To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.

The Nidhe Israel Synagogue & Museum - Barbados A personal perspective The history of my family and that of many other families seems to be intertwined in one way or another with religion. My family history includes Presbyterian ancestors in Madeira fleeing to Trinidad and Jewish ancestors in Portugal fleeing to Amsterdam and beyond because of religious persecution. In the heart of the city of Bridgetown, the bustling capital of Barbados, there lies a quiet and peaceful sanctuary. It bears living testimony to the people whose daily lives revolved within and around its surrounding walls starting in the mid-17th century. Within those ancient walls I imagine the social gatherings over the decades - people from far away countries, perhaps describing their journeys in ships that brought them from Europe and other lands. It is where they prayed, where their families gathered and practised the traditions of their homeland and rituals of their faith as best they could. They were the Sephardim - Jewish men and women originating in the Iberian Peninsular. Fearful of the terrible Portuguese Inquisition, they had landed in Barbados to start a new life where they felt safe. There they could own property, trade globally, and live outside of ghettos. They were some of the earliest settlers in the island. On entering this beautifully maintained urban space recently, I was transported by what I can only describe as a feeling of poignant ancestral heritage. The intense emotion surprised me. It felt like an oasis for thoughtful reflection. For it is here that part of my European roots were transplanted in the island in the 19th century. Roots that originated in Portugal, ancestors who had immigrated to Amsterdam, London, Suriname and finally to Barbados. These ancestors of mine were active in the affairs of this small but historically significant Sephardi community. I sat alone in the synagogue and looked up and all around, taking in the meticulously preserved details. It reminded me of the Esnoga - The Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam that I'd visited - yet this one felt more intimate. I learned for the first time that Jewish women had their own entrance to the synagogue located at the back of the building. An impressive dual staircase leads to the mezzanine balcony of the synagogue from which they prayed, overlooking their menfolk. Their roles in the community were defined. The Mikvah where they had their ritual bath, was supervised by one of my kin - Mrs. Lobo - who also lived within the compound. My ancestral women taught the island's Sephardic Jewish youth within this historic compound. I imagine that in addition to strict religious studies, children (especially boys as they approached their Bar Mitzvah) were taught the practical skills needed to survive in the colonial British West Indies, which often included arithmetic, English literacy, and bookkeeping. Their fathers were merchants and traders in nearby Swan Street, where they lived and operated their business. My family ceased belonging to the Jewish faith in 1870 when my great-great grandfather, Daniel Lobo, raised in this tight-knit Sephardic community, married a Christian woman. Daniel was the great-grandson of the Chief Rabbi at London's Bevis Marks, Haham Moses Cohen D'Azevedo. I thought of the enormity of that as I sat pondering with the knowledge I'd gained about my ancestors. Still, the names of our people remain etched in the Jewish history of those times. Lobo, Azevedo, Lindo, Finzi, Daniels - are all recorded in the sacred Minute Books. The first Sephardim to arrive in Barbados built the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, consecrated in 1654. After it was destroyed by a fierce hurricane in 1831, my ancestors were instrumental in the rebuilding of their place of worship. They would most certainly have attended the ceremony on 29 March 1833, described in the Introduction of Shilstone's historic book: "About three of the clock on a bright and sunny afternoon in the month of March, 1833, the people of the Hebrew Nation in Bridgetown, Barbados, commenced to assemble in the courts and avenues of their Synagogue, and in the course of an hour, they were joined by a number of the most respectable inhabitants, and ladies of grace, fashion and beauty (admitted to the galleries) to witness the interesting and impressive ceremony before them. "It was a day that would ever stand eminently distinguished in the annals of the Hebrew community of the town", prophesied the editor of the Barbados Globe. The occasion was the consecration of the new Synagogue, built to replace a former building on the same site within whose hallowed walls, for possibly two centuries they had long been accustomed to assemble and chaunt a solemn worship in an ancient tongue, with ceremonials and religious observances that constantly re-animated their high enthusiasm into holy joy". The former synagogue, like so many of the churches of the island, had been so shattered by the calamitous hurricane of 1831, that it was found necessary to raze it altogether to its very foundations. Through the liberality of their community, the indefatigable exertion of the leading members, and the unwearied zeal of a select committee of their body, this remnant of the ancient congregation, Nidhe Israel - "the dispersed of Israel", had provided a new structure of exquisite taste and chaste design, for the exercise of their faith and worship." Much has been written by historians and scholars about the diminished Jewish community and tragic demise and deconsecration of the ancient synagogue in the thirties. I think desecration more aptly describes what was done. But around that time came hope for the congregation. A new wave of Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi persecution in the lead-up to World War ll arrived on the island from Eastern Europe. They were the first Ashkenazi Jewish settlers in Barbados. It is thanks to them and their offspring, together with two important Barbadian statesmen, that the magnificent Synagogue, Mikvah, surrounding buildings and sacred burial grounds have been preserved. In addition, the rich history of the Jews' contribution to the island of Barbados is beautifully told in their very own museum within the compound. The rescue and restoration of the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, stands today as a monumental achievement born out of an unusual alignment of political will. The site was ultimately saved through the collective decisions of The Rt. Hon. Tom Adams, QC and The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, PC QC - the first two prime ministers of independent Barbados. Remarkably, both statesmen shared distinct and deeply personal Jewish connections that may well have influenced this important historic preservation. Prime Minister Tom Adams The Turnaround and Personal Ties In 1980, the administration of Prime Minister Tom Adams originally scheduled the abandoned synagogue building for demolition to clear space for a new Supreme Court complex. However, a passionate local and international campaign, spearheaded by Barbadian-Jewish businessman Sir Paul Altman , successfully changed his mind. Sir Paul's grandfather Moshe Altman and his family were the first of the Ashkenazi Jews to arrive in Barbados from Poland. When presented with historical photographs of the synagogue’s former interior, Adams immediately recognized its immense cultural value. He famously promised Mr. Altman, "If you can find the money to restore this building to its former state as a synagogue, the government will hand it to you." The money was raised and, true to his word, Adams facilitated the land transfer and backed a revised $2 million court layout to spare the site. It is not widely known that beyond his political change of heart, Tom Adams possessed a close connection to Jewish heritage through his wife, Genevieve (Turner) Adams . Genevieve was of Jewish descent, born to a family of German immigrants in London. Could this decision by Prime Minister Adams to preserve Jewish-Barbadian history have also been an issue that hit close to home? Prime Minister Errol Walton Barrow Claims of Sephardic Lineage As the leader of the opposition in 1984, Errol Barrow broke standard political lines to strongly support Adams’s initiative. I suspect that Barrow’s enthusiasm for the project was not only because it was a sound decision which would also serve to promote the island's tourism, it was also deeply rooted in his own self-proclaimed heritage. Prime Minister Barrow was a staunch, vocal supporter of Israel and frequently asserted that he possessed Jewish ancestry. He proudly maintained that he was a descendant of the prominent Baruch Lousada family, a Sephardic Jewish dynasty with deep roots in the Caribbean. He claimed that his maternal great-grandfather, Simon Barrow, had legally changed his surname from Baruch to obscure his Jewish identity. Indeed, Shilstone recorded the deaths and burials of Simon Barrow (Baruch) and several others of his family in the very same Nidhe Israel Cemetery that Adams's project sought to protect. Thanks to the combined legacy of these two founding fathers and the drive and dedication of Sir Paul Altman and his family, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue was not only spared from the wrecking ball but fully restored to its former architectural glory. Today, it serves as an active house of worship, a museum, and a UNESCO World Heritage site - a testament to two prime ministers whose personal histories tied them directly to the Jewish community. The Jewish Ancestry of Genevieve (Turner) Adams, Wife of Former Prime Minister of Barbados, Tom Adams The Benda Family From Bavaria, Germany to Islington, England The Bendas were a Jewish family from Bavaria, who according to Mrs. Adams, probably originated in Czechoslovakia The family’s British history began with Anton Benda, the son of Saligman Benda. Looking for new opportunities, Anton left Germany and arrived in London in 1846, establishing himself as a merchant in the City of London. He specialized in importing Oriental goods, primarily from Japan. In 1853, Anton married Frances Mandelbaum, whose father, David Mandelbaum, was also from Bavaria. Their traditional Jewish wedding was officiated by the Chief Rabbi. Just two years later, in 1855, Anton officially became a naturalized British citizen. Anton and Frances settled in Islington, North London, where they raised their family of eight children. The family operated their import business directly out of a large, extended family home in North London. Family dynamics changed drastically when, in 1885, their eldest son, Sigmund Anton, married out of the Jewish faith to Annie McNicoll. They were Genevieve’s great-grandparents. Because Annie was not Jewish, Jewish law (Halakha) dictated that their children were not born Jewish. Sigmund’s branch therefore would have effectively ceased to be recognized as part of the formal Jewish community. Together, Sigmund and Annie had two sons, George and Douglas Benda. Douglas married Edith Ada Winder in 1901, they were Genevieve’s grandparents. The couple’s lives soon became swept up in the tragedies of the early 20th century. Douglas served his country in the First World War, standing as an early example of British Jews who fought in regular, non-specifically Jewish army divisions. Sadly, Douglas was severely gassed during the war. He never fully recovered and died a few years later in 1924, leaving Edith as a single, working mother to raise their only child, a daughter named Hazel Edith. In 1937, Hazel Edith Benda married Philip Turner. They had two daughters, Antonia and Genevieve. From Islington, London to Barbados As a young woman, Genevieve took a job in the British capital, working as a secretary for the prestigious BBC World Service. It was here, in the late 1950s, that she met a brilliant young Barbadian broadcaster and law student at Gray's Inn - Jon Michael Geoffrey Manningham "Tom" Adams, the son of the prominent Caribbean statesman Sir Grantley Adams. The two fell in love and married in 1962. In 1963 Genevieve's life took an extraordinary turn when she moved to Barbados with her husband as he prepared to enter Barbadian politics alongside his father. Thirteen years later, in 1976, Genevieve's Tom became the second Prime Minister of Barbados. He served from 1976 until his sudden death in 1985 when he was only 53. He had left behind his wife of 23 years, their two young sons and a shocked nation mourning his loss. As the First Lady of Barbados during her husband's tenure as Prime Minister, Genevieve served as the island's premier hostess at their official residence, Ilaro Court. She notably hosted international dignitaries alongside her husband, including welcoming U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan during their official diplomatic trip to Barbados in April 1982. Thus Genevieve, great-great-grandaughter of the Jewish Bavarian merchant who arrived in London with a dream of importing goods, took her place in history within the highest office of a Caribbean nation. A reception for executives of the business community at Ilaro Court, Barbados - 1982 My husband J.A.K. (Tony) Archer and I being greeted by Prime Minister Tom Adams and his wife Genevieve In the photo below Aaron Truss stands near the doorway. His father, Motel Truss, was one of the Ashkenazi Jews who came to Barbados in the thirties. Above: A signed 8 x 10 photo sent to us after the event Both photos bear the stamp "Willie Alleyne Associates Photography Ltd." My research was done through: Simon Kreindler's books: "Peddlers All" and "The Sephardi Jews of Barbados" Eustace Shilstone's "Monumental Inscriptions in the Burial Ground of the Jewish Synagogues at Bridgetown, Barbados" Visits to The Shilstone Library in the Barbados Museum Visits to the Nidhe Israel Cemetery and Museum in Barbados Visits to The Barbados Archives Visits to the Barbados Nidhe Israel Synagogue and graveyard Genealogy internet sites such as Sephardic Genealogy and Facebook groups Collecting and archiving family documents and photos More reading: Diaspora: Miracle in Barbados Valerie Sheppard 7 July, 2026 See also: BARUCH (BENTO) OSORIO THE LOBO & D'AZEVEDO FAMILIES

