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

Janet Elsie (West) Miller Barbados, 24 March 1936 - Florida, 16 June 2024 MY FOREVER FRIEND Janet, around 1965 “And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Those words of my favourite poet, Kahlil Gibran, perfectly describe the special sweet friendship shared by Janet and me for over sixty years. It was through our husbands and the Barbados Polo Club that we first came to know each other in 1965, as our men were both playing members. Trevor and Janet were a young married couple and their children would come to polo afternoons at the club - Niki was 9, Roddy 7 and Juliette was just 5. I was completely new to the polo scene, just about to start off married life with my handsome Tony and begin a family of our own. I remember how stunningly beautiful Janet was, with her long raven hair sometimes worn in a single thick braid over her shoulder. I admired how she always looked so stylish. She was always warm and friendly, we hit it off from the very start. Although Janet was 11 years older than me, we never noticed the age difference. She took me under her wing, so to speak. Little did we know then how entwined our lives would become, and that we would share a life-long bond born out of tragedies and heartbreak on the one hand, and happiness and joy on the other. Janet and I were both married when we were only 18 years young - she to her first love Trevor Davis in 1954, me to my first love Tony Archer in 1966. We both enjoyed a very happy married life as young couples raising our families in Barbados. Tony and I lived on the south coast, and I still remember the Sunday afternoon drives to the countryside with our young ones to visit them at the 17th century Colleton Plantation Great House in St. John when Trevor was the Manager of the sugar-cane plantation there. Janet always insisted on serving up an impromptu supper, and we never went back home without Trevor giving us bags of some home-grown produce. Being “polo wives” we were always entertaining or being entertained in our shared circle of friends, as is the custom in Barbados. Janet was a fabulous cook and hostess, she had a flair for throwing memorable parties. She was one of the most positive, talented, industrious and energetic women I ever knew. She sewed beautifully, making her own outfits, home furnishings and always things for others. When I was expecting my first child in 1967, she turned up one afternoon with a locally hand-woven basket, beautifully decorated with dainty flounces of blue chiffon and lace, filled with everything I would need to look after changing and bathing the baby - right down to diaper pins. Yes, pins, for home-made cloth diapers, no Pampers back then! Along with the basket, she had made me a pretty blue hanging holder for stacking folded diapers. Janet must have had a feeling that my first would be a boy, so chose blue! These I used for all five of my quickly produced family, and they remain vividly in my memories. We had no idea then, in those first blissful years, what lay ahead for both of us. In 1973, eighteen years into their marriage, Trevor was involved in a car accident that tragically took his life. He was only 41. We were shattered by this tragedy and filled with compassion for Jan and her young children. Our friendship grew in a different and deeper way. We included each other in whatever was going on. We admired her courage and resourcefulness as she coped with her grief while working hard to develop her Victoria Florist business. She operated this from her home in Victoria, St. John - the beautiful new home that she and Trevor had built and moved into shortly before that fatal accident. Several years later when we learned about her Dr. Arthur Miller in Florida and met him, we couldn’t have been happier for her. They were a beautiful couple. Art was a real gentle sweetheart and adored “the Bajan lady” as he liked to refer to her, with a twinkle in his eye. Art shared Janet’s love of family and Bajan ways of family life. Tony and I became close friends of Art too, and life went on with several happy visits back and forth. I even remember a time when Art’s son Bret worked for a while with Tony at our family business J.A.K. Archer & Co. Ltd. in Barbados. But in 1984, also eighteen years into our own marriage, another cruel twist of fate would suddenly take my own Tony from me and our children. He suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in our car while I was rushing him for emergency treatment in an asthma attack. He was just 45. By incredible and poignant coincidence, Trevor died on Saturday July 14th 1973, and Tony died on Saturday July 14th 1984. Janet and I were both widowed when we were only 37 years old. Just as Trevor’s sudden death had been a shock to the Barbadian community, so was Tony’s. Upon hearing the news, Janet and Art took the next plane to Barbados to be with me and my 5 young children. That first Christmas of 1984, Janet and Art insisted that I come and bring the children to spend the Christmas holidays with them at their Bal Harbor home in Florida, and even extended the invitation to Tony’s parents. He was their only child. We will never forget their kindness and generosity. To this day, my children remember Janet with utmost love and affection. My eldest, for whom she made the blue baby basket, summed it up: “Auntie Janet didn’t have a bad bone in her body”. Janet and I loved to go shopping together in Florida, and often bought the same clothes and accessories, as we had pretty much the same taste. She took me to all her favourite stores and loved to fool the store attendants that we were sisters - and they believed us! She loved that game and it brought giggles galore – “bare sport” as she would say! Well truth be said, we really loved each other like sisters, in every possible way. As for me, in 1985 I got married again to someone Janet knew. David MacKenzie had been married to her cousin, Anne Bayley, sister of Patti Mull who introduced her to Art. Anne had died in December of 1984. Janet took me shopping for the wedding, helped me select the guipure lace and style for my wedding gown. She and Art flew to Barbados to be with me on the big day. During my 22-year marriage to David, we continued our friendships through visits and went on several cruise holidays together. Janet was always full of fun, and the laughs and adventures we shared, together with our mutual Bajan friends Keith and Angela Melville were epic. Unfortunately my second marriage ended in divorce, and again Janet and Art flew to Barbados and helped me through the second most difficult phase of my life. A few years after my divorce I remarried and was delighted to introduce my Dutch husband, Meindert van der Meulen, to my dearest of friends, Janet and Art. They welcomed him with open arms into their homes in Jensen Beach and Hutchinson Island, Florida. Their home was filled with handcrafted Barbadian mahogany furniture - heirlooms from Janet’s family. We have had wonderful visits with them and their family and our lives have been enriched by their friendship. Where else could I stay and have an African Grey greet me “Good morning, Auntie Valerie”? We miss them dearly and treasure every memory of the laughter and sharing of all the inevitable ups and downs of life. I settled in the Netherlands with Meindert, and because of the physical distance between us now, I regret that we could not visit Janet and Art as often as we used to when we were living closer to each other. Janet’s birthday was 24th March, Tony’s was 23rd March – how could we ever forget? It was one day we always made sure to call each other to celebrate and appreciate our shared life experiences. It’s hard to put sixty years of this special friendship into one short story, for there are so many layers and times to remember. Suffice to say, we were always there for each other, and for this I will always be grateful. Meindert and I, along with my children Paul, Wayne, Richard, Ingrid and Phil, extend love and condolences to all Janet’s family. I shut my eyes and see her beautiful face, hear her laughing, always fun-loving and forever young at heart. Sleep easy my dearest friend, Janet, you have lived a life of beauty, goodness and kindness that will long be remembered. Your children will make you proud as they carry on your legacy. You will always be remembered by everyone who was lucky enough to have known and loved you. Especially me. Valerie Sheppard – 7 September, 2024 Janet, Art and myself - Florida 2007 In the tapestry of life, friendships weave, A bond so strong, you’d never believe, The way they light our darkest night, Guiding us with their unwavering light. Through stormy seas and skies so gray, Friends stand beside us, come what may, Their laughter, a melody that warms the heart, In this timeless dance, we’re never apart. In the garden of memories, they’re the bloom, In every corner of our heart’s sweet room, The tears we share and secrets confide, In the realm of friendship, we cannot hide. Through trials and triumphs, they hold our hand, In the intricate web of life, they understand, The unspoken words, the silent plea, Friends know us better than we often see. When life’s burdens weigh heavy and low, Friends offer solace, a safe place to go, Their kindness a balm for every wound, In this symphony of love, our souls are attuned. A lifeline to happiness, to soothe our pains,
 Friendship, a treasure, so precious and true, 
In the garden of hearts, it forever blooms for you. By: Vyomi Shah Trevor de Lisle Davis - 1931-1973 - Barbados Trevor's Way, Bridgetown, Barbados named after the late Trevor Davis. Trevor was initially responsible for the beautification of this recreational space. It extends from the Cheapside Fish Market, down to the Port of Bridgetown. (video by Barbados Port Inc.)

