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The story of Nottingham Estate is the story of the VI – Hon Penn

-The Nottinghams & Harriet Tubman among others remembered
July 26th, 2014 | Tags: Nottingham Harriet Tubman freed slaves
The remembrance activity was held last evening July 25, 2014 at the Stickett with a programme of songs of praise, poetry, dances, a skit, and presentations on the freed Nottingham slaves, reading of the letter which freed all the slaves and gifted them with the Nottingham Plantation, and a lot more. Photo: VINO
Mr Quincy Lettsome did some historic readings at the event held at the Stickett. Photo:VINO
Mr Quincy Lettsome did some historic readings at the event held at the Stickett. Photo:VINO
There was a large turnout for the event yesterday evening July 25, 2014 Photo: VINO
There was a large turnout for the event yesterday evening July 25, 2014 Photo: VINO
Persons paying rapt attention to the presentations. Photo: VINO
Persons paying rapt attention to the presentations. Photo: VINO
Persons browsing items on display. Photo: VINO
Persons browsing items on display. Photo: VINO
While others took to the stage with their messages of reflection and honouring of the lecacy of the forefathers that account for emancipation, Mr Bailey Penn circled the area with his message carried on his T-Shirt. Photo: VINO
While others took to the stage with their messages of reflection and honouring of the lecacy of the forefathers that account for emancipation, Mr Bailey Penn circled the area with his message carried on his T-Shirt. Photo: VINO
There were a number of performances at the event. Photo: VINO
There were a number of performances at the event. Photo: VINO
This young lady performed a dance, one of the many performances at the event. Photo: VINO
This young lady performed a dance, one of the many performances at the event. Photo: VINO
Children performing at the event. Photo: VINO
Children performing at the event. Photo: VINO
Some of the children who performed. Photo: VINO
Some of the children who performed. Photo: VINO
Another of the many presentations made. Photo: VINO
Another of the many presentations made. Photo: VINO
A deep reflection by this performer at the event. Photo: VINO
A deep reflection by this performer at the event. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience. In front row are Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience. In front row are Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn. Photo: VINO
EAST END/LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI – “The people of Nottingham have a legacy to be proud of, a legacy of a proud and resilient people, a legacy of strength and determination,” so declared Representative of the 8th District Honourable Marlon A. Penn as he delivered remarks at the East End/Long Look Festival of Culture and Praise.

The remembrance activity was held last evening July 25, 2014 at the Stickett with a programme of songs of praise, poetry, dances, a skit, and presentations on the freed Nottingham slaves, reading of the letter which freed all the slaves and gifted them with the Nottingham Plantation, and a lot more.

Most of the speakers of the evening reflected on the story of the people of Nottingham as they paid tribute to the heroes who fought long and hard for the freedom enjoyed today. “The story of the people of Nottingham is also a story of the people of the Virgin Islands, a story of a strong resilient and determined people…. Our ancestors worked and toiled in order to turn the Territory and economy into the modern state it is today," he added.

He challenged those present to get into the habit of soul searching and reflect on the qualities that make Virgin Islanders unique. “We must reflect on the challenges and sacrifices made by our ancestors and forge a path to a new and prosperous future for the people of the Territory,” he said, adding that this requires all working together.

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn recognized the importance of the Territory’s legacy. “The entire Virgin Islands should be proud of the great legacy given to us by our forefathers, the legacy of men and women who have built this community began with those same free slaves who…long before emancipation came to the Virgin Islands. As Virgin Islanders we should honour this great legacy,” challenged Hon Walwyn.

The activity saw a great turnout of youths of the two Districts, 7 and 8 and most of whom participated in some way or the other in making the programme a successful one. However noticeable among them all was one elderly citizen of the Long Look Community.

While others took to the stage with their messages of reflection and honouring of the legacy of the forefathers that fought for emancipation, Mr Bailey Penn circled the area with his message carried on his T-Shirt.

It brought to memory Ms Harriet Tubman. The T-Shirt read, “I freed a thousand slaves, I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”

Telling of the story of Harriet Tubman Mr Penn reflected the history books telling that she led 300 slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad and she made a difference in the lives of present day Virgin Islanders.

She was born on 1821 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She died in 1913.

Harriet's mother was a slave. She belonged to Edward Brodas. They had to work on a plantation and they had to plant food. One day Harriet was sent away to another owner. Her name was Ms. Susan. One day Harriet was cleaning she saw a bowl of sugar cubes she took one.

Ms. Susan saw her take one so she took out her whip and Harriet was beaten. Then Ms. Susan sent Harriet back to Mr. Brodas. The next day Harriet went into a store. A metal weight hit her in the head. She was almost killed. She had a deep cut in her head. After the accident Harriet thanked God. What was important about her was that she led 300 people to freedom including her family.

She was called the Moses of her people. If Harriet had not been born, the people that were slaves would not be free because Harriet would not have been there to take them to freedom. Slaves gave thanks for Harriet!

But closer to home is the story of the Nottinghams who were responsible to a greater extent for Long Look Estate, an estate in East End, Tortola, Virgin Islands which is the oldest free black estates in the Western world.

