real and personal with the payment thereof (except my negro man slave named Louis hereinafter by me devised to my relation Edward Brace Terrill). I give and bequeath unto the Orphan Chamber of the Colony of Demerara the sum of Ten Guilders Holland currency thereby excluding them from any interference in my affairs under any circumstances whatever. I give and devise unto my said relation Edward Brace Terrill and his heirs my said negro man slave named Louis. I give and bequeath unto my dear brother Thomas Reed my watch Chain and key, and also my Encyclopaedia Brittannica now in the possession of my brother in law Patrick Huir, and also my two fowling pieces now in the possession of Mr. Beckwith Gunsmith of London. I direct my executors hereinafter named or either of them who are appointed to act in my affairs in the said Colony of Demerara to purchase a Gold watch key chain and seals of the value of Thirty guineas and present the same to my dear sister Jane Reed, and I also direct my said executors to purchase another Gold watch, key, chain and seals of the like value and present the same to my dear niece Eliza Bowcher daughter of my dear sister Elizabeth Fergus who was formerly Elizabeth Bowcher widow.

Whereas I am seized in fee simple and possessed of and in one fourth part of a certain Plantation called Nabaclis situate on the east coast of the said colony of Demerara and also of and in one fourth part of the slaves and appurtenances thereto belonging, Now I do give and devise three fourth parts of the said one fourth part of the said Plantation Slaves and Premises unto my said sister Elizabeth Fergus wife of James Fergus and Mary Ewing wife of James Ewing my said sister Jane Reed and my said brother Thomas Reed and their heirs to be equally divided between and amongst them as tenants in common, and not as joint tenants, and the interest annual produce and profits arising and accruing from the remaining one fourth part of the said one fourth part of the said plantation slaves and premises I direct shall be paid and applied and be for the use and benefit of all the children of my said brother in law Patrick Huir on the body of his wife my sister Sarah Huir begotten or to be begotten during their respective minorities, and when and so soon as all the aforesaid children shall attain their ages of twenty one years then I give and devise the said one fourth part of the said one fourth part of the said plantation slaves and premises unto such children and their heirs to be equally divided between and amongst them as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. And it is my will that the said interest annual produce and profits for the benefit of the said children shall be paid to my executors in Newfoundland or either of them who shall qualify to this my will who shall apply the same for the benefit of the said children in such proportions for their maintenance and education as shall be deemed by them or either of them most fit and proper from time to time I do authorise my executors in Demerara or either of them who shall qualify to this my will whenever they or he shall find it advantageous so to do to sell dispose of and convey my said one fourth part of the said plantation slaves and premises and the monies arising therefrom. I give and bequeath to and direct that the same shall be paid and applied to such persons and in such manner and proportions as I have given and devised the said one fourth part of the said plantation slaves and premises in case the same had not been sold.

All the rest residue and remainder of my estate real personal or mixed whether in possession reversion remainder or expectancy either in Demerares, Newfoundland or elsewhere I give devise and bequeath in the following manner that is to say, three fourth parts thereof unto my said sisters Elizabeth Fergus, Mary Ewing and Jane Reed and my said brother Thomas Reed and their heirs to be equally divided between and amongst them as tenants in common and not as joint tenants; and the remaining one fourth part thereof unto the children of my said sisters Sarah Huir begotten by the said Patrick Huir and their heirs to be equally divided between them share and share alike.

I nominate and appoint my relation John Groscort Reed and my friend Creswell Spencer of the Colony of Demerara, Esquires, executors of this my will to act in my affairs jointly or severally in Demerara aforesaid, and I nominate and appoint my said brother in law James Fergus and my friend Thomas Patten of Newfoundland, Esquires, to be executors of this my will to act in my affairs in Newfoundland. And I authorise my said executors in Demerara or either of them who shall there qualify whenever they or he are about to depart the said Colony of Demerara or are about to depart this life to substitute nominate and appoint some person or persons to act as executor or executors under this my will in regard to my affairs in Demarara aforesaid with the same and the like powers as if they had been nominated and appointed by me in this my will and I do revoke all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Rd. Reed (LS)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Richard Reed as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, the words "to purchase" between the twenty third and twenty fourth lines of the first page and the words "jointly or severally" between the second and third lines of this page being first severally interlined in the presence of John C. Eversley. Benj. M. Alleyne. A. Yearwood. Edmund J. Eversley. Richd Read. Wm. Hy. Ames. E. W. Eversley.

Barbados This is a codicil to the last will and testament of me Richard Reed Late of the Colony of Demerara but at present of the Island of Barbados, Esquire, which said will bears date the eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four and which said will I do hereby ratify and confirm in every respect except as the same may be hereby altered or varied. I do hereby authorise and direct my executors in Demerara or either of them who shall qualify to my said will to act in my affairs there to allow and pay to my brother Thomas Reed the annual sum of two hundred pounds sterling money of Great Britain for the spane of four years to be computed from the date of my said will for the purpose of enabling my said brother to finish his education as a surgeon or Physician and which said annual sum I direct shall be paid out of the nett proceeds of the proportion of the crops to which my said brother will be entitled under my said will out of my proportion of the plantation Nabaclis, but in case my proportion of the said plantation shall be sold before the expiration of the said four years then I direct my said executors to reserve as much principal money in their hands as will pay the said annuity during the said term out of the proportion thereof to which my xxxx brother the said Thomas Reed is entitled under my said will and I wish my said brother clearly to understand that the said annuity is to be deducted from his proportion of the said Crops of the said plantation or the purchase money thereof in case the same shall be sold.

In testimony whereof I the said Richard Reed have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Rd. Reed (LS)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Richard Reed as and for a codicil to his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at this request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto. Henry T. Ward. A. Yearwood. Nathan L. Eversley. J. Tynes. John Lewis. Frederick Willis. Samuel Hood.

Certified Correct,

D. M. Browning Registrar " http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/reed-richard.shtml

Sarrabo kinship of Golden Grove and Nabaclis

2005-07-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD NOTICES no. 509 December 12th, 1925 Page 1447
PARTITION OF THE UNDIVIDED LANDS IN THE GOLDEN GROVE SECTION OF THE GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS VILLAGE DISTRICT, THE PROPERTY OF THE LEGATEES UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF DORINDO SARRABO, DECEASED.

The decision and awards shown in schedule two subjoined by the Rev. Stanley E. Watson, Settlement Officer, and approved by the Local government Board under section 14 of the district Lands partition ordinance No 13 of 1914, in respect to the partition of the undivided lands in the Golden Grove Section of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis village district, the property of the legatees under the last will and testament of dorindo Sarrabo, deceased, shown in schedule I subjoined, is hereby published for general information.

L. M. Nightingale
Acting secretary to he Board and Inspector of Districts
Local government Board,
Victoria Law Courts,
Georgetown, Demerara
5th, December, 1925.

SCHEDULE I
W.1/2 Lot 37, Section A; W.1/2 Lot 102, Section A; N.1/2 Lot 44, Section E; East Portion; W.1/2 Lot 3, Section B; S.1/2 Lot 8, Section D; S.1/2 Lot 17, Section E; West Portion; S.1/2 Lot 17, Section F; West Portion; N.1/2 Lot 11, Section G; East Portion; S.1/2 Lot 43, Section F; East Portion; S.1/2 Lot 32, Section G; West Portion;

SCHEDULE II
DECISION

All the undivided lands shown in schedule 1, above to be sold under the provisions of Section 10 of the district Lands Partition Ordinance No. 13 of 1914.

Award
Richard Sarrabo’s heirs:-
Richard Sarrabo
Alfred Sarrabo
Thomas Sarrabo
Joseph Sarrabo
Susan Williams (born Sarrabo) all of them (1/5 of 5/32)

Samuel Sarrabo’s heirs:-
Alfred Sarrabo (for one-half of 5/32 L.D. Sarrabo)
Mrs. Hamer (resident in Colon)

Isaac Sarrabo:-
Frances Sarrabo (widow) …5/32
Mary Bristol …5/32
Sarah Glasgow …5/32
Amelia McGarrel …5/32
Frances English …2/32

Stanley E. Watson,
Settlement Officer
5th, December, 1925.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAM SARRABO, Shareholder of Golden Grove Village, East Coast Demerara.
Source: Sarrabo, Leopold Duncan, Historical Review of Golden Grove Village: Events, Improvements and Achievements, 1848 -1948. The Daily Argosy, Friday, May 7th. 1948: page 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEOPOLD DUNCAN SARRABO
Member of Council of the Local Authority of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District.
Chairman of the Local Authority of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVID AUGUSTUS SARRABO
Rural Constable, Belfield Police Station c. 1938
Member of Council of the Local Authority of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EGERTON AUGUSTUS SARRABO
Statistian, General Post Office.
Resides at 114 George Street, Georgetown
Born May 18, 1921 at Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara, to David Sarrabo , and his wife, Fredericka E., nee Henry.
Educated at Government School, and Central High School, Georgetown.
Was a teacher at Central High School, and Clerk at the Yellow Fever Department, Georgetown.
Married: September 11, 1943, Pansy McKenzie.
Has one son and one daughter.
Recreation--Football, Cricket, and Table Tennis.
Club: Y.M.C.A., St. Sidwell's Club, and D.Y.M.
Hobby: Radio Electronics.
(Source:Roth, Vincent & Delph, Claude Noel (Editors) Who is Who in British Guiana [Fourth Edition] 1945-48: page 466)

FRANK DERBY ABRAHAM
Tailor
Resides: at 30 Howes Street , Charlestown , Georgetown .
Born: 17th September 1909 Alexander Village, East Bank Demerara, to Adolphus Abraham, Farmer, and his wife, Lucretia, nee Milo .
Educated: at Ruimveldt School, East Bank Demerara.
Married: 2nd July, 1930: Adina Regina Sarrabo.
Holds First-Class Certificate in Intermediate Book-keeping
Was secretary of British Guiana Congress of General Workers and Sawmill Workers Unions.
Recreation – Indoor Games.
Hobby – Reading and Study of working conditions.
(Source:Roth, Vincent & Delph, Claude Noel (Editors) Who is Who in British Guiana [Fourth Edition] 1945-48: Page 3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLADYS GWENDOLINE SARRABO May 7, 1930 Cove and John Front, East Coast Demerara.
Source: List of Persons Licensed as Midwives in the Colony of British Guiana – Official Gazette of British Guiana, Saturday, February 5, 1937: page 802.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Needlework Certificate held on July 30th, 1954 Primary School Certificate Examination, 1954
GOLDEN GROVE METHODIST SCHOOL
YVONNE I. SARRABO Source: Official Gazette of British Guiana - November 13, 1954: page 1718
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADELINE D. SARRABO
ETHEL SARRABO
Source: The Official Gazette of British Guiana - October 13th, 1934: page 888.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Death of Mr. RICHARD SARRABO (1838/39- Saturday, April 5, 1919)
Golden Grove - With regret we record the death of Mr. Richard Sarrabo, aged 80 years, the beloved Uncle of Mr. Leopold Duncan Sarrabo, Book-keeper of Plantation Hope, and Councillor of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District at his residence on Saturday afternoon after a very painful illness lasting over four months.
The deceased was a member and leader of the Golden Grove Wesleyan Methodist Church for many years up to the time of his death.
His funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, was very largely attended. The last rites were conducted by the Reverend Stanley E. Watson.
Source: East Coast News – The Daily Chronicle – Thursday, April 10, 1919 : page 7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RODWELL ESMOND JAMES SARRABO, Police, 63 Freeman Street, East La Penitence.
PAUL EGERTON SARRABO, Mechanic, E1/2219 Charlotte Street, Lacytown.
SUSANNE ELIZABETH SARRABO 224 South Street Lacytown, Georgetown.
LINTON RODWELL SARRABO, 5 David Street, Golden Grove Village East Coast Demerara
Source: official list of electors for the General Election August 28, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

personal interest

2005-05-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

On the personal interest front:
To learn whether the Afro-British writer and Critic, Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) is an ancestor of Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho.
To identify, locate, and communicate with descendants and relatives of Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho, wherever they were birthed.
To identify, locate, and communicate with descendants and relatives of David Young, George Young and Walter Young, wherever they reside.

To establish and to promote Guyanese Genealogical and Biographical Society as an organization, dedicated to the preservation of the history, biography, and genealogy of persons of Guyanese heritage.
To promote and to protect the social, educational ,economical, and political interests of the community.
To interest members and others in the welfare of the peoples of the community.
To improve relations among all Guyanese, and people with interest in the development of Guyanese society.
To cooperate with organizations, institutions and individuals sympathetic to the improvement of the Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Cove & John, Victoria, and Belfield Communities.
To honour our ancestors; C. F. Adams, Thomas Adams, Carl Austin, Albert Messiah Benn, Thomas Henry Benn, R. Charles, Pharaoh Chase, George Edmund Cockfield, David Collins, Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949), Bertram Aggrey Nathaniel Collins, A. Fernandes, M. Fraser, Isaiah David, James David, Claude Hicks Augustus Denbow, Tappin Johnson Elliott, Isaac Evelyn, Colin Hiles, H. A. Hughes, Willie Hughes [ a. k. a.. Sapata: the Obeah Specialist], James William James, S. L. Jeune, Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones a. k. a.. “DT” (1855-1945), Benjamin Kingston, E. London, Job Luke, Murtland P. Maison, Nathaniel Maison, W. Maison, A. Mc Donald, Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne (1894 -1962), George H. H. Morrison, Joseph Alfred Parkinson (1856-1944), Balgobin Persaud, T. R. Persaud, Manoel Garoe Pitta, Adam Ridley, Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, Tuckness Sancho, Lambert Tuckness "Tommy" Sancho, Christopher Bentick Sancho, Joseph Thomas Sancho, T. Anson Sancho, F. W. Sandy, Leopold Duncan Sarrabo, Barton Scotland, J. C. Seeley, Alexander Simon, J. R. Simon, Stanford Simon, Frederick Solomon, Stanford Solomon, P. Sumner, Hubert Alfred Thompson, Brandford Trotman, Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman (b. 1899), Joseph Alfred Trotman, Shurland "King Fighter" Wilson.

