5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

Home

About Us

Youare@Research

Libraries

SubjectGuide

Services

Collections

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers

18151816

Research

FAQs

SignIn :

Thursday,May28,2015

The Merikins: Free Black Settlers 18151816

HistoryoftheMerikinSettlers|Trinidadinthe19thCentury|FreeBlackLandOwners|Company
Villages|ObstaclesFacedbytheMerikinSettlers|NotableMerikinsandMerikinDescendants|Merikin
Traditions|MerikinReligion|MerikinInstitutionsToday|MerikinPoetry|References

LANDSCONFERREDBYTHEBRITISH
ThestorybehindthearrivaloftheMerikinsinTrinidadgoesbacktotheAmericanWarofIndependence,1775
1783whenrunawayslaveswerefirstencouragedtojointheBritishfightingforces.Amajorenticementfortheir
enlistmentwasthepromiseoffreedombyLordDunmore,thethenColonialGovernorofVirginia.Attheendofthe
wartheseexsoldiersweregrantedtheirfreedomandtakentoNovaScotiainCanada,SierraLeone,Jamaicaand
theBahamas.
DuringtheWarof18121814,knownbysomehistoriansasTheWarofFaultyCommunication,theBritish
madesimilarpromisesoffreedomtoslaveswhojoinedtheirnavalormilitaryforces.Theseblacksoldiersweretold
thatattheendofthewartheywouldremainfreemenandearn16acresoflandperheadoffamily.
Historiansdocumentthattheseblacksoldiers/marineswererunawayslavesoftheAmericanslaveownerswho
madeuptheBritisharmyandthattheywererecruitedintoatotalofsix(6)militarycompanies.Theywere
recruitedmainlyfromChesapeakeBay,shoresofVirginiaandMaryland,aswellasfromthecoastofGeorgia.
ThefollowingProclamationwasmade:
APROCLAMATION
BytheHonourableSirAlexanderF.I.Cochrane,
K.B.ViceAdmiraloftheRed,and
CommanderinChiefofHisMajestysShips
andVessels,upontheNorthAmericanStation.
Whereas,ithasbeenrepresentedtome,that
manyPersonsnowresidentintheUNITEDSTATES,
haveexpressedadesiretowithdrawtherefrom,
withaviewofenteringinto
HisMajestysService,orofbeingreceivedas
FreeSettlersintosomeofHisMajestysColonies.
ThisisthereforetoGiveNotice,
Thatallwhomaybedisposedtoemigratefrom
theUNITEDSTATESwill,withtheir
Families,bereceivedonboardHisMajestys
ShipsorVesselsofWar,orattheMilitary
Poststhatmaybeestablished,uponornearthe
CoastoftheUNITEDSTATES,when
theywillhavetheirchoiceofeitherenteringinto
HisMajestysSeaorLandForces,orofbeing
sentasFREESettlerstotheBritish
PossessionsinNorthAmericaorthe
WestIndies,wheretheywillmeetwithdue
encouragement,

TranslateThisPage

SelectLanguage
Poweredby

Translate

OPACQuickSearch

Search

QuickLinks
AccessOurDatabases
AskNALIS
BrowseOurCatalogue
DigitalLibrary
DownloadNALISForms
eBooksonEBSCOHOST
eBooksonOverDrive
ExternalResources
FindaPublicLibrary
InternetUsePolicies
JointheLibrary
MyLibraryAccount
OpenLibraryeBookService
SearchOurSubjectGuide
ServicestoDifferentlyAbled
StaffWebmail

GivenundermyHandatBermuda,
this2nddayofApril,1814,
ALEXANDERCOCHRANE.
ByCommandoftheViceAdmiral
WILLIAMBALHETCHET.
GODSAVETHEKING
TRINIDADINTHENINETEENTHCENTURY
Trinidadintheearly1800swasdescribedasamelangeofideologies,cultures,colourandstatus.Itwasdifferent
frommostWestIndianislandsinrespectofthehighproportionoffreecolouredpeople.Notably,whenBritaintook
Trinidadin1797therewasalreadyalargeintermediategroupoffreecolouredpeople,inthemiddleoftheruling
whiteeliteandthegrowingnumberofslaves.
ThefollowingBritishfiguresplayedasignificantpartinthearrivalandsuccessoftheFreeBlackSettlers:
SirRalphWoodford
In1813,SirRalphWoodfordarrivedasgovernor.In1815,heacknowledgedthechiefobstacletothedevelopment
ofTrinidadwasthewantofalabouringpopulation."HewasresponsiblefortheintroductionoftheColonial
Marines/exsoldiersandensuredtheestablishmentoftheCompanyVillagesinSouthTrinidad,inspiteof
oppositionfromwealthyNaparimaplanters.

