..... 210 Appendix 1: Colonial Documents: Of Indentureship & Slavery Pooran Bridgelal Pooran Bridgelal is currently a 3 rd year student at the University of Toronto. He lives in Toronto with his wife Judy and his son Levi. He is a collector of rare books and maps on the West Indies. “As a Trinidadian living here in Toronto, one can become lost in urban life. I decided to submit this information in the hope of memory. Our forefathers and foremothers were forced and cajoled to journey to the West Indies. Even though they were uprooted from their lives, they made new ones. I am of the firm belief that in order to know where you are going, you need to understand where you came from. This brief account of the history of our peoples is only a drop in the ocean waiting to be told by us.” *The raw information submitted here is from Pooran’s personal collection. On the 26th June 1851 the ship “Zenobia” sailed from British Guiana to India with 305 East Indian immigrants. There were 148 males, 33 females, 28 children and 1 infant; a total of 210 individuals for the region Bengal. There were also 65 males, 21 females, 8 children and 1 infant; a total of 95 individuals for the region Madras. On the 9th November 1851 the ship “Zenobia” reached Madras. Upon reaching Madras it stayed there for a period of 11 days and then embarked for Calcutta arriving on 23rd December 1851. In a report given by the Emigration Agent T. Caird he stated that the “Coolies” were not given a good supply of water and provisions. The “Coolies” complained due to the lack of water, they had to use salt water together with fresh water for cooking their rice. The surgeon who was sent on board the Zenobia never offered any assistance to them. They had to rely upon the goodwill of the third officer of the ship who helped them whenever he saw fit. Scurvy broke out on the ship and led to deaths, see Table 1. POORAN BRIDGELAL | APPENDIX 1 - OF INDENTURESHIP & SLAVERY 211 Questions put forward to the Emigrants on board the ship Zenobia, by A. Rogers, the Assistant Protector: Q: How have you been treated on board? A: We have been well treated on the ship. Q: Have you had enough khana and water? A: Plenty of both. Q: When sick were you carefully attended to? A: Yes, but we did not trust the doctor, we preferred medicine given by the captain. Q: Have you read the Benaglee papers I gave you on coming on board, warning you not to take cash with you to your homes, and that there are a number of thieves about Calcutta and upon the roads. The government will give you hoondies on the collectors of your zillahs for any amount, from 10 rupees to as many thousands; you should take these, and then you are safe. A: Most of them said they wanted to take hoondies. Q: I will get them for you free of all charge. On landing, you should all go to the derah from whence you embarked; you will get free quarters there, and your property will be safe. In the bazaars you are sure to be robbed, and perhaps murdered. I will send peons to take you to the derah safely. A: Most of the people agreed to go to the depot. Q: How were you treated in Demerara? A: We were treated well. Q: What wages could you earn? A: From 6 to 14 annas per day. Sirdars got more. Q: Was you work harder than here? CARIBBEAN QUILT | 2012 212 A: The work was very hard. People here do not understand how to work. Q: Were you paid by the month or week? A: We generally work sicca, but Sirdars got more. Q: Were you paid regularly? A: Yes, always in hand. Q: Were provisions high? A: Yes, very high; a bag of rice sometimes six dollars; now is cheaper. Q: Had you good houses? A: Yes, very much better than here. Q: How did you like the climate? A: It is very good, sometimes plenty rain. Q: Were you beaten