Welcome to my site Years ago I embarked on a journey of research and discovery in writing the stories of my family through the use of oral tradition and genealogical research. I consider myself a family historian, though I am not a professional genealogist nor am I an academic. I try to provide photographs to accompany the stories, helping to bring the humanity of our ancestors alive as I attempt to document their lives. My goal is to create a legacy for future generations, recognizing the importance of knowing the people we come from, and understanding their struggles and achievements in the context of their era. The menu above will lead you to seventy-four lovingly compiled pages of family stories, photos and videos. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy creating them. Each section contains the title story plus several others in the drop-down menu under the title. Just toggle and click. You may also use the Search tab to easily find the people or story of interest to you. Read More THE ENGLISH SHEPPARDS INTRODUCTION This is a tale of a two brothers who came from the large family of James and Elizabeth Shepherd in Sussex, England. Their family story has been pieced together by researching many official records, and with the help of photos and personal records in a family Bible. The lives of these brothers took completely different directions, and left many descendants who would become scattered far and wide. We have followed the family in censuses which were done every ten years. Interestingly, the earlier records show the family surname as Shepherd, but as we know for sure, the brothers Alfred and Charles wrote their name Sheppard. My great-great grandfather James Shepherd (Sheppard), born abt. 1823 in Chichester, Sussex, England The handwritten identification on the back of James' photo provided a vital clue in tracing the English Sheppard family line JAMES AND ELIZABETH SHEPHERD (SHEPPARD) Our story starts in 1851, during the reign of Queen Victoria, when a Census of England, Scotland and Wales was taken. James and Elizabeth Ann Shepherd née Cole were a young married couple, living with their family at St Pancras Street, in the parish of Saint Pancras, Chichester, Susex, England. James, born in Chichester and the head of the household, was 28 years old, and his occupation was listed as Gardener. Elizabeth, 25 years old, was also born in Chichester. They were already the parents of four children: Walter (6), Harriette (5), James (3) and one-year old William. In 1861, the Census records that the family had moved to St. Martins Court, St. Martin, Chichester, in the county of Sussex, England. Ten years had passed, and four more children had been born. They were Charles (7), Alfred (5), Edward (3) and the baby Harry (1). At the time of the Census, James and Elizabeth were 38 and 36 respectively, and lived at this address with their family of 8 children. By now, the oldest child, Walter, was 15 years old, and his occupation was "Best Of Shoe Paster Apprentice". What exactly that was, one can only guess. Harriett, now 14, was the only girl of the eight children. James, at only 12 years old, was also a Best of Shoe Apprentice. All of the children after James, with the exception of one year old Harry, were 'scholars' - what we would call 'students' nowadays. During this period, James Shepherd’s occupation as recorded in the Census was Gardener/Journeyman. The word journeyman comes from the French word journée, which means a period of one day. Essentially, that meant that he had finished his learning period or apprenticeship (most youngsters were apprenticed in those days to learn a trade) and had gone onto the stage of being relatively independent. He could travel around and offer his services for a daily rate; but he had not yet reached the stage of master or head gardener. Ten years later, in the 1871 Census, we discover that James Shepherd and his family were back at their original address – St. Pancras Street, Chichester. At the time of the census, James was 47 years old, and Elizabeth 44. Their family had grown even larger with the addition of two more children. There were two more boys - Ernest who was then 9 years old, and a new baby called Stephen - just 8 months old. Those were the only two children living at home with them. Although their older brothers Charles and Alfred were just 16 and 14, they were not listed in the household; however, so far, we are unable to find them listed at any other residence. Elizabeth Shepherd’s occupation is never mentioned, but it is clear that she was a housewife all her adult life. She would have had her first child when she was 21, and her last child when she was 46 - occupation enough! By 1881 we find the Shepherd family living at 6, Guilden Road, Oving, Sussex. James Shepherd, the gardener, was now 58 years old and his wife 55. The only child living with them was their youngest son Stephen, 10 years old - a scholar. I guess Stephen was what we would call in Trinidad their "lagniappe"! At their home at the time of this Census, there was also a lady called Jane Brenner, a widow of 55 years old, who was a 'lodger' or boarder. She was a ‘needlewoman’ from Hampshire. We don't know her connection, if any, with the family, but are curious to find out why she was living with them. The final Census in which we find James Shepherd and his wife Elizabeth, was recorded in 1891; James and his wife Elizabeth were living at 2 Kingshame Terrace, Basin Road, Chichester. James was still a Gardener. Their youngest son, twenty-year old Stephen, was ‘Drapers Assistant’ and was living at this address with his parents in their golden years. From notations on the back of a photo of the brothers Charles and Stephen, we believe that James and Elizabeth had thirteen children in all; but so far we have only been able to find ten of them. Left is Charles Sheppard born 1853 and his youngest brother Stephen, born in 1862. The handwriting on the back of the photo is that of Charles' daughter Nellie, born in 189 1. This story continues with only two of James' and Elizabeth’s offspring – the middle children: Charles , who remained in England, and the brother who came right after him, Alfred Sheppard . Alfred's life would take him to the island of Trinidad. There he would marry and make Trinidad his permanent home. He became my great-grandfather and that of all the Trinidad Sheppard/Mendes families of my generation.

Sheppard Family from Trinidad visit relatives in Wem, Shropshire My great-grandfather, Alfred Sheppard was born in Chichester, Sussex, but went to Trinidad with his regiment as a young man, in the British military. He married Virginia de Freitas , a young lady of Portuguese parentage, and made Trinidad his permanent home. In this picture, he and Virginia, together with Virginia's father and daughter, are in Wem, Shropshire visiting his brother Charles and family. The picture has been handed down by Charles' daughter Nell to her Trinidadian cousin John Sheppard who immigrated to England. This is a restored version of a unique, undated vintage photograph. We know it is no later than 1916, the year in which Sebastien (Sebastião) de Freitas (centre) died. The seniors are all seated in front, while the younger generation stands behind. Here's a "Who's Who" of the photo: 1. Charles A. Sheppard , son of #11 and #8, brother of #2, #4, #6, brother-in-law of #3, cousin of #5 2. Cyril Sheppard , husband of #3, son of #11 and #8, brother of #1, #4, #6, cousin of #5. Cyril and his wife Gertrude were married in 1921, so I assume they were engaged here. 3. Gertrude Annie Sheppard née Williams, wife of #2, sister-in-law of #1, #4, #6, daughter-in-law of #8 and #11 4. Ivy Enid Sheppard , daughter of #8 and #11, sister of #1, #2, #6. 5. Amalia Amy Sheppard (Trinidad born) , daughter of #7 and #10. Cousin of #1, #2, #4, #6. 6. Nellie Fisher Sheppard , daughter of #11 and #8, sister of #1, #2, #4. Sister-in-law of #3, cousin of #5 7. Sgt. Maj. Alfred Sheppard (my great-grandfather), husband of #10, father of #5, son-in-law of #9 - all visiting from Trinidad. Brother of #11, Uncle of #1, #2, #4, #6. 8. Ellen Mary Sheppard née Fisher, wife of #11, mother of #1, #2, #4, #6, mother-in-law of #3, sister-in-law of #7 9. Sebastien (Sebastião) de Freitas (my great-great grandfather ) father of #10, grandfather of #5, father-in-law of #7. 10. Virginia Sheppard née de Freitas (Trinidad born - my great-grandmother ), wife of #7, daughter of #9, mother of #5 11. Sgt. Charles Sheppard , brother of #7, father of #1, #2, #4, #6, father-in-law of #3, uncle of #5

Lobo & St. Hill Families - Barbados ~ A Memoir ~ Lobo and St. Hill families, circa 1925 l/r back row: Colin Lobo, Garnet St.Hill, Isaac Clement Milton Lobo, Frank Lobo, Arthur Lobo. l/r middle row: Carmen Lobo (seated), behind her Freida Lobo, Esmee (Lobo) St. Hill with baby Betty St. Hill, Lillian (Boyle) Lobo, Hilda Lobo, Thelma St. Hill l/r front: Clem St. Hill, Harry St. Hill Penned by Jimmy Lawless July 8, 2011 This story was sent to me by Elizabeth Cole née Lawless, who lives in Barbados. It was written by her uncle Jimmy Lawless. Elizabeth's family and the St. Hill and Lobo family shared many family occasions, as is described in this affectionately written memoir. Dolly Lawless née Atkinson was Elizabeth's grandmother. Ivy was one of Dolly's sisters. Our families also share another connection not mentioned: Elizabeth's aunt Sylvia Boxill married my uncle Louis St. Hill, my mother's brother. Colin Lobo was my great-uncle, my maternal grandmother's brother. Dolly (Kathleen) Lawless’ sister, Ivy Atkinson, married Colin Lobo in the early 1930’s and so the Lawless and Lobo families were brought together by marriage. Colin and Ivy Lobo - 25 Nov 1933 The Lobo's home "Raeburn" is the large yellow house. Below is a photo of it from the roadside. Unfortunately, this lovely Bajan family home that held so many memories was sold has since been demolished. The Lobos lived at “Raeburn” on the sea-side of the Hastings Road about 200 yards west of the Hastings Rocks. From memory, the family consisted of the parents, Mr.& Mrs. Lobo and several children. The names I remember are: Colin, Frank and Arthur (better known as “Shortie” or “Pepper”) and Esmee, Freida, Hilda and Carmen. They were all of an out-going and friendly character and all enjoyed a good party. Their love of a good party was regularly satisfied by parties given by Colin and Ivy at their home “Windmark” in Harts Gap. There was always a Christmas dinner with a large table filling the drawing room from which all the furniture had been removed to accommodate the very large table at which the Lobo, St.Hill and Lawless families were seated. There were other parties during the year which did not involve a sit-down meal, but were what were called “cocktail” parties. The guests were drawn from a wide spectrum of Colin’s friends. These included many of the horse-racing fraternity, including some of the English jockeys who were then the elite jockeys in Barbados. These included Edgar Crossley and his wife who were regular, and Thirkell. My mother, Betty St. Hill at 15 with her cousin Denis Hart and his fiancée Gloria The drinks flowed freely, and the “itals” were the best bouchees, patties, stuffed eggs, sandwiches and other goodies which were standard fare at the best cocktail parties. I do not remember (my brother) David being at these parties and I believe he stayed with Miss Edith Hutson while Tony and I were allowed to tag along. We did our fair share of gorging on the eats! Harry St.Hill and his cousin, Norman Hart, who were teenagers, used to cheat and hit a few of the cocktails before the butlers left the kitchen area with the trays of drinks! They were not supposed to drink any alcoholic drinks, but somehow they sometimes became somewhat unsteady on their feet before the party was over. After the Christmas dinner was over, the music started. It was then that the musical talent of the Lobo and St.Hill families became evident. All had good voices. Of the Lobos, Arthur had a good tenor voice, and the ladies could give a good rendition of the carols and other popular songs which were sung. But the musicians of particular note were from the St.Hill family. The father, Garnet, impressed me immensely. He not only had a very strong tenor/baritone voice but excelled in making music on unusual instruments. First, he played the “bones”. These consisted of two pairs of actual bones about four or five inches long which were placed between the fingers of both hands and made a loud noise when the hands were shaken. Garnet used these bones as a percussion instrument and the effect was outstanding. He also played the musical bottles. A series of bottles with varying amounts of water in them were struck by a implement which produced a particular note depending on which bottle was struck. The bottles were “tuned” to produce the correct notes, and Garnet could play tunes on them. Both he and Betty played the musical saw. The handle of an ordinary carpenter’s saw was held between the knees and a violin bow was drawn across the edge of the saw which did not have teeth. This produced a musical sound which was varied by the flexing of the saw with the left hand. Betty St.Hill was a musical prodigy and would have gone far in the musical world if she had been born in some big country away from Barbados. She used to tap-dance and sing as well as to play the piano and saw. The musical talent which Betty had in abundance has been transmitted to her children, the Sheppards, who continue to play a significant part in the musical scene in Barbados. They obviously enjoyed playing their music and the pleasure it gave to those of us who shared their exuberance. It taught me that music was something to be enjoyed and appreciated. Apart from the musical talents of the St.Hill family, my own life has been greatly affected by two members of that family. The first one to have an influence on my life was Mr. St.Hill himself. Garnet St.Hill was a kite enthusiast. I too was a kite enthusiast and every Easter kite season I would make several kites. They consisted of 3-stick small kites, 4-stick round kites with one round-head and one bull, “Umbrella” kites which had the sticks bent back so as to look like an umbrella, and “Singing Angel” kites which had bulls all around the kite. But Mr. St.Hill had other kites which were not flat kites like the ones I made. Some of his kites were made of cloth instead of paper, and were in more than one dimension, not flat one-dimension kites like mine. In particular he had a four-foot box kite which he flew at a spot where the Canadian Embassy now stands. There were no houses between Bishop’s Court and Pine Hill in those days. That whole stretch of land was where the Belleville people went to fly kites at Easter-time. The box kite which Mr. St.Hill had was a very powerful thing and he had to use thick marlin and gloves to fly it. He taught me the secret of the ratios of the lengths of the sticks, the spacing between sticks, and the area of cloth necessary to make this very unlikely looking object into something which would fly like a kite. I used his formula to make a half-size box kite and subsequently made one in Antigua which caused a sensation there in 1943 as no one there had ever seen a box that would fly! I have also made one here in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and have flown it in the Central Park here. I will always be grateful to Garnet St.Hill for his tuition in kite making. Garnet St. Hill with his prize winning kite - Barbados Independence, 1966 Photographed by his grandson Peter A. Sheppard Harry St. Hill The other member of the St.Hill family who materially directed the course of my life was Harry St.Hill . This he did without ever knowing the role he played in the direction my life took. Harry had joined Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Ltd. and trained as a wireless operator and had been transferred to Antigua. He and Colin Bynoe were the two operators from Barbados who manned the only means of communication which Antigua had with the world. Antigua was one of the few islands in what was then the British West Indies which did not have a cable connection with any other island or territory. Harry never wanted to go to Antigua in the first place and asked the Divisional Manager, Mr. Douglas, how long was he going to be in Antigua. The DM told him “about a year”. When Harry had been in Antigua one year and there was no sign of a replacement for him to return to Barbados, Harry became upset. He soon developed a sickness. The DM received a message from the Officer-in-Charge of Antigua that Harry had been certified as unfit for duty and should be repatriated as soon as possible. The sickness Harry was diagnosed as having was “bilharzia”, which is usually known as “hook-worm”. This is a parasitic worm which lives in rivers and gets into the body when people bathe or wade in rivers. There are no rivers in Antigua, and none in Barbados, so Harry must have done something very strange to contract this sickness. At the time I was training to be a cable operator in a batch of probationers which included Charlie Warren. Vincent Johnson and Vernon Pilgrim. Mr. A. M. Wilson, a retired C & W man, was our teacher. Mr. Douglas came to him and asked who of his batch of probationers would he choose to learn to be a wireless operator. Mr. Wilson said, “Lawless”. Mr. Douglas told me to report to the Reef Wireless Station the next day to learn to be a wireless operator. So I became a wireless operator and was transferred to Antigua, January 1943, to replace Harry St.Hill. If Harry had not created a crisis in Antigua, I would never have had two wonderful years in Antigua and would never have gotten into the technical stream at C & W which shaped the whole of my working career. SEE ALSO: LOBO & D'AZEVEDO FAMILY

Sheppard Family Archive Albertha Walcott Bertha - A Saint A Tribute written on 28 October, 1986 by my father, Andrew D. Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) She was born in Barbados and died in Trinidad. Her name was Albertha Walcott and she was always known and called by the name of Bertha. I was born in Trinidad and live in Barbados. When my eyes were first opened I saw Bertha and she took care of me until I was able to fend for myself. Bertha was my nurse, my religious teacher, my strength and has been a great influence on my character. Bertha, you see, grew up from childhood with my family in Trinidad. She arrived in that beautiful but impoverished island with her mother, who died, and Bertha was adopted by my father and mother. Yes, she was brought into a family which grew from two to twelve children with predictable regularity. Bertha was included in the family, but true to her Barbadian upbringing and good sense, she maintained her dignity and individuality. Truly, Bertha looked after all of us – I was number ten (10) child in this large family of twelve Sheppards. Albertha Walcott always wore her blue Salvation Army uniform because she joined the Army as a young girl and was one of the Army’s most loyal and faithful followers and she never went anywhere unless she proudly wore her uniform and badge. She wore her uniform with great pride. She sang praises to our Lord all day and every day. She worked constantly, day and night. Bertha was always there. Bertha started the day by waking all of us up and made sure that we were all ready for school and that we had a good breakfast before we left home. You must be wondering. Where was the mother of these children if Bertha was doing all this? It was a glorious situation. My mother, Elsie Mabel , was always there, supervising, tending and caring for her large flock, planning and directing meals, clothing and cleaning. A powerful woman. A faithful woman. A lady in every way. A saint unclaimed. A very religious lady who insisted in strict adherence to God’s word and we all grew in love and faith and with God’s Holy guidance. Mama depended on Bertha to assist her in this tremendous task of raising so large a family. What a wonderful and strange alliance it was. Two women of completely different backgrounds living under the same roof and brought up under different circumstances in different islands – now with a common goal. To love and care and help these little helpless people to grow in Christian love and charity under extremely difficult conditions. At first all appeared to be going well with our family. Our father was a successful businessman. We lived in one of the largest houses in the city of Port-of-Spain – ten bedrooms, six upstairs and four downstairs. The usual complement of maids, cooks and yard boy – labour was extremely cheap at that time and jobs were indeed rare. Then it happened. The disastrous depression of the late 20’s early 30’s. Our father made a wrong business decision which was a calamity. Debt clouded his thoughts and the Devil showed him comfort in alcohol. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A king of a man, thoughtful and kind and considerate for all – now broken and heading downhill. Where were his “friends” when he needed them most? You ask? You know!! – they disappeared. His health deteriorated until he died at 45 leaving a widow and twelve children. Eldest 22, youngest 4 years old. Poor Mama. What would she do? Pray and pray and work and plan. Money was scarce but faith and love were in great abundance. With Bertha’s help and care – we survived. When the family was growing up, of course Christmas was a big thing. Jesus was everywhere. We were all members of the St. Ann’s Church of Scotland and we were Presbyterians. Ma and Bertha saw to it that we attended Sunday School and Church regularly. Mama was a pillar of the Church and chief organizer of fund-raising soirees and fairs, etc. We were prepared fully to celebrate the birth of Christ in a truly Christian spirit. After the fuss and bother of shopping, cooking and waiting for Santa Claus, we looked forward to mid-night on Christmas Eve. We were supposed to be asleep but were really barely sleeping. Then in all its glory came the sounds of a heavenly choir – oh, I’ll never forget it!! – “O, Come All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, “Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells”, “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night” – those marvelous inventions of inspired minds. How they can move you! – We all dashed out of bed to see what was the matter – No Santa Claus! – Just Alberta Walcott – Bertha – and the entire Salvation Army Choir from Port-of-Spain with all their musicians sounding “Glory to God in the Highest – for unto Him is born this day – our Saviour Jesus Christ". Mama and Bertha made our Christmas. Happiness in being alive and well and to participate in this wonderful celebration was sufficient for us. We had God on our side and all will be well. As we grew, we married – all twelve – and produced 58 children for Grandma, who loved all of them and wanted them around her all the time. We loved to see Mama with her grands and they all loved her. Always present everywhere and at every function – who picked up the last glass and washed it and swept up? – Bertha. Never requested but always volunteered, was Bertha’s assistance in every way. Her Army uniform had four pockets, two higher and two at arms’ length. Bertha always kept “extra-strongs” (peppermint) in one upper pocket and regular sweets (candy) in the other. The left lower pocket had dry biscuits and the right – sweet biscuits. Something for everyone. The dry ones were for Bertha – a diabetic. Bertha was known and loved everywhere in Port of Spain. On Sunday afternoons - traditionally – she took us for walks in the parks and socialized with everyone she met – she was proud of her family. Bertha knew everyone and with the slightest hint of a request, she would burst out in song – singing all the famous hymns she knew and some that she made up too. Bertha refused to be ill – her faith kept her going. She insisted in massaging our necks to relieve tension and we would give her a shilling, which she promptly turned over to the Army. Bertha was an inspiration to all of us. She saw Mama pass away – her good friend and confidante. And still she stayed on – with our eldest sister, Jessie. She also helped to raise her four children to adulthood. And then her turn came. Bertha went to meet her Master in a geriatric hospital at age 85. Go thou, sweet angel, your work is through, so well and truly done.

My father, Andrew Sheppard, was an early riser. In those quiet morning hours with his first cup of coffee he often expressed his thoughts and wrote about his memories of growing up in Trinidad. I have transcribed his writings to preserve for our family history. Valerie Sheppard

ST. ANN'S/GREYFRIARS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Trinidad I am a descendant of Portuguese people - both Jewish and Protestant - who became religious refugees because of persecution for their faith, vividly recorded in the annals of history. I dedicate this page to the memory of my Madeiran Presbyterian ancestors. Sebastien (Sebastião) de Freitas (my paternal great-great grandfather) Madeira 1835 - Trinidad 1916 He was a founding member of St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Trinidad In 1834, Trinidad was a British colony, and many of the emigrants were Scots. That year, the Greyfriars Church of Glasgow sent newly ordained Alexander Kennedy to Trinidad to minister to them. Rev. Kennedy was from Ayrshire and arrived on the island in January 1836. By the following year work had begun on building a church. The foundation stone for Greyfriars Church was laid on 10th April 1837, and the church was completed in 1838. Eight years later, Sebastian (Sebastião) de Freitas arrived in Trinidad from the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. He was my paternal great-great grandfather. Sebastião was among a group of Portuguese refugees desperately fleeing severe religious persecution in their homeland for daring to convert from Catholicism and practice their Protestant beliefs inspired by the Scottish missionary Rev Dr Robert Reid Kalley . Many of these immigrants who fled from Madeira had to leave behind their homes and possessions, determined to start a new life that promised to be free from the oppression and oftentimes cruelty that they suffered. The earlier Presbyterians in Trinidad, under the guidance of Rev. Alexander Kennedy of Greyfriars, greatly assisted the new arrivals from Madeira who didn't understand English. The Madeiran refugees were allowed to worship at Greyfriars and there was a small building to the east of the church which was used for the housing of some of the extremely poor of the congregation. It is said that during the Cholera (1854) many were attended to there. With sheer determination, hardwork and resilience, this small group of Madeiran Portuguese, now with freedom to practise their faith in Trinidad, set out to build their own church. In 1854, St. Anns Church of Scotland was completed and dedicated. At last the Presbyterian Portuguese community had their own sanctuary where they could be ministered to and enjoy fellowship in their own language. As described in the historical information published for the 150th Anniversary of the church: “They felt a particular pride in the new edifice, because their own hands helped in the building of it. Under the able superintendence and wise leadership of their pastor, the Rev. Henrique Vieira - who had a practical knowledge of building construction - many of the members labored willingly in the work: some bringing sand, stone and lumber, for making pews; while some of them arranged to join in paying for a pew between them.” As seen in the records of marriages, baptisms, funerals and other special occasions, this church has been central to the history of my Trinidad family for many generations. Because of its significance in the lives of so many of my predecessors, as well as many family members who still worship there, I have gathered some historical information giving a background about the church, and the Portuguese whose lives revolved around it. The unfortunate fate of the historic Greyfriars Kirk on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, torn down by the greed for land, sloth of its elders, and comic nonchalance of the State, has signalled perhaps the death of the Scots Presbyterian Church in this nation which began its mission here in 1836, under the leadership of the Rev. Alexander Kennedy. 