Jessie Mendes wife of John Rooks and Matriarch of the Mendes Family Jessie Rooks née Mendes on her 95th Birthday Jessie, now 96, is a Sheppard descendant Jessie's parents were Edward Oswald Mendes and Amalia (Amy) Sheppard . Amy was my great-grandfather's sister. She was the youngest of their eight children, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 14 October 1927. On the social page "Carib Calling" in The Barbados Advocate of January 4, 1950 there was a small article headed "Trinidad Engagements". In it was the announcement of the Christmas Eve engagement in Trinidad between Mr. John Rooks, son of Major and Mrs. Courtenay Rooks and Miss Jessie Mendes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Mendes of Port of Spain. The couple were married eight months later, on 26 August 1950. Jessie and Johnny Rooks enjoyed 51 years of marriage before John passed away in 2001. Their children are Richard, Ian and Gordon Rooks of Trinidad. This webpage is dedicated to Jessie in appreciation for her beautiful singing voice. In her youth she was a well known singer and performed at many functions and weddings. In 1958, her brother Malcolm recorded her on tape in his living room. These beautiful audio recordings from an era long gone are dearly treasured by our families. Valerie Sheppard 7 May 2024

Elsie Mabel Gomez Sheppard (Click on the photos to enlarge them, and use the arrows to scroll through the album.) Elsie, Charles and family Elsie and Florence MA2.jpeg Elsie with Joan de Sousa (Bodu) Her eldest grandchild "Down the islands" Barbados Elsie with her youngest son Andrew Elsie with Andrew and Robert Cutting her birthday cake Image.jpg

Click on the buttons to watch the videos Remembering Audrey Video Tribute by Audrey's granddaughter, Laila van der Meulen Photos provided by Clark and van der Meulen families Video clips provided by Meindert van der Meulen Swing on Down Audrey's daughters Lola and Susan, along with Susan's son-in-law Donavon Frankenreiter and her son Michael, performing at her Memorial Service on October 16,2016 - San Clemente, California. This video was made by Meindert for the Memorial Service of Audrey's husband, Don Clark. Don passed away in San Clemente, California in 2009 when he was 93. Audrey was my father's sister, the sibling who came next after him. They grew up together and and he loved her dearly. Dad would wake early in the morning and write about his childhood memories. I found this sweet recollection about Audrey among his various writings. Daddy passed away when he was only 68, but his beloved sister lived on until she was 92 and I was able to share this with her a few years ago. "AUDREY" by Andrew Sheppard . When I was just a little lad Born 1922 in Trinidad I had a little sister named Audrey Who was so very, very pretty. Audrey was blonde and blue-eyed too And was the envy of all who Had the pleasure of her company Who was a delight to hear and see Especially when she felt happy. She sang and danced both day and night A real treat to behold, that’s right! When Audrey tapped her toes in tune Many a boy was apt to swoon And when she sang those beautiful blues She all but sent you through your shoes! When once there was a contest for a prize For beauty and talent to be apprised T’was between a Chinese-creole named Thora And little Audrey, each of a different colour T’was counted from the number of newspaper clippings The public sent for their choice from their siblings And though we tried so hard to collect The clippings fell short with great regret The result was not fair and was judged By who could buy the most papers with pictures severed The total of each pretty face was counted in favour Of she whose presence on paper exceeded the other. Unfortunately and in universal dismay The result threw our family in great disarray To think that one so absolutely beautiful and gifted Should lose through insufficient pictures counted. From then until this very day, I’ll always feel That popularity can never be decided From the sale of newspapers so guided The Queen of the local Trinidad scene Remained our dear, sweet Audrey supreme. The years went by, and as you guessed Sweet Audrey’s lovely attitude was blessed With thoughts of others of only the best. She met in Trinidad and married a young man Who was a qualified engineer and an American. Don Clark was the name of this affable gent Who met, mixed with and blended his accent With those of our family of La Belle Trinidad And all else whom he met he thought “not bad”. But sorry to say, there came that sad day When Audrey and Don and Susan their daughter Packed bags and left us for the great U.S.A. Taking with them the cause of happy laughter. Don and Audrey were married in March forty-three Still loving and caring for others and each other What a wonderful spirit our Audrey has Optimism rules her every thought and deed. 18 March, 1943 St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Port of Spain, Trinidad Audrey was the 11th child in the Sheppard Family. In this family photo, she is the blonde girl on the far left, holding her baby sister Flo's hand. Next to her is my father, Andrew.

