Victoria Villagers Meeting with Governor Kortright July 1878 at Governor's Residence, Belfield, East Sea Coast of Demerara

His Excellency, Governor (now Sir) C. H. Kortright, K.C.M.G., received the following villagers of Victoria Village, on Friday the 12th July, 1878, at his residence, Belfield Villa, on the East Sea Coast, viz. : — Messrs. John Sumner, farmer ; Cambridge Sumner, schoolmaster ; Charles Sumner, tailor ; Henry Sumner, farmer ; Thomas Collins, farmer ; Michael Goring, carpenter ; Samuel Sam, carpenter ; Newton Pool, cooper ; Samuel Dodson, carpenter ; John Horatio Reynolds, newspaper reporter ; and Thomas Adams, carpenter. On being ushered into His Excellency's drawing-room by his Private Secretary, the following address was read to His Excellency: — "We, the inhabitants of Victoria Village, East Coast, Demerara, do most humbly beg to pay our respects to Your Excellency and family on the occasion of this your first sojourn amongst us ; we all along felt sorry for not being amongst those who first welcomed Your Excellency to our shores, but we feel proud of the occasion which has placed it in our reach to show our great esteem for Your Excellency and family. We, in conclusion, do wish Your Excellency quick relief from the effects of your late indisposition, and may you and yours be long spared to remain amongst us in your capacity as head of the Colony."

His Excellency addressed the villagers thus: — “Gentlemen, I thank you for the address you have presented to me, and for the good wishes you express with regard to my health.

I am happy to say that I have already benefited by the pure sea air of the East Coast, and I hope that I may be able often to visit this part of the Colony during my residence in British Guyana. I must congratulate you on the cleanly and thriving condition of the villages of this coast, which is creditable to those with whom the management of the village rests. The state of the roads is so good, and the healthiness of the locality so patent, that I would not mind residing continuously on the East Coast." The villagers thanked His Excellency for the speech, at the conclusion of which they were furnished with refreshments, and entertained by Mr. Forbes.

 

Source: Bronkhurst, Rev. Henry Valentine Peter (1836 – 1895) The Colony of British Guyana and its labouring population: containing a short account of the colony, and brief descriptions of the Black Creole, Portuguese, East Indian, and Chinese coolies ... collected ... from sundry articles published ... at different times, and arranged by Rev. H. V. P. Bronkhurst. London, T. Woolmer, 1883. : Page 196

 

I am extremely ecstatic. I am extremely grateful to Professor Nigel Westmaas. He sent me a copy of William Nicholas Arno's text – A history of Victory Village. I am relieved. I finally obtained the opportunity to access the text. I read the rather small book four times since accessing it at this morning; 12AM, on Tuesday, May 01, 2007.

A number of startling facts – and omissions – jump off the text right at me. Arno stated on page 13, at the institution of Local Government Ordinance in 1892, a village Council was formed at Victoria. S. O. Maison, a dispenser of the village was elected the first Chairman. Other successive chairmen were Messrs.; A. M. Lord, E. C. Blair, E. B. Collins, H. D. Dolphin, Hubert Alfred Thompson, George Rutherford, Ralph Moore, Leslie R. D. Ainsworth, Stanley Roberts, the last named being the current holder of the office. I noticed James A. Barbour-James was left off the list of Chairmen of Victoria-Belfield village district.

While no mention is made of (1.)Campbell and the donation of land upon which a church was erected. (2.) The contributions, John Lucie Griffith, Henry Lawrence, Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones (1855-1945), and persons of other ethnicity including; Portuguese, East Indians, and Chinese made to the community. (3.) The effects of disturbances, and riots such as civil disobedience at Cove & John (1834), Angel Gabriel (February 1856), Cent Bread (March 1889), and September 29, 1902, and, Politically racial motivated disturbances 1962-1964 at Victoria.

The text confirms my belief that a series of inadequate literature, regarded as the histories of the villages, were published by various writers at varying periods of our history.

I believe extensive research must be undertaken to document and compose the authentic history of the communities in Guyana, highlighting all phases of live within those communities.   I know sources of data on British Guiana, are found scattered, but available in various institutions of research in Australia, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, West Indies, and Holland. I charge it is our responsibility as people to produce accounts of the history of our communities, and kinships in a manner befitting the contributions of our ancestors, our kinships and their comrades.