To blaze trails for our descendants.
To tell the stories of the community ourselves.

I would be extremely grateful if you would forward my enquires to scholars, and others, including your colleagues who are likely to be very helpful. I am encountering great difficulties accessing material covering the period 1838 to 1893 in British Guiana. Can you advice me on the availability and accessibility in the research institutions in Guyana of the following;
Sancho - The History of a Family of the African Diaspora.

Versions of the folk songs in which Sancho is the subject.

The lives and works of Bertrand Abrams, Dr. Joycelynne Loncke, Dr. Harold Alexander Lutchman, Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, Tuckness Sancho, Lambert Tuckness "Tommy" Sancho, T. Anson Sancho, U. Leebert Sancho and Dr. Barton Scotland.
The immigration of Black people into British Guiana between August 1,1833 and January 5, 1848. Where would such records be accessed?
The births, marriages and deaths of Black people in British Guiana between August 1,1833 and January, 1900. Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church have their records of the births, baptisms, marriages and deaths of Black people during that period? Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church have their records of land which were donated to them? Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church records of their activities in British Guiana be accessed?
Can Sancho family researchers access records of employment of Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho at various sugar estates including Enmore between the period August 1,1833 and January, 1874?
Can interested persons obtain copies of deeds, or surveys, done in 1850, in Guyana today?
The List and copies of the images of the graduates of the Teachers Training Centre, the third batch, 1932-34.

Establishing a Guyana Genealogical and Biographical Society as an organization, dedicated to the preservation of the history, biography, and genealogy of persons of Guyanese heritage.
Guyanese Biographical Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias.
Contact information for Dr. Harold Lutchman or ask him to contact Sancho family researchers.
Lists of the registered voters eligible to exercise their franchise during the Colonial and National Elections during the 19th. and the 20th. centuries in British Guiana, beginning with the elections of 1847.

The Long Note Book
Barbadian Migration to British Guiana, 1835-1924.
History of Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Haslington, Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, Villages of the East Coast of Demerara

Lists of the share holders of Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, villages, on the East coast of Demerara.
The dates the Centenary Celebrations of Haslington, Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, Villages of the East Coast of Demerara, were held.

The Program for the Centenary Celebrations (May 5, 1848 - May 5, 1948) held in Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District on the days, May 5 -7, 1948.
Leopold Duncan Sarrabo’s Historical Review of Golden Grove prepared for the Centenary Celebrations May 5, 1948.
East Coast Demerara Almanack and Directory for the year 1888 ( and for all the available years)
Sandenan’s British Guiana Almanack and Diary for the year 1855. (Ephemerides)
British Guiana Directory and Almanack and Diary for the years 1855 -1910.
Report of the Superintendent of Villages – the writings of Edward Geach Yewens on the Villages.
Colonial Office 114/27, 114/28, 114/30, 114/32, 114/40, Reports of the Superintendent/ Inspector of villages for the years 1852 - 1893.
Reports of the Commissioner of Villages for the years 1839 - 1852.
The aftermath of the Angel Gabriel Riots, and its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield.
The aftermath of the Cent Bread Riots, and its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield.
Party Politics: its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield, 1950 - 2005.
Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones a. k. a.. “DT” (1855-1945) – Columnist; the Daily Chronicle, and the New Outlook – the Voice of Labour, and President, Golden Grove Burial and Mutual Relief Society.
James Campbell, and his wife, Miss Solomon, their ancestry, and descendants of Unity Lancaster, Victoria, and Nabaclis, wherever they were and are resident. Their relationship to Caesar Solomon one of the share holders of Plantation Northbrook (Victoria Village).
Biographical information, and the career of the School masters; Thomas Arthur Archer (1861-1943), Tappin Johnson Elliott (b.1938), Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne (1894 -1962), George H. H. Morrison, Joseph Alfred Parkinson (1856-1945), Prince Josephus Patterson (1880 -1940), Cecil Orpheus Philbertus Patterson (b.1901), Hubert Alfred Thompson, James Alfred Trotman, and Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman (b.1899)
George Henry Augustus Bunyan - A History of the British Guiana Teachers’ Association, 1884-1946 (1946).
Gazettes, and Newspapers of British Guiana, published 1843 -1917.
Ethnic and or Working class peoples’ publications of British Guiana, 1848 - 1960, including the Freedman Sentinel to LCP's Sentinel.
Who is who in British Guiana -Civil Service List - 1935
Who is who in British Guiana - [1935-1939]
Who is who in British Guiana - [1941-1944]
Ritchie, W. B. (1893) The first thirty years of schools and schoolmasters in British Guiana. Rev. W. B. Ritchie, President of B. G. School Managers' Union.
Bayley, George D.(1907) the history of elementary Education in British Guiana. Bayley, George D.(1909) Note on Education in Handbook of British Guiana.
Trotman, D. A. Poems for my People
Arno,William N. (1966) History of Victoria Village E. C. D. (Guyana Graphic Ltd. Lama Avenue, Georgetown)
Josiah, Henry W. Makonaima Returns (the Daily Chronicle Ltd.)
Charles, Bertram (1968) The End of the Affair (A Play in 5 Scenes)[Bovell Printery, Alexander St., Georgetown, performed at Theatre Guild, Kingston)
Campbell, John (1968) Poems to Remember (Printed by Sheik M. Sadeek)
Alert, C. V. - The Life and Work of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow
Pollard, Mavis (1967) Church and State in Education in British Guiana (1833-1902) unpublished Thesis for degree of M.Phil., London, 1967.
Bone, Louis (1962) secondary Education in the Guianas (Chicago, 1962).
Moe, L. Evelyn [editor of Daily Argosy] - (1941) A text book of the Geography of British South America and the British West Indies .
Bronkhurst, H. V. P. (1890) A Descriptive and Historical Geography of British Guiana and W. I. Islands.
Graham, Violet (1949) Sea-Shore Life of British Guiana.
A Historical Account of the Parish of Christ-Church, Guyana.
Hart, Robert [educationist and politician] (ca. 1938) Conventionist a Journal - A New Guiana.
Joseph Rohomon, Martin Carter, Hubert Critchlow, Surendranath Ramphal, J.O. F. Haynes, Walter Rodney and Rohan Kanhai for Guyana's National Heroes
The League of the Coloured Peoples of British Guiana (LCP)

British Guiana African Association (BGAA)

Association for Social and Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA)

The Working Peoples Alliance (WPA)

The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

The lives and works of Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949), Dr. Bertram Aggrey Nathaniel Collins, Dr. Claude Hicks Augustus Denbow, and Peter Kempadoo.
Yearbooks 1965, 1967

Daly, P. H. Stories of the Heroes ( three volumes.)
Sancho, T. Anson Supermen of History
Burslem, Dora P. and Manning, Audrie D. Old Colonial Family (1685 -1900)
Know Your Country - YMCA Publication (1950)
deCaires, H. S., {S. J.,} (1946) Jesuits in British Guiana

The Cycle of Racial Oppression in Guyana

2005-01-22T20:14:00.000-08:00

Racial Oppression is the very fabric which molded this nation known as Guyana. I can not for the life in me - understand what is the big air bag about; Dr. Gibson's book.

Guyanese must learn to face the facts with honesty - Guiana in all it's political dimensions has always been racial. It has always bordered the Working People who caught nothing but hell. The working class people are still catching hell to this day.

I challenge, any and everyone, to look at the history of Guyana, and then, point out to you and I – the periods when Guiana was not a situation, of race hatred. Even if you examine the period beginning with John Gladstone, and the New Slavery, to the first major problem, between the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese, in 1869. You must noticed, that from, those days to these days, nothing has changed. Europeans still have their say, as to how, the Guyanese house is ordered.

Why worry with the words of Dr. Gibson --focus must be place on the present government - administering in Guyana, at this very moment. Pressure must be brought to bare on the government to accelerate development in Guyana. A system of checks and balances must be put in place. All the politicians and others must be brought to justice, for crimes committed, against the people and state of Guyana, during the period 1953-2005. The election of “criminals” to office in the land- is nothing but shame upon you.

Now you are telling me - Dr. Gibson is off her rocker. I'll say the people of Guyana is off the rocker and has been so for two generations now.

Guiana was the second jewel in the Crown in the British Caribbean. Now as the result of the PAC, PPP and PNC – Guyana stands shoulder to shoulder with Haiti and others among the poorest nations of this earth.
Yet, you have the nerve to critic a book. I say bring the politicians to book. Why not throw the book at them? While you are at it throw whatever, else you could put in your hand. Just do it for the love of the ancestor, who was brought there against their will. Just do it for the love of the ancestor, who caught hell in the ancestral habitat. Just do it for those who endured months upon the oceans as they traveled to Guiana as indentured servants, only to be tricked by the Europeans.

I say get off Dr. Gibson - do your own research – answer, the Question of Labour, et al. Moreover please explain to you and I;

1. Why has Guyana nose dived since 1953?
2. Why the killers of Rodney, and others, have not faced justice?
3. Why Kanhai does not have the highest honors in the Land?
4. Why is Guyana keeping company with Haiti?
5. Why hasn’t new economic prospects, researched and implemented?
6. Why is Guyana still depending on 19th. Century economic realities?

Do you dare to tell the truth? The truth is, Guiana was founded based on exploitation of the working class people, for the upkeep of the European ruling class people. Racism shadowed every introduction of one ethnic group to the other. The past generations, at the beginning of the twentieth century, were smart enough to recognize the common enemy as pointed out to them by the previous generation, and thus, there was very little racial clashes between Afro-Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese, except over labour relations.

The situation turned very bloody, as a result of the actions of the two colourful figures who led ethnic orientated political machinery. I often wonder if Guyana will ever be one nation, one people, one destiny. Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn – must have been a dreamer.

Cyril Bryan:- Guyana Flood Analysis

2005-01-22T15:31:00.000-08:00

Guyana Flood Analysis.

Guyana has always had floods during heavy rainfall. We all know that much.
However, this flood is "very unusual": with the amount of rainfall in such a short period, and the incapability of the government to warn the people of the impending weather and to have proper drainage systems in working order.

First- This is NOT the rainy season... and the rainfall is extremely higher than that experienced during the rainy season which corresponds with the "hurricane season". This should be a warning of more floods in the future.

Second: Irrespective of what the "officials" say, the sea and drainage defenses have been neglected. Only 10 of the 140+ pumps on the East Coast are in working order. The drainage systems of sluices and kokers are no longer in even the working order of colonial times.

Third: Many of the new housing areas on the East Coast of Demerara were built on low lying pasture land; many initially by squatters, these areas never had the drainage systems of the established villages which were built in the 1900's. However, with the breakdown of the drainage systems even these villages are "in the same boat".

Fourth: Guyana's drainage system was designed by the Dutch. They were the rulers in Guyana from 1581-1781 (thus the many Dutch names), at the height of the sugar plantation development along the coastline. The Dutch are best in polder and below sea level drainage systems, as they now live many feet below sea level. After the British officially took over Guyana in 1814, they continued and extended the Dutch systems, however, without much Dutch input. For the last 60 years we have seen the gradual filling in of canals, the destruction or neglect of kokers which aid natural drainage. The installation of pumps are required, but they are more expensive to buy and run, break down, and need frequent maintenance. The natural drainage systems developed by the Dutch were superior. Properly maintained they are able to rapidly drain the land. Pumps should only be used at high tides. Maybe windmills for pumping water, like the Dutch still use in their thousands, could be another inexpensive solution.

Fifth: From reports I have had, South Georgetown and other areas usually have flooding with even moderate showers. The drainage systems are ineffective as there are few canals to the Demerara River that are able to effect proper drainage. The Demerara River also needs dredging to ensure rapid outflows at low tide. Now that the whole city was affected and the coastline as well, everyone can now appreciate what some less fortunate people have to live with many times during the year. Guyanese may now appreciate that "We are all in the same boat". You cannot have private wealth in public squalor and expect not to be touched either by nature (floods), or fires ... and an ineffective fire service... or public disorder due to a feeling of living in an "unfair society".

Sixth: There is another even more frightening issue. The weather patterns of the world are in turmoil. We are seeing more severe weather in may parts of the world. There may be more severe rains in the region in the future.... added to rising sea levels. There is "Global Warming" in play right now. The North and South Pole icebergs are melting more rapidly than was thought and reported. These are facts that we have to be aware of when thinking of Guyana's future. How much though has been put into preparing the country for sea level rises of at least three feet in the coming years? Many scientists have sounded the warning and feel that it will be even higher as the century progresses. Check the Internet...