George Vincent Gonsalves husband of Mary Marjorie (Madge) Sheppard In Memoriam VIN GEORGE VINCENT GONSALVES 13th July, 1914 to 4th September, 1988 A Tribute written on 4th October, 1988 by my father, Andrew D. Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) Vin bore the hallmark and stature of the perfect gentleman. I shall never forget his first visit to our family home, obviously to court our beautiful sister, Marjorie (Madge) . One must have had great courage and love to confront such a large group for the first time – 12 brothers and sisters and our mother. But Vin did it and with great success. Vin’s brothers and sister and himself had recently arrived from Antigua to settle in Trinidad. On this momentous occasion, Vincent Gonsalves conducted himself so diplomatically and with such good manners that he was accepted by all of us instantly. When he shook my hand, on being introduced, he said, “Andrew, I am delighted to meet you and hope we will see a lot of each other”. I was only 14 years of age and a shy and unsure No. 10 in our family. Vin made me feel like an equal. Therein lay his talent. Vin was very proper in his general appearance and his speech was flawless. He resembled a famous English film star of the period, Leslie Howard. If he so desired, he could have become a famous actor. He had the good looks and decorum. But Vin’s ambitions lay elsewhere. He wooed and married beautiful Marjorie (he never called her otherwise). They enjoyed marital bliss for 48 years until that very sad day whence was called to greater service on 4th September, 1988, at the age of 74, at the home of their daughter, Virginia Ryan and her husband, in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. We all grieve his loss and remember Vin fondly for all the good he had done during his stewardship on earth. Vin worked with Esso, an American Oil Company, in their accounting department, and rose to the position of Comptroller of accounts for the Caribbean area. His employment took Vin, Madge and their three children to reside in Santo Domingo, Cuba and Miami, where he finally retired to reside with his wife and family. This, apart from an initial spell of duty in Trinidad. Vin was highly regarded by his employers, who depended on his utter reliability. All of his employees and business acquaintances and friends regarded him with respect and endearment. On his last foreign assignment as Chief Accountant for Esso in Havana, Cuba, Vin, Madge and their three children were among the huge crowd to welcome and congratulate their new leader, the victorious Fidel Castro, when he arrived at the Havana waterfront on the famous boat “Granma”. Meticulous Vin, who kept detailed records of certain events, also had a comprehensive library of home movies which included his 16 millimeter movie recording of that memorable occasion, which clearly shows George, Virginia, Douglas and of course, Fidel Castro. I saw this movie at their Miami home. However, it was soon afterwards that Mr. Castro declared his real intentions of transforming Cuba into a communist state. Panic set in. All who could, left hurriedly – for Miami. Vin sent his family, excepting George, to Miami to await his arrival there. George offered to stay with his daddy, which was very good; but this is called love. Noble Vincent gallantly decided to remain in Cuba to try to complete his job as chief of Esso’s office. You see, Castro had ordered his army to confiscate all American and foreign property – but why make the transition easy. After shipping most vital information in files, etc., to Miami, it was decided to destroy all remaining records. This Vin did. All the Cubans got was confetti and ‘shreddies’. Vin and George had to run for their lives and caught one of the last flights from Havana to Miami. This was the kind of stuff of which Vin was made. Vin was Roman Catholic and Marjorie, Presbyterian. They were married at the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church in Port of Spain on 14th September, 1940. According to the dictates of the Church, their children had to be instructed in the Catholic religion. This was accomplished without discord and with understanding and love. They were a beautiful family. Both parents were strict, loving and mostly, caring, not only for themselves but for others less fortunate or in need. Acts of Christianity and charity simply flowed from the hearts and minds of Vin and Madge. For example, when my wife and I were faced with a financial embarrassment in our early married life, it was Vin who came to the rescue, unsolicited. He only heard of it and promptly dispatched an envelope to me containing $100.00, which saved the day. With it came a note stating simply “Glad to be of some help, old boy. Forget repayment – just stop worrying.” Was not that wonderful and extremely kind? How could anyone forget someone like Vin? Vin and Madge made many fast friendships all over the world and whenever any of their friends visited their home they just knew they were welcome. Vin was always the gracious host and Marjorie the wonderful hostess. They were a great couple. Vin possessed an aura of goodness that shone through. What he spoke was truth. Whatever he promised was fulfilled. Love ruled the day – each and every day. When poor Madge began to be affected by the serious problems of her cardio-vascular system, which necessitated intensive e-care treatment and surgery on her heart, her beloved husband was always at her side, praying with her and encouraging her. A most faithful and loyal person he was. In her delicate state of health, Vincent had, and accepted, the great responsibility for Marjorie’s care, treatment, diet and mobility, without complaining. Vin very conscientiously attended to her every need and they always tried to be pleasant in company, in spite of their constantly stressful situation. Vin and Marjorie were encouraged and persuaded by Virginia Ryan, their daughter, to give up by sale or rental, their lovely home on a lake, and to live with her husband and herself in an apartment within their home, which would comfortably accommodate them. This was gratefully accepted by the two senior citizens, who were glad to be with their daughter. Things to be considered included the fact that they would be leaving their love-nest of many years where they were quite happy. And who would go twice or more daily to call and talk to and feed the fish in the lake? They really knew Vin and poked their heads out of the water in the lake next to their house and made fish noises – and he would feed them. And the birds – they arrived right next to him and chirped and whistled happily. He was their friend. I witnessed this scene time after time and it was the same incredible happening. But, if you knew Vin, it was easy to understand. God knows, he was a very special person. Less than one week after removing to Virginia’s home, Vin suffered a heart attack and was rushed to hospital where he was kept for a week and returned home. Two weeks later, Vincent suffered a fatal heart attack and died at Virginia’s home. I recently received a friendly note from Vin informing us of their new address. Vin never got the chance to mail it. All of their friends and family were to have received such a friendly note. We must never question the works of God Almighty. In retrospect, when one remembers that Vincent Gonsalves entered and was immediately accepted by our large, complicated but friendly family, it could better be appreciated that Vin always had that rare gift of being able to relate to and mix well with persons of all ages and types, which must have been a far different scene to his former Antiguan environment. But he made so many friends so easily and there was always mutual respect. During their early married life in Port of Spain, accommodation was scarce and so was food. It was a challenging time, but they succeeded and produced three lovely children, George, Virginia and Douglas, who are married – George living in Canada and the other two in U.S.A. Vin was an ardent oarsman and enjoyed rowing his boat and sailing, as well as fishing. He soon was called “Nautical Vincent” – a term of endearment. He loved healthy habits and took his daily choice of vitamin pills. This attracted another nickname ‘ “Vitabs”. All of this Vin endured or enjoyed with good humour, of which he was adequately endowed. He knew that we all loved him and admired him for his great spirit and excellent qualities. All good things and people must end but what we must remember is that we are on loan to prepare ourselves for membership of the Divine Club and when we are called to join that Blessed Band of Angels, we must go. We pray that our dear, kind, Vincent is at peace, as he so well deserves. Madge, George, Virginia and Douglas, accept our deepest sympathy and emulate Vin’s sterling example. Andrew Sheppard (Brother-in-law) Barbados – 4th October, 1988 Tribute to Vin written by his son, George Gonsalves 13 July, 2021 Vin and Madge Gonsalves née Sheppard with their children Virginia, George (centre) and Douglas April 1953 Our Dad, George Vincent (“Vin”) Gonsalves was born on the 13th July 1914 in the Great House at Marble Hill, near St. John’s, Antigua. He was the third child and second son of Planter, George Reginald (“Reggie”) Gonsalves and Adele Matilda Harris, the first to be born in Antigua. His elder siblings were both born in Jamaica, as was his mother. Dad attended Antigua Grammar school until he was ten, when dark clouds changed the family’s life drastically. Our grandfather sold one commodity, cane sugar and he dealt with Redpath Sugar Company in Montreal. He had a sister, Sarah Mildred, in Montreal. Her husband, Reggie’s brother-in-law, António Rodrigues Anjo, appears to have handled some of his business there. In the early 1920’s. cane sugar became a depressed commodity. Beet sugar was produced cheaper than cane sure could be. Cane sugar production was very labour intensive. The two family estates ran up huge debts. Then disaster happened, Reggie died in 1924. Our grandmother had no business experience and, with the help of her brother-in-law, had to liquidate the estates for little or nothing in return. Adele decided to move to Trinidad with her five children. Life was not easy for them, but they were able to survive on little,. The depression started early for them. By 1931, the eldest of my father’s siblings, Mary Louise, married a wealthy Venezuelan and went to live in Caracas. At this time, Adele, our grandmother became ill with cancer. In those days, this disease was considered to be a curse, and people treated her as though she were a leper. By then, her second son, Stanley, was hired to work in a lime estate in Montserrat. I am not sure what his function there was. After school and on Saturdays, Dad worked for Canning’s as a messenger delivering groceries. He was also responsible for assisting with the upbringing of his younger brothers Herbert and Patrick. Adele died in January 1933 and the remaining children were split up. Dad went to live with the family of Suzanne Ferreira on Belmont Circular Road and completed his education, having signed up for an accounting course in which he excelled. His younger brothers went to the Martin family. By 1937, Dad was proficient enough to obtain a job with Esso in their accounting department. He was earning enough to strike out on his own the next year and rented a room at our Grandma Sheppard’s Boarding House on Richmond Street in Port of Spain. At this time, he was also supporting his two younger brothers. Dad soon became closely involved with his adopted family. The affection they had for one another always impressed him. He loved Grandma and called her Ma. (He always referred to his own parents as “Father” and “Mother.”) He provided guidance to Uncle Andrew and my mother once said that Dad “put Andrew in long pants.” If you have not done so, you must read Uncle Andrew’s beautiful eulogy and biography of my father. Of course, it was here that my parents met and fell in love. They were married on 14 September 1940. Dad had a long career at Esso (Standard Oil Company of New Jersey) Caribbean. He had a troubleshooting job and travelled throughout the operation from Bermuda, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico to British Guiana and Suriname. In 1953, Esso decided to move him to Santo Domingo (then called Ciudad Trujillo, named after the dictator. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina), which was more central to the area than Trinidad was. In 1956, he was promoted to the ESSOSA head office in Havana, where we lived for four years, until the company was intervened by the Castro government. In 1960, we moved to Coral Gables, FL, where Dad remained until he retired and subsequently passed away. Dad would have been 107 years old today. He was an amazing gentleman, a perfect husband and father and he was everybody’s friend. He was generous to a fault. We love him and miss him today and always. It is thirty-three years since he left us and there are still occasions when I wish I could pick up the phone and talk to him. Rest in Peace, Dad.