It is my hope the members of the forums would be interested in researching, documenting and publishing, their thoughts, opinions and interests for the benefit of future generations.

Truth must never be allowed to die.

In the portion dedicated to the building of the Community Centre, entitled; Historical review of the Project – Victoria Village Community Centre Aided Self-help, Arno tells us the project begun in 1951 under the leadership of Stanley Roberts. In 1955, a Planning Committee was established and chaired by Ralph Moore. The primary persons involved at various period are, Mesdames; Mabel Thompson, Mildred Saul, Irene Samuels, Lillian Hendericks, Gertrude Beaton, Adora Williams and Mildred Rutherford Messrs.: C. Joseph, George and Joseph Assanah, Clifford Major, Joseph Hope, Charles Murphy, W. Oscar Garnett, Samuel A. Cupido, and Leslie R. D. Ainsworth. The architect and supervisor were Samuel A. Cupido. He was ably supported by Donald Gillis. The services of Joseph Hope, was invaluable.    The project was completed in 1957. On December 22, 1957, Leslie R. D. Ainsworth then chairman of the village district made an outstanding speech declaring the Centre open to the general public.

Arno reminds us Victoria Village can boast of having produced many artisans, carpenters, blacksmiths, and dispensers, along with a number of school teachers, many of whom became head masters in various districts of our colony. Then states among the outstanding people of Victoria are the following;

Alfred Cambridge Poole, [General Contractor];

Uriah Murray, [Schoolmaster];

John Murray, Assistant Teacher;

James Murray, Dispenser;

Dr. Walter Jerrick, Medical Practitioner, in USA;

Dr. Oscar Charles, Optometrist;

Dr. S. J. Blair, Optometrist;

Esau Elias, Baker;

Jacob Elias, Baker;

J. Caleb, Postmaster;

Tom Charles, Postmaster;

Jacob Norman Craigwell, Schoolmaster;

Thomas Barry; Schoolmaster;

Prince William Alexander, Schoolmaster, Ann's Grove, and Medical Practitioner, in    USA;

James Donald Ainsworth; Schoolmaster;

George Mingo, Stationmaster, and Attorney-at-Law;

E. B. Collins, Village Politician;

Daniel E. Spencer, Village Politician;

James Frederick Rose, father of Dr. Frederick G. Rose and grandfather of Sir David Rose, Governor General of Guyana, schoolmaster and Inspector of Schools (Education Officer);

 Rev. Dr. Patrick Talbot,

Mr. Punch (Daddy Punch),

William Africa Baptiste (Boss Africa)

 

 I know our people must make and find the time necessary to access and read a number of published texts including;

1. George Bunyan's History of British Guiana Teachers' Association (there are two publications),
2. Browne's History of Bagotville,
3. Dowden's our First Village, Ellis's History of Queenstown,
4. John Campbell's History of Policing in Guyana,
5. Wayne Jones' Prophet Wills,
6. And numerous articles published in the Historical Gazette and Guyana Review.

You will realize how much you did not know about British Guiana and the Guyanese people. You will also realize the truths you, the descendants, need to learn about yourselves. Thereby, you will pass on their knowledge to your descendants.

 

Perhaps, you will be able to identify a number of the persons mentioned above and/or their relatives - enjoy – God Bless our People every time, and everywhere.

 

 

A Peep into the Past - People of the Street Where This Man Resided at Nabaclis

Best Greetings!  Please take a few minutes to enlighten me and/or refresh my mind on the folks and correct and/or include any facts that were omitted herein. Share your knowledge of Nabaclis and its people – will you?

In the vicinity of the tamarind tree, were the Adonis family, the church, Simon family, and Machume – lord have mercy - what is his correct name? Cousin Dove resided at that residence. I spent numerous hours there with Lylith, Denise and Winston. In fact, Dummie the butcher had his butcher shop there. Dummie is a son of Mrs. Mackie. He is an uncle of the Lutchman family. Merle had her store there, too. When I met Merle, she had her business place next to the residence of my uncle Oswald which was located behind that of my aunt Elsa, there in Nabaclis. Merle would much later purchase the business place in which the Lam family ran their business at Golden Grove.