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

1/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

Mr.RobertMitchell
GovernorWoodfordcreditedmuchofhissuccesstoMr.RobertMitchell,aNaparimaplanterwhohandledmuchof
theoperationofsettlingtheexsoldiersandtheirfamilies.Mitchell'sreportsdocumentedtheprogressofeach
villageandhepetitionedforneededresources,suchassuppliesforthewomenandchildren,duringthetimesthe
menwereforcedtoleavethevillagestoworkonotherfarms.
GovernorLordHarris
LordHarrisservedasGovernorfrom18461854.Hewasinstrumentalinimprovingtheinfrastructural
developmentandwassometimesdescribedasbeingtooPlanterfriendly.Hisvisionwasdescribedasaneconomic
onebyauthorMr.MichaelAnthony.Hefeltthatthesuccessoftheestateswasessentialfortheprosperityofthe
wholeisland.
LordHarrissupportoftheMerikinlandsettlerspetitionsresultedinthemeventuallybeinggivendeedstotheir
landswiththepropertitles,sometwentyyearsaftertheirarrivalinTrinidad.TheseLandDeedsclearlystated:
Thenameoftheoriginalsettlers
Thenumberofacresgranted
Establishedthefactthatthelandswerealsograntedtotheheirsofthesettlersforthetimeinperpetuity
FREEBLACKLANDOWNERS
Theseexslaves,exsoldiers,nowlandowners,spokeanabbreviatedversionofthelanguage,whichwasattained
byeitherdroppingthefirstletterortwo,orthelastletteroffwords.ThewordAmericanwentthroughasimilar
mutationtheymeanttosaythatIamAmericanbutinsteadtheysaidIamMerikin.TotheMerikins,theirplots
wereBloodLands,thatis,allotmentsearnedbymilitaryservice.
Corn,potatoes,bananas,cassavaandricewerethecropsplanted.Ricewasespeciallyvaluedforitsdurability,
becauseitcouldbestoredallyearroundwithoutlosingitsnutritivevalueortaste.ItissaidthattheseFreeBlack
AmericansettlersbroughtricetoTrinidadforthefirsttime.Thustheyaddedtothediversificationoftheeconomy
andgavetheislandavaluablestaplecrop.
Thetenyearsbetween1817and1827weresuccessfulyearsforthecompanyvillages.TheseMerikinsettlers
workedboththeirownlands,andonneighbouringestates,duringcropseasonfromJanuarytoAprilanditissaid
thatby1825theywereproducing2,000barrelsofcornandover400barrelsofrice.
ThetotalnumberofMerikinsettlerswhoarrivedinTrinidadbetweenMay1815andAugust1816was
approximately781men,womenandchildren,outofwhich574werethedisbandedexsoldiers.Themen
outnumberedthewomen.
Eachshipdeliveredanumberofexsoldiersandtheirfamilies,eachshowedthattherewasagreatimbalance.The
followingisanexample.
COMPANY