 Around 1845-46, there was considerable turmoil in Madeira in 1845-46 when the good and charitable works of the Rev Dr Robert Reid Kalley caused the conversion of over 5,000 natives from Catholicism. These refugees sought the shelter of British warships in the Madeiran area which took them to St Vincent and Trinidad. In the latter island, they were taken into the bosom of Rev Kennedy’s Scottish Presbyterian Church, but were looked down upon by the established local Madeiran community which saw them as heretics. These first Madeirans in the island had originally come in the post emancipation period around 1836-38 as indentured labourers, but the vicissitudes of tropical climate had decimated them and many walked off the estates and became merchants and tradesmen in the poorer parts of the city. This first Madieran group was staunchly Roman Catholic. About 500 of the Protestant arrivals did not stay long in the island and immigrated to the USA shortly before 1850. Those who remained sought to build their own church as a symbol of their piety. They had the support of Henrique Vieira of Madeira who was himself a victim of persecution. He searched for a site for the church and located one on St Ann’s Road (upper Charlotte Street was then called St Ann’s Road because it led directly to St Ann’s via Queen’s Park East) which cost $800. By dint of fervent and heartfelt pleading, Rev Vieira raised the sum for the purchase of the land and set to work building a small chapel of stone and wood which was called the Portuguese Church, United Free Church and Free Kirk, but was officially the St Ann’s Church of Scotland after its location on what was then St Ann’s Road. It was opened in 1854 just before a cholera epidemic ravaged Trinidad and swept away many of the faithful who had laboured in the construction of the chapel. The founding of the church was described in 1887 as follows: “In 1848 it was reported to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland that there were 900 Maderenses in the island. Mr de Silva, a catechist at first, was at length ordained as their pastor. His ministry, however, cut short by death, lasted only for a year. He was succeeded in 1850 by Mr Henry Vieira, in the first instance, as catechist, but in 1854, having been ordained by the Free Church Presbytery of Glasgow, he became pastor. In 1872 Mr Vieira accepted a call from a number of Maderenses who had settled in Illinois, but during his ministry in 1853, the Free Church in St Ann's Road had been built. In 1873, the Rev D M Walker, minister of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, a very worthy man, was selected as pastor, and accepted the appointment. For a time Mr Walker preached once every Sabbath in the Portuguese tongue, he having rapidly learned the language.” By 1890, the chapel was showing signs of dereliction and one of the parishioners was none other than George Brown, the famous architect and builder who had come out to the island in 1880, and to whom Trinidad owes its archetypal ‘gingerbread’ house architecture. Brown designed a simple yet elegant stone building, larger than the old one. Some of the stone used in building the walls was obtained from The Cottage which was the residence of the Governor, built at the end of the 18th century and which stood on the grounds of the present Hilton Hotel. This structure was the official residence until the erection of a new one in 1876 which is now called President’s House. In 1912, the church acquired a nearby building once used as a Masonic Lodge and a pipe organ. A fine stained-glass window was added in 1919 in memory of Ernest W Havelock, a young minister who enlisted as a soldier in World War I and who was killed in action in 1916. The St Ann’s Church of Scotland is still a quaint yet important reminder that with willpower, teamwork and leadership, great things are possible. (Article reproduced with kind permission of the late author's aunt, Patricia Bissessar ) THE ST. ANN'S FREE CHURCH Historian Angelo Bissessarsingh Back l/r: My great-grandfather Alfred Sheppard & Virginia De Freitas who, according to Alfred's own entry in the Family Bible, were "united in marriage at The Free Church of Scotland,on 25th June 1881". Virginia's father Sebastien (Sebastião) de Freitas is standing next to her on the right. Seated: l/r Alfred and Virginia's daughter Amalia (Amy) Sheppard with Audrey Gomez. The Havelock Memorial is a stained-glass window depicting The Sower, installed at the church in 1919 to the memory of the much loved Rev. Ernest W. Havelock, the seventh Minister. Rev. Havelock ministered from 1910-1916, when he left to serve in the Great War where he was killed in active duty at age 33. A newspaper report of his memorial service can be seen here . Following in the footsteps of several generations of family members, my cousin Carol-Lyn Hart is an Elder of the Church. Here she is pictured with her beautiful painting of The Havelock Memorial, which she donated to the church. Carol-Lyn Hart née Johnson is the daughter of Florence Johnson née Sheppard and Colin Johnson. Carol-Lyn's 2021 painting of St. Ann's Church of Scotland The beautiful painting of Greyfriar's Church by Michel Jean Cazabon This historic building was demolished in November 2014 In the following article, historian Angelo Bissessarsingh explores the historic significance of Greyfriars and its founding, in an attempt to raise consciousness over what can only be described as a severe blow to national heritage The demolition of Greyfriars Church Most Trinidadians today associate the Presbyterian Church with the Canadian Mission to the Indians which began in 1868 and was quickly associated with the conversion and education of thousands of indentured labourers and their descendants. There was, however, a very much older Presbyterian mission which began in the very last days of slavery and at the dawn of Emancipation with the ostensible aim of working among the many former slaves in the British colonies. Trinidad was one of the first colonies selected for this movement and the energetic Rev Alexander Kennedy and his wife were sent forth to the island. The Reverend was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1804 to a farmer and was educated at Edinburgh and Glasgow. He married Mary (daughter of a merchant) and was ordained in 1835. On January 25, 1836, after an intense sea voyage of six weeks, the Kennedy family arrived in Port-of-Spain, though not without some discomfort. As recorded in Alexander’s journal: “We gladly record our gratitude to Almighty God for preserving us amidst the dangers of the deep, and upholding us amidst much personal affliction. Not many days after sailing, Mrs Kennedy was taken dangerously ill, so that for several weeks we scarcely dared to cherish the hope that she would survive so long as reach the land whither we went: but He, whose we are and whom we serve, heard our prayers, disappointed our fears, and has now restored her to almost wonted strength. It is God only that can bring back from the gates of death—that can turn the darkness of sorrow and affliction into the light of joy and health." The arrival of the Kennedys was heralded in the Port-of-Spain Gazette with warmth and they were immediately embraced by a large and supportive cadre of people, including many Scots who were merchants, planters or planting attorneys. The first sermon was preached on February 9 in a rented house, and shortly thereafter, a search for a permanent place of worship began. Rev Kennedy hired a building that was formerly a playhouse and known as the “Old Theatre” on Cambridge (now St Vincent) Street, north of its intersection with Park Street. While the structure was being retrofitted as a church, service was held at the Hanover Methodist Church. Referring to the makeshift “church”, Rev Kennedy himself remarked: “It was not the most convenient and appropriate place that could be wished for the worship of God,” Shortly thereafter, he began searching for a site for a proper chapel. He investigated a plot of land opposite Brunswick (Woodford) Square. This land was acquired from the Cabildo (Town Council) for the princely sum of 300 pounds and on April 10, 1837, a foundation stone was laid. With Rev Kennedy’s direction and energy, a fine building with stone walls rose rapidly on the site opposite Brunswick (Woodford) Square. So rapidly did the construction take place that the tenders advertisement was soon succeeded by this proud advertisement: “NOTICE: Greyfriars Church will be opened for divine service on Sabbath the 21st current. Public worship to begin at eleven o’clock am and at four pm. A meeting of the subscribers to the Trinidad fund for the erection of a Presbyterian Church in Port-of-Spain, to be occupied by the Reverend Alex Kennedy, will be held in Greyfriars Church, on Friday the 19th current at 5 o’clock pm, when a statement of the expenditure of the funds will be read, and receipts for the amount submitted at the meeting.—Port-of-Spain, January 12, 1838.” The cost was over £4,500, which was entirely provided by subscription. In an example of true resilience and self-reliance, the congregation declined an offer of assistance from the colonial government. A short description of the original building was penned by H J Clark in 1887 as follows: “As most of you are aware, the church was originally considerably shorter than it is now; it was a plain oblong building with a low porch in front and a small vestry at the back. The seats were of the most approved Presbyterian pattern, unvarnished, straight-backed and with doors, all duly numbered in the home style of olden days.” In 1841 a manse was erected for the accommodation of the Kennedys near the kirk at the cost of £1,000, which was raised entirely in Scotland through the diligence of the Rev Kennedy. The completion of the manse was marked by sorrow, however, since the year before, the Kennedys had returned to Scotland for a short visit, when Mrs Kennedy gave birth to a girl named Margaret Tannahill. The child died very soon after the family returned to Trinidad and was interred under a small marker in a little enclosure along the south wall of the church compound. Alongside little Margaret’s grave, another marble plaque was inserted that simply read: “Laurence—Infant son of Alex. And Jane Sprunt.” Laurence was the child of Mr Alexander Sprunt who was treasurer of Greyfriars in the time of the Rev Kennedy. The third and last burial in this cemetery of the innocents at the Kirk occurred on September 11, 1868, when George Mac Farlane Brodie, another baby boy, was laid to rest. In the details of the recent sale of Greyfriars to developer Alfred Galy, no mention has been made of these graves, so we may safely assume that if the church falls victim to a bulldozer’s blade, as many now fear, the last resting place of these three infants will suffer a similar fate. In 2014, the 176-year-old Greyfriars Church in Port-of-Spain was demolished by the businessman who owned it. (Article reproduced with kind permission of the late author's aunt, Patricia Bissessar) The historic Greyfriars Church before it was demolished Photo Credit : Iere Aerial Photography Greyfriars, which was demolished in 2014, was home to the first Portuguese refugees who arrived in Trinidad in 1846. Sources: The Portuguese Presbyterians by Rev. Clifford R.L. Rawlins St. Ann's Church of Scotland 150th Anniversary Historical Sketch

Amalia Elizabeth (Amy) Sheppard wife of Edward Oswald Mendes 14 May, 1887 - 4 April, 1975 Oswald and Amy in 1942 Birth and early childhood Amalia Elizabeth Sheppard, known as Amy, was the daughter of Alfred Sheppard and Virginia de Freitas , and the third of their five children. She was my grandfather Charles Sheppard 's sibling. Amy and Charlie had three brothers who died young: Alfred James who died when he was 25, Arthur Wybrow who died when he was 4 and Edward Albert who died when he was just 3 years old. Amy's father, Alfred Sheppard, was an Englishman from Sussex, a Sergeant of Police in St. Joseph at the time of her birth. He recorded his daughter's birth in the family Bible: "Amalia Elizabeth Sheppard, born 8 a.m. Saturday 14th May 1887, Trinidad." Her middle name was that of her English grandmother, Elizabeth. Her mother Virginia was of Portuguese parentage. Amy and Charlie, born two years apart, shared the same childhood experiences, growing up in St. Joseph, South Trinidad and Port of Spain - wherever their father was posted while serving with the Trinidad Police Force. Of Alfred and Virginia's five children, Amy and Charlie were the only two to survive, marry and have families of their own. Fortunately, despite the loss of three of their sons, the fruitful marriage of Alfred and Virginia Sheppard produced a long line of descendants with several intertwined connections. The Sheppard siblings Amalia (Amy) and Charles (Charlie) photographed by George Adhar 10a Prince of Wales Street, San Fernando Trinidad Amalia Sheppard a girl of eight years old Amalia (seated) with her English cousin Ivy Sheppard on a family visit to England. Pictured while on a visit to England l/r standing: Amy's father Alfred Sheppard, her mother Virginia, and her grand father Sebastien de Freitas l/r seated: Audrey Gomez and Amalia (Amy) Sheppard Marriage Register for 1913 showing details of the marriage of Edward Oswald Mendes and Amalia Sheppard Photo taken in the Archives of the Registrar General’s Department, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Port-of-Spain. Marriages and several close family ties How exciting it must have been for seventeen year old Amy to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her brother Charlie to Elsie Gomez! She is pictured holding a large bouquet next to her mother Virginia on the groom's side in that iconic family wedding photo of 1909 . The bridesmaids looked so elegant in their dresses of cream voiles with hats to match! We know from my grandmother's entries in her Bible that the venue for their wedding reception was the home of Albert and Mary Mendes in Victoria Square, Port of Spain. She also wrote that Albert was her godfather. Records show that his