In 1776 one Samuel Nottingham, a Quaker, manumitted 25 slaves and gave to them 50 acres (200,000 m2) of land in Long Look in Tortola and directed them to cultivate it for the common good.

A report made in 1823 by one John Dougan states "So quiet and retired had these Persons lived there, that although I have been for many years residing in the Island, yet I derived no knowledge of the Situation and Circumstances regarding these People..."

At the time of Dougan's report, the population of the estate had swollen to 43. He further reported that "Not one of them is in debt, and their Property is free from all Encumbrance That 12 of the grown up Persons are admitted Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, and with their Children attend regularly the Methodist Chapel at the East End of the Island... since their Emancipation to the present Day none of them have been sued in Court, or brought before a Magistrate to answer a complaint against them. One of them once obtained a Warrant against a Person who had assaulted him, who begging his Pardon, He forgave Him."

In 2002 the Virgin Islands legislature passed laws which required residents of the estate to sell their land to other residents of the estate if they were prepared to pay the same price, to preserve the cultural heritage of the area. The measure was not universally popular, as it made it more difficult for land-owning families in the area to sell their property, but it is nonetheless thought to be an important step in securing the historical legacy of the Territory.

The freed slaves (as was common at the time) took the surname of their last owners, and went by the family name of Nottingham. Although many other former slave owner's descendants are still well represented within the Territory, by the twenty first century no Nottinghams appeared on the voter's roll or in the telephone directory.

17 Responses to “The story of Nottingham Estate is the story of the VI – Hon Penn”

  • Yes (26/07/2014, 09:50) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    3 blind mice in the bottom photo
    • @ lol (26/07/2014, 11:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Well said about the photo
    • clinton Lettsome (23/07/2021, 17:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      My Name is Clinton Lettsome, son of Rosald and smay Lettsome of East End Tortola. I am retied single father of three. I have offen though of my family history. in the last year I have look into my famly history, what I have found has change me. I have a rich history of people and legacy of the Lettsome. At age 64 I plan to return to New York University to finish i should finish 30 years ago, I have red history of Nottingham plantation and have learn that one of ladys of 25 emancipated slave married a Lettsome. Is it possible you could help me or stair me in the right direction to find out more. I was christen in East End Methodist Church

      Your Truly: Clinton Lettsome
  • aasss (26/07/2014, 11:02) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    We still going vote the ndp out!
  • pat (26/07/2014, 12:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    this kind of history should be told more often. It not only educates others to historical areas but creates pride in those involved. I am pleasantly surprised that the government had the foresight to protect the historic nature of this area, a practice that other areas should look at. If you make a place desirable enough, properties will maintain their values.
    I also would like to see perhaps a history column in the paper "then and now" with historic photos of areas and what it looks like now to remind people what is being lost if not developed correctly or with sensitivity.
    • @ pat (26/07/2014, 22:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well stated and thank u for sharing.
    • facts man (27/07/2014, 13:33) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Of the 25 slaves who were freed by Samuel and Mary Nottingham, it appears that only 2 or 3 women had children (mainly daughters). These children married a (Jack) Potter, (Jaspar) Rabsatt and (Jeffery) Pickering. Their children subsequently married Stouts, Thomases (or Tomaws), Gordons, Lettsomes, etc. The name Nottingham was lost through marriage but the descendants of the Nottingham Free People are still here in Long Look and the surrounding communities.
      Their heritage is rich and vibrant and needs to further researched and their story told.
      • to facts man (27/07/2014, 17:54) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
        If you do your research you would know that Tomaws and Thomas are two different breed of families.
        • facts man (27/07/2014, 20:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
          I have done my research and I know. You and I may know the difference but not a lot of other people know, that is why I mentioned both names. As in Letetia's geneaology book on the Thomas families, Thomas has now become the official spelling for the Tomaws.
      • Child of Nottingham (16/11/2014, 07:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        I am a Potter descendant born and living on St. Thomas... but my roots are buried deep in Tortola. I am a descendant of the Potter, Mulkere (Mulcare), Lettsome, Malone, George (Tortola/Virgin Gorda), O'Neal and Vanterpool (VG) and Leonard (Salt Island) families of the BVI.

        I have been working on my family tree for many years. I am very much interested in the history of Greenland/Nottingham Estate and the freed slaves that lived there. I know my ancestors are from there. Today my Potter family still lives there.

        My email address is MonifaMarrero at yahoo.com for anyone that would like to reach me.
  • Bias (26/07/2014, 13:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    How you plan to take them out, with the PIP, PEP, VIP, PEEP, PPP or POOP?
  • overseas (26/07/2014, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is Dr pick
  • ooooo (27/07/2014, 01:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    where ws the cuban, oil nut?
  • Tired (27/07/2014, 16:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is time for these politicians to look at the Virgin Islands as a whole and stop nit picking little bits and pieces. When will the politicians from the east stop trying to do what is done in the cap ital. Step out of the box.
  • cay (27/07/2014, 23:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    What Castro fought against in Cuba in his revolution THE bvi NEEDS A castro


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