or ill-used? A: No, no one can beat us in Demerara. Q: Did you suffer cold on the passage back? A: Some who had no clothes did, but the rest did not. Q: Had you medical attendance on Demerara? A: Yes, and hospitals where we might go to and not pay anything. Q: What sickness did you suffer from? A: Like this country, only more sort, the chego, which is very bad. Q: Were active cleanly men attacked by the chego? A: Not so much, but everyone gets it. POORAN BRIDGELAL | APPENDIX 1 - OF INDENTURESHIP & SLAVERY 213 Q: When any dies who takes their money and property? A: The magistrate generally takes all. Q: Most of you have brought dollars. I will send an honest poddar to the derah to exchange them for rupees; if you go to the bazaar to change them you will be cheated. Most of you speak English. Were there schools for you at Demerara? A: We all speak a little English; two men read and write it. There is a very good school in George Town for our children, made by the sahibs. CARIBBEAN QUILT | 2012 214 GUYANA: Table 1: Deceased Bengal emigrants occurring on the ship “Zenobia,” upon leaving Guyana to India Names Father’s Name Age Caste Zillah Village Beehurry Kalmurry 30 Tatara Sahebgunge Serampore Sam Sing Luttoo 40 Bhuria - Lohardauga Chumun Bourbul 30 Cahar Sahebguago Ackepore Luchmum Sing Aadun Sing 38 Rajpoot Arrah Domrow Salar Bocus Huster 70 Mussul man Arrah Doodkotaw Popee Bhoja 70 Dhooby Farrackubad Seewnee Mouaka Dookhoo 23 Bhoonij Ranchee Gurabur Dewkee Gookhool 34 Bildar Sahebguago Hutsa Assoo Foyzoo 70 Mussul man Poorcollo Capista Mua Dhun Gobin 50 Khayra Midanpore Gooree Goulab Gundhur ab 48 Coorme e Patna Mohameedpor e Chutrun Dary Ganga Pursad - Rajpoot Lucknow Gourapore Moniar Terah 65 Dooand Patna Nowda Sacker Sing Ballyo 23 Sohur Bansoorah Koralee Bisso Nath Mooadub 72 Gunjoe Hasareebagh Mundo Narain Lall Sing 48 Rupoot Nagpore Ramdick *Zillah is a District POORAN BRIDGELAL | APPENDIX 1 - OF INDENTURESHIP & SLAVERY 215 Table 2: The “tally” of those onboard the ship “Candahar” which arrived at the Port of Georgetown, Guyana on the 27 th April 1848, 106 days from Madras Emigrants Men Women Boys Girls Infants Total M F Embarked on Jan 1848 217 66 16 17 3 1 320 Died on voyage 11 5 2 2 - 1 21 Born on voyage - - - - - 2 2 Arrived in port 206 61 14 15 3 - 299 For hospital 19 10 1 1 2 - 33 For immediate distribution 187 51 13 14 1 - 266 There had been a great deal of sickness during the voyage, and the people when they arrived in port, were suffering severely from scurvy, of which three diseased persons died in the harbour; 21 deaths had occurred on the voyage and in port; 33 were sent to the hospital; the remainder were distributed to five estates on the East Coast. CARIBBEAN QUILT | 2012 216 Figure 1: General Remarks on Surgeon’s Diary and Journal Regarding the Candahar. “The surgeon on board reports the loss of his daily medical journal immediately previous to coming to anchor in Demerara. After a delay of six days I have been furnished with his weekly abstract and diary. Up to the arrival of the ship at St. Helena there had only been four deaths; but after that, scurvy broke out and the mortality became very considerable. The appearance of this disease on board may be attributed to the decomposition of two-thirds of the onions very soon after leaving Madras, the unfavourable weather in the latter part of the voyage, and partly, and also, to the great length of the voyage, 106 days, being the longest passage of any of the Cooly ships hitherto to this colony. The great majority of people arrive more or less tainted with scurvy. The worst cases have been sent to the colonial-hospital; all the others were ordered a mess of fresh meat and vegetables. Provisions all good, and in