wife was Mary Antoinette Pereira, her mother's sister. Her aunt Mary and husband Albert are also in that wedding picture. But the family relationship with Albert Mendes appears to have had an even deeper conection, even before his marriage to Mary Pereira. A document has been found showing that Albert had been previously married to Charlotte de Freitas, the younger daughter of Sebastien - Charlie Sheppard's aunt. Records are still being sought to determine what became of Charlotte, but we do know that they had two children, one of whom was given the middle name Charlotte. The quest to confirm the dates of Charlotte (de Freitas) Mendes' assumed death, and the date Albert married my grandmother Elsie's aunt Mary is ongoing. Significant to me is the fact that in 1915 Albert appointed Charlotte's nephew, my grandfather Charles Sheppard, to be one of the Executors of his Will and left an inheritance of 500 pounds sterling to my grandmother, Elsie. Of course, by then Albert's wife was her sister! It's a tangled tale that can only be unraveled with certainty by documented proof. In any case, the Portuguese community in Trinidad seemed to have been a close-knit one, and for sure the Sheppard, Gomez and Mendes families knew each other well and were all celebrating at my grandparents' wedding at Albert and Mary's home in 1909. My grandmother Elsie wrote in her Bible: "A very happy wedding held at the home of my Godfather, Mr. Albert Mendes, Victoria Square. Many young people and children attended." Cousins by the dozens! On 18 Jan 1913, another family wedding took place, and no doubt many of the same guests were there. Alfred Sheppard entered his daughter's marriage in the family Bible: "Amalia Elizabeth Sheppard and Edward Oswald Mendes were united in Marriage in the United P. Church on the 18th January 1913." Amy Sheppard was twenty-six years old, living at her parents' home in 117 Edward Street, Port of Spain, when she married Edward Oswald Mendes, known as Oswald. In the marriage register his address is shown as 49 Jerningham Avenue, Port of Spain - the home of his father Antonio Mendes, described in "The Autobiography of Alfred H. Mendes" as a "large colonial house". The witnesses are Oswald's brother Hugh Martin Mendes and Edith Edmee Gomez. Edith had also been a bridesmaid with Amy at my grandparents' wedding, as she was my grandmother Elsie's sister. Moreover, Amy's sweetheart and now groom, Oswald Mendes, was first cousin to Albert Mendes, who hosted my grandparents' wedding reception. Their fathers were two brothers from Madeira. Oswald Mendes, of Portuguese descent Amy's husband Oswald was born in Trinidad on 27th August 1887 to Antonio Mendes and his second wife, Matilda Gregorio. His siblings were Alexander Louis (Alec), Hugh Martin, Maria Amelia and Agnes May. Antonio's father Joaquim Mendes, along with Joaquim's brothers Manoel and Francisco Mendes, were among the earliest Portuguese Presbyterian refugees who arrived in Trinidad in 1846. Oswald's cousin Albert Mendes was the son of Francisco and his wife Rose d'Andrade, who was also from Madeira. The famous writer Alfred H. Mendes was the grandfather of Academy Award winner Sir Sam Mendes. His 2020 movie "1917" was inspired by his grandfather's autobiography. Alfred Hubert was Albert's nephew, son of his brother Alfred Snr. I would imagine that they would all have been guests at these family weddings. Many of these inter-connected people have been reported in the newspapers of the day attending family funerals. Amelia (Amy) Sheppard's grandfather Sebastien (Sebastiano) de Freitas and his father Antonio de Freitas, were also among that early group of Portuguese Presbyterians who fled to Trinidad from Madeira to escape violent religious persecution in 1846. They were among those first refugees, members of the St. Ann's Church of Scotland, whose own hard labour helped build the first Presbyterian Church of St. Anns in Trinidad's capital, Port of Spain. Their names are listed in church records as contributors to a Patriotic Fund. It is no wonder, then, that both the Sheppard and Mendes families of those generations were staunch members of what was then called the United Presbyterian Church of St. Anns and otherwise referred to as the First Portuguese Church. Oswald Mendes and as well as his cousins Alfred and Francis became Elders of the Church. On 20 February 1914, Amy gave birth to their first child. They named him Oswald Antonio after his father and grandfather. A year later, on 30 March 1915, their second child Malcolm Arthur was born, followed three years later by a sister for the boys, Olga, born on 9 October 1918. Imagine their delight when Amy's next pregnancy resulted in the birth of twin boys - Freddie and Bertie, on 20 September 1920! But tragedy befell their young family. A sad accident took place at home resulting in the death of 18 month old Bertie. The grief and sadness at losing their little son must have been unbearable for Amy and Oswald. A newspaper report about a court enquiry surrounding the accident appeared in the Port of Spain Gazette of May 9, 1922. The verdict was that "the infant died from shock due to burns, owing to hot water falling on it, and that no one was guilty of felony". The year after the accident Amy gave birth to another son, Charles Gilbert on 14 June 1923, followed by yet another son Leonard Alfred born on 14 April 1926. Their family became complete when little Jessie Amalia arrived on 14 October 1927. Amy and Oswald lived to see all of their children married and to enjoy their grandchildren. Together with their large family, they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on 18 January 1973. Amalia Elizabeth (Amy) Sheppard and her husband Oswald (Ozzie) Mendez On their 60th Wedding Anniversary - Thursday 18 January, 1973 Amy passed away on 4 April 1975 and Oswald on 17 November 1975. Amy was laid to rest in a plot alongside the burial place first purchased by her father Alfred Sheppard in 1910 for Amy and Charlie's brother Alfred who died at age 25. It is also the resting place of my grandparents Charles and Elsie Sheppard and their infant son Arthur . These are the ties that bind. Connecting the dots through family stories and documented facts In 2012, my husband Meindert and I visited Amy and Oswald Mendes' daughter Jessie in Trinidad. She graciously showed us the Sheppard Family Bible which helped tremendously in researching our intertwined families. She gave us information about her own family unit and shared with us the following story about her paternal grandfather, Antonio Mendes, written by a member of their family. "In 1846. Antonio, then only a boy, came to Trinidad from Maderia with his father, Joaquim, and brothers. Joao. Manoel and Francisco. Untortunately, no information is available about his mother. The family was of modest means having abandoned their possessions to flee religious persecution and make a new life for themselves in these islands. Antonio's education was limited and his grasp of English even more so. At the age of 14 he worked diligently as a gardener in the grounds of Government House, and the story goes that one day he was digging a hole and there he discovered a lot of money. Whether true or not, he did manage to amass a large fortune during his life. Eventually he was a merchant by trade selling all sorts of provisions and, in fact, was one of the most successful merchants of his time. He also acquired several large properties in and
 around Port of Spain, and had substantial land-holding in far flung parts of Trinidad.
 Such was his wealth. that he was able to leave his eight children enough money and
s o that they never had to work a day in their lives. And many of them didn’t!
 Antonio married twice - first to Virginia Ferreira with whom he had five children
 - Emily, Caroline, Frederick Antonio, Matilda and Francis. His second wife Matilda
Gregorio, produced three children: Alexander Louis, Edward Oswald (Grampa) and
 Hugh Martin.
 Edward Oswald was Antonio and Matilda's second son. He married Amalia Elizabeth Sheppard (Amy) and they had eight children: Oswald Antonio, Malcolm, Olga, Herbert Frederick and Albert (twins). Charles, Leonard, and Jessie. 
Albert died when he was about 18 months old. The servant was heating water for Albert’s bath (in those days there wasno running hot water), and Albert pulled down the pan of hot water on himself. He died a few days later in the hospital. Oswald (as Edward Oswald was called). was a charming gentleman. In fact, he was immensely proud of the term "gentleman" and it was what he claimed as his occupation in his passport, and every other official document, until his dying day! And this really is key to our Grampa. He was a man about town! Always impeccably attired in his hallmark hat and cream coloured suit, shoes shone to perfection and without a spec of dust, he was one of Antonio's descendants who never really worked. In addition to his own substantial inheritance from Antonio, he also inherited half of his brother's (Hugh Martin) estate. Martin had lived most of his adult life in Venezuela and never married. On his death in 1947, his inheritance was divided equally between his two brothers Alexander and Oswald." Antonio Mendes died on 13 March 1911. His obituary was published in the Port of Spain Gazette, Trinidad on the following day - Tuesday 14th March, 1911. "We regret to have to record the passing away yesterday morning at Jerningham Avenue, of Mr Antonio Mendes, retired merchant. The deceased who had attained the ripe age of 71 years was born in Madeira but came here with his parents when only six years old. He started business as a provision merchant, and by his strict attention to duty, coupled with his honest and straightforward dealing, he became very successful in the business world, from which he retired some twenty years ago. He was a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and although in ill health for some time past, he yet took a lively interest in church matters. He leaves a widow and eight children to whom we extend our sympathy in their bereavement. The funeral took place at 4.30 p.m. from his late residence at 49 Jerningham Avenue to the Lapeyrouse cemetery where the ceremony preceding interment was performed by Rev. E. W. Havelock M. A. assisted by Rev's McCulloch Thompson M. A. and M. B. Horlick M. A. The bearers were Messrs. Alec and F. J. Mendes (sons), Albert and Alfred Mendes (nephews), Antonio and Albert Gregorio (brothers-in-law). The chief mourners were Mrs A. Mendes (wife of the deceased) and Mrs Emily Clarke (daughter)." Antonio Mendes (24 April 1840 Madeira - 1911 Port of Spain, Trinidad) and his wife Matilda Gregorio (1860-1915) Their wedding took place in Port of Spain, 188. Below, Antonio and Matilda with their first-born, Alexander Louis , 1885 (photos courtesy of Harry Simmons) The Mendes Family - 1942 Back: l/r Freddie, Malcolm, Oswald (Osy), Leonard, Charlie Front: l/r: Olga (Mackenzie) Oswald, Amalia (nee Sheppard), Jessie (Rooks) Amy and Oswald's daughter Jessie (Mendes) Rooks at her home in June 2012 The beautiful Sheppard Family Bible which had been restored in Holland by the Mendes family can be seen on the table behind her. See also: JESSIE (MENDES) ROOKS Heartfelt thanks to my cousin Jessie Tamas for her ongoing genealogical research and generous sharing of records and to Jessie (Mendes) Rooks for her invaluable contributions to our family history. Valerie Sheppard 3 May 2024

Frances Elizabeth (Betty) St. Hill (1925 - 2024) Wife of Andrew Desmond Sheppard Betty at "Sweet Sixteen" Our Mother Introduction As I begin to write this on 8 June, 2021, my Barbadian-born mother, Betty, is in her 96th year. E verything that I know about her has been rela ted to me by her during her long life. She speaks of a very happy childhood growing up in a family of five, and loves to recall those times. Barbados w as a Briti sh colony back then, and life for her was simple, filled with special family occasions, home-cooked meals, and always, always - music. School days segued into working days and then into a marriage which would take her to live in the neighbouring island of Trinidad and away from her parents and Bajan way of life for the first time. Betty and all her siblings came into this world at their family home "Ypres", 1st Avenue, Belleville, in the parish of St. Michael, Barbados. She was born on 16 September 1925 to Esmée Ione D'Azevedo (Lobo) St. Hill and Henry Garnet St. Hill. Betty was the fourth of their five children and bears the names of both of her great-grandmothers - Elizabeth Frances Stoute and Elizabeth Frances (Amey) Tryhane. Her older sisters were Thelma (St. Hill) Burns (1915-2009), Clem (St. Hill) Mosher (1917-2000) who married Canadians in the forties and moved to Canada. Her older brother was Harry St.Hill (1921-1993) and her youngest brother was Louis St. Hill (1931-1992). Louis and his Barbadian wife Sylvia Boxill eventually settled in Canada, and Harry in St. Vincent with his Vincentian wife, Agnes Fraser. Betty was the only one who remained in Barbados for most of her long life. Childhood and Teenage Years Like her mother and sisters, (and up to a certain age her brothers) Betty's schooling was at the Ursuline Convent in Collymore Rock, which was just a short walk away from their home. In our mother's case, it was more of a hop, skip and jump down 1st Avenue, Belleville! She recalls being told by one of the nuns that it was not befitting of a young lady to be frolicking in the street, and one afternoon she was watched by one of the nuns from the window of the convent to make sure that she walked every step home like a proper young lady. . . (or else!) Young Betty was bright and distinctly musica l. She took lead parts in all the school plays and concerts, starting when she was just four years old. Not only did she tap-dance, she played the musical saw and the piano. She was first taught piano lessons by Miss Adele Barnes, and later Miss Alice Armstrong, a popular pianist who played at parties, dance schools and musical productions. Miss Armstrong wasn't a music teacher, but Betty begged her to teach her the