MEN

WOMEN

CHILDREN

TOTAL

FirstCompany

61

18

86

FirstCompany

Manyinthisbatchwererecordedasagedorinfirmed

ThirdCompany

32

14

17

63

FourthCompany

404

83

87

574

TheyweresettledintheSouthofTrinidad,intheNaparimaDistrict/SavannaGrande(nowPrincesTown).Manyof
theMerikinCompanyVillageshavecompletelychangedtheiroriginalnameswiththeexceptionofFifth(5th)
andSixth(6th)Companies.Itmustbeunderstoodthatgeographicallytheareasalsooverlapeachother.
FIRSTCOMPANY
OriginallycalledGrantbecauseitwastheareaoflandgrantedtothefirstsettlersanditwasrichsoil.Sincethis
wasaheavilypopulatedandfarmedarea,anapplicationwasmade,andgovernmentgrantednewareasofland
adjacenttotheold,hence,thenewnameNewGrant.FirstComapnylandalsocoverstheareacalledHindustan.
Famousareasinclude:CanedistrictsLaCabee,LaRetreatandLaResource.Manyofthestreetswerenamedafter
settlers,suchasJacksonBlockandLewisTrace.
SECONDCOMPANY
Manystoriesaretoldaboutthiscompany.ItissaidthattheshipnevermadeittoTrinidad,thatinonecasethe
passengersdrownedandinanother,theywereblownoffcoursetoJamaica.Otherauthors/researchers,suchas
Hackshaw,BrewerandAtwater,attesttothefactthatthiscompanydidarriveandwereinitiallyplacedin
LaventilleandCaroni.ThiscompanyisnowknownasthePetiteCafandMatildaBoundaryareas.
THIRDCOMPANY
UsuallyreferredtoasIndianWalkandhasaninterestingstory.Itgotitsnamefrombeingthepathwayofthe
GuarajoonIndianwhocamefromVenezuelathroughMorugatotradeintheMissionknownasPrincesTown.
ExampleofstreetnamesincludeLoneyRoad,SampsonRidgeandLengua.SignificantareasincludeFortGeorge
RoadthatisnamedafteranoldFort,remainsofwhicharesaidtobestillvisible.
FOURTHCOMPANY
ThisareaincludesSherringPlace,HardBargainorWilliamsville.Thereisastorythattheearlysettlersbartered
theirwivesformuchneededhorsesinordertoworktheirplantations.Streetsnamedaftersettlersinclude
WilliamsvilleandGobinvillage.Significantarea:PiparoMudVolcano.
FIFTHCOMPANY
Retaineditsoriginalname.Itiswellknownforitsrichagriculturallandandoilbearingareas.Streetsorareas
namedaftersettlersincludeMitchellBlock,WestonRoad,MotherKelly,BrankarTrace,TeesdaleRoadandSamuel
CooperRoad.
SIXTHCOMPANY
Alsoretaineditsoriginalname.ItisfamousforitsmixedfarmingandlargevirginforestareassuchasCataHill.
OBSTACLESENCOUNTEREDBYTHEMERIKINSETTLERS

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

2/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

ManyobstacleswereencounteredbytheMerikinsettlersoftheseremotelylocatedcompanyvillages.These
included:
Administrative(fewresourcesplustheinabilitytoreadandwrite,noschoolsandworshipbuildings)
Physical(pooraccessroads,noanimalstofarmortransport,etc.)
Social(wherethemenoutnumberedthewomen)
BoththeBritishandtheMerikinsettlersworkedrelentlesslytoovercometheobstaclesby:
SupplementingthelowratioofwomenwithliberatedAfricanwomenfromFrenchslaveshipsandother
islands.
Petitioningforthemuchneededtools,clothingandrationsforthewomenandchildrenleftbehindwhen
themenwentoutofthevillagestowork.
Cookinginaholeintheground,linedwithleaves.
Makingsoapfromashes.
TheBatelleinvention,whichwasatubmadebyburningandscoopingouttheinsideofalogusedto
washin,whennostreamswereavailableforlaundering.
Increasingskillsinpreparationofherbalremedies
Evenwiththelackofproperbuildingmaterials,animals,equipmentandproperroads,thesettlerswhohadthe
experienceofbuildingsheltersforthemselvesinChesapeakewereabletoconstructrudimentaryshelterswhich
sawthemthroughtherainyseasons.
TheMerikinsettlershaddifficultyidentifyingwiththesurroundingpopulation,whichwasmainlyFrenchspeaking
andCatholic,sincetheywereEnglishspeakingandProtestant.Asaresult,theydevelopedastrongsenseofgroup
identity.Theyalsofeltamarkedprideintheirfreedomandintheirindependentstatus.
Dr.Brewernotedinhisthesisthatthesesettlersexperiencedsuccessinspiteofseveralupheavals:(i)theflight
fromslavery(ii)thenmilitaryservicewithlimitedresources(iii)littletimetorecoverphysicallyandpsychologically
inordertoadjusttotheirnewsituationinTrinidad.