When I arrived at Nabaclis there was an old huge building at the Middle Walk four- corner, opposite Klein business place. Mr. Klein, I was told lost a portion of his leg (I can not remember which one) in an accident. It was as a result of from him frolicking. He was Jumping off a moving train. My mother asked him to relate his experiences to me. It was meant as a deterrent. thereby preventing me from having similar experiences. Mr. Klein willingly obliged. Before it was torn down Dummie ran his business out of a little shack next to the Public Road. I believe next to the Simon family was the Trotman family. He was a tailor. However, in the same street with Simon family, on that same side of the street, the next residence is that of the Adams family. My good brother Kemp Adams is a member of that family. The major family in that street for many years was the Gonslaves family. I believe they arrived in Nabaclis from Beterverwagting. Andrew Lutchman’s family resided next to the Gonslaves. The property of the family bordered the forty feet trench. The Maison family, which included Vil, Dawn and Paul, returned from the UK. Their parents built a refreshing home. they resided in front of Andrew Lutchman’s mother’s family. Another Maison family member also returned home. The family’s home was built in close proximity. It was at the public Road. 

Samuel Adams purchased the neighboring property. The transaction occurred, a few months prior to his death. An accident involving his donkey power vehicle. 

Daywah an indo-Guyanese was the proud owner of the next lot. I remember Daywah, now, quite fondly. He was the first person to address me as Lil Sancho. Man was he tough on me. I often wondered was he there to farm his land or to report my every infraction. 

Doreen Chin-A-Loy and her husband; Singh resided, towards the east of the street near the side line trench. My mother purchased the next lot in 1967. The previous owner is a Sancho. Her name is Isabelle “Bella” Benn. She is the Aunt of Dr. Barton Scotland, and seven others. Across from my mother’s residence was her childhood friend. She married Mr. Chin-A-Loy. Next to the Chin-A-Loy’s residence at the side line trench was the Kingston’s property. It strecthed from the Public Road to the street. Above the Chin-A-Loy’s residence was Alphonso’s Grocery Store and residence. In fact it was located at the Public Road. Mrs. Alphonso is an older sister of Mrs. Chin-A-Loy. They are Portuguese. They demanded I acted like a Sancho. I had no idea. they were referring to the Ancestor Bentick Sancho. Now, perhaps, it was a good thing I did not know of ole man Bentick Sancho in those days. I suffered enough. I was measured against Teacher Muriel Sancho’s, and other people’s expectations. How upon earth did they expect me to even begin to reflect a ray of a man of such a magnitude? I can, well, imagine the experiences, Lambert Tuckness Sancho endured in the shadow of his father, Bentick Sancho. Small wonder it is said, great grand father, Lammy Sancho, repeatedly sampled the bottled spirits. it is known. he explored the contours of several females. Thus he fathered a great many of the people of Sancho. I am told that number is twenty-two (22) children. I have managed to identify eighteen (18) of that number. 

I am told George Ross, and his sister Mariette Ross is the present owner of the property. George Ross resides there. It was upon that property I became afflicted with the aspirations of seeking the knowledge of myself. I became a Nabaclis man. I was often found liming at the tamarind tree. there with folks such as Ralph Moore, Cedric Hudson, Dooray Walcott, Papa Scraven, Pa Gatna, Pepe, Tayee, 42, Cuppie, Sue-bow, Cutta, Burchell Lutchman, Boots, Milo , Backlegg, and numerous others.

Mr. Henry, I refer to is Godfrey Henry. He was a policeman in those days. I think Godfrey Henry was then a Traffic Cop. Today, I have no respect for him, except that he is a descendant of Kingston of Nabaclis. I am not aware of the family which includes a Mr. Henry and a Portuguese wife. I have no recollection of Mrs. Smalls residing on the Public Road , Nabaclis.

I am aware of the family of Evan Valentine and Gwen Ralph. They are both cousins of mine. Valentine I am told is a Campbell family member. I know my dear mother cousin Gwen is a Sancho, her mother is a sister of my grand father; Papa Alex. Sancho.

I would really love to ascertain how Cousin Evan Valentine is descended from Campbell and therefore learn how he is related to my grandmother Rachel Campbell.