swinging stride style and chord progression that she loved - and she did! Similarly, Mum saw Mr. Ben Gibson perform at a concert and was mesmerized watching him play the saw. She asked him to teach her and so said, so done. He would come to their home in Belleville to teach her how to play the saw. Like most middle class homes of that time, the piano was a central feature of family life in the St. Hill's drawing room. From a very young age, she took part in shows organized to raise funds for deserving causes in Barbados, such as the Girl’s Industrial Union, The Girls’ Friendly Society, The Old Gentleman’s Home and Madam Ifil’s Baby Crèche. It was at those concerts that she met Miss Armstrong and Mr. Gibson who were also performing, and she asked them to teach her. Our mother became accomplished at playing the musical saw and performed on stage with this unusual instrument. Hers was an ordinary carpenter's saw, and she never used a handle (as is used nowadays) to bend it, she just held the end of the saw firmly with her fingers. That technique of playing the saw requires a strong hand and a perfect ear for music. I remember being amazed at how she held the wooden handle of the saw between her knees and, while pulling the bow at the S-bend of the saw to make the note, one of her legs was creating the vibration to produce the ethereal sound. It was captivating. Her parents had a green cloth case for her saw custom-made for her. It was the exact shape of the saw with a pocket to hold the violin bow and another little pocket to carry blocks of rosin that she would rub up and down the strings of the bow. Her name "Betty" in her father's ornate handwriting was embroidered in red by her mother on the front of it. One of her favourite songs to play was "The Moon of Manikoora" - a 1943 hit. How I wish we had a recording of Mum on the saw. Betty in costume for a school play Our mother's Lobo grandparents lived at "Raeburn", Hastings . It was a large, traditional Bajan home on the south coast, situated on the beach, very close to the Ocean View Hotel. Her grandfather, Isaac Clement Lobo was of Sephardic Jewish descent and worked in the shipping business. Her recent childhood recollections of visiting her grandparents, in her own words: "Grandad Lobo would dress up with gold studs, straw hat and his cane, and with Grannie we would go down to the Ice House in Bridgetown. Victor Goddard was the eldest one*, he was in charge then and there was the grocery on the basement. And then there was the cold storage counter where they had plums and grapes. He would say 'Bring Betty over let her choose something.' He would slide back the door and say 'What would you like, dear? Have a plum or an apple or a peach'. Victor and his wife - that’s the old Goddard parents - were very friendly with V.B.C Hart." * (of the Goddard family who owned The Ice House on Broad Street, Bridgetown.) V.B.C. Hart was Vivian Bertram Clyde Hart, who was married to Millicent Louise Boyle (Millie). Millie was my mother's great-aunt, sister of her grandmother Lillian Lobo. He was the Proprietor of Chelston Lime Works on Culloden Road, a member of St. Michael's Vestry and, for a time, Churchwarden. He was also an officer of the Barbados Volunteer Force for over twenty years. They lived at a house called 'The Shrubbery' in Collymore Rock. My mother often visited her and went to stay with Aunt Millie for a couple of months. She fondly recalls one of her treasured dishes that belonged to Aunt Millie - a heart-shaped dish for serving stuffed eggs. "Millie loved anything at all that had a heart, all her linen was embroidered with V.B.C. and a heart. Aunt Millie was very ah … well in those days… I wouldn’t say she was wealthy but she was well-to-do. She had a car and a chauffeur to drive her out at night and she would put on a Spanish shawl. She lived in 'The Shrubbery' - as you came out of George Street. It was a real sin when that beautiful property was demolished in the middle of the night to make way for some commercial enterprise." l/r Betty, her cousin Denis Hart, and fiancee Gloria Melizan (Denis was one of her Great-aunt Millie's sons) Betty's father Garnet St. Hill had a fine tenor voice, and was himself a well-known entertainer on the local amateur stage. He was a talented bones player - a skill he taught my brother Peter. He gave of his talents in shows at the Empire Theatre and at other fundraising events for charity. His parents were Henry Graham St. Hill and Annie Wall Bourne. My mother recalled that her Grandma Annie was also musical, she played the piccolo, as did Betty's father. She was short lady, always dressed in long skirts and boots, Mum remembered. We wondered how the ladies of that generation ever managed to wear such attire in the warm Caribbean! Working Days in Barbados After leaving school, Betty got a job as an operator at Cable & Wireless. This is where she was working when she first met my father. She recalled: "The wireless station was in F ontabelle near Mannings. I used to have to work at three places - Dover whe re the cables came in, Bridgetown office where the cables and wires were received and sent out, and the wireless station where the wireless was received and sent on if it had to go by wire. I didn’t do wireless, I did the cable line at the wireless station. I was only 16 and working with big men like Louis Weatherhead (Peter's father), and Harold Bowen - all big grown married men. I got the job through Uncle Colin.* He was the Officer in charge of the town office and was friendly with Mr. Douglas who was the General Manager for Cable & Wireless. Minnie Alleyne and me - her father was the Officer in charge of Dover. I worked the Port of Spain circuit at Dover." * Uncle Colin Lobo was Betty's mother's brother. British West Indies Airways (BWIA) was established in Trinidad and began operating on November 27, 1940 flying between Trinidad and Barbados. Their agents in Barbados were S.P. Musson & Co. Ltd. located on the Bridgetown wharf. In early 1943, seventeen-year-old Betty joined the small BWIA operations staff. She remembers those early days in detail: "The Manager was Percy Taylor, the Accountant Mr. Parkinson, and an old lady called Annie Bayne who was Mr Taylor’s secretary. There was Mr. Medford - the operations man who saw about the airport and so on. Three of us worked at the front desk: Barbara Farmer, a young fellow called Gibbs and myself. The two messengers were King and Austin. BWIA operations were in a small place before they opened their office in Cavans Lane. We had to book reservations. In those days a lot of workers were going down to Trinidad. We had to arrange for Dears Garage to pick them up at such and such a time. It was like a little travel agency. We had to see about their ticket and give them their receipt to go on the taxi when it came." Courtship and Marriage World War II was declared on 3 September 1939, and Andrew Sheppard , the tenth child in a family of 12 children in Port of Spain, Trinidad, enlisted to serve in the army. He became a Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Engineers, Trinidad. In 1942 he went on a short vacation to Barbados. The friend with whom he was staying took him to the YMPC to see a rehearsal for an upcoming variety show to be performed at the Empire Theatre in Bridgetown. It was there that he first laid eyes on seventeen year old Betty St. Hill who was practicing her tap dance routine for the show. He always said that he was struck b y her shapely legs and vivaciousness. As cliché as it may sound, it was simply love at first sight. They were introduced and later that week Betty asked her mother if she could invite him to a party they were having at her grandmother's beach house "Kalcachima", which was next door to where is now the Accra Beach Hotel on the south coast. And so the romance started. A brief courtship by letters and a couple more visits ensued. On July 16, 1943, 20 year-old Andrew wrote to Betty's father, "Dear Mr. St.Hill . . ." declaring his undying love for his daughter and asking for her hand in marriage. In the beautifully penned letter which our mother kept all these years, he expressed the uncertainty of the times: “We must all appreciate the glaring fact that the destiny of this World and its peoples is being decided in what undoubtedly is the most widespread and horrible War the World has ever known, and we must also accept conditions as they are, making the best of everything and improving them when possible.” 
 He also wrote a touching letter to Betty's mother. "You know that all Bets and I want now is each other, and until we are permanently together we will never know real happiness. I honestly do not feel that I could continue without Betty’s constant love and companionship, which means life to me.” Neither Andrew nor Betty had yet reached the legal age of consent when they were wed at St. Pat rick's Church Barbados on 31 July 1943. Our father had given the St. Hills two weeks notice to prepare for the wedding. He had won them over with his sincerity and charm. Not only had Betty fallen in love with this handsome young man, but so had all of her family. "Quiet Wedding" - Barbados Advocate, 4th August 1943 (transcribed from the social column "" Caribbean Calling") A quiet but picturesque wedding took place on Saturday afternoon last at the St. Patricks R.C. Church when Miss Betty St. Hill of Ypres, 1st Avenue, Belleville was married to Lieutanant Andrew Sheppard son of Mrs. Elsie Sheppard of Trinidad. The ceremony was performed by Father Shorrocks, and a reception was afterwards held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. St. Hill. The bride, who looked very attractive and charming, wore white organdie over satin and was attended by her sister Miss Clem St. Hill, whose costume was gold, with hat and shoes to match. Mr. Leighton Yearwood performed the duties of Bestman and Mr. Harry St. Hill was usher. They were the recipients of many useful presents and after the reception they left to spend their honeymoon at Powell Spring, Bathsheba. Lieut. and Mrs. Sheppard leave today by plane for Trinidad. Betty and Andrew started off ma r ried life at Mrs. Rappard's Boarding House in Port of Spain, Trinidad. They didn't have much, but they had each other. They were young and mad ly in love. Betty found Trinidad to be an exciting place, very different from her home, and quickly adapted to a new way of life. She found the Sheppard family warm and welcoming and couldn't get over how beautiful all her sisters-in-law were. Dad wrote in his memoirs: "It was war-time and everything was in short supply but we were grateful for the availability of certain consumables from the NAAFI (British Navy, Army & Airforce Institute) and the US Army Post Exchange." In later years they would reminisce about those happy days, and tell us about the batman assigned to Dad when he was in the Army. He would proudly show us all his army buttons and badges that he kept in the same leather gun holster he used, and we all knew the heavy khaki-coloured "army blanket" that would come out to cover us when we were sick. In May 1944 Betty and Andrew moved south to San Fernando, where our father got a job in the Personnel Department of Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd. in Pointe-à-Pierre. It was there, at the Pointe-à-Pierre Hospital, that their first three children were born: Stephen, born on 20 November 1944, then in 1945 a little girl who sadly, only lived one day. They were living in Vistabella, San Fernando, when I was born on 10 September of 1947. By 1949 they had moved to Barbados, where their next child Peter was born. Andrew got into the life insurance business and became a very successful salesman for Confederation Life and later for Crown Life. But he was restless, and this was to be just the first of many moves and several jobs as we lived between the two islands, Trinidad and Barbados After a gap of seven years, their next child Lillian was born in Trinidad, where we lived at 9E Hart Street, Mon Repos, San Fernando. My father managed the San Fernando branch of the Singer Sewing Machine Company there. In the fifties they moved back to Barbados where Frances (1958) and Alan (1962) were born, then back to Trinidad where their youngest child Audrey-Mae was born in May of 1964. It was in Barbados that we finally settled and where they made their permanent home. We could say we lived the typical expat life, only that it was limited to two neighbouring Caribbean islands. Through all of the uprooting and moves, our mother was good natured, supportive and happy. She totally believed in our father and loved him endlessly. He was her everything. Dad and Mum loved to dance, and during the days when my brother Alan was the lead singer with Spice & Co., and when my sister Audrey-Mae danced in the show, they could often be seen on the dance floor at the popular Plantation Spectacular run by Joyce Straker. Neither of them had real hobbies to speak of, as their family of seven children took up all their time. Betty was artistically gifted, and sewed all her own dresses and clothes for all her daughters. She made all our school uniforms. costumes and wedding gowns for me and for my sister Audrey. She taught me how to sew my own clothes, and how to do embroidery - skills I used to make baby clothes when my children came along. Mum would knit woollen baby booties in her own special design whenever a new grandchild or great-grandchild came along. Dad collected music records, we always had the latest. And we almost always had a piano. Those were their simple pleasures, as Betty played the piano at home every single day, well into her nineties. Every family party or visit became a sing-along around the piano. In later years, Mum played the piano at the Ocean View Hotel in Hastings, and for those memorable afternoon teas at the Casuarina Hotel in Dover, run by our friend Bonnie (Western) Cole. Sandals Resorts now stands on the site of the once beautiful Casuarina Hotel. Perhaps Betty Sheppard is best remembered by hundreds of locals and visitors who enjoyed the lavish Sunday Planter’s Buffet lunches at Fisherpond