SOMENOTABLEMERIKINS
WilliamRichardson
SamuelWebb
Amphy&BashanaJackson
AugustusLewis
JohnMiltonHackshaw
ArthurSampson
EbenezeElliot(PapaNeezerorNeza)
WilliamHamilton
PAPANEEZER(19011969)
BornEbenezerElliot,hewasmorepopularlyknownaPapaNezerorNeza.Hewasadirectdescendentoforiginal
MerikinsettlersGeorgeElliot,onhisfathersside,andGeorgeBlackwell,onhismothersside.Describedasa
dynamicperson,hewaswellknownforhispropheciesusingtheObeeSeedandbiblepassages(especiallythe
Psalms),fromwhichhewouldprescribeaccordingtohisrevelations.
AccordingtoHuggins,hehadgoodreligioustrainingandwasadevoutmemberofhisfaithfromthetimehewas
baptisedandacceptedmembership.HehadaspeciallikingforShangoreligion,andbecameanaccomplished
drummerandadherenttothereligion.Helaterparticipatedinhisownmeetings.
Heissaidtohavespecialpowerstohealthesick,castoffevilspirits,whichattractedmanyfromthe
neighbourhoodandregion.
Hewasafamilyman,whowassociable,charitable,veryapproachableandbecauseheestablishedundying
friendshipsandacquaintances,hebecameknownasPapaorfather.Hedidmuchtopromotehisreligionand
wasveryinfluentialintheconstructionofamodernchurchinhiscommunity.
AccordingtoMs.LeonisRoberts,hisgranddaughter,hewasnotanObeahman,butahelperandhealer."Obeah"
isnotaboutdoingbadfromthelongtimepointofviewbutitwasabouthelpingpeople.Henevertookmoney,was
notaboutthemoney."
MERIKINDESCENDANTS
OneMerikindescendant,whostillhasthe16acresoflandwhichwasgrantedtohisoriginalancestor,remembers
hisfather(whodiedin1954)andhisgrandfather,ascocoaplanters.
Accordingtoanotherfemaledescendant,herfatherownedahorse,donkeyandamuleandhewouldusethese
animalstotransporthisproducetoPortofSpaintobesold.Inadditiontobeingacocoafarmerhewasalso
involvedintheofficialconstructionoftheMorugaRoad,hewasemployedasaroadbuilder.
Merikindescendantswerealsoinvolvedinsugarcanecultivationonasmallerscaleaswellasotherformsof
agriculture.DudleyBobcombesfather,RubenBobcombe,andAnnieSaundersMissettesfather,JohnSaunders,
werejusttwo(2)ofthesugarcanefarmersfromthevillages.
Dr.EricWilliamssaidofTrinidadin1911,Cocoawasthereigningqueen,sugartheexkingandoilthefuture
emperor.Inlightofthat,thosewithownershipoflandinoilproducingareaswereabletobenefitfromoilrights
andleaserents.HillaryBobcombe,sonofEgbertBobcombe,isoftheviewthattheAmericanexsoldiersplayeda
veryimportantroleinthepromotionofTrinidadsindigenouseconomy.Assubsistencefarmerstheywerepioneers
inthegrowingofshorttermcrops.OnecanstillfinddescendantsoftheseMerikinspeddlingprovisionstheyhad
plantedonSundaymornings,thebigmarketday,atPrincesTown.Mr.Bobcombeisalsooftheopinionthat
Merikinsdisplayedahighleveloffierceindependenceandthis,hesays,theycarriedthroughallwalksoftheir
lives.
MERIKINTRADITIONS
GayapSystem

