Скачать с ютуб AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARRIVAL IN TRINIDAD... THE MERIKINS в хорошем качестве

AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARRIVAL IN TRINIDAD... THE MERIKINS

August 20th, 1816— a new group of immigrants arrived in Trinidad: Merikin African-Americans. caribbeaninsighttv.com Virtual Museum is a collection of cultural documentaries demonstrating the history of West Indians. August 20th, 1816— a new group of immigrants arrived in Trinidad: Merikin African-Americans. This group of people were formerly enslaved people who originated from Georgia, Maryland, and the Virginia areas close to the Atlantic seaboard of the United States of America. These ex-enslaved had obtained their freedom, and it is said that they were part of the Underground Railroad system which operated to help free other enslaved persons. During the War of 1812, the British tried to regain control of the newly independent American colonies. The Brits recruited ex-slaves in batches or battalions of six companies as part of the war effort. The recruited men became known as the Corps of Colonial Marines, known for their bravery, discipline, expertise in guerrilla warfare, and their knowledge of local American conditions. The American soldiers feared the Merikins more than their European counterparts. However, the British lost the war and it was impossible for Merikins to remain on American soil. At the time, slavery was alive and vibrant in the American south. Giving ammunition to a black man, even during wartime, was unheard of and unacceptable. The British had to find somewhere to house the members of the Corps of Colonial Marines. Trinidad at that time was a newly acquired British territory. In fact, we had been under British rule for less than 20 years. The then Governor, Ralph Woodford, was anxious to see the more remote parts of the island developed through settlement. South Trinidad had vast amounts of virgin territory and the Governor made the British colonial administration aware of this reality. The Corps of Colonial Marines and their families were offered relocation to Trinidad. They were further offered 16 acres of land per head of each household as payment for services rendered in war. This 16 acres of land, blood land as it is sometimes referred to, were given to them and their heirs in perpetuity. The Merikins arrived in Trinidad on August 30th, 1816, in six companies, in the same manner in which they had been recruited, and they settled along the Moruga road and the outskirts of Princes Town. First Company was settled in Hindustan. The Second Company settled in Petit Café. This holding included 16 acres owned by Ma Mathilda, a fellow Merikin. She allowed Warahoon Indians from Venezuela who landed in Gran Chemin and were journeying to Mission, now called Princes Town, to pass through her land, thus reducing the distance. Third Company was settled in the Indian Walk area; Fourth Company was settled in Hard Bargain, Williamsville, and the New Grant areas. Fifth and Sixth Companies retained their original names. Pleased to be masters of their own destiny, these ex-slaves, ex-soldiers of Corps of Colonial Marines, settled down to life in Trinidad during the era of slavery. They brought their skills, their legacy of hard work and the Baptist religion to these parts and so their communities revolved around their churches. This group showed resilience and ingenuity, despite being placed in a foreign, inhospitable environment. ARCHIVAL MATERIALS Courtesy of CITV library Courtesy of NORYON PRODUCTION Courtesy of CLIFTON HOLLIS TV TV ARCHIVE & RIGHTS MANAGER Jeffery Selvon ARCHIVE & RIGHTS CONSULTANT Carla Parris CONTACT: [email protected] Subscribe on YouTube    / citvcaribbeaninsighttelevision   Subscribe on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Subscribe on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en CHAPTERS 0:15:58 0:35:43 0:50:22 CARIBBEAN INSIGHT TV is a Production of NORYOV, which is solely responsible for it's content. © 2018 CITV CULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING SERVING THE UNDERSERVED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CITV would like to thanks viewers for their support. Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; ; TTT; CNC3; BBC; ADVANCE DYNAMICS; MAJOR&MINOR PRODUCTIONS; TV 6 VIDEO LIBRARY; Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; MAJOR&MINOR PRODUCTIONS; TV 6 VIDEO LIBRARY; These Afro-American settlers and their descendants became known as Merikins, the shortened form of “I’m American”. Their history is part of our heritage. Source: Presentation by Lisa Atwater, Trustee, Merikins Incorporated Ltd, to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament on Land and Physical Infrastructure, in April 2016. Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; TTT; CNC3; BBC; TV 6 VIDEO LIBRARY; AP TRINIDAD; TRINIDAD NTIONAL ARCHIVE; TRUEVISION; HOLLIS CLIFTON VIDEO PRODUCTION