Even without a rising ocean and higher tides, we have had for many years, a serious situation of drainage and irrigation that needs technical help from the Dutch and real implementation from people who know what they are doing. In Guyana there are too many "experts" in charge that really do not have a clue. Those who may have some ideas are either retired or write letters to the newspapers that are duly criticized and ignored. Guyana is a beautiful country with architecture that is truly priceless, and able to attract countless visitors. The people of Guyana are accepted as the most hospitable in the Region. Before the 1950's, other West Indians came to Georgetown to see our wide beautiful streets and avenues, and botanical gardens, flora and fauna. We were considered the most advanced of all the colonial territories that is why we got the 1953 constitution. We all know what has happened since then with our so-called independence.

This flood will have long-lasting effects. It will affect present and future development if people feel they will recur often. For Guyana to survive and not be a "failed state", a lot has to be done with the way it is managed. Today, overseas Guyanese contribute about 30% of the GDP of the country through remittances to relatives and investments. The political situation has created economic stagnation as there is no long-term security. Now we have these serious floods. If overseas Guyanese turn their back on the untenable situation there, and there is further outflow of investment and people, especially the educated people, then there will surely be an even more critical situation. The donor countries are getting tired of the situation in Guyana, and without their help Guyana will be in even greater straits. As President Carter said a few months ago. I paraphrase.... Guyana has the most potential that has shown the least progress ... of all of the countries he was involved with. They were therefore closing their offices and going to more needy areas.

Lastly. Guyana has to deal with the new reality of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and The Free Trade of the Americas. These two realities will change the internal monetary and investment controls within the country. It will also introduce external players that will eventually, over time create a Guyana that is quite different from the present one. ..A Guyana that is vibrant, with people coming in from other countries and investing. We may even see overseas Guyanese thinking of doing the same in a more concerted fashion. This will not happen with the present way the country is run and managed. These floods will last for some time and will be a wake-up call for everyone. The aftermath must see a clean-up and rebuilding with a focus on abolishing NATO (No Action - Talk Only) in the country. Top-Down Management does not work in companies or in Governments. Revert to the establishment of the colonial village councils with local accountability, with elections every two years to keep things vibrant, ensure local management transparency, public accounts for all to see, and Local Relief Centers in each village to ensure that relief is properly delivered and distributed in emergencies Believe me ... this involvement of people at the "grass roots" and self help will ensure true democracy and put pressure on the "central government" to better account for its expenditures and decisions.

As I see it the future of Guyana is in all our hands. We are at the crossroads. All Guyanese, and especially overseas Guyanese who contribute to the economy, and who aid their families and various groups, have to make their voices heard. (even though we do not have the vote, or have to wait seven years to run for President).... If Guyanese and especially overseas Guyanese give up on Guyana because of the political and economic miss-management over the last 50 years, then we may as well kiss "Guyana" goodbye.... Here come the Brazilians from the south, as the coastlands slowly sink under the sea.... It has already started ... learn Portuguese real fast!

Cyril Bryan
cybryan_2000@yahoo.com
and or childrenofsancho@yahoo.com

The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen

2005-01-14T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen
by Pat Dial

Though the British Government had legally abolished Slavery on August 1, 1833, the institution was in essence continued by the Apprenticeship System which was only ended on August 1, 1838. Both anniversaries are celebrated on the First Monday of August – August Monday.
The story of the struggle for Emancipation is well-known but what is almost unknown is the more important and interesting saga of how the ex-slaves—the freedmen—constructed a rich and valid Way of Life out of the ruins and ashes of slavery. The creativity and resourcefulness which they brought to this almost impossible task of reconstruction is both a source of astonishment and pride to modern-day Guyanese.

The first challenge was economic. The planter Class hoped, indeed expected, the freedmen to stay on as day labourers on the Plantations and imagined that the pre- Emancipation labour relations would continue. But, the freedmen with an unexpected shrewdness, demanded adequate wages. More surprisingly, with a dignity and a courage which few believed they possessed, they began to move off the plantations and create their own village settlements. The planters regarded such independence of spirit as an affront.

VILLAGE MOVEMENT

The “Village Movement” remains one of the proud episodes of Guyanese History: In the 1840’s, owing to depressive state of the Sugar industry, many plantations were being abandoned or put up for sale. Groups of freedmen pooled their small savings which they had painstakingly accumulated over several years and begun purchasing these abandoned estates: Queenstown in Essequibo, and Victoria and Buxton in Demerara were among the first such places purchased.
The purchase prices paid for most of these abandoned estates were high and considering their poor or non-existent infrastructure, their owners made a rip-off. The freedmen, however, never complained of these “raw deals” but immediately embarked upon dividing up the land among the families and individuals who had purchased, co-operatively built their houses and began to try to build roads and drainage works. They also began planting food crops such as cassava, potatoes, yams, plantain, and breadfruit. A moderately prosperous future seemed to await these new Afro-Guyanese villages.

Prosperity, however, kept eluding them for they were consistently plagued by disaster. The lack of drainage and irrigation, the hostility of the neighbouring sugar planters and the neglect of the governmental authorities prevented the promised economic potentials of these villages from developing. Yet, the freedmen tenaciously held on and persisted in the struggle for existence.

The Way of Life which was developed in these villages was rich and distinctive. It drew from an African past and a European present and was eminently civilized, despite the hard struggle for economic survival.

There was a strong “work ethic” among these early freedmen. This may surprise many, as the usual popular and even historic stereotype was that they avoided hard work.
Both men and women laboured in the fields and in every village there were hard-working tradesmen such as tin-smiths, black-smiths, wheelwrights, tailors, carpenters and furniture-makers.

EDUCATION

Though many of these early African villagers were unlettered, they all had the greatest respect for learning and education. Education was not easily available – the founding of primary schools by the church denominations was only just about to begin. Yet parents try to have their children learn the “Three R’s” by whatever means possible. It was this respect for learning and these early efforts which laid the foundation for the intellectual flowering which these villages enjoyed for most of the 19th and 20th centuries.

These villages produced the schoolmasters and teachers, the intellectuals and professionals who were to make such an invaluable contribution to the growth of the Guyanese nation. The list of the men and women of learning produced by the village of Buxton, for example reads like a national honour roll.

These basic reading in the 1840’s and through the 19th century was the King James Version of the Bible and Shakespeare. Whenever current Victorian writing such as the Brontes or George Elliot or Hardy became available, these were avidly read. The result of this was that these freedmen became proficient in the English Language and many spoke it much better than the members of the Planter Class. Books were generally much valued and each family would aspire to have as many books as possible – even school books.

Religion was much respected and everyone went to church. These freedmen and their immediate descendants were God-fearing people who took the ethical rules of the Bible with great seriousness. Everyone sung hymns and small children were well acquainted with Biblical stories such as the Prodigal Son. This background of religion gave an inward discipline and courage to these villagers.

Good manners were studiously cultivated and this was evidenced in the hospitality and generosity with which they treated strangers. Food was always offered to a visitor.
The cuisine developed in these early Afro-Guyanese villages was also distinctive. This included the various types of pones, koneke (which could be used as both a desert and a substantial meal), and the numerous ways in which ground provisions and bananas and plantains could be prepared. Cakes of various kinds were a specialty. Many types of drinks were developed or prepared in a special way. Such drinks included sorrel, mauby, ginger beer and a variety of “wines” such as rice, psidium, gooseberry and jamoon.

EGALITARIAN

These freedmen improvised their own entertainment. Each village had its own band, the usual instruments being drums of various kinds, banjo and guitar. But it was in the enchanted world of story-telling that most found the greatest joy, especially the children. The repertoire of stories included the well-known “Nancy stories,” stories dealing with moral and social themes, and hair-raising “jumbie” stories. The famous moonlight sessions of such story-telling remained embedded in the unconscious memory of generations of Guyanese.

These Villagers were egalitarian to a fault and could never tolerate anyone feeling he or she were better than another. Each man was prepared to represent his case to the highest of forums, including the Governor himself. Leadership qualities were widespread and there were an amazing number of natural leaders in these communities. The highest integrity was regarded as a norm in anyone aspiring to be a leader and such integrity was cultivated and strengthened. Eusi Kwayana could be regarded as falling within this tradition of leadership.

These freedmen and their immediate descendants were intensely patriotic to their villages and also to their country.

As one reflects upon the celebration of August Monday one realizes that the ethos manifested by the early Afro-Guyanese freedmen is worthwhile to recapture and could be of great significance in the continuous task of Guyanese nation-building.

Source:
Pat Dial “The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen” the Sunday Chronicle - August 4, 1991: Page 8.

Golden Grove Society to Celebrate Jubilee

2005-01-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

From the Provinces
Golden Grove Society to Celebrate Jubilee
VICTORIA-BELFIELD, Thurs., Jan., 13

The death of Miss Louisa Austin, (Mama) aged 77 years, mother of Mesdames Mary Marshall and Mabel Cupido, took place on Wednesday evening January 12 at her daughter’s residence, Mrs. Mary Marshall at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara. The debber of the Brethren Church (Colier).

The monthly general meeting of the Golden Grove Mutual Relief and Burial Society was held in its lodge on Monday night January 10, 1938, under the presidency of Mr. D. T. A. Jones. After prayers and before the minutes were read the vice-president, Brother J. B. Hobbs, in addressing the members stressed the fact that we should be thankful to god for sparing our lives to meet together once again.

The minutes of the previous meeting were then read by the Chief Secretary, Mr. J. A. Trotman and it was moved, seconded, and unanimously carried that they be confirmed.

The quarterly accounts of income and expenditure, for the quarter ending December 31, 1937 were also read, and as they were satisfactory to all they were adopted. Several matters were discussed. One of the important ones discussed at length was that there were several members indebted to the Society for weekly contributions and for burial ratios and that those in default be summoned to attend a special meeting to give their reasons for not having paid their indebtedness “ according to the rules. They should be told that there is a rule which empowers the officers to proceed by law to recover arrears.

The President reminded members that their 50th. Jubilee would take place in October this year. The Society was established on October 16, 1888 and all must put their shoulders to the wheel to

(Incomplete)

Source:
The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana, Sunday, January 23, 1938: Page 13.

"Understanding Our Past, "Living Today, Creating Our Future"

2005-01-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

"Understanding Our Past, "Living Today, Creating Our Future"

Historians has been kind to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, many have given him more than his fair share of credit, but honest study and conclusions has been thrown out of the window. What's left is a squeaky-clean image - that reflects neither the truth nor Dr. Jagan.
I choose to be objective as a member of the working class of the society and a believer in the power of the people, who have been misled and for the lack of knowledge of what part both religion and politics play in their daily lives.

When I analyze the period from 1944 to 2003, I cannot honestly restrain from incriminating Cheddi Jagan, for his action over the course of that period which resulted in the escalated violence between the Afro-Guyanese and the Indo-Guyanese groups.

Dr. Jagan may have turned the corner following the murder of five member of the working Class-----on 16 June 1948 at Enmore, which became known as the Enmore Martyrs.

Dr. Jagan would have been just fine and dandy if the US Government had made him a commissioned officer in the military forces. Jagan as an agitator and champion for the masses he represented cannot be denied but however, the words he uttered made it clear, the doctor was simply an improvement over the British Guiana East Indian Association, which was an organization for upper class East Indians.

It is the opinion of this writer Dr. Jagan failed to champion the cause of the masses of Guyana, and because of personal prestige never placed the wishes of the masses above and beyond his personal ambitions.

Jagan was a stubborn fellow, and displayed lack of fore sight needed to lead a multi ethnic society such as Guyana.

It is understood Dr. Jagan took advice from Indian Prime Minister J Nehru, which was often relayed and expressed by the Indian commissioners. Had Jagan given critical analysis to his advisers Jagan would have noted

India is too far away to play the role it had intended to play in British Guiana's affairs?

Nehru failed to keep independent India; a united country.

Independent India was divided along religious lines.

British Guiana has more in common with Trinidad and Surinam than it does with India.

British Guiana would not become a dumping ground for the unwanted citizens of India.

Jagan should have adopted a stance similar to that taken by Nkrumah, Norman Manley, Bustamante, Grantley Adams and Eric Williams who distanced themselves from communism, by doing so Jagan would have placed the USA and UK in a most difficult position.

This would also limit the pursuit of Forbes Burnham, or at least Burnham would, I dare say find alternative measures for his campaign to rule British Guiana. I lay the blame for the rise of Burnham totally, where it belongs squarely upon the head and shoulders of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. No honest reviewer can deny this. It was Jagan who handed to Burnham a ready-made platform of all the sectors of working class peoples he had struggled mightily to build.

Dr. Jagan seeked personal glory, in that regard Eusi Kwayana is head and shoulders above any of the politicians from his era. Why would an aspiring politician of the 1940's, 50's, 60’s needed to be a head of state in 1992?

It's another reason why I don't hold Dr. Jagan in very high esteem. Dr. Jagan was a power hungry, glory seeker.

Why then would young lions of the PPP such as; Balram Singh Rai, Moses Bhagwan, and Vincent Teekah, exit the party?

Both Burnham and Jagan wanted the same trophy, the difference Burnham was entirely selfish, flaunted it, and did not play the political game by the rules, which were laid down, but invented and or copied, from a number of dictators who were it seemed flourishing during the period of Burnham's political career.

The assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney and the prosecution of those who were behind the killing is another sore point. Clearly, the PNC are the main culprits, but the old-time politicians including the PPP also benefited from Walter Rodney's death. Jagan spoke on and from the PNC's podium; Walter Rodney would never dignify the PNC with such a gesture.

It was a new beginning, if only Dr. Jagan and the PPP realized; Burnham - the common enemy of the people and the state of Guyana and not the misguided folks who supported the PNC, and joined the young Lions the WPA who were making Burnham, quite uncomfortable.

The truth Jagan was also nervous about Walter Rodney and the WPA. The old man Jagan never wanted time to pass him by, perhaps he felt cheated by Burnham, USA, UK and Russia, and by father time.

Well Jagan repeatedly blew opportunities to really be opposed to Burnham in deeds as in words. Dr. Jagan simply did what Burnham did surrounding himself with Indo-Guyanese those he felt were in his interest. Never the less I would choose Jagan over Burnham every day of the millennium. Jagan was in uncharted waters, yes, he failed the people of Guyana miserably but there's no denying he championed the cause of Indo - Guyanese and not all of the people of Guyana and that's his honest legacy.

Instead of uniting the peoples of Guyana, into a truly Guyanese society. Jagan choose to win elections which where stolen from him by various means; repeatedly.

The fact is PNC never won an election - the only fair ruling was the 1964 when the UF joined forces to unseat the PPP. I know the UF and indeed most Guyanese certainly regret those actions; today for they now only misery to show, for what they believed was in the best interest of the peoples of Guyana. And that's Dr. Cheddi Jagan true legacy.

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF GOLDEN GROVE VILLAGE

2005-01-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

B.G. News
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF GOLDEN GROVE VILLAGE

EVENTS, IMPROVEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, 1848 -1948.

Following is the historical review of the Golden Grove Village, East Coast, Demerara, covering the period of its acquisition as a village from May 5, 1848 to May 5, 1948, compiled and read by Mr. L. D. Sarrabo, a villager and former chairman of the Village Council, on the occasion of the opening of the centenary celebrations on Wednesday last, in the presence of His Excellency the Governor, and a number of prominent citizens.

May it please Your Excellency, Gentlemen: To-day a deep sense of joy and happiness thrills me because of the privilege and honour that are accorded to me to read a review showing the events, improvements and achievements which have taken place in various aspects in the life of the people over the years from 1848 to 1948.

SALE OF VILLAGE

On January 5, 1848, fifty men, good and true, pooled their resources and subscribed one hundred dollars each and bought Plantation Williamsburg for the sum of five thousand dollars. Robert Straker Turton, the owner of the Plantation, was approached by Charles William Cleeve through his attorney, William Heath, and bought the Plantation for and behalf of the fifty proprietors. Soon after this, the name Williamsburg was changed to Golden Grove, as it is this day.

Following are the names of the proprietors:-
Prince Grant; Juptier Quashey; Lina Hercules; John Sumner; Bentick Sancho; Filbert Horatio; Cheesewright Josiah; Ben Conwright; Sophy David; Leah Giles; James Smith; Rowland Chester; Job Timmany; Luke Philip and Gotina Stout; Bristol Newport; Philip Daniel; Tuckness Sancho; Quashey Luke, and Prince Asan; Benjamin Solomon; Robert Europe; Wellington Rogers; Sambo Sumner and Quammy David; Andrew Lexey; Joseph Beard; Sam Sarrabo; Blackwell Simon; Frederick Hope; Billy George; Frank Seaforth; Grenville Green; Billy Billieson; Duke Cato; George Jack; Charles Christmas; Diamond Chester; Stewart Smith; Daniel Virgil and Margaret McArthur; Sam Dick and Jack Newport; Sammy Richard; Sampson Collins; Douglas Hector and James Simon and George Timmany.

This sale, after being carried out, remained in the hands of the proprietors until January 1850, when, at their request a survey was made by Francis Jackson, Sworn Land Surveyor.

This survey was subdivided into building allotments for a Village. Each allotment is eleven and a half rods wide and twelve rods in depth equal to 138 square rods.

At the time of the allotment, it was a very happy gesture on the part of the proprietors, to mark off Lot No#. 5 with a measurement of 25 rods in depth and 16 rods in width equal to 450 square rods, and to give it over to the Wesleyan Missionary Society for Church and school purposes.

To-day, this is Lot No#. 5 on which we stand and celebrate our Centenary.
Nor was this all, the proprietors, so thoughtful and generous were they to the Wesleyan Methodist Society that they made a further contribution of two lots extending from Kendall Street on the West to James’ Avenue by the railway station for the use and benefit of the said Society. A large piece of land, on the northern side by the sea was also reserved as pasturage for grazing their cows, sheep and goats.

This plan No. 2668 referred to by Jackson and executed to William Heath, as attorney of Charles William Cleeve was deposited in the Deeds Registry, on the eighteenth day of April 1850, and signed by J. H. Froster, senior sworn clerk, and notary public. Following on the Jackson survey, a more detailed, and up to date survey was carried out in 1873 by A. J. Alcorn, Sworn Land Surveyor.

ADMINISTRATION

In the early days of the proprietors, the village was administered under the Central Board of Health Ordinance, until it was superseded by Sir John Carrington’s Ordinance of 1892. This Ordinance brought about a change in the administration of the Villages.

Sir John so as to give the Villagers a good understanding of the working of the new Ordinance met them at St. Paul’s schoolroom and explained it to them.
An extract from the Official Gazette of March 4, 1893, reads as follows: - “it is hereby notified that the Village Councils of the under mentioned villages have been duly constituted under the Village Ordinance, 1892, and are composed respectively of elected and nominated members as hereinafter appears, and it is further notified that the Central Board of Health have appointed the persons whose names “are hereinafter mentioned to be Chairmen of the respective Village Councils”:- Golden Grove and Nabaclis

Elected Members:-Manoel Garoe Pitta- Chairman; Thomas Adams, Albert Massiah Benn, Lammy Tuckness Sancho, David Collins, Adam Ridley,
Nominated Members:- E. London, James David.
(sgd.) Thomas Daly,
Secretary of Central Board of Health
Georgetown.
Dated 3rd. March 1893.

This was the composition of the first Council under the Village Ordinance of 1892. Then came the second and third Council of which Brandford Trotman and George Cockfield were Chairmen, respectively.
On 17th. July, 1923, to 31st. December, 1933, L. D. Sarrabo was Chairman of the District. During that period, the following services were carried out for the good and welfare of the proprietors, generally:-

1. March 17 1924 Allotting and giving out Section 1, Golden Grove and Nabaclis, to the proprietors.
2. March 2, 1928 Installing and opening pumping plant at Nabaclis, by Sir Cecil Rodwell, K.C.M.G.
3. July 19, 1930 Empoldering and giving out Sections J and K – 400 acres- Golden Grove and Nabaclis,to the proprietors.
4. January 1, 1932 Introduction of the Village Administration Scheme.
5. October 19, 1933 Opening of the Cane Industry Golden Grove and Nabaclis, by Sir Edward Brandis Denham, K.C.M.G. and passing the first 16 acres of canes through the right of way into the factory of Plantation Enmore to be made into sugar.

Then followed the succeeding Chairmen to the Council; J. R. Simon; Donald A. Trotman; C. P. Melbourne J.P.; Benjamin Kingston; C. F. Adams; J. C. Seeley; and the composition of the present Council.

ELECTED COUNCILLORS

H. A. Hughes, - Chairman; A. Fernandes, Deputy Chairman; S. L. Jeune; M. Fraser; T. H. Benn; and A. Mc Donald; D. A. Trotman; Nominated Councillors; C. P. Melbourne and T. R. Persaud.

During this period 1892 to 1945, many ordinances were introduced for the proper working of the Villages, among them being Ordinance 13 of 1907, which was superseded by the revised edition of the Laws of 1930, by Chapter 84 and finally that was superseded by the present Ordinance, No #. 14 of 1945.

AGRICULTURE

Golden Grove was always an Agricultural District, and Agriculture formed its background. The proprietors settled down in real earnest to agricultural pursuits. With them, there were no slack days. It was all work, work, work. They laboured faithfully from Monday to Saturday to achieve their aims and purposes, and soon made Golden Grove a hive of farming industry.

They took such keen interest in their farm holdings and produced such abundant crops of plantains, cassava, yams, potatoes and the like, that Golden Grove soon won for itself the appellation of the Granary of the East Coast.

They manifested great pride in farming because it brought them prosperity and independence and was regarded in every respect as a paying concern.
They built goodly two-storeyed houses and lived in them in comfort to themselves and their families.

It was the usual occurrence to see twenty to twenty-five trucks laden with sugar and syrup and ground provisions leave the siding at Golden Grove, every Monday afternoon for the City.

The people of that day were very enterprising and ambitious, and in 1872, Jimmy James erected a windmill on his lot at Golden Grove to make sugar and syrup. How well he succeeded in his business can be gauged by the fact that he received many orders for sugar (common process as it was called) and syrup from firms in Georgetown. In 1890, a steam plant for making sugar was put up by C. W. Wilson, and afterwards passed into the hands of Isaac Evelyn. There was such a progressive spirit among the people of that period that, Colin Hiles, applied to Government for a licence to distil rum at Golden Grove. The application was turned down on the ground that he had not one hundred acres of canes under cultivation.

PIONEERS OF AGRICULTURAL SHOWS

In August of 1894, Golden Grove was the first Village in the Colony to hold an Agricultural show. The next year, 1895, another show was held with equally successful results. In 1896, it took place at Victoria-Belfield under the aegis of the Victoria-Belfield Agricultural Society of which Mr. Barbour-James was President. From 1897 District Agricultural shows under the Department of Agriculture were held all over the Colony. Another outstanding feature of Golden Grove was a racecourse of its own. Some of the proprietors owned race-horses, and it was a glorious time when horses from far and near met the homesters and contested with one another for supremacy of place.

All these things happened because the proprietors enjoyed very good drainage, reaped excellent crops, and lived in a state of prosperity, independence and happiness.

At this closing year of Centenary the drainage question has become a problem to be solved, and I venture the expression that with good drainage, these same sturdy farmers of Golden Grove will stage a wonderful “Get back to the land” with the determination to win again the glorious past, and be reckoned as economic factors of the Country.

Before I pass on, I must make mention of the fact that, Golden Grove is the home of the “Famous Buxton Spice.” Several years ago, the market women of Buxton came here and bought the mango, took it to Georgetown, and sold it under the name and title of “Buxton Spice” which name it has retained up to this day. If it is not “Buxton Spice,” it is no mango – no market.

EDUCATION

In 1848, the first elementary school was opened in the Congregational Church at Victoria. The teacher was one, Boss Africa – a slave. He was taught to read and write by the early London Missionaries who came out here during the time of slavery. Boss Africa, being a very ambitious man, his fame as a teacher went far and wide and soon drew to his school a large number of boys from Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Victoria.

There can be no doubt that the boys showed some progress at reading and writing and were advanced into a Grammar class.

It happened on a certain Friday afternoon that Boss Africa wanting to test the boys’ prowess at parsing, called upon one of them and said, “Kenny, paus me the suntans Chan-clow (meaning Carrion Crow) flew Vap Vap” Kenny, not to be out done, and to show himself how smart a boy he was at parsing, sang out in a loud voice and said Carrion Crow flew Vap Vap, that is verb sir. Kenny’s answer was so satisfactory to Boss Africa that he sang out in a loud voice and said, “Good boy Kenny, smat boy fo’tru, you propa know gramma.”
That was the standard of education in those days.

If we compare it with our standard to-day, we would see what great improvements have taken place over the period of which we write and the great achievements accomplished by boys along that line.

As this review deals specifically with Golden Grove, I shall begin with boys of Golden Grove who have been outstanding and made a mark for themselves.
Scholarships: I shall now begin with Arnold McLean and Gobind Persaud; Both these boys received the baptism of their early education at the Wesleyan Methodist School at Golden Grove under the careful tuition of Mr. J. A. Trotman. McLean afterwards went to Cove and John school and there he improved his studies and won a County Scholarship, went to Queen’s and after three years of hard study, carried off the Guiana Scholarship. The next year he went to England and studied medicine.

Persaud remained with Mr. Trotman; won a County Scholarship, went to Queen’s and won the Guiana Scholarship, and took up the study of Law in England.

Next in line of scholarships is Samson N. Collins. He received his early education at Golden Grove Methodist school, and afterwards went to Cove and John at which school he won the first trade Bursary Scholarship in 1912.
He was apprenticed to the late G. N. Lord, and was awarded the Master Tailor Certificate by the Board of Industrial Training in 1918.
He studied with the Tailors and Cutters Academy in the West End and was awarded a Diploma as a Cutter.

In 1932-33, S. N. revisited England and interviewed the Secretary of state for the Colonies, in the colonial Office on matters concerning the establishment of minor industries in British Guiana.

Next in order of scholarships come Charles Jupiter, Stella Benjamin, Neville Barnwell, Waveney and Donald Trotman. All these have won the County scholarship. Waveney and Donald are now at Bishops’ High School and Queen’s respectively and doing well in their studies. We hope to hear of them, carrying off the Guiana Scholarship in due time.

There is another outstanding Golden Grove boy. I refer to Stanley E. Gomes, now His Majesty’s Attorney General in the Leeward Islands. He too had a sprinkling of his early Education at the Golden Grove Methodist school under Mr. J. A. Trotman.