Plantation House, St. Joseph, run by John and Rain Chandler. There “Birdie” as she is affectionately called, became the sweetheart of everyone, playing special requests of oldies and goldies in her own sweet style. She played by ear and had the gift of smoothly segueing from one tune to the next, guided by her heart. She never prepared a set-list, but had a huge repertoire, and her own signature start to every session. Mum continued to play lunchtime gigs at Fisherpond up until she was 87 years old. Betty was always gentle, polite and gracious in her manner, and this endeared her to everyone who knew her. Those who knew her well enjoyed her sharp sense of humour which could often diffuse a sticky situation! I cannot remember our mother being really sick or being hospitalized, except for her stays in the maternity ward. She loved to go walking and in later years enjoyed going to aquacise with her friends. But Dad developed heart disease, starting in 1966 and ending tragically in 1991. The unspeakable happened in Venezuela, where we had arranged for him to be seen by a cardiology surgeon there. He had suffered a heart attack in Barbados and was languishing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I.C.U. with no improvement. So we made arrangements for him to go by air ambulance for treatment in Caracas, accompanied by our brother Peter who speaks Spanish fluently. Sadly he suffered another heart attack upon arrival at the hospital, and that one was fatal. His beloved Betty was waiting for her flight from Barbados to Caracas to join him when she received the news of his death. She was devastated. The love of her life, gone at age 68 after 47 years of marriage. Her Andy was like the song she loved to play - "Unforgettable". Betty was crushed with grief, but continued on bravely without her soul mate. However, just two years later, she again suffered the loss of her eldest child Stephen, who died in January 1993 at just 48 years old. Again, she bore her pain with grace, always surrounded by her other six children and family, and always with her faith and her music to comfort her. I know how much her heart and soul endured and her capacity for unconditional love and forgiveness has set an example we can only just strive towards. The union of Andrew Sheppard and Betty St. Hill in 1943 produced a family of seven children, 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren who are spread across the world. Our beloved mother, Frances Elizabeth (Betty) Sheppard, affectionately called Bird, "Birdie", Granny Bird, peacefully slipped away to her eternal rest in her 99th year, on Thursday 25 January, 2024. She was surrounded by all of her children, in person and virtually for those who live abroad, as we bid her one last goodbye. This kind and gentle soul who touched the lives of many through her joyous music and gentle manner knew how much she was loved and cherished. Valerie Sheppard Friday 26 January, 2024 On 8th February 2024 a Service of Thanksgiving for her life was held at St. Dominic's Church, Maxwell, and afterwards she was laid to rest beside her very own Andy at the Military Cemetery. Mum has left us with a song in our hearts As part of a musical tribute to her during her Service of Thanksgiving - our brother Alan's rendition of "Smile" - a song she loved. It captures her beautiful spirit. Smile Alan Sheppard 00:00 / 03:59 "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran Betty at Fisherpond Plantation House with great-granddaughters Mahlea and Kayla Archer See also: St. Hill Family Barbados St. Hill & Lobo Families Forever in my heart, my mother

Henry Garnet (Harry) St. Hill 1921 -1993 Eulogy delivered at his Service of Thanksgiving in Kingstown, St. Vincent Henry Garnet (Harry) St. Hill was born on September 4, 1921, in Barbados, the son of Henry Garnet St. Hill and his wife Emee D’Azevedo Lobo. He joined Cable and Wireless and worked in many of the Caribbean islands, but when he arrived in St. Vincent in 1940 as a vacation relief, he knew that this was his favourite. Soon after his arrival he met the Fraser family including Agnes, whom he married in 1945. Harry's wife Agnes St. Hill née Fraser 1919-1994 Harry was a very keen cricketer as a young man and played for the Hairoun Cricket Team here in St. Vincent. In later years, for relaxation he was a very active Radio HAM operator and took part in the local weather net. He made HAM friends from all over the world. He also helped with the instructing of new HAMS in their hobby. After many years working for other people Harry decided, with Agnes’ great support, to start his own company and St. Vincent Insurance Services opened in 1964. He built this company into a thriving success; and when he sold this business and retired he was approached by his London colleagues and he agreed to set up Trident Insurance in Barbados. After returning home, he was encouraged and persuaded by friends and business associates to reopen and St. Hill Insurance Company was formed. Until his illness last year, he played an active role, but was forced to retire in July. Harry built a reputation not only among the businessmen of St. Vincent and Barbados, where he operated his companies, but also in London, as being a man of total integrity and honesty while maintaining his sense of fair play to both his customers and London colleagues. Six years ago he built the present family home at Rutland Vale to accommodate his ever increasing family of grandchildren. He loved the peace and quiet of the countryside and always looked forward to having that peace shattered by the arrival of his children and grandchildren coming home for a visit from all corners of the world. Harry leaves to mourn, his wife of 48 years, Agnes, three sons, three daughters, six grandsons, four granddaughters, three sisters and many friends and colleagues all over the globe. Harry and Agnes St. Hill with their family - some time in the 80's Below: The family home at Rutland Vale, Layou, St.Vincent

The St. Hill Family - Barbados St. Hill/Sheppard Family Archives The earliest known photo of the St. Hill Family in Barbados - circa 1896 (Original image from my grandmother's photo album restored using AI) Seated centre are my maternal great-grandparents, Henry Graham St. Hill and Annie Bourne. Next to Annie is her father, John Bourne with his wife Augusta Matilda Mahon standing behind him. Next to her l/r are Florrie and Evy (Evelyn) Bourne (sisters of Annie Bourne). My grandfather, Henry Garnet St. Hill is standing next to his grandfather on the right, and his brother Eric is next to his father on the left. Seated in front are their twin sisters, Ruby and Beryl, and to the left is their aunt, May Bourne, another of Annie's sisters. Above: Marriage Register showing the marriage of my great-great grandparents John Bourne and Augusta Mathilda Mahon - 1859. Below: Marriage of my great-grandparents Henry Graham St. Hill and Annie Wall Bourne - 1887 Oral tradition tells us that our Sainthill family came from Devon, England, but it is a challenge to find documented proof of this. I do know that certainly in Barbados, the surname changed at some point to St. Hill . Our story starts on April 28, 1842 when 22 year old Benjamin St. Hill , my mother's great-grandfather, took as his bride Margaret Bourne. The Marriage Register shows that the couple's fathers, Samuel St. Hill and John Bourne were present to give their blessings and sign as witnesses. It is true to say that their marriage was fruitful, as between 1843 and 1863 they became parents of no less than ten children. They lived in St. Michael and baptised each of their children in the Anglican faith. Several of them were baptised at St. Stephen's Church, Black Rock. In the various registers, Benjamin's profession was sometimes listed as a merchant, and sometimes as a merchant's clerk. With such a large family to support he must have worked hard! The ninth child of Benjamin and Margaret's brood was my great-grandfather Henry Graham St. Hill . He was duly baptised on 4 Jul 1861 and was just a boy of 11 years old when his father Benjamin died. Benjamin was only 52 years old when he died on January 5, 1872, and Margaret died about six years later in Warwickshire, England. Left without parents, one wonders how all these children left behind were able to cope. Although he was a 'city' boy, he married a girl from the parish of St. Peter - that was fairly uncommon in those days. Annie also came from a family of 10 children, daughter of John Bourne and Augusta Matilda Mahon. Henry Graham and Annie made their home in Cheapside, St. Michael, and were living there when their first child Eric Graham was born. Cheapside in Bridgetown, where many of the Jewish settlers also lived, was close to the port (now the Careenage), which was the hub of shipping and trade in those days. It was a convenient location for merchants to reside, as it was near to where are most of their business was transacted. Within five years, they had five children - Eric, Edith, Henry Garnet, and twin daughters Ruby and Beryl. Of these, the only one who remained in Barbados was my grandfather, Henry Garnet St. Hill. Henry Graham and Annie eventually moved to Barbarees Hill, and owned their family home there. My mother Betty remembers visiting her grandparents at this house when she was a child. She describes the atmosphere in their home as "fascinating and quaint" and loved to go there. She says that her grandad taught her how to tell the time when she was 8, using an alarm clock that had two big bells either side. About her grandmother Annie she recalls: "She was a dear little soul. From the time you woke up in the morning, she was dressed in boots and a long skirt with an apron over it. She was a busy, busy little lady. She was olive-skinned, with a little round face. She was a Bourne. She was very musical - she could play the flute." She recalled that there was an Uncle Freddie St. Hill, (her grandad's brother) Aunt Bessie and Aunt Evie who lived with them in their Barbarees Hill home, but they all made themselves scarce and went into their own rooms when she visited. After they all died and her grandparents were left alone, their house in Barbarees Hill was sold and arrangements made for them to come and live with her parents at their home "Ypres" in Belleville sometime in the 30's. My mother was one of five children, so I can imagine that it must have been awkward and difficult for them and, according to Mum "It just didn't work out." My grandfather then bought a house for them in Tweedside Road, and had it renovated. They called it "Graham Cot", and since it was within walking distance, they could visit often. Garnet also hired a lady to live in and attend to his parents and he diligently looked after them until they passed away in 1940 and 1941. The first of their children to be married was their eldest child Eric, who was later to become somewhat of a family mystery for a long time. ERIC GRAHAM ST. HILL Eric Graham St. Hill and his wife Sarah Berinda Josephine Johnson Barbados, 8th November 1911 (Photo restoration of damaged original image) Eric was born on 18 August 1887, and was baptized in St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Michael on 1st October the same year. At that time, his parents were still living at Cheapside, Bridgetown, an area not too far away from that church. St. Mary's Anglican Church (called chapel in those days) was built in 1825 and is the second oldest consecrated ground on the island. Of Eric's early life we know that he attended the Combermere School in Barbados, where he showed a keen interest in and aptitude for languages. When he was 15 years old, he was awarded a prize for Latin, and the following year he won the Senior Prize for French and Spanish. The two handsome leather-bound classics are treasured by his family. Eric also studied Pitman's Shorthand, as evidenced by the textbook he kept and on which is inscribed "Eric St. Hill, 1905". His thirst for learning never stopped, as he continued to study Spanish after he left school, teaching himself to become fluent by listening to records. We don't know where they first met, but Eric fell in love with an attractive brunette named Sarah Berinda Josephine Johnson (called Berinda), daughter of James and Louisa Johnson née Weekes, who was to become his spouse for life. The couple took their wedding vows at St. Leonard's Anglican Church on 8 November 1911, when they were both 24 years old. The marriage records show that she was living in St. Philip at the time, and he in Belleville, St. Michael. His brother Garnet (my grandfather) is shown as a witness on their marriage certificate. As a matter of interest, St. Leonard's Church was where the St. Hill family worshipped, and the St. Hill Family burial site is located in the St. Leonard's churchyard. Eric joined the Machine Gun Volunteers of Barbados, but was not called to active duty during WWl. Seeking better job opportunities, he and Berinda decided to emigrate to Toronto, Canada sometime after their marriage in 1911. My grandmother, Esmée St. Hill in Barbados sent Eric a postcard in 1915, which indicates that they corresponded with each other during those first years after he left his home in Barbados. A postcard was also sent from Eric to them in 1916. Like Eric, my grandparents, Esmée and Garnet St. Hill also lived in Belleville, where their family home "Ypres" was situated at the corner of the 1st Avenue and Pine Road. Their property occupied two lots, extending into the 2nd Avenue, so they had a large back garden and orchard. In 1880s, Belleville was developed as an exclusive residential area in Barbados. By 1910, the 8th through 11th avenues were available for public access while up until about 1935, the 1st through 7th avenues catered to private residents only. An avenue in Belleville, Barbados I was curious to find out more about where Eric and Berinda lived in Canada, having left behind the beautiful palm-lined avenues of Belleville in Barbados. Thanks to my grandmother's familiar rounded handwriting on the postcard she sent to him in 1915 I had their exact address. With the help of Canadian friends, I