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

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 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

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

Children performing at the event. Photo: VINO

Some of the children who performed. Photo: VINO

Another of the many presentations made. 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

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.