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

3/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

Theybroughtthiseachone,helponesystemwhichwasobservedinhouseandchurchbuilding,cultivationand
reapingofcropsandtheburialofthedead.
BushMedicine
TheyhadaspecialartofBushmedicinepreparation,whichtheyappliedforalmosteverycomplaintandfeltthat
thecurefordiseaselayintheapplicationofherbswhichpossessedspecialmedicinalpropertiesleaves,flowers,
barkandroots.
Obeah
TheObeahmansbusinesswasamostimportantpracticetotheCompanyVillagesandprofitabletradewhich
suppliedalucrativesourceofincome.
THEMERIKINBAPTISTSINITIALSTANDARDS
Dr.Brewerindicatesthat,"Indailylifethecrosstranslatedintoamoralandbehaviouralcodesostrict,that
strongspiritualjustificationwasneededtomakeitacceptable.Thiscoderequiredtotalabstinencefromextra
maritalsex,unswervingexecutionofdomesticduties,noconsumptionofalcohol,noselfadornmentorsecular
entertainments.Modestyindressrespectforelders,economicselfsufficiency,intensepietyandtotalparticipation
inritualsofworshipwheretherequiredstandards
THEMERIKINBAPTISTCHANGES
TheolderimmigrantswereBaptists,andtheirchildrenremainedloyaltotheBaptistprofession.Theyelectedtheir
ownpastorsandmaintainedsomesortofChurchlife.ButgraduallyoldAfricanpracticesandbeliefscreptback,so
whenthesevillageswerevisitedbyMr.Cowen,therewasprobablylittlemorethanthepracticeofadultimmersion
tomarkthemasChristiancommunities.
THEMERIKINBAPTIST
AccordingtoRev.JohnBramble,MerikinBaptistsettlersgenesisisintheOrthodoxBaptistdenominationandwas
evangelicalinnature.Dr.BrewerstatesthattheMerikinsarrivedwiththeirBaptistfaith,andhenotesthatin
theirrecruitmentplacesoforigin,suchasVirginiaandGeorgia,theevangelicalBaptistdenominationwasthe
majorreligion.
OnceinTrinidad,oneofthemajorgroupswhoworkedwiththeMerikinstoraisetheirstandardoflivingwasthe
EnglishmissionariesfromtheBaptistMissionarySociety,namedtheLondonBaptists.Otherinfluencesincluded
Africantribalbeliefs,whichDr.BrewerindicatesmayhavemostlybeenintroducedbyAfricanslavewomenwho
weresenttomarrythemen.AccordingtoMr.JohnHackshawimmigrationalsocontributedtothevariationsin
theirreligion.Rev.AnslemWarrickremindsthattheAmericanmissionariesalsoplayedafundamentalrole,whilst
Dr.Brewersresearchshowsthatasliteracyincreasedsotoodidtheempowermentofthespiritualleadersandthe
Merikincommunity.
VariationsintheseEvangelicalBaptistsinclude:
TheLondonBaptists
TheIndependentBaptists
TheFundamentalBaptists
Thechurch,alongwiththeMerikins'militarytraining,influencedthestructureofthevillages.Uponarrival
churcheswereformedandaleadershipstructuresetup,includingpastors,preachersanddeacons,andelders.
MuchmoreneedstobeexploredwithregardstotherichhistoryoftheMerikinBaptist.
EARLYCHURCHESBUILT
St.JohnsBaptistChurch(1845)
ThirdCompanyBaptist(previouslyinexistenceinsince1840,officialbuildingconstructedin1850)
FifthCompanyBaptist(1843)
MERIKININSTITUTIONSTODAY
OneofthemanystronginstitutionstodayistheBaptistUnionofTrinidad&Tobago(B.U.T.T.)whichgovernsthe
LondonBaptistChurches.Thefollowingprogresshasbeenmade:
Three(3)PrimarySchools:(i)MaracBaptistPrimarySchool(1952),(ii)FifthCompanyBaptistPrimary
School(1967),(iii)WebbMemorialBaptistPrimarySchool(1958)
One(1)SecondarySchool:CowenHamiltonSecondarySchool(1962)
One(1)SeniorCitizenHome:MaryJennyPooleSeniorCitizensHome
One(1)PrincesTownEarlyChildhoodCentre
VocationalTrainingCentres
UnitedBaptistTheologicalInstitute
CampSite:CampEbenezer,locatedinPiparo.Itisincloseproximitytothenowfamousmudvolcano.
Constructionofthiscampbeganin1993,onaten(10)acreparceloflandacquiredfromTexaco.It
currentlyhasamainhallandwomensdormitory,withfutureconstructionplans.
MERIKINCROCKOFGOLD
Landsthatliefallowdonothingforanyone
Landsthatliefallowdonotaddtotheeconomicfabricofthenation
Weneedhelptoburnishourthoughts
Howtodevelopthelandstowhichourforebearswerebrought
Agricultureasanindustrywemustbemadetosee
Istheactivitythatwillbringwealthforyouandme
16acresoflandweregiventotheheadofeachhousehold
Togetherwithfreedomthatwastheircrockofgold
Thehistoryandthelandarethelegacies
LeftbymenwhobuiltvillagescalledtheCompanies
AHeritagecentre,aReplicaVillageandMuseum
Willbefittingtributetohallowedground