The Late Great Bridgetown Written on 19th April, 1989 by my father ANDREW DESMOND SHEPPARD (1922 - 1991) (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) Oh! Bustling, busy, affluent, happy city of Bridgetown - where are you now? We yearn for your natural, native charm. This has all but disappeared. Why? and where have all the things that made this old city gone? In a word, Barbadians have become an automotive society - one car per person - almost. See them driving down Bay Street, Belmont Road and Spring Garden all headed for Bridgetown and in most cars, only the driver may be found. Parking has become a serious problem. You may call it pride of ownership, privacy or whatever - but the fact is that we have become a selfish society. Car pools do not exist. See them pouring out of Regency Park, Sheraton Park, Navy Gardens, Rockley, St. James, every morning all heading and hoping for a space of 16' x 6' to park and spend the day, basking in the tropical sun. The occupants of these thousands of cars simply melt into the offices and banks which proliferate - there to get cool in air-conditioned comfort and stare at their computers and count their intransit cash. A far cry from those "bad" old days of bicycles, open windows and paper weights. No more time for idle talk and pleasant conversation. In spite of all the modern facilities and equipment and, we hope, improved efficiency of the population, we as a community are in danger of losing our fine sense of human compassion and our identities. Materialism and selfish greed are now imbued in most of our citizens, who are the young and growing. Pleasure and noisy music have replaced peace and serenity. Friendship is measured by your ability to spend good, hard-earned money on entertainment. Smiling has become a false effort. You have to be seriously taught to smile. Whither Bridgetown? Let us stroll down Bay Street towards Bridgetown, starting at the gap leading to the Hilton and Grand Barbados. We pass a small mall and a soft drinks factory, an old decadent club, tyre-repair shop and gas station. Janitorial service, exclusive boutique, restored old house where Captain Thorne ran his private school, other small businesses, a night snack bar - the defunct "Boys Club" and now Government Offices. Information, Prime Minister, Cabinet Office, Government Printery, and opposite, the beautiful Esplanade with its pretty band stand. Then a run of restored buildings, a large vacant spot where there existed an ice factory, now piled with building rubble - ugly. A semi-private club, gas-station, nursing home, doctors' office, tourist facility, old house, more Government offices, Child Care opposite to Family Planning and preceded by National Assistance and opposite to these, the Jemmots Lane Health and Education complex and, in the centre - St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral. And now the Red Light District on both sides, interrupted by some offices, another gas station, another office building, an abandoned, derelict old home (the Innisses lived here), more old buildings, the Boat Yard, automobile dealer, vacant sugar warehouse, another automobile dealer, and importer-distributor of food and alcoholic products, a vacant burnt out lot opposite to old church, renovated building (now stores and offices and a club), customs broker, fast food, hardware, shipping office, record shop. Opposite to all of this and facing Independence car park is Manning's large building. The arch and bridge is faced by restaurants, boutiques, travel agents. The road leading to the left takes you to the Coast Guard Headquarters. No longer does the Swing Bridge swing. It is as stiff as an old lady. The schooners, small inter-island vessels, fishing boats have been replaced by tourist-employed marine equipment, i.e. fishing and cruising vessels, all stocked with cool and hot drinks, snacks and temporary cordiality. A great job has been done to cleaning of the Public Buildings and restoration of the Clock - thanks to Her Majesty's visit. Lord Nelson needs a good cleaning. He is turning green with envy of our clean Public Buildings and nearby fountain. The ever present taxis who remind one of the war-time cliché - "They also serve who sit and wait" - wheels were meant for moving! How truly wonderful it would be if these gracious gentlemen could think of taking people to and from work just like those enterprising mini-bus drivers. There must be over 200 taxis. If each one would convey groups of 5 passengers to and from Bridgetown every morning and evening, they would be relieving about 500 drivers of the frustrating experience of fighting traffic to get to and from work. For this convenience, the grateful passengers could pay up to $5.00 each for such a service. What they would have to pay for a car park or car-wash per day. And think of the saving on gasoline and wear and tear on engines and tyres, not to mention the damage done to the paint-work of the cars. They would remain in the cool comfort of their domestic car-port awaiting the return of their relaxed owners. This concept would provide sorely needed income for the patient taxi drivers, the cost of their getting to and from Bridgetown would not change - the rest is solid profit. This would also engender friendships and the participants would feel the happiness of sharing. Most importantly, the awful traffic situation would be eased in a dramatic way. Let us think about it and try it. The taxis could still "sit and wait" or drive our welcome visitors around. But what is most perplexing is the almost complete change which has taken place in Bridgetown. Walk with me up High Street, past Royal Bank, when we meet James Street corner with Roebuck Street. Empty buildings. Closed doors everywhere. Thomas Herbert Hardware is no more. Carter's Wildey now handles their business and Carters might close and consolidate at Wildey's. Big, imposing Barclays Bank building, almost empty, adjoined by at least three previously active businesses - all closed. Kay's House opposite and the rest of the Complex including Bajan Mall. On the ground floor, fewer than ten retail outlets have moved or closed down. Keep moving and you will see building after building closed and with more to come. Looking down on all of this is our large white building, the Central Bank, most of whose office space is vacant. Where are the drivers of all of these cars parked along the road and in any available car park? You might find most of them in insurance offices or more likely, in legal offices - one car, one person. Roebuck street is longing for those hustling bustling days of lorries and jitneys filled with sacks of flour, onions, potatoes, saltfish, liquor. Only one left and barely busy. S.E. Cole, R.L. Seale, Perkins, M.E. Bourne, Alleyne Arthur, etc. etc. all gone, all gone elsewhere, amalgamated or shut down. That street had atmosphere - and smells, but now, like the swing-bridge, it does not swing any more. Our problem is that we have more educated people than we know what to do with. More lawyers than the law should allow. More computer operators than we have computers. More boutiques and beauty shops than we can afford. Electronic gadgets and video shops abound. Idleness and "pleasure" encouraged at every turn. Let us have a long look at our system of education . . . Unedited video footage of Bridgetown, Barbados - Filmed in 1968 Captured with Super 8 film and digitized in Amsterdam in 2010. Original footage owned by the family of Andrew D. Sheppard, Barbados.