Then come Donald Trotman and George H. Morrison. Both of them won the Student Teacher ship; went off to Mico College in Jamaica, studied 2 years and returned home.

George is an Assistant Inspector of Schools appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies and is now acting County Inspector of schools. Donald is the Head teacher of the Golden Grove Methodist school in succession to his father Mr. James A. Trotman, now retired after 36 years of service in that school.
Following on are R. A. Kendall, J. R. Simon, and Milton B. Trotman now chief steward at the Public Hospital, Suddie. Mention must also be made of Wady Simon, Assistant Inspector of Police, Thomas Ward and Oscar Hobbs.

Thomas is now Sergeant of Police and Oscar, Lance-Corpl. Has just been awarded the Colonial Police and Fire Brigade Long Service Medal. We hope to see them climbing and reaching the topmost rung of the ladder of their department and making their mark. And what shall we say of Albert Glen? He is now Chief Guard of the Transport and Harbours Department. All these sons, and more, are the product of Golden Grove and passed through its school.

PROGRESS OF SCHOOL

Sir Crawford Douglas-Jones; C.M.G when acting Governor, offered prizes for the best papers on “History of the British Empire” to the primary schools throughout the Colony. The Golden Grove Methodist school on this occasion distinguished itself when Constance Ainsworth and Samuel Shepherd won both of the Governor’s prizes. By this brilliant and outstanding achievement, the school has again added new laurels to its number and covered itself with glory.
The school increased in number until 1936 an additional building had to be erected to accommodate the pupils.

At the opening of this building Major Bain Gray, then Director of Education, paid a glowing tribute to the Head teacher, “Mr. Trotman,” he said, “ not only helps by providing teachers for his own school but for many other schools in the Colony.” To-day, the school has on its roll a total approximating to 700 scholars.

The results of this school are very gratifying and year after year Mr. D. A. Trotman, the Head Teacher, is proving himself a very capable and efficient teacher of high standing. This school needs a library and press to teach boys the art of printing and running a monthly or quarterly magazine of its own. But these are not all. There should also, be an industrial side attached to such a school where boys and girls would be given an opportunity of obtaining proper training in the art of Tropical Agriculture so as to fit them for an agricultural life, that is farming, poultry rearing, butter making, canning and the carrying on of allied manufacturing industries to fit them for becoming worthy citizens.

CENTENARY SCHOLARSHIP

The Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council has under consideration (funds permitting) to found a Scholarship having an Agricultural background, to be called the Golden Grove Centenary Scholarship.
This Scholarship will afford boys the opportunity of entering the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad and pursuing a course of studies.

I shall have failed in my duty if I close this review without mentioning the names of the heroes who did service in Egypt, France and Belgium in World War 1 of 1914-18. When the call of duty went out, “Your Country needs you,” 25 boys of Golden Grove enlisted for service to fight for King and Country. Their names are Matthias Harding; Arthur Pompey who rose to be Corporal; Arthur Rodney; John De Souza; Arnold Thomas; John Graham; Jimmy Hercules; Lionel Waterman; Tommy Kendall; Samuel Charles; Augustus Toney; Iris Lopes; Joseph Lopes; George Wilson; Thomas Lewis; Sway Sydney; B. Sydney; Willie Franklin; Reggie Rodney; Jephtah Glasgow; Thomas Eversley and 4 others whose names I cannot now recall.
Of this number, five of them, Corporal Arthur Pompey took ill in France, was sent home and died shortly after. His remains were interred in the Golden Grove Cemetery and a monument raised to his memory. Also Privates Matthias Harding, Lionel Waterman, Jimmy Hercules, and Arnold Thomas. These five boys made the supreme sacrifice and given their lives that others might live.

THANKS

I must first of all thank Your Excellency for coming and presiding over, and taking part in our Centenary Celebrations to-day. The Chairman in his address of welcome to Your Excellency very befittingly remarked that he knows how busy Your Excellency is at this time with all the upset and unrest of labour troubles which call for solution at Your Excellency’s hands. Yet in spite of all this, Your Excellency has found time to come to us. We highly appreciate and thank Your Excellency for honouring us with Your presence to-day.

Next – comes Mr. Laing who is not a stranger to Golden Grove. He has been aptly described as the “Father of Village Administration.” But to-day with Mr. Laing’s permission, I wish to christen and give him a new name and call him the “Apostle of Village Administration.” Mr. Laing has given me every assistance and very readily placed all the records at my disposal. Mr. Laing has also advised and given me directions in making the Centenary Programme. For these services we offer and ask Mr. Laing’s acceptance of our sincerest thanks. Mr. Christiani, the veteran Secretary of the Local Government Board, when I approached him and asked for his help, he very readily and willingly prepared extracts of village administration which I have used to good effect in preparing this review. Mr. Christiani, has our sincerest thanks for all the services he has rendered us.

I shall not forget Mr. J. R. Muss. He also, was very helpful to me by placing at my disposal whatever records he knew would be of assistance to me. We heartily appreciate and thank Mr. Muss for his services. Last but not least comes Mr. Chase of the Deeds Registry. He gave up a portion of his breakfast hour and assisted me in getting out all the necessary information which I needed for this review. We offer to Mr. Chase our heartfelt thanks.

Finally, like Pope, we say “ Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” and so today, departing and leaving our footprints in the sand of time for others to follow, we hope that some Golden Grove boy worthier than I, will rise to the occasion and read the next Centenary historical review of 2048.

Thrice again, I thank Your Excellency and Gentlemen, for the patient hearing you have given to the reading of this historical review the historical review of the Centenary of Golden Grove, 1848 to 1948.

Source:
The Daily Argosy, Friday, May 7th. 1948: page 3.

Golden Grove Mutual Relief and Burial Society

2004-12-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

Victoria-Belfield

The Executive of the Golden Grove Mutual Relief and Burial Society held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 5.
Mr. J. B. Hobbs presided and other officers present were: Messers. N. Small, Vice-President; J. A. Trotman, Chief Secretary; Nathaniel Hughes, Sick Visitor; Nathaniel Jarvis, D. T. A. Jones, ex- President; with Sisters B. Simon, Rose Ruther, and O’Neil.
After prayers the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The accounts of Income and Expenditure for the quarter ending March 31, were read respectively by Mr. J. A. Trotman, Secretary, and Sister Simon, Treasurer.
The Report disclosed that the balance at March 31 was small, due in a large measure to the dullness of times coupled with lack of employment among members.
Several important matters were discussed and these will be put to the general meeting on Tuesday night, April 12, when members, will have the opportunity to modify, reject or accept the proposals put forward.
the fiftieth jubilee of the Society in October this year will be celebrated with much pomp and ceremony.
there is a membership drive: the entrance fee has been reduced from a dollar to seventy-five cents. It is hoped that the villagers and others will avail themselves of the opportunity to join in the jubilee Celebration. The age limit is sixty.
Candidates who have been approved will be admitted to membership on Tuesday evening, April 19.
The business having been concluded, the usual courtesies were observed and the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.

FAREWELL MEETINGS
At the Golden Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday night, April 5, there was a farewell social, by the Bible Class and Sunday School in the honour of Rev. and Mrs. R. Daniel (Superintendent of Friendship Circuit) who will be leaving British Guiana during this month.
The attendance was large and a number of friends joined and all spent an enjoyable evening. Farewell address were delivered to which Rev. Mr. R. Daniel suitably replied.

On Wednesday night, April 6, there was another social I honour of Rev. and Mrs. R. Daniel by the children of the Bible Class. Mrs. Ethel J. D. Ainsworth, occupied the Chair. She presented an address on behalf of the Women’s Own, Miss Luke presented an address on behalf of the Minister’s Class.
Mr. G. H. Luke, organist, on behalf of the Choir, and Mr. Barry, on behalf of the Sabbath School did their part.
The Rev. Mr. R. Daniel replied feelingly and thanked the brethren for all the good things said of him.
A lovely bouquet was gracefully presented to the Minister’s wife (Mrs. Daniel) and she bowed thanking the donor.
Mrs. Ethel J. D. Ainsworth and Mrs. Wilson contributed to a musical programme which was well received.
After Mrs. Cyril Cole had offered a prayer the meeting was brought to a close when the Minister and his wife shook hands with all present.

Coconut and fowl-stealing are rampant at Victoria.
On Thursday night, April 7 an unwelcome “visitor” visited Mrs. Ramrattan’s roost and carried away five fowls.
An alarm was raised but so fleet-footed was the marauder that he was able to out-distance his pursuers.
The matter was reported to the police and they are investigating.
Through the absence on duty in Georgetown of County Inspector Whittingham, County Sergt., Major Thompson, of Belfield, prosecuted at the Courts of Mahaica and Vigilance.

Source:
The Daily Argosy, Georgetown, British Guiana, Sunday, April 10th., 1938 : page 24.

Golden Grove Celebrates Centenary As Village

2004-12-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

B.G. News

Golden Grove Celebrates Centenary As Village
Initiative and Self-Help of Inhabitants Praised.
His Excellency Unveils Memorial Tablet

WHEN the Centenary celebrations of the purchase of Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara, by 50 manumitted slaves, were opened on Wednesday last His Excellency the Governor, Sir Charles Woolley, K.C.M.G., O.B.E., M.C., and Lady Woolley, were among the chief guests.
IN THE COURSE of a heartening and congratulatory address. His Excellency declared that his greatest interest in British Guiana was directed towards the welfare of the rural areas, and much of his time was occupied with the solution of problems for the benefit of these areas. The prosperity of British Guiana depended mostly upon what it produced, and he was glad that Golden Grove was in the front rank in farming activities.
DESCRIBED by the Governor as the “Apostle of the Villages,” Mr. M. B. Laing, C.M.G., O.B.E., in his address stressed the important responsibility placed upon Village Councillors and urged villagers to give full co-operation for the advancement of the Village in every respect.
Mr. L. D. Sarrabo, prominent villager of Golden Grove was the reciptent of congratulations on the historical review of Golden Grove Village prepared and read by him at the first day’s celebration of the Centenary.

REVIEW OF PROGESS

The review covered the progress of the Village from the time of its purchase on May 5, 1848, by 50 manumitted slaves, to the present time, and included a record of the career of sons and daughters of Golden Grove who, during that period had gained special achievements. This historical review is published elsewhere in this issue, and, as was suggested by His Excellency deserves a place in the archives of the Colony.
On Wednesday afternoon, after the reading of the review, a Memorial tablet erected on the grounds of the Methodist Church at Golden Grove, was unveiled by His Excellency. On the Memorial tablet is inscribed the names of His Excellency the Governor, Messrs. M. B. Laing, C.M.G., Commissioner of Local Government, F. St.M. Gerrard, District Commissioner and the Chairman and Councillors of Golden Grove-Nabaclis Village.

HIS EXCELLENCY’S ADDRESS

Returning to the dais after Mr. H. A. Hughes, Chairman, had welcomed His Excellency, Lady Woolley, and the other guests, His Excellency addressed the gathering.
He said that as he drove into the village it was inspiring to see the great concourse of people gathered for the festive occasion. Expressing thanks for the warm welcome he and Lady Woolley had received, His Excellency said it gave them pleasure to attend and take part in the Centenary celebration of Golden Grove Village.
He felt it a duty, in spite of the many preoccupations, to be present. His interest in the rural areas was pre-eminent. The prosperity of British Guiana depended mostly on what it produced, and much of his time was spent in solving problems for the welfare of the country districts. There was exhibited at times a good deal of impatience to get certain things done, but before Government launched a scheme, it had to be examined carefully for assurance that the scheme was sound and on sure foundation.
On such an occasion as a Centenary celebration, His Excellency said it was well to review what progress had been made over the period of a hundred years. It would have been a good thing if the 50 pioneers of the Village had been alive to see how their original plans were carried out and improved. He referred to the Historical Review by Mr. Sarrabo, congratulated him on its preparation, and expressed the hope that it would find a place in the archives at the Public Buildings, Georgetown.
His Excellency went on to trace the evolution and progress of Local Administration, and said he was pleased of the information that the village played an important part in the agricultural activities of British Guiana. Much of the progress the village had achieved was due to the initiative of its inhabitants and their quality of self-help.
He extended warm congratulations to the community on the attainment of a hundred years’ existence and ended by wishing the Village continued prosperity to such a degree as would make it more worthy of the name.

MR. LAING “APOSTLE OF VILLAGES”

Sir Charles then introduced the next speaker whom he termed the “Apostle of the Villages,” and that was Mr. Laing.
After expressing pleasure at being present, and gratitude for the invitation, Mr. Laing added tribute to Mr. Sarrabo for his interesting historical review.
He said he had listened with great interest to His Excellency’s address and endorsed all that had been said by him. The past, Mr. Laing said, had taught much, but the future was more important still. The present generation had to continue building on the foundation that was well and truly laid by the stalwarts of the past. Much had been done but there was much still to be done. He then stressed the important function that Village Councils had to undertake and emphasized the sacrifical voluntary work done by the several Village Councillors.
Mr. Laing went on to urge the villagers to give full co-operation to the Council, take pride in their village, and strive to build a better and brighter Golden Grove in every respect. He referred to the necessary amenities such as a Community centre, a market, electric lighting and playing fields; but said that the village must not be regarded merely as an avenue for picnics, but moreso as the home and working ground of those who follow agricultural pursuits. It must be made sure that “ he who tills the soil is making a good living.” He added that Village Councillors had ample opportunity and privilege of developing a full understanding of the requirements of the people of their community, and to guide them towards a fuller life – materially and spiritually.

