User:Sterlingsm/sandbox

The Company Villages of Trinidad and Tobago The Company Villages refers to settlements of disbanded black American soldiers in the areas on the south and east of Princes Town in 1816.These soldiers were members of the 3rd Battalion of Royal and Colonial Mariners who fought for the British against the Americans in the War of 1812 in America.They were promised freedom by the British at the end of this war but the British lost and choose instead to send the soldiers to Trinidad.Six groups or "companies" were sent to Trinidad and arrived in August 1816.The head of each family was given 16 acres of land.The descendants of these soldiers are still referred today as "Merikens" which is a corruption of A-merican. First Company occupied the area previously known as "Grant" and included villages such as La Cabee,La Retreat and La Resource.When the population grew and more land was needed for sugar cane cultivation,the villages applied and were given new lands contiguos to the old and the new area was called New Grant.Today this area is known as New Grant and Hindustan. Second Company was settled in the area known now as Matilda.This was never called "Second Company" since the prevailing opinion then was that this Company was lost at sea and never reached Trinidad.The genesis of this belief was the sinking of the HMS Dromedary in the Bocas in June 1800.This ship was carrying the 2nd West India Regiment which was,coincidentally black. Third Company was located in modern day Indian Walk.This area is so called because it was the main trail for Guara-joons Indians who landed from Venezuela at Moruga to Princes Town.Petit Cafe derived its name from wooden trays on boxes,benches,baskets displaying food for sale. Fourth Company occupied Hardbargain and Williamsville [known then as SherringVille].The name "Hardbargain",like New Grant,has a history.According to the oral history then,the name was derived from the difficult job of early settlers bartering their wives for horses to use on the land. Fifth Company still exists today and occupies an area off Moruga Road and Lengua Village. Sixth Company lies to the east of Moruga Road and Matilda Junction. Sources: Kasala Kamara-Meriken descendant-kasalakamara@yahoo.com The Saga of the Companies by A.B.Huggins-3rd Revised Edition-to be published to mark the 200th anniversary.