abundance, except the fish, none of which remains. Water good. Vessel in every way well adapted for emigrants.” John M. Johnstone, Health Officer. POORAN BRIDGELAL | APPENDIX 1 - OF INDENTURESHIP & SLAVERY 217 Table 3: Death List onboard the Candahar Name Age Disease Days Sick Date of death M F Parasaramu 25 Dysentery 12 25 January Chintooma 3 1/2 Scorfula 22 18 February Madaramacum 3 Dysentery 13 28 February Raymon 28 Rupture of aorta 1 ½ hour 7 March Nutchemuta 25 Dysentery 2 16th March, jumped overboard Carumuna 16 - 1 30 March Mikey 28 - 1 30 March Unknown - 9mths Inanition - 4 April Riape 28 - Scurvy - 7 April Jandrum 15 - - - 7 April Murutama - 40 Dysentery 15 11 April Bassona 28 - Hydrothorax 13 13 April Carrupi - 9mths. Inanition - 15 April Carmuche - 23 Scurvy 11 19 April Rangusuani 45 - - - 21 April Mootomay 22 - Aneurism 6 hours 22 April Maradie - 25 Mortification - 25 April Ramsuany 30 - Scurvy 2 28 April Paranei - 22 - 15 28 April Aurie - 18 - 22 28 April Doorasawnie 9mths. Inanition - 30 April Mother`s Name Sex Date of Birth Result Arrii Male 20 March Child died same day Valiei Male 23 April Child still-born. CARIBBEAN QUILT | 2012 218 Table 4: List of slave population of the District of Demarary and Essequebo, of the colony of British Guiana, from the year 1817 to 1832 Year Registered Males African Creole Females African Creole TOTAL 31st May 1817 27, 725 17,046 15,499 17,893 77,163 31st May 1820 24, 658 18,569 14,471 19,678 77,376 31st May 1823 21,767 19,457 13,005 20,748 74,977 31st May 1826 18,898 19,860 11,592 21,032 71,382 31st May 1829 16,384 20,757 10,343 21,983 69,467 31st May 1832 13,519 20,830 9,052 22,116 65,517 BARBADOS: Table 5: Return of slaves escheated to the Crown in the island of Barbados, from Jan 1 st 1808 Date Name of Slave Sex Vessel Imported From 3/01/1830 Jane Edant Female Amelia Trinidad 3/01/1830 Rosannah Female Amelia Trinidad 3/01/1830 Sophia La Grenade Female Amelia Trinidad 3/01/1830 Peter Male Pegasus Bermuda 4/03/1830 Lindo Male Industry Barbados 5/06/1830 John Male Perseverance Antigua 5/08/1830 Bashey Male Eliza Pratt Barbados 6/03/1830 Maria Female Caroline Tobago 6/19/1830 James Male Concord Trinidad 7/01/1830 Quamina Male James & Margaret St. Christopher 7/01/1830 Celia Female James & Margaret St. Christopher POORAN BRIDGELAL | APPENDIX 1 - OF INDENTURESHIP & SLAVERY 219 7/01/1830 Betsy Female James & Margaret St. Christopher GRENADA: Table 6: An account of slaves “imported” and “exported” into and from the Port of St. George, Grenada, from 1 st January 1825 – 5 th July 1830 Date Name of Slave Sex Vessel Imported From Mar/01/1830 Jane Edant Female Amelia Trinidad Mar/01/1830 Rosannah Female Amelia Trinidad Mar/01/1830 Sophia La Grenade Female Amelia Trinidad Mar/01/1830 Peter Male Pegasus Bermuda April/03/1830 Lindo Male Industry Barbados May/06/1830 John Male Perseverance Antigua May/08/1830 Bashey Male Eliza Pratt Barbados June/03/1830 Maria Female Caroline Tobago June/19/1830 James Male Concord Trinidad July/01/1830 Quamina Male James & Margaret St. Christopher July/01/1830 Celia Female James & Margaret St. Christopher July/01/1830 Betsy Female James & Margaret St. Christopher “Imported” CARIBBEAN QUILT | 2012 220 Date Name of Slave Sex Vessel Exported to Feb/13/1830 Malvina Female Amelia Trinidad Feb/16/1830 Timothy Male Sir John Thomas Duckworth Trinidad Feb/16/1830 Alick Male Sir John Thomas Duckworth Trinidad Feb/18/1830 Lindo Male Isabella St. Christopher Feb/23/1830 Bob Male Robert Barbados Feb/23/1830 Desir Male Robert Barbados Mar/04/1830 Peter Male Pigwidgeon St.Vincent May/29/1830 Bashey Male Lady of the Isle St. Vincent June/18/1830 Clara Female Flora St. Vincent July/15/1830 Bob Male Lady Adventurer St. Lucia Table 7: “Exported”