School for Destitute Children 1827

On the 4th May 1827, the Board of Governors for the school of white destitute children submitted a report to the Board of Council. They were attempting to find ways and means to deal with a larger number of children. At that point in time, the school provided boarding for some students but one of the proposals was to gradually abandon boarding and use the savings to clothe and feed more children who needed this […]

Hurricane damage 1924

In a year that has been good to us where hurricanes are concerned, let us not forget the devastation that they cause. Perhaps we should also note the difficulties arising out of their complete absence as well!!! Our photograph today was taken in 1924. We used the original negative which survived to make the print that we are sharing today. A hurricane hit St. Kitts and Nevis on the 28th and 29th August 1924, causing […]

Beach Party c.1930

The hot days we have been having in August are likely to persist during September. It’s a good time for the beach. So today we are sharing an image of a beach party from the 1930s or may be the 1940s. The persons in the image are all fully dressed so it was not a swimming party, and may be it was not such a hot day!

Manumission 1772

Thomas Crooke to his mother Grace – Manumission Saint Christopher Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Crooke of the Island of Saint Christopher free mulatto for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving have manumitted released and forever set free from Servitude and Slavery and by these presents do manumit release and forever set free from Servitude and Slavery my Mother who was formerly the property of John White late of […]

Madeirans 1856

In 1855, the St Kitts Legislature passed a law to encourage the immigration of agricultural workers. The first group arrived from Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago in the Northern Atlantic, in 1856 on the Barque Nautilus captained by Henry Laws. In England, a great deal more accountability was demanded in the aftermath of Emancipation and the new law included the creation of an Immigration Committee. This first report showed that 58 adults arrived in St. Kitts […]