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

4/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

TheroleoftheMerikinDiasporaisthecornerstone
Inthedevelopmentofthislandwecallourown
Tourismisanotherindustrythatcaneasilyflourish
Inaregionblessedwithsceneryandvirginforest
Withitmustcometheessentialinfrastructure
ThatwillmaketremendouschangesinscenicMoruga
Itstheoilinthesoilourfamousbarddidclaim
ThatliesintheSouthfromwhencetheMerikinscame
MenoftheDiasporawhatideashaveyou
Torevivetheeconomyandbringlifeanew
Ourforefathersfoughtforfreedomandliberty
Letusrollbacktheevilsofignoranceandpoverty
MenandwomenoftheMerikinDiaspora
TheirExcellenciesfromAmerica,BritainandCanadahavecometogether
Towreakchangeinthelandofourforefathers
Sleepinggiantsjustdreamawhile
Ofthethingsthatarepossibleandwakewithasmile
TheirExcellencieshaveconspiredandtouchedbaseafter200years
Merikinsletusstandupandsaythreecheers
ByAugustusLewis
TheMinisterofQuarrel2007
IAMCARIBBEAN
IamCaribbeancantyousee
Fellowmanthatsmyethnicity
IamCaribbeanthroughandthrough
Compatriotonthatscore,howsayyou
About1200milesfromnorthtosouth
Caribbeanincontentthatswhatweareabout
AsslavestheMiddlePassagewasahorribleexperience
Andisthelegacyofmenwhocaughtandsolduswithoutconscience
AsIndenturedLabourerswekissedthisshore
Thatchangedusfromuntouchablesforevermore
WehaveevolvedasTrinbagonianswithanewidentity
NomoremotherAfricanomoremotherIndiaforme
Lebanese,FrenchandSpanishtoo
Areimportantingredientsinthiscallaloo
Theblendingagentinthisuniquedish
IsthecatalyticactionoftheEnglish
Aswemoveforwardandupwardasanation,therewillbegrowingpains
Somethingwewillexperienceaswebreakthechains
AsTrinbagonianswehaveaduty
Toloveandcareforourcountry
Andknowourrightsandresponsibilities
Inordertodevelopourcountry
Protectzealouslyourheritage
Andguardagainstwantontheftandwastage
Beonguardfordistortersofhistory
Whoforselfishreasonswillselloutthiscountry
RatherthansharewithourbrothersintheCaribbean
Someofthewealththatwasbestowedonthisnation
Letusbringeconomicrelief
TocompatriotsNorth,South,WestandEast
By:AugustusLewis
TheMinisterofQuarrel
CARIBBEANWOMAN
Caribbeanwomanhowdoyoudo
CaribbeanwomanIminlovewithyou
Anamalgamofdifferentgroups
Caribbeanwomanthatisyourroots
Evolutionhasplayeditspart
Tomakeyoutemptressofmyheart
CaribbeanwomanIwatchyousway
Asyouwalkdownthestreetfromdaytoday
Longhoursandtoilsaroundthegreathall
Andlabourandtoilsaroundthegreathall
Yourcompaerosinthecocoaplantation
Alsomadeasterlingcontribution
Ineverywalkoflifeyouplayedapart
Fromthecradletothegraveyouwerethespark
Caribbeanwomanyoubearnohate
Womanoftheyearweappreciate
OnislandsbetweenCubaandTrinidad
Youdisplayqualitiesthatmakemeglad