Patrick Vernon Acland Gibbon husband of Sybil Elsie Sheppard Patrick and Sybil were married on 19 June, 1943 at St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Trinidad Patrick Gibbon was born on 27th October, 1915 in San Fernando, Trinidad. He was the middle child, one of three sons born to Linton Gibbon and his wife Ellen Mary Date, known to the family as Nellie. His older brother was Roddy and Dennis was their younger brother. The boys grew up in Five Rivers, Arouca, where their father was a farmer. They all went to school at Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain, and would commute back and forth each day in a horse-drawn cart. An Ellis Island Passenger List shows that his father Linton traveled to New York from Trinidad, arriving there on 20 April 1919. It states that he was a thirty-year old planter, of Irish stock. In later years Linton, Patrick and Roddy purchased the Springvale Estate. There Linton grew cocoa and had a small cocoa factory. He also grew pineapples and made pineapple jam. Sybil Elsie Sheppard was born a century ago, on 12 September 1921 to be exact. She was the ninth of thirteen children born to Charlie and Elsie (Gomez) Sheppard. Her 100th Birthday was celebrated with a special service at St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Trinidad, attended by close family members and live-streamed to family around the world. Seventy-eight years earlier, the beautiful Sybil became the wife of her sweetheart, Patrick Gibbon, at a ceremony conducted by the late Rev. Adamson at this same sacred venue where she had also worshiped and participated in social events all her life. Patrick first caught sight of the lovely nineteen-year old Sybil at a Carnival fête in 1940. She recalled many decades later while chatting on the beach in Barbados that this handsome young man came over to her and the first thing he said was “Beautiful eyes!” She remembered the excitement she felt when he invited her to go with him to Manzanilla, where all of his family would be spending the weekend. Giggling, she recalled that she fell for him right away, and confided in her big sister Madge that she had met this fellow and about his invitation, and did she think that Mama would allow her to go. In those days, you had to get permission and approval! It so happened that Sybil’s brother Bertie worked at Huggins & Co. Ltd., the same place as Patrick had been working since he was a young boy - so with big brother’s nod that he was a good fellow, permission was granted and off Sybil went. It was to be the adventure of a lifetime for her, as from there on, the couple dated steadily for three years before they tied the knot. A newspaper article appeared in the Trinidad Guardian of June 19, 1993 on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. It describes the wedding in lovely detail. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Barbados - one week at The Crane Hotel, and another at Cacrabank Hotel in Worthing. They returned to Trinidad and started off married life in Arouca, where their first child was born. Soon after that they found just the place where they wanted to make their home, and purchased a house on a large plot of land surrounded by nature. It was there at their St. Augustine home that they lived their entire married life and raised their family of four children - former Trinidad & Tobago cycling champion Roger, Jennifer MacLean who lives in Australia, David who died by accident in 1963 when he was 15 and Don, a civil engineer. Dave's death was an unspeakable tragedy for the family, a sorrow that Sybil and Patrick bore bravely, supported by their deep faith and love for each other. Together they tended their home and cultivated the beautiful gardens and orchard that all of their relatives and friends remember so fondly. Their St. Augustine home was a welcoming one and for us as children, visits to the Gibbons meant roaming the grounds, climbing the orange trees and eating freely whatever fruit was in season. I remember Uncle Patrick as kind and funny, a most down-to-earth and unpretentious man. His qualities and character, as well as the loyalty and love Patrick and Sybil shared, were eloquently described by his eldest son in the eulogy which follows. The short video clips here capture moments of the couple's family life and hospitality. We recall with love and appreciation this genuine salt-of the earth man who was a part of our Sheppard clan for over half a century. The video at the foot of this page is a time capsule of an era that has passed, one that shows Patrick Gibbon in his element. Patrick passed away on 8 September 2000. His beautiful June Bride continues to sparkle at age 100 and still attributes her youthful appearance and longevity to her "good husband." "What is your secret?" - September 2017, age 96 Family gatherings at the Gibbons Sending congratulations to Sybil's sister Audrey and her husband Don in California for their 50th Anniversary Eulogy delivered by Patrick's eldest son, Roger Patrick Gibbon on 11 September, 2000 Eighty five years ago a baby boy was born to very humble parents. Linton (a farmer) and Nellie raised their three sons in a healthy environment. They also moulded them to go forward with the highest of moral standards. Patrick or Pat, or PVA (but to us Daddy and Grandpa) was truly an exceptional person. He was our friend. He was everyone’s friend. He lived a simple life and taught by example. His boyhood was eventful and he did all the things that country boys did in those days - including mischief. He had a great calling to the outdoors and from very young he developed an addiction to the forest and to his main hobby of hunting. But he was more than just a hunter. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. He was a storyteller who told few lies. (Of course, we all know that hunters don’t lie!) He was everything else that a good man can be. His love and caring for his family was exemplary. Two main days on his calendar were Christmas day and the 1st of November (the opening of the duck hunting season). He loved Christmas with family and all the traditions. We will forever value the many vacations that we enjoyed as a family unit in Mayaro. Daddy was a very careful person who planned his life in great detail. He took no risk for fear of losing the little that he had. He was loyal to the highest. He worked with the same company for almost fifty years. At age 15 when he received his first salary, he went to Sir George Huggins to say that something was wrong as he had worked for only half a month but got $10.00 and felt it should have been $5.00. Sir George told him "Son, for your honesty you could keep it". This honesty he carried for the rest of his life The Gibbon family home in Circular Road, St. Augustine He lived in his little home of great warmth for 55 years, and he cared for his superb wife for all of 57 years. He was such a devoted husband, a loving father, a caring grandfather and a proud great grandfather. He was a sincere friend to all - you could count on daddy in times of need - regardless of the circumstances. His life was filled with happiness, love and kindness, but he also had his tragic times. As rugged as he may have looked, inside he was such a soft and sentimental person. During his final days, he was so concerned about what would happen to his "mummy" when he was gone - and even though we tried to convince him that mummy will be cared for just as she cared for us all, it remained foremost in his mind. We think though that he became comforted by the extent of kindness that was showered upon him by his family, Mummy's family and some of his sincere friends, and he knew that this same support will be given freely on to his beloved wife, who devoted her life fully to caring for him in his final years. He was so fortunate to have had mummy with him full time. Such is the love of this great man that the last uttering from his weak and dying lips was "I love you". Daddy, we are so saddened by your passing on, but we shouldn't be - for we know and believe that you are reunited with your parents, your brothers and your son, and that you will be there to greet us all some day. May God be with you. It was not hard to love this beautiful man - so many wonderful memories will remain with us forever. He showed us so many examples of what it was to be honourable, trustworthy, just and fair. He was humorous and could be serious, he was generous yet careful, and he had such a great capacity to love. Most important, he was a man of great faith and he loved the Lord. ~ The loving sentiments of Patrick's only daughter, Jennifer Gibbon MacLean, also expressed at his Service of Thanksgiving. Painting of the Gibbon home courtesy Jennifer Gibbon MacLean Artist: Joanna Aldred - Sybil's niece (Click on the image to enlarge) Story compiled by Valerie on 11 November, 2021, with thanks to Auntie Sybil for sharing her memories and memorabilia My cousin Jennifer for contributing photos and information My husband Meindert for videos

