Excerpts from Letters of

Governor John Wentworth

Letter to the Duke of Portland, July 23, 1796
“... an arrangement has been concerted with His Royal Highness Prince Edward to relieve the Maroons from their confinement on board ship, by employing them, voluntarily as labourers on the fortifications erecting here … provisions, lodging & clothing being found them, the proposed pay is adequate, and the whole will be comfortable to them, a saving made in transport time and labour. Probably about one hundred and fifty men will engage, and thereby release some of the inhabitants to assist in the harvests, and other civil occupations ...”

Letter to the Duke of Portland, August 13, 1796
“The disembarkation of the Maroons has probably kept them from an infection that has since appeared with virulence on board the Dover transport – but is now checked by landing the Seamen on the opposite side of the harbour, entirely cleansing and purifying the ship which is now preparing to be sent for the accommodations of Lord Dorchester and his family ...”
“The Maroons are now lodged about two miles from this town, with tolerable convenience to themselves, separate from the inhabitants, and well supplied with provisions and such clothing as is most immediately necessary, and to be procured here ...”

“These gentlemen [Quarrell and Ochterloney, who accompanied the Maroons to Halifax from Jamaica] are exceedingly interested in behalf of the Maroons – judicious, discreet, prudent and attentive to everything that may promote their welfare. By my advice and information they purchase several estates within five miles of the town wherever there are houses, and lands cleared for cultivation, which with eight or ten more, which we can erect immediately ...”

“I have recommended to begin removing some families, on to their respective habitations, and intend to have the whole of them settled by Michaelmas- by which means they will be prepared to cultivate their lands to effect the next year. This estate bounds on one end, upon a pleasant fishing harbour, where fish may be easily caught everyday in the year, of the best kinds, and seventeen different (forts?). These people express great delight in the Country, and the prospect of being settled in it.”

“In addition to the lands purchased, there is a tract of land containing about 16 to 18 acres granted many years since, but yet wholly unoccupied nor any cultivation on it, therefore subject to be Escheated, and if it should be His Majesty’s pleasure to grant it to the Maroons, would suffice to settle all their children as they grow up, and more particularly to their happiness, as it is within four miles of their farms.”

Letter to Messrs Milligan and Mitchell, August 15, 1796
“... the Maroons lately arrived here from that Island, having advised me on that subject, I have recommended certain measures which they will communicate to you, among others that certain articles should be important for the life of the maroons with all possible dispatch ...”

“The Maroons are in perfect health, very peaceable, orderly, and extremely inoffensive and highly delighted with this country. They will be comfortably settled in warm convenient houses on their own farms with sufficient land cleared for their next years cultivation ...”

Letter to Mr. J. Eginton, August 15, 1796
“A settlement of Maroons being contemplated in this Province under my advice and influence, for whose use sundry articles are immediately wanted ...”

Letter to George Hammond, Esq., August 16, 1796
“You will have heard of the Maroons being sent here from Jamaica – I have not a doubt of rendering them happy, good and useful subjects. They are delighted with the Country, have full confidence in me, can do us no harm, nor do they seem disposed to evil. About 50 of them sleep in my Outhouse at the farm, where I am often without a sentry or even locking door or window. I hope by Michaelmas to have them comfortably settled in good habitations on separate farms within 5 miles of Halifax, on the Dartmouth side, near to each other – good land, and cleared to give them competent crops next year ...”

Public Archives of Nova Scotia
RG1, Vols. 51, 51, 52 (mfm no. 15238)

Timeline

The Early 19th Century:

The Africville Genealogy Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage for this project.
Material used in this website is from various public and private sources whom maintain their resepctive copyrights.
ⓒ 2010 Africville Genealogy Society. All Rights Reserved.