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

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

Mary Marjorie (Madge) Gonsalves née Sheppard This story of Madge was lovingly written in her memory by her eldest child, George Gonsalves Our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, Mary Marjorie Gonsalves, née Sheppard (“Madge”), was born on 28 December 1910. She was the second child and second daughter of Elsie Mabel Sheppard , née Gomez, and Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard. She was born in Port of Spain into a very talented musical family, but she inherited none of those talents. She could not play an instrument and was unable to carry a tune vocally. As a child growing up, she remembered Sundays as being quite difficult. Her father was a wonderful mandolin player and her siblings mastered other instruments. In early days, the family observed strict sabbath laws. The day began with a cold breakfast, a walk to St. Ann’s Church , a couple of hours of church service and listening to a fire and brimstone sermon, then a walk back home to a cold lunch. The afternoon was spent singing hymns. Mum usually felt left out, since she could play no instruments and her voice did not add to the melodies of the hymns being sung. After tea, they would walk back to the church for Vespers. Then came Monday and school. Mum disliked school in her early years. She appears to have had some learning difficulties and was not treated sympathetically by her teachers. One teacher, however, took her under her wing and helped her with her penmanship. Her handwriting was beautiful. Mum, however, had buck teeth, a cause for derision by her schoolmates. Her protruding front teeth made her extremely self conscious. Her father, our Grandpa, took great pity of her. One day he spoke to a Venezuelan dentist who said he could put Mum in braces. The dentist demanded a huge sum of money in advance plus he said he needed a large number of gold sovereigns with which he was going to make the braces. Grandpa complied and Mum was fitted with the braces. A couple of weeks later, Mum’s mouth became septic and it was discovered that the braces were made of brass, not of gold. Gold could never be used to make braces. The unscrupulous dentist fled to Venezuela where, it was said, he perished in an automobile accident. In order to combat the sepsis, Mum’s entire top teeth had to be removed as well as her palate. She suffered excruciating pain and spent months in recovery. She grew very thin and was fed mainly liquids. For the rest of her life, she had to wear a false palate as well as false teeth. Mum recovered from her ailments, nurtured by what was a most caring and loving family. She also developed a very close bond with her father, who, one could say, spoilt her for the rest of his life. When she was 20 years old, she was alone in the house with Grandpa, when he had a an attack of phlebitis. His doctor came in to attend to him and gave him a shot of adrenaline. After the doctor left, the adrenaline precipitated a coronary thrombosis and Grandpa died in my mother’s arms. Years before this unfortunate event, whenever the siblings came down with mumps, measles, chickenpox or similar diseases, it was found that Mum was immune to them. She, therefore, assisted with looking after the sick ones. Later, when her parents were in England and her little brother, Arthur, developed diphtheria, it was Mum who cared for him until his sad demise. These experiences developed in Mum a profound interest in nursing and medical care. She studied nursing at the Colonial Hospital in Port of Spain, Trinidad and later became interested in midwifery. Her profession took her through all areas of Port of Spain, and she was well respected. In February, 1937, a passenger ship made an emergency stop in Port of Spain with a sick wealthy man on board. He was a Mr. Hussey whose wife had a connection with the Pillsbury Corporation. Those were very politically incorrect days and the call came for a white nurse. Mum appears to have been the only one to fill the bill and so she answered the call. The remuneration was good and the appeal of adventure was attractive, so she agreed to nurse Mr. Hussey back to Boston, It was her first trip outside of Trinidad and so she was very excited. The family treated Mum very well once they arrived in Boston and she lived a very opulent life until the return passage to Trinidad was arranged. She was shown around Boston and even lent a mink coat for a trip to New York to see a cousin who was there. History repeated itself in April the very next year when another ship docked in Port of Spain seeking a white nurse, this time for a Mr. Lord of Lord and Taylor in New York. Here too she looked after him all the way to New York and was very well treated. She was able to explore New York before her passage home was arranged, I believe there were several displaced persons on the ship and Mum must have met Mr. Wolf and informed him about Grandma’s boarding house. I found her name on this ship’s registry also. In 1936, my father had gone to board at our grandmother’s boarding house. There he met my mother and they were married in 1940. Mum brought many of her nieces and nephews into the world. Joan, Betty Helen, Bernard, Charles, Patricia, Marjorie and Stanley, she considered them to be her babies. Vin and Madge - Trinidad, 14 September, 1940