Descendants of Alfred Sheppard and Virginia de Freitas THE SHEPPARD FAMILY - Trinidad circa 1928 Back standing: l/r: Joseph Alfred (Boysie) , Mary Marjorie (Madge) , Charles Albert (Bertie) , John Herbert Middle seated: l/r George Havelock , Ida Amelia , Charles Sebastian , (father), Elsie Mabel née Gomez (mother) with baby Arthur Vincent, Jessie Mabel with Edith Florence (Flo) , Robert Louis Front seated: Audrey Ethel , Andrew Desmond (my father), and Sybil Elsie THE MENDEZ FAMILY - Trinidad 1942 Back: l/r Frederick Herbert (Freddie), Malcolm Arthur, Oswald (Osy), Leonard Alfred, Charles Gilbert (Charlie) Front: l/r: Olga, Oswald Antonio (father), Amalia Elizabeth néeSheppard (mother), Jessie Amelia Sheppard Family Archive TODAY'S MATRIARCHS - FIRST COUSINS On Sunday 11 September 2016 in the grounds of St. Ann's Church of Scotland where their forefathers were founding members Jessie Amalia Mendes Rooks (left) (pictured in the Mendes family photo seated far right) and Sybil Elsie Sheppard Gibbon (pictured in the Sheppard family photo seated far right) (Photo credit: Sybil's daughter Jennifer MacLean.) Click on the blue links to read more about the Sheppard, Gomez and Mendes families.

George Robert Gomez Trinidad school years (Click on photos to enlarge and scroll through) December, 1914 List of successful First Class Honours students in college. George received distinctions in English, Latin and Mathematics. Island Scholar 1916 General Merit - 1915 George is at the top of the College. CIC War Memorial publication Past students who served. George Gomez is seen top centre. Private Gomez - India (4th left) Go to his Letters from India Chief Medical Officer - St. Kitts & Nevis Dr. Gomez, the surgeon (Click on photos below to enlarge and scroll through) Alexandria Hospital Now a heritage site, this is where Dr. George Gomez worked as Chief Medical Officer, Nevis. DSC03673.jpg Dr. Gomez salary: 375 pounds, travel allowance 30 pounds, position of Medical Officer District 3, appointed 5/3/29. Date first appointed to Colonial Government 21/12/24. Authority to conduct private practice. Condolence card The Boy Scout Association of Nevis's condolence card, dated the day of the funeral, 8 September, 1931. The doctor had died at 2.45pm the previous day. He was buried in the morning, less than a day later. At 8am that morning, arriving on the 'St. Ursula' from Nevis, were numerous mourners including the Scouts of the Ist Nevis Troop. George was the Assistant Scout Commissioner and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts Local Association. 22nd September, 1931 The St. Kitts-Nevis Daily Bulletin 9th September, 1931 The doctor's flower-covered grave, Springfield Cemetery, next to the Cunningham Hospital, Basseterre, St Kitts. The cemetery had not been long opened, hence the desolate appearance. The grave around July 1932 By this time, Jessie Gomez had returned to Scotland with her three young children. Probate Notice 1st October, 1931 The St. Kitts-Nevis Daily Bulletin Message from Dr. Gomez' widow, Jessie. Jessie, Joseph and Euphemia Gomez The Gomez children circa 1935, after they had left Nevis and settled in Scotland with their mother, after the death of their father in 1931. See also: GEORGE ROBERT GOMEZ PRIVATE GEORGE ROBERT GOMEZ - LETTERS FROM INDIA THE GOMEZ SAGA - NEVIS