BUILDING BETTER GOLDEN GROVE

Concluding, Mr. Laing said he joined in homage and gratitude to the memory of the men who founded the Village of Golden Grove, a hundred years ago and he enjoined the present villagers and those to come to grasp every opportunity with both hands and strive to build a yet better Golden Grove.
The Hon. D. P. Debidin, said he was happy for the honour and privilege of being associated with the celebration of the centenary of the existence of Golden Grove as a village. He was deeply impressed by the historical review and thought the villagers should be proud to have Mr. L. D. Sarrabo to compile so compact a history.
The occasion said Mr. Debidin, was an auspicious one and a fitting time for checking up on past achievements and decideing what further should be done during the next hundred years to improve further, conditions at Golden Grove.
After stressing the need of better drainage and irrigation, better housing, trade schools for senior boys and girls, he emphasized that farming, well carried on, was of great prosperity. He deplored the exodus of people from the rural areas to the city, where the struggle for existence was extremely keen and opportunity for earning a good livelihood precarious.
Finally, he advised the rising generation to emulate their forbearers who, through thrift, unity, love, and reverence to God had enabled such a laudable heritage to be handed down.

DIVINE SERVICE

During the morning a large gathering of villagers and friends from various parts of the Colony assembled in the Methodist Church of the village where an impressive service was held and a fitting sermon preached by the Rev. S. W. C. Crosse.
At intervals, musical contributions were rendered by the Militia Band, and among the hymns sung by the congregation were:- “Praise my soul the king of Heaven”, “O God our help in Ages past”, and “Now thank we all our God.” Mr. D. A. Trotman the schoolmaster of the village officiated at the organ.

THE SERMON

Rev. Crosse after extending on behalf of the villagers a hearty welcome to the visitors including Major Henwood and his band, took his text from Psalm 108, verse 8; “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”
He paid a glowing tribute to the vision and foresight of the founders of the village who carried through so noble and laudable a project, although they had been released from slavery not so many years past. Their foresight and thrift, their love and unity, their faith in God, were the qualities which led them to so fruitful a venture.
It was of interest to note how early they set apart a vast portion of land to erect a Church where they could worship God. It was fitting said the preacher, to be assembled as they were, to give praise to Almighty God for the heritage into which the succeeding generations of the Village had come.

A CHALLENGE

The occasion that day was a challenge to the present and future villagers to emulate the virtues, wisdom, love, unity and reverence to God and strive to “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.”
the preacher concluded with the immortal lines of Longfellow:
“Lives of great men all remind us
we can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”

The sermon ended, the “te Deum” was sung, and after the recitation of a General Thanksgiving by the assembly, led by the Minister, the singing of the National Anthem brought the service to an end.

Source:
The Daily Argosy, Friday, May 7th. 1948: page 4 and 6.

Society Honours: Mr. J. A. Trotman, Secretary and Miss Alberuna Simon, Treasurer,

2004-12-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

REFRESHMENT PARLOUR ENTERED

Mrs. Gwendoline Glen, owner of a refreshment parlour at Victoria Street, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, locked her shop at 8 p.m. on Sunday and left for her residence. On the following morning at sic o’clock she found the front door open and the padlock missing. A careful examination of the premises disclosed that her Singer Sewing Machine was missing. The matter was promptly reported to the Police at Cove and John.

Source:
Covering the Country Districts - The Daily Chronicle, Thursday, February 24, 1949 : page 6.

WELCOMED AFTER 25 Yrs.

Golden Grove: Mr. H. B. Trotman who is home on a visit to his parents at Golden Grove, East Coast, after an absence of 25 years was welcomed by the President of St. Agnes Friendly Burial Society on Sunday last, the occasion being the installation ceremony.

Delegates from kindred societies were present including many from Georgetown. Officers for 1949 are Messrs. M. E. Peters, President, J. T. Bookey, Vice- President, Miss Princess Yearwood, Secretary, Messrs. Clifton Eversley, Treasurer, E. Sandy and J. Bollers, Trustees with H. Harry, W. Trim, F. Lawrence and B. Cockfield, Committee.

Source:
Covering the Country Districts - The Daily Chronicle, Thursday, February 24, 1949 : page 6.

Society Honours Secy. And Treasurer

Golden Grove: A colourful picture was set at Golden Grove Mutual Relief Society’s Lodge on Tuesday evening February 8 when the officers, members and invited guests met to do honour to Mr. J. A. Trotman, Secretary and Miss Alberuna Simon, Treasurer, who had respectively served the society in their several capacities for an unbroken period of half a century, and a quarter of a century, and had on every evening been re-elected.

Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Trotman, Messrs. H. B. Trotman, J. T. S. Bookey, W. Vyfhuis, B. Mapp, T. Benn, Medames H. F. Parris, S. L. Benn, W. R. Simon, and Misses F. Jenkins, L. and M. Parris.

President Hughes in his address paid great tribute to the pair, he pointed out that Mr. J. A. Trotman, had been elected only once and re-elected fifty times; and the same referred to Miss Alberuna Simon, for her 27 years’ service. It was somewhat a mystery to understand how the Society from its inception levied a contribution of only four cents per week, and although faithfully fulfilling all its obligations, ever through the lean years, was able to maintain its strong position until now; this he attributed to the sound management strict devotion of the Secretary, and the Treasurer, and the loyal cooperation of the members.

The Society felt very proud of these honoured guests, since he had tried all over the colony to find a parallel case, but in vain. Mr. Alex Simon, Vice-President, Messrs. D. A. Trotman, B. Trotman, and Mr. D. Hughes also made congratulatory addresses and showered encomiums on the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

A short concert programme was rendered by members of the society, and an address read by W. R. Simon and presented to each of the two officers; after which a presentation of a Waterman fountain pen was made to Mr. J. A. Trotman by Miss Beatrice Joseph and a fine handbag to Miss Alberuna Simon by Mr. S. L. Jeune on the behalf of the society.

A JUBILEE GESTURE

After the recipients had suitably replied and the president had announced that Mr. Nathaniel Hughes the oldest surviving member of the society had been exempted from further contribution but entitled to all the benefits of the Society as a Jubilee gesture, Mr. S. Jarvis, moved a vote of thanks seconded by Mr. Euland Sandy.

Refreshments were then sumptuously served and the unique function was brought to a close by singing of “Jolly good fellows” and the National Anthem.

Source:
Covering the Country Districts - The Daily Chronicle, Thursday, February 24, 1949: page 6.

Golden Grove and Nabaclis Farmers Union Inaugurated

2004-12-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove and Nabaclis Farmers Union Inaugurated:

President---G. N. Rutherford
Vice President---Samuel Bristol
Secretary--- Jas. Morgan
Assistant Secretary--- Wilfred Elliott
Treasurer----W. Dover

Source:
the Daily Chronicle, September 2, 1934: page 6.

Joseph Parkinson and C. Grosvenor - hanging with J. L. T. Adams, C. P. B. Melbourne, and Simon E. A. Talbot.

Source:
Around the Villages August 24, 1934: page 3

33rd Annual Conference in Golden Grove and Nabaclis

Source:
August 21, 1934: page 6

Morlade R. Simon 1934-36 Teachers Training Centre

Source:
August 19, 1934: page 8

VICTORIA – The Honoured Village

2004-11-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

VICTORIA – The Honoured Village
(By Traveller)

After travelling by road for eighteen miles eastward of Georgetown, we reached Victoria village, and you will hardly express any doubt when you read what I am now writing that the recently arrived stranger to the Colony who had accompanied me on this excursion showed some surprise and incredulity on being told that he had set foot upon the village which bears the proud distinction of being named Victoria by its ambitious loyal, and patriotic original proprietors who were requested by their beloved Queen to give their newly acquired plantation, Northbrook, her name. After the visitor had given several cursory glances around the occupied areas of the village, and his eye coming in contact with nothing by way of novelty or attraction to arouse any feeling of admiration, it was natural for him to inquire what it was especially that had prompted those proprietors to have acted as they have done; and his disappointment was great at my inability to enlighten him in any other manner save telling him that all I have been able to glean is that the emancipated slaves were so pleased and elated that they were able to purchase a plantation in which they had served as slaves, that they took the opportunity to report the same to their sovereign who had released them from bondage. And the good Queen in acknowledging the receipt of the report they had dispatched to her congratulated them, and requested them to name the property they had purchased – Victoria.

AROUND THE VILLAGE

It was not a matter of insistence on the part of the visitor, but one of common courtesy and politeness and the sense of entertaining a stranger that I took him on a trip through the township to give him an idea of the layout and divisions of the village, and learn something of its people and their institutions.
Consequently, he took his stand by me on the concrete bridge over the draining
On the East Coast of Demerara was divided up into and East and a West section, with a middle walk dam separating them. I directed his attention northwards, and pointed out that we were facing the western portion of that block of the village lying between the public road on which we were standing and the sea or Atlantic Ocean which formed the northern boundary of all the lands east of Demerara River, but the seashore though not quite a mile away from the public road could not be seen from where we stood because the view is obstructed by the courida trees that skirt the sea dam, which forms a line of defence against approaches of the ocean water.

CHURCH BY ROADSIDE

Both the western and eastern portion of that block, as could be seen without any information being imported in this regard are not thickly populated, but both are more than passing interest because they contain two prominent structures, the Wesleyan Methodist Church by the roadside with its somewhat of brick steps and Wilberforce Congregational church by the waterside – a building, now in a state of serious disrepair, and almost ruined by the ravages which a tropical climate inflicts upon wooden buildings that are not given the necessary attention especially when they stand exposed to sun and rain with no nearby “shelter belt” of trees offering some protection
Immediately to the north of that church are to be found some plots of land bearing the name of Sendall Park, in memory Sir Walter J. Sendall, who was a governor of this colony 1898 – 1901. the plots were properly fenced in, a temporary pavilion was erected and the Park was used as a general recreation ground; Agricultural Shows were held there. Unfortunately after the exit from the village of stalwart leaders, the Park fell into disuse, and today it is a bowling wilderness. This block also contains one of the two combined grocery-spirit shops of the village, and among the imposing buildings is the Manse attached to Wilberforce Congregational church. Turning our attention to the central block, situated between the public road and the railway line, we noted first on the western portion, the village cemetery almost in the very midst of dwellings, and with a large church building near by, the meetinghouse of the Plymouth Brethren of Camp Street, Georgetown. A little way south is another church building, and as we went further we came across another large building where the people connected to Collier Brethren worship.

BELFIELD HOTEL

A close inspection of the eastern section of this block reveals its importance in that herein are to be found the Village Office, and adjoining it the Catholic compound with its church of the Immaculate Conception. Its school house and the Presbytery; a very large building which at one time house the Sisters of Mercy Convent who where in charge of the school; the imposing, commodious, and well appointed building originally the private dwelling and business place of the famed Luiz Fernandes family converted afterwards into what was known as the Belfield Hotel and now doing service as the Home for the Reformation of delinquent and wayward girls; the sand reef portion of the village with a serviceable alleyway, the artesian well, and the only street worthy to be so called among the avenues the village possesses.

Source:
The Sunday Chronicle, July 21, 1946 :page 10.

The Grand old Man (By TRAVELLER)

2004-11-19T07:03:00.000-08:00

Victoria
The Grand old Man (By TRAVELLER)

One of the most interesting and countrywide personalities that for more than half a century lived in the second block of the village was the late Daniel Thomas Alexander Jones (familiarly known as D. T. A.), a native of Ann’s Grove, (Traveller had which is incorrect), - ‘the peripatetic journalist, and general purveyor of intelligence’ as some wit once humorously styled him, - and who after serving most faithfully and well, the Daily Chronicle as its Upper East Coast Correspondent and Agent for sixty-four years, died about two years ago, after he had reached his four score and ten. Everybody on the Upper East Coast knew him well, and though he was not a native of the village, he was never the less regarded as one of Victoria’s shining lights. Also to be found in this block is the sole remaining Dutch roofed house belonging to the family of one of the leading original proprietors – the Talbot’s.

FARMING AND ESTATE WORKERS TYPE

The third block, the largest of the three comprising the township and stretching from the railway line to the beginning of the farming areas is nearly two miles in length. There are more dwelling in this block especially in its western portion, than in any of the others, and the majority of their occupants are of the farming and estate workers’ type; and this marked character seems to be due in some measure to their homes being in the proximity of the farm lands and the now out of operation sugar factory of Pln. Cove and John. Their manner of speech and mode of life are quite unlike those residing north of the railway line, and north of the public road, and in religion quite a large number of them are adherents of the Brethren persuasion.
About thirty years ago an enterprising and prosperous Guianese Rev. Dr. Carlyle Miller, a brother of Dr. R. S. Miller, Physician of Triumph Village, East Coast, took up residence in this block, put up a fine building, and endeavoured to establish a centre for teaching handicraft to boys, and domestic science and home economics to girls. The project did not meet with the expected support and was ultimately abandoned. The building was subsequently acquired by the Moravians who after using it as a church for about ten years, ceased to operate in the village, and the property is now used by the Lutherans as a mission.