Renée Anne Sheppard-Ratcliffe (11 March 1976 - 1 August 2016) My emotions for Renée expressed in art "ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL" by Valerie van der Meulen-Sheppard My tribute to my niece Renée Anne (Sheppard) Ratcliffe delivered at her Service of Thanksgiving 11 August, 2016 - Barbados “Life is too short, if you are unhappy aim to what will make you happy. If you’re in a job that makes you miserable, find one that will make you happy to go to work. If your kids are happy you’re half way there. You are only here once, make it the best adventure and live happy, free, full of love, and life will be perfect. Basically, make sure you make the most of your life.” Those were the heartfelt words of our beloved, exuberant Renée, which she posted on Facebook just a month before her sudden passing. I keep remembering an old Dutch proverb that means, when translated: "In the concert of life, nobody receives a programme." Renée's early childhood was spent in Puerto Rico, Rochester New York, and Venezuela, while her father Peter worked with the Kodak Company. Re was a beautiful blend of Bajan, Trinidadian, Venezuelan, and Guyanese parents and grandparents, and grew up in a family environment filled with creativity and love of the arts. Her parents came back to Barbados to start their family business Sheps Photo in 1987, and 11 year old Renée started her life as a schoolgirl here. She spoke Spanish fluently and brought with her a bright and bubbly personality, eager to make new friends. Her artistic talents and love of fun and fantasy quickly became known and she took a couple of memorable starring roles in the St. Winifred’s pantomines. At 16 she went off to the Art Institute of Florida, and returned to Barbados with qualifications and skills to launch herself into the field of fashion design. Renée chose to specialize in costume design, and it became her passion. She was in her element when armed with a glue gun, surrounded by fabrics, beads, glitter and her posse of fellow creatives. Some of us present today may not know that twelve years ago, on Boxing Day, Renée suffered a very serious heart attack, followed later by a stroke so severe it left her unable to speak or move. That’s hard to even imagine of her. She was twenty-eight years old at the time and mother of twin boys, Harrison and Nicholai who, just three days earlier, had celebrated their fourth birthday. We were devastated and scared at the thought of losing her. But with excellent and swift medical care, coupled with Renée’s sheer determination to live, she made a full and complete recovery. Her life was a beautiful gift and in return, she lived a life of giving, caring and compassion. She was filled with child-like acceptance and love for everyone, and simply did not know how to hold a grudge. She was a wonderful and devoted mother to her sons, she was so SO proud of them. She adored her parents, and was forever expressing her appreciation for their love and kindness. Renée’s excitement and dedication to the Crop Over and Grand Kadooment festivals were infectious; her Halloween costumes epic! Renee loved children, and each year created and gave costumes to underprivileged children. With Re, it was all or nothing. She saw life in bright, vivid colours that are impossible to ignore. She was no pastel shades sort of person. Her imagination and creativity were expressed in so many different ways, whether she was icing cakes, designing and making costumes, painting, decorating - she was creating, always creating - with her zest for fun, humour and fantasy. Her photography was exquisite, she had an eye for detail and captured the essence of the moment. Renée made a statement, and it was hers, not to be forgotten. She gave and she loved. The overwhelming tributes that have poured in are testimony that she was loved in return. We dearly hope she knew it. Renée’s parents are touched and comforted by the heartfelt expressions of appreciation and sympathy that they have been receiving, and I share this one which encompasses what we all feel today: “Peter and Neilsa, You raised an amazing daughter, unique in every way, and who was loved and loved wildly, madly and deeply in return. It is as if the most glorious and incomparable firework display has ended and we are just standing stricken, sad and silent, utterly lost in the magnificent energy that was. There is no doubt that we will not see its like again.” Our family is spread over several different countries, but we share deeply in the loss of our vibrant, never-to-be-forgotten Renée. My sister - her aunt Audrey-Mae - now living in Scotland, has written the following that so aptly describes what is in our collective hearts. She didn’t walk – she strode Shoulders