discovered that they had moved into a new and very desirable residential area, designed as Tudor style apartments set in gardens and close to nature. The construction of the 260 units began in 1913 and continued on for another decade. They were designed to provide the working class with nice places to live. Eric and Berinda, with their toddler Josephene, would have been among the first tenants to move into the first of the finished units. Below are photos of the Aberdeen Club apartments at that time, and a picture of them now. Postcard sent in 1915 from 1st Ave. Belleville, Barbados to Eric at No. 1 Apartment, Aberdeen Club, Bain Ave. Toronto, Ont. Canada. Eric is in the front row among a detachment of Machine Gun Barbados Volunteers. August 3, 1914 -Postcard addressed to my grandmother, Mrs. H.G. St. Hill from her brother-in-law Eric. He and Berinda visited Niagra Falls, N.Y. Eric and Berinda's first child arrived in the summer of 1916, while they were living in their new Apartment on Bain Avenue, Toronto. By all accounts, Berinda loved life in Canada, but the same could not be said for Eric. Many Barbadians who have emigrated have found the long, harsh Canadian winters to be difficult - I wonder whether Eric longed for warmer weather year-long! Eric's daughter Helen remembers that her father always yearned to visit Spain, which is perhaps why he continued to learn Spanish after he left school. The fact that he spoke Spanish may well have been the reason he was sent from Canada to work in the Mexican branch of the Railway Light and Power Company. With this job opportunity, Eric, Berinda and little Josephine set off from Canada around 1918 to live in Monterrey, Mexico . There he was employed as Assistant Manager with Monterrey Railway Light and Power Company, which was a Canadian company. Two more children were born, Gloria in 1920 and Helen in 1922 - completing their family of three daughters. Eric loved life in Mexico and soon became actively involved in the community. He was founding member of the Rotary Club of Monterrey, which held its first meeting on October 27, 1922. He also served as President of the Rotary Club of Monterrey in 1925-1926. He and his family moved to Mexico City in 1930 where they settled permanently. Eric and Berinda were married for 41 years, until he died on January 22, 1953 when he was 65 years old. Berinda went on to live to the ripe old age of 92. It appears that Eric and Berinda never returned to Barbados, and after a while the St. Hill family completely lost contact with each other. His family in Barbados never knew what became of him, and sadly, his parents passed away not ever knowing what became of their eldest son. Fast-forward to May 2008 when, out of the proverbial blue, I was thrilled to receive a message on Facebook from a stranger with a Spanish sounding name. "My name is Emilia and I am the granddaughter of Eric St. Hill, your grandfather Garnet's brother. This makes us relatives, but I'm not sure what we are -second cousins? My mother, Helen St. Hill (sister of Josephine and Gloria) would love to contact your mother Betty... Until a few days ago she had no idea that she has a cousin in Barbados. My brother Marco has been trying to track down my mother's side of the family in Barbados and he found out about you on Internet. We live in Mexico City and would love to write to you." Our long-lost Eric, though long gone, was reunited with the family through his Mexican family! Through this contact with my Mexican family, we have been able to learn more about my great-uncle Eric, though we will probably never know why he and Berinda broke all ties with their families in Barbados after they settled down in Mexico. All we can say is that, as in many other families, "something " must have happened. After exchanging several emails, Emilia, her sister Helen and their mother Helen (now 98) took a trip to Barbados in 2010, and met her cousin Betty (St. Hill) Sheppard (my mother, now 95) and some other family members. The cousins exchanged letters and were happy to have found each other. So thanks to my family tree work on line and the wonders of the internet - we are thrilled to have discovered a delightful Mexican branch of the St. Hill Family, and they are happy to know more about their Barbadian roots. Above: l/r Eric's granddaughters Emilia Almazán, her sister Helen and their mother Helen Graham St. Hill Almazán Below: l/r my cousin Helen St. Hill, Helen Graham St. Hill Almazán, with my brother Peter Sheppard and his wife Neilsa nee Tasker, in Barbados - 2010 Cousins meet for the first and only time in Barbados, 2010 Betty (St. Hill) Sheppard (1925 - 2024), rt. Helen (St. Hill) Almazán (1922 - 1924) See also: ST. HILL & LOBO FAMILIES HENRY GARNET (HARRY) ST. HILL FRANCES ELIZABETH (BETTY) SHEPPARD née ST. HILL

Ivy May Gomez Although I never knew my grandmother’s sister, Ivy May Gomez , I had often heard loving recollections about her from my father. Aunt Ivy seemed to have been a very special person who was not only extraordinarily kind and thoughtful, but also very talented. She was born to Joseph and Christina Pereira in 1897, the sixth child in the family of nine. Ivy was born in Queen's Street, in the town of Arima, Trinidad. At the time, her father Joseph worked at Millers Stores Ltd. as a clerk, according to her birth certificate. Later, the family moved to Sangre Grande. Sadly, Ivy lost her father when she had just turned 13 years old. According to the records, Joseph Gomez died of Cerebral Apoplexy (Stroke) at his home in Sangre Grande on the 31st December, 1910. He was only 47 years old, leaving Christina a widow at the young age of 44. I can only imagine the terrible shock and loss his children and wife suffered. The funeral left from the residence of Alfred Mendes, where just a year earlier the whole family had been celebrating the marriage of Ivy's sister Elsie Mabel to Charles Sheppard . Twelve years later, tragedy and sadness once again struck the Gomez family. On 6th October 1922, Ivy's older sister, Audrey died in Grenada at the young age of 33, during childbirth with her son George. Left alone with a four-and-a-half year old boy and an infant son to raise, her husband Louis Franco sent George's older brother Wilfred to his aunt Ivy in Trinidad. By then, Ivy lived in Port of Spain with her widowed mother Christina Gomez, and together they provided a loving home and motherly care for Wilfred. George was sent to his father's maiden sister, Louise Franco, in Grenada who also lovingly raised the young boy at the home where she lived with her parents, John and Clementine Franco. His grandfather John Franco was a successful wine merchant and lived above his shop on Halifax Street in St. Georges, where he owned several other properties. From the records we know that Ivy accompanied her sister-in-law, Jessie Gomez, (George's wife) on a trip to Scotland after the birth of their second child, also named Joseph. Her travel dates were 29th July 1927 - 11th November 1927 and on her return voyage, her occupation was listed as Cashier. "Perhaps she was once again helping to look after the children," suggests Jessie Tamas Hendry, Ivy's great-niece. Ivy and Jessie's grandmother stayed in touch through letters. Jessie said that she knows from one of Ivy's letters to her Grandma that she was interested in our family history. In one letter of February 1973 Ivy wrote: "I hope one day to try to find out Grandma Pereira's maiden name if the books have not been damaged in the riot of 1908. Not all of them were. But the Red House is another dangerous spot and the administration is awful. The greatest carelessness exists and documents are being sold on or left lying about in a neglected way." (Photo courtesy Brian Franco) Wilfred (about 11), Ivy, their pet Jinks and Grandma Christina Gomez née Pereira taken in their garden around 1928/1929. The chimney in the background was located on the Port of Spain wharf. Ivy would have been about 32 and her mother about 63. (Photo courtesy Brian Franco) The home Ivy shared with her mother and nephew Wilfred at 64 A Wrightson Road, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad. During her lifetime, Ivy wrote well over a hundred poems, several of which she had published in a book in 1972. In a letter to her sister-in-law Jessie Gomez dated 5th July, 1973, she wrote about what must have truly been one of the highlights of her life: "Two days ago a soirée was arranged for me to have my poems read by tape-recording at St. Ann’s Church Hall. Mr. Cameron, so good, had set them to soft background music of an orchestra of 101 strings. That is a wonderful record. People of both St. Ann’s and Greyfriars churches were invited and poor little Ivy feeling like if it was her wedding day set off with an elegant hairdo. I wanted to sit sideways but Mr. Cameron said he would like me to take a bow before they start, as some may not know me, and another bow at the end. But Miss Rawle, the lady in charge, would not let me move from the front but sit facing the audience near a little table. The function was well attended and got off to a start with Mr. Cameron playing all suitable poems to suit the audience. Many of the Geddes Grant family attended. Sir Lindsay Grant, K.I., O.B.E. T.C. and Lady Grant. His sister, Mrs. Forbes and sister-in-law Mrs. Willard Grant. I said a few words while taking a bow. 'Thanks so much for coming. I may say like the erstwhile abdicated King Edward of England that at long last I am giving you some poems. My heart the violin - and my lips the bow.” Well, they were all thrilled with the poems and Sir Lindsay was very, very impressed and gave a long note of thanks. When it was over, all the ladies and Maurice Brash and Boysie deluged me with kisses. I could not wash my face that night." Ivy gave an autographed copy of her book of poems "Roses in the Rain" to her nephew George Franco who lived in Grenada. The book was passed down to George's daughter Jenny, who has kindly shared its precious pages. Particularly touching is her poem " Farewell to the Sangre Grande Train". The Trinidad Government Railway existed between 1876 and 28 December 1968 and was originally built to connect Port of Spain with Arima. After the railways shut down permanently in 1968, Ivy wrote this poignant poem which was was published in the Trinidad Guardian on 1st January, 1969. The poem recalls her sadness when, as an eight year old, she had to wave goodbye to her mother from the platform when she returned to their home in Sangre Grande, leaving her behind in Port of Spain for schooling. “Mother goodby”, my heart did cry, For I could only stand and sigh While whistle’s hoot did bear her home And I wished soon again, she’d come You see, for then I was aged eight Not grown to womanhood’s estate To go to school in town I must Though for this cause my heart was crushed.” This, and several other poems describe her surroundings, experiences and feelings, growing up in Trinidad in a gentler era, now bygone. She recalls tender memories of her father and childhood home. Her writings and observations are, in fact, a wonderful time capsule as seen through her eyes. Click on the cover below to open the book and step back in time into Ivy's world through her poetic expressions. "Roses in the Rain" A collection of Poems by Ivy Gomez Ivy stayed abreast of current affairs and was inspired to write poems on memorable occasions. On 9 -11 February 1966, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Trinidad & Tobago. Ivy wrote a poem of welcome for them, and the following article appeared in the Trinidad Mirror newspaper on 13 March, 1966. This article about her "Poem to an Emperor" was published the following month in "Evening Hours" dated 15th April, 1966. Ivy May Gomez "Taken in the early 1970's. Aunt Ivy came to Grenada to attend the wedding of Jennifer Hosten , who was Miss World 1970. The picture was taken in the backyard of the Great House in L'anse Aux Epines. She was all dolled up for the wedding. Jennifer had previously paid a visit to Trinidad and Aunt Ivy managed to get through the crowd and presented her with a poem I think it was, so she was then invited to the wedding." - Jenny McNamara Franco Vincent Gomez Ivy's brother Vincent Gomez, taken at the Pereira Studio in Tuscon, Arizona In her later years, Ivy shared a home with her brother Vincent Gomez at 132 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. There the siblings ran a photo studio named The Rite Studio. Vin had previously spent considerable time with his two uncles John and Joseph Pereira who had immigrated to America and had a well-known photography business - Pereira Studios - in Tuscon Arizona. It was there that young Vin developed his love for photography and received training in the business. Vin worked as a photographer with Pereira Studios for several years, In 1932 he became a naturalized American citizen in Tuscon, Arizona where he continued to work in the family's photography business, as Pereira Studios continued to operate even after the death of his uncle, Joseph Pereira, in 1936. Records show that having first left Trinidad for the USA in 1913 when he was just 19 years old, he finally returned to his island home from America in 1951 when he was 58 years old. Several family members of my generation recall childhood memories of having their photos taken by Uncle Vin at the Rite Studio. Said Jenny McNamara: "Uncle Vin had a tripod with a cloth. He would go under the cloth then come out and jump up and down to make us smile." Unfortunately, both Ivy and Vin became deaf in their latter years. Vincent died on 14 November 1963 when he was 70 years old and Ivy passed away in 1976 at age 78. Neither of them married and left behind no children. Ivy lived a life of caring for others, and we are grateful for the memories left behind in her very own words of poetry. Her story needed to be told. I wish I'd known Aunt Ivy and Uncle Vin - what stories they could have told. Many Thanks to Jessie Tamas Hendry, Brian Franco, Jenny McNamara Franco and other family members for their valued contributions to this story. ~ Valerie Sheppard 30 September, 2020