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

5/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816

CaribbeanwomanIsaluteyou
InCuba,JamaicaandGuadeloupetoo
IslandsallnestledintheCaribbeanSea
Islandsthatshareacommonhistory
Caribbeanwomanyouarethebeacon
Withwhichapeoplesdestinyhastorecon
Lightyourlightsforalltosee
AsyousailtheCaribbeanSea
Tellusstoriesaboutunity
Andtheimportanceofintegrity
OhSepiawomanofseassoblue
Thissepiamanisinlovewithyou
By:AugustusLewis
TheMinisterofQuarrel

1. Brewer,PeterDavid.TheBaptistChurchesofSouthTrinidadandtheirMissionaries18151892.

2. Hackshaw,JohnMilton.TheBaptistDenomination.

3. Richardson,ReverendFitzroy.BibleFactsOneShouldKnowAbouttheLearned&theUnlearned.

4. McNishWeiss,John.FreeBlackSettlers18151816.

5. Campbell,Carli.AFreeMulatto.

6. Brereton,Bridget2009.TheHistoryofModernTrinidad17831962.

7. Montigue,George1988.AHistoryofRioClarosince1900

8. Auchinleck,Gilbert1972.AHistoryoftheWarbetweenGreatBritaintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
Duringtheyears1812,1813and1814.

9. Bladensburg,CaptH.B.Eator1977.TheJournaloftheSocietyforArmyHistoricalResearch.Vol.55:
pp89

10. Atwater,Lisa.LandTenure&SocialMobilityintheCompanyVillages1815/16toPresent.

11. Stanfield,David1993.LandTenureandManagementofLandinTrinidadandTobago

12. Williams,EricEustace.TheMarchtoLibertyThroughJesusChrist

13. LeeSing,KhanJune2011.MorugaTales

14. Hackshaw,JohnMilton.TheOriginoftheChristianReligion:TheBaptistFaith:TheIndependents
&theSpiritualBaptistChurches

15. Anthony,Michael1975.ProfileTrinidad:AHistoricalSurveyfromDiscoveryto1900

16. Brereton,Bridget1979.RaceRelationsinColonialTrinidad18701900

17. Huggins,A.B.1978.TheSagaofTheCompanies

18. SirAlexandersCochranesProclamationSource:AdmiraltyArchives
1/508,579,LondonPublicRecordsOffice.PrintedInEaston,Md.,RepublicanStar,May03,1814.

19. Ottley,CarltonR.1974.SlaveryDaysinTrinidad:ASocialHistoryoftheIslandfrom17971838

20. St.JohnsBaptistChurch150thAnniversary(18451995)

21. Anthony,Michael2001.TownsandVillagesofTrinidadandTobago

22. Dean,Shimshu.TracingEastIndianRoots

23. Wood,Donald1986.TrinidadinTransition:TheYearafterSlavery

24. Hackshaw,JohnMilton(1993).TwoAmongMany

25. Mavrogorato,OlgaJ.1977.VoicesintheStreet
Imagesources

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816ExhibitionPhotoGallery
TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816Presentation
NationalLibraryandInformationSystemAuthority
NationalLibraryofTrinidadandTobago,HartandAbercrombyStreets,PortofSpain,TrinidadandTobago,W.I.

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

6/7

5/28/2015

TheMerikins:FreeBlackSettlers18151816
Telephone:1(868)6236962/7278/9673|1(868)6241130/4466/5075|Fax:1(868)6256096|Email:nalis@nalis.gov.tt

BusinessHours:MondaytoThursday8.00amto4.15pmandFriday8.00amto4.00pm
LibraryHours:MondaytoFriday8.30amto6.00pmandSaturday8.30amto4.00pm

Copyright2015,NALIS

TermsOfUse :PrivacyStatement

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TheMerikinsFreeBlackSettlers18151816/tabid/563/Default.aspx?PageContentMode=1

7/7