square, she was the horse she rode She didn’t laugh – she guffawed Leaving all around attentive and al’awed She didn’t sing – she squawked When everyone was quiet, she talked She didn’t whisper - she bellowed As she got older – this never mellowed She loved things lively and all things alive She didn’t paddle gently Head first she’d dive Her devotion was clear, her dedication unwavering Her loyalties true, never one for any favouring So much of a presence and so enormous a personality The enigma that was Re She was all about reality Being “gone” now – it’s utter and total disbelief All combined memories – cold comfort No release, no understanding, no relief From my heart to your soul in this difficult time of strife My darling brother and you Ning, his devoted, loyal and loving wife Her core of life, beautiful boys Oh how she loved you, her absolute pride and joys Your loss is too hard to bear alone Your families will be there to help you For the strength you need to hone For me, I am far away, but please know My love, concern, love and loss are shared As you let your beautiful, strong dragonfly go "Dragonfly" "Everything is embedded in the song. The pain, the love, the passion, the beauty, the tragedy, the hope, the hopelessness, the dream, the reality. It's all in that piece of music." - Alan Sheppard, composer. Composed and performed for Renée by her uncle Alan Sheppard, at her Service of Thanksgiving on August 11, 2016, Barbados. (live amateur recording) Renee loved dragonflies - the above picture is her last painting. The Kiss Grand Kadooment Day, Barbados - August 1, 2016 Renee's MemorialFacebook Renée the Wedding Photographer A tribute by Little Arches, Barbados (Click on the link)

John Herbert Sheppard When John was 24 years old, he married Juliet Fernandes, a stunning beauty whose sister Elsa had married his older brother Boysie the previous year. The couple lived in the south of Trinidad, first in San Fernando where their eldest child Desmond was born during Christmas week of 1941. Three years later a daughter who they named Suzanne Margaret was born, completing their family unit. John was employed with Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd. which owned and operated a large oil refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre. During that time, he and his family lived on the company's “Camp” - a village complete with a school, yacht club and a staff club equipped with a pool, tennis courts, squash courts and an 18 hole golf course. The Camp also contained a hospital and a small chapel. There John rose to the important position of Fire Chief. His daughter Suzanne recalls that when he was Fire Chief he bravely saved two lives. Once when he performed mouth to mouth resuscitation on a young boy found at the bottom of the pool and another time when a worker fell into the sea full of oil and couldn’t swim. John and Juliet's marriage ended in divorce, and they both remarried. Juliet settled in Barbados where she remained close to her family until she passed away at the age of 91. John and Juliet's handsome son Desmond lost his life in a tragic car accident in Trinidad when he was just 20 years old. This was an enormous tragedy that would be remembered by him and his family with sadness and grief for the rest of their days. John's second marriage was to Valerie Ludlow, who hailed from Warwickshire, England. Val was a gifted young artist and teacher who who taught at the school in Point-a-Pierre. The couple had four children - Judith, Jason, Jessica and Jill, all born in Pointe-a-Pierre Trinidad where they spent their early childhood living in the Pointe-a-Pierre Camp. When John reached the age of retirement, he emigrated to the UK with Val and their family. John enjoyed life in England, but always returned to the Caribbean to spend special times with his eldest daughter and her family in Barbados. He enjoyed traveling and also loved visits from his overseas family. I remember my Uncle John as a handsome, unassuming gentleman with a dry sense of humour. He loved to tell a joke. I think of him playing the piano with his own special stylings that reflected his easy-going personality. It is thanks to Uncle John and his friendship and visits with his English cousin Nell Sheppard in Wem that we have been able to learn more about our Sheppard ancestors. After Nell passed away, he inherited from her a large number of old family photos, on the backs of which she had identified everyone. These he passed on to his niece Kathleen who has contributed the collection for our archives. Among them was a letter sent to him by Nell's dear friend after she died revealing John's thoughtfulness and generosity. John Herbert Sheppard was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 28 September 1915, the sixth child of Charles and Elsie (Gomez) Sheppard . He grew up in the Sheppard family home at 30 Richmond Street , Port of Spain and went to school at Queens Royal College along with three of his brothers - George , Bertie and Boysie . John had eleven siblings and was just 16 years old when his father