In 1865, 346 blacks from Barbados immigrated to Liberia, does anyone have a list or source of one? Ann "Sharing the information." Researching the USVI, St.Eustatius, St. Barths, Barbados _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

Ann: there is someone in Barbados who is researching the Barbadian families who left for Liberia, but I have not been in touch with her for some time. In the past I have worked with her on researching some of those families, but I do not have a complete list of the names of all those who returned to Africa; however she probably does (I know she has actually met some of the Liberian descendants), so I shall try to contact her and find out as she is not on this List, and I wouldn't want to name her without her permission. I shall let you know if and when I find out more. Ernest Ernest M. Wiltshire Friends of the Barbados Archives 38 Inglewood Place, Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Y 4C7 -----Original Message----- From: Ann Whiting [mailto:aqw8326@hotmail.com] Subject: Reverse Immigration In 1865, 346 blacks from Barbados immigrated to Liberia, does anyone have a list or source of one? Ann

On 7/5/03 5:23 PM, "Ann Whiting" wrote: > In 1865, 346 blacks from Barbados immigrated to Liberia, does anyone have a > list or source of one? > Ann Hi Ann/List The family, from this group of immigrants, that was to become one of the most successful and influential in steering that country through some (other) troubled times were the Barclays. The Barclays immigrated from Bridgetown, Barbados in 1865 and the father died that same year leaving the mother (and the close knit West Indian community) to support and take care of the family. I've forwarded a copy of your email to the family historian just in case he would like to join this thread. Unfortunately I've loaned out what books I have that specifically deals with the "Barclay boys" (Arthur and Ernest, and Ernest' now famous son Edwin) monumental contribution to black history in general and Liberia in particular. As soon as I get them back I'll provide additional postings. From memory I recall that two brothers Arthur (1854-1938) and Ernest (1847-1894) Barclay served under Liberia's President Cheesseman: Arthur as Secretary of Treasury and Ernest as Secretary of State. Following in his father's footsteps Edwin Barclay (1882-1955) also served as Secretary of State (1920-30) under President King. I've summarized some information on the Barclays from the only source I currently have below: Burrowes, Ph. D. Carl Patrick. (1994) Press Freedom in Liberia, 1830-1970: The impact of modernity, ethnicity and power imbalances on government-press relations. Temple University. 1923 began one of the most trying period of Liberia's constitutional rule as Africa's first (and then only) Republic. At the time there was enormous political and economic tension brought on because of white (Firestone) control of the major sectors of the government, massive black immigration for which the government was not adequately prepared, and issues (and battles) relating to the incorporation of indigenous relations. In 1929 Thomas Faulkner (a People's Party candidate against King) charged the King administration with voters fraud and forced labor procurement. This led to a League of Nations investigation. Faced with the possibility of US or the League establishing a mandate over Liberia (effectively placing the entire government under US/European control) Liberians called for King's resignation. On October of 1930 King and his vice president tendered their resignation to the legislature. The legislature accepted their resignation and immediately swore in Edwin Barclay as Liberia's 18th President (1930-1944). Edwin completed King's term and was elected to his own term as President in 1931. As president, Edwin Barclay survived numerous colonial attempts to take over the country (including a outright conquest by France and a Firestone backed coup), and is credited by historians as saving Liberia's sovereignty through the 1980s. One interesting side note. In a recent documentary covering Liberia's recent slide into chaos, there is a portion of the film that shows hundreds of Liberians fleeing the on going fighting in vessels headed for Ghana. As the ships head out to sea the displaced nationals (men, women and children) burst out singing "The Lone Star, Forever" -- a song written over a hundred years ago by a then 19 year old Edwin Barclay. Earl -- Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.