VICTORIA INSTITUE

No history of Victoria can be regarded as complete or as being adequately and correctly written, if in it mention is not made of the Victoria Institute, that once virile organization, the pride of village improvement associations during the first ten years of its existence after it was organized in 1898 or there about by J. A. Barbour-James, whilst serving as postmaster of Belfield, he, in collaboration with the late Messrs. H. D. Dolphin, H. A. Thompson, Dan Spencer, Thomas Laing, rallied the young intellectual aspirants of both sexes of the village and golden Grove, and formed an improvement society for both young, and old naming it the Victoria Institute. The mother of Mr. W. N. Arno placed the lower portion of her dwelling at the disposal of these ambitious villagers, until they were able to secure for themselves a building in which to hold their meetings. Mr. James was a bold and sagacious leader, and he inspired al those who attached themselves to the institute with a desire to acquire knowledge of citizenship, and to take part in public life. Thus many of the young men and maidens made their debut as public speakers on the floor of the institute, and far and wide did the flame of the Institution spread.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT

During the Boer War of 1899-1901, the Institute organized a patriotic concert on lines that were unique, and that have hardly been equaled or surpassed since. The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for the Red Cross, and under the patronage of one of the Puisne Judges of the day, the concert took place in the Police Compound at Belfield, and was patronized by the elite of the city as well as by rural folks from far and near. A respectable sum was realized and was sent to the Minister for War, Mr. St. John Broderick, who gratefully acknowledged the amount, with the intimation that the Victoria Institute would be sure to receive due recognition in England.
It is worthy of mention that although the first agricultural show in the colony was not held at Victoria, but at Bagotville on the West Bank, yet because of the importance, grandeur and colony-wide support given the first to be held at Victoria, the village can claim to be a pioneer in the promotion of agricultural shows. The keen spirit of friendly rivalry in producing the best exhibits is up to the present time being manifested by the inhabitants, particularly the farmers of the district, and their efforts are amply rewarded by the prizes secured at agricultural shows of the present day.
In connection with Agricultural Shows and the mention of Bagotville recall memories of the West Bank leading farmers and practical agriculturists in the person of Thomas Earle of Orangefield, Croker (Village Overseer and race-horse owner); grandfather of Mr. Jake Croker attached to the Daily Chronicle, of Thomas Layne, farmer, Deane, who later became a Reverend Doctor all of whom held a very prominent place in the agricultural life of the Colony.
Long Live Victoria, the honoured village!

Source:
The Sunday Chronicle, July 28, 1946: page 7.

M’lilwana Osanku’s Notes:

(Traveller stated Alexander as the third name of Mr. DTA Jones, that’s incorrect – the correct name is Adolphus).
Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones a.k.a. “DT” (born: Ann's Grove, February 18, 1855 - died: Victoria, April 11, 1945).
Mr. D.T. A. Jones was a member for over fifty years, and served for thirteen years as President of the Golden Grove Mutual Relief and Burial Society.
Therefore, Mr. Jones participated in the activities and the decision making process which helped to improve the conditions in the community, facing the people in their daily lives.
Thus the Most Honourable Mr. Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones must be recognized for his contributions to the Golden Grove and Nabaclis district and ought to be considered a hero of the community. Ole DTAJ is certainly a hero of mine - examine his life and just perhaps, Mr. Jones will emerge as a hero of yours; too - I think he ought to be if you are connected to the communities along the East Coast of Demerara.

Haslington (By Traveller)

2004-11-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

Haslington (By Traveller)

Sandwiched between Plantation Enmore on the West and the village of Golden Grove on the East is Plantation Haslington. The original owners, according to information supplied by those supposed to have had some connection with it somewhere about the last quarter of the nineteenth century, was a Mr. Bayley who seemed to have had some proprietary interest in the adjoining village of Golden Grove.
How long the Bayley family retained ownership of the Plantation there is no positive evidence; but from their hands it became the property of the Beckwiths and Alleyne, the former a name that was very closely associated in the colony with horses and horse-racing and many a colonist who can carry his mind back to the days when horse-racing on the Belfield race course was the outstanding holiday feature on the East Coast, and who can remember the sensational private race of over two miles between Arabs and Bristoleon, the latter the property of the sporting Assistant Inspector of Schools, Mr. H. A. Bartleyt, when those two horses were made to fight it out in order that their owners and supporters might reach a decision as to which of them was the better racehorse, will certainly remember very much about the Beckwiths of Haslington and particularly Jimmy Beckwith, there interest and their activities, in the horseracing of that period as carried on both at Belfield and Georgetown. There can hardly be any doubt that the Beckwiths raced many a colt and filly from the stock bred on the pasturelands of Haslington.

LEADING SUGAR PLANTER

The respected, old and colony-wide known Brassington family, of which the late Mr. R. G. Brassington, a leading sugar planter of his day, was the head, became owner of the Plantation, and it was during their proprietorship that the estate was managed by Mr. Lynch King, who bore matrimonial relationship to the Brassingtons. During his management, his residential quarters and their immediate surroundings were said to have suffered a most complete destruction from a fire. It was after the property passed out from the hands of the Brassingtons that it was acquired by the proprietors of Enmore, of which estate it now forms a part.

PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC DIVISIONS

Like its immediate neighbours and not at all unlike the villages, plantations, and settlements along the east coast of Demerara, it runs in a north to south direction and extends from the seashore to the Crown Dam or Conservancy Canal, with the public road and the Demerara Railway line running through it in an east to west direction, the former separating the northern most or first section from the second section or pasture lands, while the latter separates the second from the third section or rice field portion. The fourth section consisting of the lands between the rice fields and the Crown Dam comprises the cane fields.
Haslington East is divided from Haslington West by a middle walk dam or a canal or drainage trench along the bed of which the waters from the land comprising the basin (geographically speaking) runs to the sea pulled thus wards by means of a koker affording some natural drainage.
There are no political divisions but Haslington is not singular in that, as for all such purposes it is considered what it really is, as a part of Plantation Enmore. Its economic divisions have been in existence ever since the days the Plantation was in the hands of its original proprietors who resided in the northernmost section, which they had planted up as a provision farm.
A portion of this section was used as the township, and in it lived those who privilege it was to manage the estate, as well as those to whom several of the plots were rented and who farmed the land and grew provisions for which Haslington was famous, especially in the days when its management was in the hands of a Mr. Trotman, a powerfully-built and robust man, a much admire horseman and a sportsman who was a very popular figure on the coast. Either prior or subsequent to Mr. Trotman’s regime, a portion of this inhabited area was managed by a Mr. Bristol, a Mr. Hendy, and their several brothers all of whom were born at Haslington. Many of the features that prevailed in that section sixty years ago are still present today.

RICEFIELDS, HOMESTEADS, CANEFIELDS

The second economic section comprised the lands between the public road and the railway line and have always been used as a pasture where horses, cattle, and sheep owned even by the inhabitants of Golden Grove had been allowed to graze without their owners paying agistment fees. This section was made great use of during the regime of the Beckwiths, in the days antecedent to the planting of rice on the Coast, the plots between the railway line and the area now under cane cultivation were occupied by a few settlers who carried on gardening on a very large scale.

Since, a great portion of the lands has been converted into rice-fields those who inhabited them have trekked about three-quarters of a mile southwards and have set up homesteads almost opposite where the Golden Grove cultivation begins. There from about five to six miles, right on to the Conservancy Canal, are the lands under canes, and this fourth section is undoubtedly the most important and most valuable of the economic divisions of Haslington.

Source:
“Around the Country Districts” the Sunday Chronicle, May 12, 1946: page 7.

NABACLIS in the Limelight

2004-11-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

NABACLIS in the Limelight (By TRAVELLER)

Flanked by Golden Grove on the west, and Cove and John on the east, and just seventeen miles east from the city of Georgetown is the village of Nabaclis which has made some history for itself by appearing very much in the limelight a year ago, because of that wanton act of incendiarism by some evilly-disposed persons who set fire to the Pumping Station that was erected on its north eastern portion to drain Golden Grove, Nabaclis, John and Cove, Craig Milne, and Victoria, and for which act two persons after trial and conviction are now undergoing terms of imprisonment. The adage “it is an ill wind that blows nobody good” has been exemplified even in that acior, whereas it was experienced that the pump which has been destroyed was not, for many reasons able to drain efficiently the area that was allotted to it, the new pump that has been installed can now give efficient drainage because opportunity has been taken to remedy one of the main setbacks to the proper drainage by the digging to an appreciable depth, the trenches that must convey the water to the pumping station for its discharge into the sea.
Nabaclis has thus become notorious (and I use the words here, not in its ill sense), not only by its having been choosen as the centre of so large a drainage area, but particularly so, because of the misfortune with which it met by the destruction of its pump, and the resultant advantage the installation of the new pump has conferred upon it.

ITS ACQUISITION

Scanty is the information that I have been able to gather with regard to its acquisition. I have not been able to learn what was its former name, and how came it to be called by the nomenciature it now bears; but my informant seems pretty certain that it was acquired from the owners of the estate east of it by about fifty-eight or sixty persons who formed the original proprietors that converted it into a village, and the price paid for it was something like that for which Golden Grove was bought.

To avoid re-iteration, it is sufficient, I think to state here that Nabaclis can for the purpose of this writing up be divided into portions or sections similar to those into which Golden Grove and the other villages already dealt with have been divided. The village is in the very heart of the sand reef area, and the higher grounds of its northern most portion from the public road to the sea, both in the east and the west sections are conspicuous. Their prominence lies not only in their elevation when compared with the portions between the public road and the railway line, and south of the line, but also in their fertility, which, no doubt, is largely responsible for the very luxuriant growth of prolific fruit trees which are to be found in them. And before taking leave of this portion, it seems necessary to mention that, though not as thickly populated as the one immediately south of it, yet it is of much importance because it gives accommodation t or rather, it houses the Pumping Station and the Village Office.
Here comes one of the most striking features of the village! It is the Artesian Well by the roadside on the second portion of the eastern section. If it was not the very first, it is one of the first wells that were drilled in the colony during the regime of that “Governor of constructive ability” Sir Walter Egerton. This well supplies water to its western neighbour and has been known never to cease flowing since it was drilled. The village has but three cross-streets, none of which is metal led. In addition to its middle walk dam and those of its eastern and western side line there are two alley ways or sandy paths running north to south.

COCONUTS AND BY PRODUCTS

The second and third portions, those fro the public road to the railway line, and beyond it are practically studded with coconut trees whose presence ought to be sufficient evidence of the nature of the miniature industry in which some of its inhabitants are engaged.
To be a little bit more exact, there are about twelve acres and more with coconut trees ranging from the railway line to the wire fencing separating the township from the cultivated areas and along those areas for fully five miles coconut trees abound.

Nabaclis was at one time, was in possession of a cane crushing mill which was driven by wind, it has been said. Very few among the present and immediate past generations have any knowledge of that fact. The majority of the present day population are however, aware that the village has many mills for coconut oil making, and it is considered to be the leader among the villages that carry on that important branch of one of the colony’s minor industries. Wherever coconut growing is extensively carried on with oil making as one of the things closely connected with it, there is usually some pig rearing, as well as poultry rearing undertaken in the vicinity, and the oil makers of Nabaclis have certainly not neglected to take advantage of this feature.
If then, an account is to be taken of the feathered stock and eggs that find their way there from to the city, it will be found to what extent Nabaclis contributes to provide the delicacies prepared and enjoyed by citizens and visitors. If also an account be taken of the pigs which are transported from the district by rail, and the large numbers that are weekly sent down to the Demerara Meat Company in Georgetown in drays specially constructed for the purpose, one can not escape the conclusion to be arrived at the flourishing pig rearing enterprise at Nabaclis and its immediate environs provides a fair share of the raw material for making ham locally. Its farmers among whom are to be found some of the largest cultivators on the Coast, pride themselves for their cultivation of plantains, ground provisions, and fruit, which, after the removal of the portion necessary for home consumption, they dispose of to hucksters and fruiterers for the use of the urban population.

RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

Years ago it had no place of worship of its own, and the bulk of its church going population attended either the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Golden Grove or the
Anglican Church of St. Andrew’s, Cove and John. A few seemed to have attached themselves to the Brethren Mission at Victoria. Today it boasts of a church building of its own put up about twenty years ago by the denomination carrying the name of Pilgrim Holiness. The building is in the second portion, and by the roadside; and almost ensconced behind it is the village cemetery – God’s own acre – which like so many of those along the coast is not properly enclosed. The absence of a rum shop in the village itself cannot cause one to think what its social aspect is like. Whatever is the cause I know not, but the fact remains that Nabaclis has no place in which there is sold intoxicating liquors and one wonders whether Mr. Pussyfoot of America has ever had anything to do with the village.

Source:
The Sunday Chronicle, June 9, 1946: page 7.

Golden Grove and Golden Grove:- Village of Cane-Crushing Mills (By Traveller)

2004-11-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove (By Traveller)

With the sea to the north, and the savannah to the south, with an inhabited area (the village of Nabaclis) to the east, and another (the Haslington plantation) to the west, the confines of Golden Grove village can be said to be identical with those of the other villages along the East Coast of Demerara. The Golden Grove of which I am writing now must not be confused with another area of land on the West Coast of Berbice bearing a similar name. It is about sixteen and a half miles east of Georgetown, and can be reached from the city or from any point on the coast eastward of it by road as well as by rail. In the years within the first decade after Emancipation, it was the property of the Mr. Bayley who owned Haslington – its western neighbour. Mr. Bayley is said to have sold it to one Bentick Sancho who resold it to two hundred and fifty persons, who became the original proprietors; and those first settlers with their progeny, exercising energy and industry have gradually developed their settlement, resulting in its blossoming out into the thriving and first-rate village it is today.