died. John's wife Valerie passed away in 2017 at the age of 89. During recent conversations with their eldest daughter Judith, I learned that he had been an active member of the Masonic Lodge near the village where he lived in Wareham. When he passed away on 7 September 1996, his funeral was attended by a large number of his Masonic Fraternity. I wanted to find out more about his involvement at the local Lodge. Now, for the first time we have become aware of John Sheppard's outstanding contribution as a Freemason, and the high esteem in which he is held, recorded in the history of his Lodge. We realize that Freemasonry played an important role in his life and that he was a part of this fraternity from much earlier days in Trinidad. He lived by the tenets of Freemasonry, displaying brotherly love, charity and good will to everyone. The research and memories of John provided by his fellow brethren are touching testimonials to his personality and fine character, and a legacy of which we all can be very proud. Play on, dearest Uncle John. Your niece Valerie - 27 August, 2021 Masonic History Worshipful Brother John Herbert Sheppard PPrGSuptWks1 by Brother Mark Burstow, PPrSGD, ProvAsstGScrE, The Provincial Grand Lodge and Royal Arch Chapters of Dorset Craft John Herbert Sheppard was balloted to join The Lodge of St. Martin No. 7986 at the 18 March 1982 Meeting and joined at the Installation meeting on 15 April 1982. The 1983 Dorset Masonic Calendar tells us that WBro J H Sheppard was Master of St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 3963, Trinidad in 1969 and held the rank of Past District Junior Deacon (Trinidad). WBro Sheppard never held Office in St. Martin but that isn’t totally surprising as at that time St. Martin had well over 100 members and there were plenty of Brethren anxious to serve in office and well-established Brethren in the non-Progressive roles. I am told that in those days, 12 - 15 years from first becoming a Steward to The Chair was not unusual. He was appointed, on 27 October 1990, to the Craft Rank of Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works. WBro Sheppard joined Dorset Masters Lodge No. 3366 in 1992 Royal Arch He was Exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in The Chapter of Unity No. 386, Wareham in 1985. He is not listed as a member in the 1987 Dorset Masonic Calendar but appears as a Joining Member in 386 Chapter in 1988. Again, Companion Sheppard didn’t hold Office in the Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Unity. He became a Founder of The Chapter of St. Martin No. 7986 on 4 April 1995 Mark WBro Sheppard was Advanced into the Mark Degree in Anglebury Mark No. 763 in 1984. In the Dorset Masonic Calendar entry for the Mark, he is referred to as Jack Sheppard. He progressed through the Offices, becoming a Steward in 1987 and having a slightly accelerated journey to the Chair, serving as Inner Guard in 1988, Senior Deacon in 1989, Senior Overseer in 1990 and 1991, Senior Warden in 1992 and finally Master in 1993. He was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Deacon in Dorset Mark in 1995. Further Information WBro Sheppard remained a member of all three orders until he passed away on 7 September 1996. I am grateful to WBro Mark Giddings PPrGReg PPrGSwdB, the Worshipful Master of The Lodge of St. Martin 7986, a Past First Principal of the Chapter of St Martin No. 7986 and a Past Master of Anglebury Mark No. 763 for helping me to decide “where to look” for the information above. WBro Giddings recalls WBro Sheppard well; described him to me as having a “Lovely sense of humour ”, being “laid back ” and “quiet ” - “a lovely old fellow ”. Dining being ever important to Freemasons, WBro Giddings remembers WBro Sheppard having an aversion to Pork and made sure he didn’t have it at the Festive Board. Mark recalls that “one of his .. foibles was to put a mint in the collection bag or ballot box you always knew he had done it by the look in his eyes. ” WBro Sheppard’s proposer into Lodge of St. Martin was WBro Giddings' late Uncle, WBro Alastair McKechan, who is one of only two initiates in the history of St. Martin to be honoured with Grand Rank. WBro Sheppard is remembered fondly, and his Trinidad apron badge and collar jewel are still on display in the Committee Room in Wareham Masonic Hall, 25 years after his passing to the Grand Lodge Above. I attach photos of the regalia and the Summons and Agenda from the meeting when his ballot to join was taken. Most sincere thanks to David A. Reid for his kindness in requesting this information about Uncle John's masonic service from the United Grand Lodge of England, and to Mark Burstow for his research of all factual information which was extracted manually from Dorset Masonic Calendars (Year Books) 1983 - 1996. The information was received on 27 August 2021. David Reid is my brother-in-law, married to my yougest sister Audrey. He is a Freemason and holds the rank of PM 1557, PPGM Renfrewshire East, Proxy DGM Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Grand Architect.