Joseph Alfred Sheppard 1912-1989 A Tribute written on August 16, 1989 by my father, Andrew D. Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) Born in Trinidad, February 28, 1912. Died in California, U.S.A. August 16, 1989. In fond memory of Joseph Alfred Sheppard, my eldest brother and best friend. When he returned home from his first day’s attendance as a pupil of Queen’s Royal College at Port- of-Spain, Trinidad, he found a newborn brother, born of Charles and Elsie, at the family residence at Stone Street, Port of Spain. I was the new arrival, being number ten of eventually thirteen children. “Boysie”, as he was affectionately called, felt proud somehow, and thereby started a close affinity between the eldest and the youngest male members of this large family. He was my friend and big brother, being ten years my senior. I followed him everywhere, within certain limits. Boysie was my hero. He could do no wrong. I helped him to clean and lubricate his bicycle and eventually, his motorcycle. I watched as he painted beautiful pictures of cowboys and Indians, ships, airplanes, birds and flowers. I saw him make rocking horses of wood, beautifully painted like those at Coney Island, complete with upholstered seats. I admired him in his college’s military cadet’s uniform. He looked so tall and handsome. He was an excellent marksman and won several prizes for his skill. Boysie was a good student and studied hard. He achieved passes with distinction in the Junior and Senior Cambridge Examinations. He enjoyed woodwork and photography as hobbies. Boysie, or Joseph, if you wish, had the ability to become a professional man of his choice, but unfortunately it was not then possible for him to satisfy such ambitions because of financial constraints, being the eldest son of a large family with heavy commitments. So Boysie had to go to work at the age of seventeen, accepting a job as an office clerk at a firm of traders and shipping agents, William H. Kennedy & Co Ltd. His natural flair for detail and neatness was soon recognized by his employers and he was placed in charge of the company’s accounts. Boysie became an Accountant, sans certificate, but responsible, able and proud. His personal appearance and exemplary conduct proved to be an asset to this firm, who appreciated his services. At this stage of his career, fate caused him to take a sharp turn into the arena of harsh reality. Our father died, leaving our mother with twelve children to look after. Our youngest brother died three years previously, as a baby. Our eldest sister Jessie and Boysie were the only two children who were working. Jessie earned twelve dollars per month and Boysie was drawing a salary of fifteen dollars. The others were at school. Young Joseph Alfred (Boysie) rose to the occasion in his inimitable manner. He faced up to the facts of life. Here was a mother with no husband and a large flock with 24 eyes looking to her for everything. Boysie immediately assumed command of the financial control of the family. He was the helmsman of a large and leaky ship at the age of seventeen, but he stood steady and helped to steer our lives, which established his skill. We did not end on the rocks, thanks largely to a serious, dedicated and responsible young man named “Boysie”. Especially at this time, I, like his adopted son, looked to Boysie for almost everything within reason. He befriended his youngest brother and he took me for many rides on the pillion of his motorcycle. I have not ridden one since. He showed me how to draw and imbued in me a sense of compassion for our fellow human and animal beings. His kindness led him eventually to become a director and treasurer of the local zoo. One day, he drove home a Ford sports car, which he bought from his savings. He was so proud of this mechanical marvel, which had a folding soft-top and a tumble seat for two, with a total capacity of four persons. He was “King of the Road”. He was the best customer for “Simoniz” wax polish. We all discovered the meaning of elbow grease. Boysie’s car had to work and look the best. He did everything with style. Joseph’s reputation as a gentleman was complemented by his tasteful and impeccable attire, at all times. Today he would be called “Mr. Threads”. His sense of humour was sharp and subtle. His tales and jokes were always accompanied by his almost perfect art of mimicry and his performances at family parties and lodge meetings met with universal acclaim. They were always done in good taste and with a sense of timing. Even old jokes were polished and changed to suit the audience present. Boysie was good company. However, his choice of language was always good and he abhorred cursing, swearing and vulgar behaviour. I said “damn” at home once and received a lecture on “mouth control” which I have never forgotten. Boysie loved the sea, and with some help, built a wooden rowing boat in which he took members of his family and friends for cruises and fishing in the Gulf of Paria. He was an excellent and strong oarsman. We younger brothers helped him with the caulking and painting of the boat, which always had to look the best. As Boysie progressed in his work, he accepted employment with Alcoa Steamship Company’s local office and became their Chief Accountant. He represented Alcoa at many shipping conferences in the Caribbean area as well as in South and North America. Boysie was a great favourite with the executives and staff as with his business associates in the general community. His reputation as an accountant and office manager attracted favourable comments from the heads of the company and staff. Joe did not confine his interests to work only. He always extended a helping hand to his children, who considered him to be the best father anyone could have. His emphasis on good family relationships had a profound effect on all of us and we always tried to preserve a feeling of mutuality and cooperation. His advice on important matters was generally readily accepted because his judgment was fair and uncluttered by prejudice. Boysie always preached fairness and Christian charity and his honest utterances cleared the clouds from our vision and enabled us to see the right way. Rather than condemn the actions of another, he chose to question and analyze the reasons for failure and to offer advice and correction in the true spirit of Christianity. Boysie was an Elder of the St. Ann’s Presbyterian Church of Scotland and read the lessons on many occasions. Unfortunately, his wife Elsa and their four children, three sons and one daughter, were adherents to the Roman Catholic Church and could not nor did not attend their father’s church. However, love, mutual respect and understanding prevailed. He became involved in community affairs and was a member of the Rotary Club. As a Free Mason, he became Master of the Prince of Wales Lodge, Port-of-Spain, and his three sons David, Keith and Ronald, eventually joined their father in the Lodge and, in turn, became Masters of the Lodge. Boysie was a source of joy to behold in his Masonic Master’s regalia. He could have been a prince going to meet his subjects. He was strikingly handsome, always immaculate and appeared to be taller than his 5’9”. At times he appeared to me as 6’6”. The saying “the course of true love never did run smooth” proved to be the case with Boysie’s and Elsa’s marriage. The “impossible” had occurred. Elsa sought a divorce. Naturally, the traumatic effects of this unexpected turn of events upset everyone and especially Boysie. He was sent by the Alcoa Company to Dutch Guyana (Suriname) to be administrator of their Aluminium Company there. God, in His Divine Wisdom, arranged for Boysie to meet Winifred Van Amson, and they became married and later returned to Trinidad. Winifred has proven her love for Boysie in so many ways and has stood by him during his most difficult periods and has remained faithful and caring to the very end. It was Boysie’s very good fortune to have met and married Wini, whose courage, devotion and dedication to her husband are to be admired and emulated. She is truly a Christian lady. They produced two wonderful boys, Howard, now 27, and Clifford, 23. At the time of their marriage, Wini also had a twelve-year-old son, Jules, who now works for Universal Studios, and also owns a photography studio and custom lab. Howard is recently married, and is a highly rated singer, with several awards to his credit, and also a Computer Programmer by trade. Clifford is a Flight Engineer of a Lockheed L1011 passenger aircraft for T.W.A., domiciled in New York. Last, but by no means least, are the first four wonderful children of the first marriage – Janet, David, Keith and Ronnie. It was a terribly sad day when Ronnie passed away on May 7th of this year after a long and painful illness. God rest his soul. David and Keith are married and live in Trinidad with their children; so do Janet and her husband and family. They are all greatly admired and respected for their unity as a family and for their loyalty and devotion to their father. I almost omitted to mention that Joseph also held the positions of General Manager of Trinidad’s only flour mill as well as of the largest ice factory, which jobs he performed with his usual efficiency. Finally, I commend all members of this enormous family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing Boysie, Joe, Joseph Sheppard, to consider him to be the ideal human being he endeavoured to be. We all know that Boysie is with the Angels, who will forever take care of him as directed by the Great and Divine Architect of the Universe. Rest in peace, dear brother. Written with love by Andrew Desmond Sheppard August 16, 1989 Boysie's Children Children with Elsa Carmen Fernandes Janet (Sheppard) de Lima David Sheppard Keith Sheppard Ronald Sheppard (1945-1989) Children with Winifred Tilly (Winnie) van Amson Howard Sheppard Cliff Sheppard Click on this image to watch a short video of Boysie dancing with his sister Audrey (Sheppard) Clark Boysie with his brother Robert Sheppard