Whether or not there is in it any “grove’ – and a ‘golden’ one at that – whence the name given it has been chosen, I have not been able to determine, nor would I now venture on any speculation; but this is certain that within it confines are to be found a greater number of sand-reefs than can be located in any other inhabited area from Georgetown at the mouth of the Demerara River to the Abary.

The township not quite half a mile from the seashore starts that part of the village regarded as the township; and this portion can, for the purpose of description be conveniently divided up into three sections – first, the lands between the seashore and the Public Road, the second, those between the Public Road and the railway line, and the third, those south of the line up to where the cultivation begins. As can be seen, there is an East Section, and a West Section, the dividing line between the sections being a middle-walk dam running north to south and which is kept in a-not-altogether tolerable condition from the Public road to the line beyond which the metalling is seldom, or not at all done. The cross streets running east and west are not many, and though made up and kept fairly level are seldom macadamized.

What is a striking and somewhat peculiar feature in the configuration of the lands comprising the northernmost section is not so much their sandy nature, but the rising ground they form compared with those of the other two sections; and the slope that the lands take as you view the village from the seashore to the public road and for some distance beyond it, though not conspicuous, is very observable. The rising nature, which those sand reef portions assume, affords them a kind of protection; and so they do not suffer to the same extent from floods as do those that are low-lying. Another peculiarity in that section is the absence of any inter-lot drains of any great width, and the fewness of the number of narrow ones that have been dug.

The township cannot be said to be densely populated, and the least inhabited areas are those south of the railway line; the other two areas, between the sea and the line apparently sharing, equally in residential structures, and business premises.

Religious and Educational Aspects:-

I has but one church, and one school belonging to the Methodists, which has been functioning there for more than three quarters of a century.

The church, is a fine wooden building, and situated as it is by the roadside, its prominent position lends it some attraction. Many years ago, it boasted of a steeple, the top of which was discernible for fully three miles westward.
The church, is one of the four missionary stations comprising what is known as the Friendship Methodist Circuit, and at one time it had attached to it a Mission House where resided permanently a Minister, as a second to the Superintendent stationed at Friendship. Robbed as it has been for years of a resident Parson, it is a debatable matter whether the village has not been made all the poorer from a religious point of view.

There was at one time another church in the village not connected with any of the recognized denominations. It was founded by some very evangelical persons and catered for some of the prominent people who assisted in its erection.

Its founders have all died out; “Ichabod” has been written on its doors and walls; it was a first, sold to a society, which used it as its meeting place; that society has resold it, and today it serves as a hall for public entertainment and dancing.

One of the pillars of that Independent Sect was a Mr. James William James, one of Golden Grove’s most enterprising and industrious sons, details of whose enterprise and industry would be told later.

The one and only school of the village has a history of its own. It changed several head teachers when it was managed by the succession of Ministers from Reverend T. A. Tabraham of Jewish extraction to Revd: Charles Llewellyn, all of whom were loved and revered by the Golden Grove people. Then the father of present Head teacher was placed in charge, for several years he ruled over the destinies of that village school, and had the good fortune, satisfaction and pleasure of seeing one of his pupils, Balgobin Persaud win a primary scholarship, topping even the pupils of Mr. Sharples of St. Thomas’s that year and finally winning the Guiana Scholarship in 1916. Thus was Golden Grove placed in the news with the unique distinction of being the only village on the East Coast of Demerara that has up to the present produced a Guiana Scholar.

Time was when many of the children attended schools outside the village; particularly the Cove and John E. School, and so the one building in which the school was kept afforded all the accommodation necessary. Times has changed; and with the sensible increase of the school, population there arose the necessity for greater space to house the pupils of school age. An additional building was therefore erected by the Methodists on the spot where once stood the Mission House. Thus, Golden Grove has added another mark of distinction to itself as the only village on the Coast with separate buildings housing pupils of the lower and the upper school

Source:
“Covering the Country Districts” - the Sunday Chronicle –, May 19, 1946: page 7.

Golden Grove:- Village of Cane-Crushing Mills (By Traveller)

As early as 1878, Mr. James William James, one of the original proprietors who had spent his early years as an apprentice in carpentry at pln. Enmore where he used his spare time and powers of observation in picking up whatever knowledge he could while he worked side by side of the blacksmiths, coppersmiths, and masons of the estate, bought the machinery necessary from the Demerara Foundry through Mr. Robert Allen – Son-in-law of the Beckwiths of Haslington fame - and constructed a small factory for the manufacture of molasses, and muscovado.
He set up a windmill, which supplied the power to drive the engine that crushed the canes. He employed no mechanic and he did all the work necessary as well as managed the whole concern himself. All that was done on his own plot of land situated just north of the railway line and the platform, where the windmill from 1878 to 1907 provided a conspicuous landmark of the village. He grew canes himself, and encouraged many of the small farmers of the village to do the same, he, purchasing their produce by the ton. The molasses and the sugar manufactured were disposed of by wholesale and retail on the spot as well as by his personally hawking them by means of a donkey cart throughout

"My attention has been drawn to two errors which Mr. J. A. Trotman has pointed out appeared in my last contribution with respect to "Golden Grove", and it is with pleasure I hasten to make the corrections.
He writes:
(a) In Sunday's issue. 19th. Inst., I have observed that "Traveller" re Golden Grove mentioned, "the number of the original proprietors was 250." This is incorrect. They were 50 who paid $5,000 and divided the estate then named Williamsburg into 50 shares.
(b) The defunct Church building sold to the Golden Grove M. R. Society was never resold. It was bought in 1908 and is still the Society's property. Thanks to Mr. Trotman for corrections.

Traveller.

The villages between Buxton and Mahaica in all of which he was known by nearly every rustic comprising the rural population. This semi-minor industry which he established by his energy and industriousness did not provide him wealth or with a competence to tempt him to live luxuriously, but it supplied after the payment of his labours, sufficient means to give him and his family comfort and independence. The wings of the mill were taken down about twelve years ago, and though the factory has been out of commission for a much longer period, say, since about 1907,- the machinery is said to be intact, and as late as 1934, Mr. J. T. M. James, one of the sons of “Molasses James”, as he was familiarly referred to, set it all up again, ground canes and made sugar for home consumption.

EVELYN’S STEAM MILL

But Golden grove was fortunate in having another citizen similarly industrially bent. He was Mr. Isaac Evelyn, a master carpenter-contractor who bought over from a Mr. Wilson machinery which was obtained from the Demerara Foundry also, and set up for doing work similar to that which was done by Mr. James. This was a steam-driven mill. Mr. Evelyn did not run the factory himself, but employed a mechanic to operate the mill, and a manager to manage the whole affair. He, too, encouraged the small farmers to grow canes to supply his mill, which also manufactured molasses and muscovado. Both he and his enterprise did not enjoy the popularity equal to that enjoyed by his contemporary; and after the undertaking, remained in operation for some years, it eventually was closed down about 1906.
Golden Grove then, with these accomplishments to her credit, can justifiably claim to be the pioneer of the small cane-farming industry.

ECONOMIC POSITION

Not only industrially, but economically, too, the village holds a distinguished position among the villages of the Coast. In spite of the bitter set-back the cultivated areas have had to undergo from floods resulting from bad, as well as improper and insufficient drainage which saw some improvement when at the instance of Mr. James, and at some personal expense to himself, the west side-line was dug as a draining trench and a koker put up there to deal with the waters from Nabaclis, Golden Grove, and Haslington, and latterly (since the erection of the pump at Nabaclis) the farmers have been most persistently enterprising in their cultivation of plantains, ground provisions, especially cassava, and fruit; and evidence of that has always been forthcoming from their farms, and articles manufactured from products there from in the forra of several exhibits of quality that inhabitants of the village have presented at successive Agricultural shows. The village has also a thriving, though-not-too-large, coconut-oil-making industry.

UNIQUE METHOD OF TAXATION

Here is a village with a method of taxation al its own, and quite unique as far as the incorporated villages of the Coast, if not of the Colony are concerned. The recognized method of assessing rates and taxes in villages and towns is to tax both house and land, a method necessitating the services of appraisers. But the Golden Grovians, for reasons they consider eminently sound, tax the land only. Many of the Councillors in the other villages are not in agreement with their contention with regard to the superiority of their method over the one in general use, and the pros and cons still form the subject of debate among rustics who indulge in village politics.

THE RAILWAY PLATFORM

The erection of the railway platform at Golden Grove came about in this way:- as a result of great inconvenience experienced by many villagers in transporting themselves and their farm produce to Georgetown, a petition was drawn up, signed by the influential residents and others of the district, and sent to the then Manager of the Demerara Railway Company, Mr. Fred Mason, praying that the Company erect a platform by the middle-walk dam of the village, and thus give the inhabitants some traveling facilities which were very much needed. Mr. Mason did not send the petitioners a reply, but he filed their petition.
Mr. J. Dorma, who succeeded Mr. Mason as manager came across the petition on the file, and took the opportunity on one occasion when inspecting the rails to seek out Mr. James, whose name was at the head of the petitioners. They both conferred over the matter, examined the spot recommended, and came to decision favourable to the petitioners, on the condition that the Railway Company supplied the materials, and the villagers the labour to erect it. Subsequently the question of the sale of tickets for traveling in the train arose, and after the manager was satisfied with the bona fides of Mr. James who had offered himself to do the selling, he appointed him the agent with a commission on the sales as enumeration. The platform was built, and the agency started. That was in 1892. Since then the agency has grown tremendously, and what was once but a platform is today a substantial building doing nearly all the work of the recognized stations. It remains still an agency, and everybody is looking forward with great expectancy to see it elevated to the rank and position of a railway station.

VILLAGE STALWARTS

Politically, Golden Grove people are in no way behind the inhabitants of the other villages. Its Sandys, and Sealeys, Simons and Kendalls, Sarrabos and Collins; its Herods, Sanchos, Bristols, Glasgows, Davids, McLeans, Hughes, and Trotmans have all left their impress on the political pages of the village: Nor can there be omitted when the history of the village is, being written, the name “Christopher” – the name of that remarkable old man who sported a ‘silk top-hat’ which did not loose any of its gloss, in spite of age and constant use, and who for an unbroken period up to fifteen years ago, traveled up and down the Mahaica morning train presenting the morning passengers with a musty and much tattered document soliciting donations or rather alms. Indeed old Christopher was a remarkable character of a pleasant and inoffensive disposition, his importunity not withstanding.

Source:
“Covering the Country Districts” - the Sunday Chronicle – May 26, 1946: page 7.

Ex-Village Chairman Passes

2004-11-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

Golden Grove Nabaclis
Ex-Village Chairman Passes
On Monday last there passed away at the ripe age of 83 years, Mr. George Edmund Cockfield, for nearly twenty years Chairman of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council. The deceased was a remarkable character in his way, possessing a great deal of business sense, determination, and industry. He dignified farming and made it pay.
Early in his life, he broke away from the goldfields where as a foreman with Bernard &Coy., he acquired capital and invested in a share of land at Nabaclis, then a hamlet with just a few scattered houses and rich farmlands. By dint of hard work, he soon built up a farm that turned out large supplies of plantains, and cassava for the Railway Market that throve in the Lamaha Street opposite “Cow-Pen” Hall. Indeed the band of Nabaclis farmers consisting of Cockfield, Benn, Maison, and Adams stood for farming efficiency, and took most of the prizes at Agricultural Shows organized by the Victoria-Belfield Society.
As Cockfield grew older he put in permanent crops, and his pears were spoken of both in and out of the district. His extensive coconut cultivation allowed him to live at ease to the day of his death.
A Steward of the Methodist Church, he found time for little else outside of his farm and playing his harmonium.
The largely attended funeral was taken by the Rev. A. C. Blain, and Mr. H. C. Anderson, Lay Preacher, delivered the address.
Among those who attended were: - Messrs. S. A. Cockfield (son), Saml. Cockfield (nephew), Eleazar Cockfield, Winston Cockfield, S. E. A. Talbot, C. Punch, H. A. Hughes, T. A., and S. Luke, J. Lewis, F. E. Pollard, D. A. Trotman, E. D. Castro, D. N. E. Hughes, L. Sydney, W. T. Benjamin, A. Fernandes, F. Richmond, C. H. Collins, J. C. M. Sealey, C. P. B. Melbourne, J. and R. Ward, R. and C. Kendall, T. Caleb, Sergeant Barry of BG Battalion, Alex. Simon, S. and L. Kingston, Noble, C. Sancho, G. Rutherford, R. Spencer, N. Hughes, H. Crowther, P. Perry, A. D. Philadelphia, John Austin, J. Herod, A. Gillis, J. Trotman, C. Scotland, H. Luke, E. and T. Benn, J. R. Butcher, and J. Hope.
The remains were entombed in the cemetery of Victoria, his native village, the Rev. Blain officiating.

Source:
“Covering the Country Districts” – the Sunday Chronicle, May 12, 1946: page 7.