The Sheppard Residence No. 30 Richmond Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad Written on June 1988 by my father, Andrew Desmond Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) As children, our father had often told us this hair-raising story. After he passed away, we discovered that he had also penned it from his personal memories, without the aid of any historical research. Trinidad newspaper archives recently discovered in 2022 reveal that at age 66 my father was recalling a chilling discovery that happened in 1937, when he was 15 years old. Sheppard Archive Charles and Elsie Sheppard (née) Gomez and their family, at their residence No. 30 Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain - 1928. Baby Arthur in his mother's lap passed away when he was four months old, and Charles Sheppard died three years after this photo was taken. My father Andrew is the boy seated on the carpet between two of his sisters. Our father bought this very large house in Port of Spain, Trinidad, as a home for his very large family of wife and twelve children. It was purchased from a Spanish family named Santelli. The architecture was Spanish in design and it contained twelve rooms, ten of which were bedrooms, six upstairs and four at ground level. It was a beautiful home with ample space for all of us and our cousins and friends. 

What we did not know was that our home occupied an area of Trinidad which was truly historic. The story unfolds.

 After our father died, many efforts were made for us to remain at 30 Richmond Street, but ultimately our mother yielded to the demands of commerce. She sold the house and land to an automobile distributor whose nearest competitor was immediately opposite. Business was encroaching and we removed to a smaller house in a residential area. Sad to say, our beautiful old home was demolished to make way for a large, ugly automobile garage and showroom.
 Sybil Elsie (Sheppard) Gibbon remembers when these two pictures were taken: "It was on a Sunday afternoon on the beautiful marble steps of 30 Richmond Street. I must have been about seven. Andrew was too small. Boysie, Bertie, John, George and Robert. The girls with the hats were Jessie, Madge and Ida. I was in the too small bunch!" While digging down to prepare the foundations for the new building the workmen stopped and stared in disbelief. There were several human skeletons lying in disarray and many were in grotesque and strange positions. I picked up a human skull and like most others, there was evidence of a blow or a gash. Some limbs and bones were separated from their skeletons. Mystery surrounded this ghastly discovery. Secrecy followed. Police were at a loss to identify who these people were. A total of seven skeletons were unearthed. The Government pathologist and other scientists, through chemical and other analyses, determined the ages of the skeletons, who all died at approximately the same time, when pirates roamed the Caribbean seas. The skeletons were all male and were of men ranging from 18 to 30 years of age. They all died violently. A Mr. Potter, a Trinidad historian, carefully pieced the components of this mystery together and arrived at the following conclusion.

 Where No. 30 Richmond Street was located was on land reclaimed from the sea in the Gulf of Paria and only 15 miles from Venezuela. Trinidad was the ideal place for Spanish and English pirates to confront each other also providing safe harbour and hideouts when required. At the water’s edge (at 30 Richmond Street) certain pirates formed a club and erected a building for their clubhouse. A place for celebration, debauchery and drunken sprees which generally ended in fights and sudden death. The resultant corpses were thrown outside the clubhouse and floated away with the falling tide. Until one night, a very large fish entered the narrow channel to partake of drunken corpses when it must have become stuck and could not get back to the open sea. The grampus of a fish died and blocked the exit of the deceased pirates from entering Davy Jones’ locker. The stench became unbearable and the surviving pirates deserted the place, which was abandoned. In the course of time, all skeletons were covered until they were discovered that morning in January 1938. Question: Why did the Spanish gentleman, Mr. Santelli, decide to build that beautiful Spanish-style house on that particular piece of land? (Incidentally, the skeleton of a large fish was uncovered at a spot which could have been the channel entrance). Could it be that there was buried treasure and that this area was pinpointed on a map which originated in Spain, whence Mr. Santelli came?

 Romantic Trinidad! Always the lure of pirates. As children playing under our house, we dug and found the odd bone and other oddments but we heard rumours even then of pirates’ treasure, but never paid serious attention thereto. Strangely, the human skeletons referred to were found in 12 to 18 inches of earth.

 Several other theories were given, including military skirmishes between English, French and Spanish soldiers, victims of the cholera plague, all of which were strong possibilities excepting for one fact. The times of death as shown by pathological tests through chemistry pointed to the time in Trinidad’s historic past when Spanish pirates frequented and fought in our waters and buried their stolen treasures on land. We have never heard if the new owners of 30 Richmond Street found anything else besides bones. This story was covered in a full page of the Trinidad Guardian newspaper of the day, and was the subject of a local calypso entitled “The Richmond Street Skeletons”. Click on the articles from the Trinidad Guardian newspaper of Friday December 31, 1937 to enlarge and read. Thanks to my cousin Carol-Lyn (Johnson) Hart for discovery of the newspaper articles. This calypso called "Seven Skeletons Found in the Yard" by Lord Executor is most likely the one to which my father refers, given the era in which it was written. See the lyrics below. Hideous discoveries and monstrous crime Always happen at the Christmas time Hideous discoveries and monstrous crime Always happen at the Christmas time For the old year murders and the tragedy For the New Year serious calamity What shocked Trinidad Those seven skeletons that the workmen found in that yard What marred the Christmas festivity Was a New Year double catastrophe When a man and a woman on the ground was found With bloodstains upon the ground The husband was arrested but they were too late For the poison he drunk sent him to the gate That shocked Trinidad Those seven skeletons that the workmen found in that yard In Saint James the population went wild When in the savannah they found a child The hair was auburn and complexion pink Which placed the watchman in a mood to think "How can a mother despise and scorn A little angel that she has born?" That was more sad Than the seven skeletons that the workmen found in that yard A lorry was speeding to Port of Spain When it knocked down the cyclist into the drain It was going as fast as the lightning flash When the cyclist received the lash The mother cried out in sorrows and pain I am not going to see my boy-child again That is more sad Than the seven skeletons that the workmen found in that yard While the workmen they were digging the ground The rotten skulls of human beings they found Feet together and head east and west Number five was a watchman among the rest Number six had the hands and the feet on the chest And number seven a mysterious guest That shocked Trinidad Those seven skeletons that the workmen found in that yard. More intriguing family history began when the Sheppard family lived at 30 Richmond Street, and the first Ford dealership was located across the street at 25 Richmond Street Click HERE to read the story "Friendships - Partnerships - Family Ties "Truth is stranger than fiction" ~ Mark Twain

Click here for my RELATIONSHIP CHART Click here for the story of my ancestors DANIEL LOBO and ELIZABETH STOUTE Click on the image to watch Gwenneth's Barbados story For more, click on this link: Barbados Nation Newspaper Article