The St. Hill Family - Barbados The earliest known photo of the St. Hill Family in Barbados - circa 1896 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 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 time in Barbados, 2010 Betty (St. Hill) Sheppard, rt. Helen (St. Hill) Almazán See also: ST. HILL & LOBO FAMILIES HENRY GARNET (HARRY) ST. HILL FRANCES ELIZABETH (BETTY) SHEPPARD née ST. HILL

Jessie Mabel Sheppard 1909 - 2002 Jessie (Sheppard) Brash in 1947 when she was 38 years old Early Background & Childhood Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard and his sweetheart Elsie Mabel Gomez got married on the 20th of January 1909 at the Presbyterian Church of St. Ann's, and settled down to married life in Port of Spain, Trinidad. It wasn't long before 23 year old Elsie was expecting their first child. Their daughter, Jessie Mabel, arrived on Monday 22 November that year. Jessie's grandparents were English and Portuguese. Her Sheppard grandfather was Alfred, a Sergeant Major with the Trinidad Police Force born in Sussex, England, and her grandma was Virginia de Freitas , Trinidad-born daughter of Madeiran immigrants. Her Gomez grandparents on her mother's side were also all from Portuguese families who had settled in Trinidad. Jessie's father Charlie played the mandolin and violin, and Elsie also played the piano. As in many middle-class homes of those times, a piano took pride of place in the Sheppard drawing room - one could say it was the centerpiece of the home where family and friends socialized and many musical evenings took place. About home life, Elsie wrote in her short memoirs "Music pervaded the air, father and children being the musicians." Little Jessie Sheppard sat at the piano from an early age, and began to play before her little feet could even touch the pedals. Encouraging young Jessie's love for the piano, Charlie and Elsie arranged for their daughter to have music lessons with Herr Christian Wilhelm Nothnagel, a German musician and teacher who had settled in Trinidad and set up his school of music at 18 Gray Street, Port of Spain in 1899. His fees were $5 for 8 half-hour lessons and Jessie was tutored by him twice weekly. Jessie was privileged to have been given this opportunity, as Herr Nothnagel was no ordinary piano teacher. He had come from a family of notable musicians and had studied at Segeberg Seminary in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was qualified to teach with special emphasis in music, choral training and conducting and studies in the organ, piano, violin and cello. At his music school, called The St. Clair School of Music, he taught Piano, Organ, Violin, Cello, Singing, and Theory of music. He held students’ evenings for playing before small audiences monthly and prepared students for Trinity College of music or London exams. Undoubtedly, Jessie's early exposure to this classical musical environment led her to be the accomplished pianist she became. As time went by, she realized that her real talent was playing music by ear, and this she humbly considered as a gift. An interesting family connection is that well-known Trinidadian soprano and vocal coach, Wendy Sheppard, is the great-granddaughter of Herr Nothnagel. She is also the great-grandaughter of Jessie's father, Charles Sheppard. Aunt Jessie would fondly recall that when she was a little girl, she would take the train to Sangre Grande, where she loved to spend school holidays with Grandma Christina Gomez. The manager of the local cinema there would often ask her grandmother's permission for her to provide the live piano music for silent movies when the resident pianist was off. This she did when she was just eight years old. Jessie attended Bishop Anstey High School where, as a twelve year old, she would play marches on the piano for the students to march to their classroom. This would be the pattern of her long life - generously giving of her musical talent at countless venues and charity events, with joy and love. Some of these are recounted in a couple of newspaper interviews with her, and in an appreciation published after her death. By age nineteen, Jessie had become the eldest of a family of thirteen children, with seven younger brothers and five sisters to help look after. Then tragedy hit the large Sheppard family. Their father Charles died in 1931 at only 45, leaving them and their young widowed mother to grieve and cope with his sudden death. Fortunately, after graduating from high school, Jessie had obtained a steady job at the Post Office. Her mother Elsie wrote in her memoirs "this was of great help, as she could buy for herself such fineries as were needed and put by something for the "Bottom Drawer". It was at her workplace that she met Bernard, the dashing young man she fell in love with. Bernard would bring mail to the Post Office from the company for which he worked, and what started off as an "office romance" blossomed into courtship and marriage. The eldest Sheppard sisters, l/r Ida, Jessie, Madge at their Richmond Street home, Trinidad The "Man" Jessie Married How, when or why Bernard Brash acquired the nickname "Man" is anybody's guess. But the amusing story has been told that it started when he was a pretty cocky little boy and his mother's old lady friends used to call him "little man". The moniker stuck with him and he became known as "Man" for life. Bernard Henry McNee (Man) Brash came from a most interesting family. Like his four siblings - Bianca, Francis (Frank), Victoria (Vicky) and Louisita (Toots) - he was born at Tucker Valley, Macqueripe, in the north of Trinidad where their father, Harris Brash, was the Manager of Sir William Ingram's large estate. Man's mother was Trinidad-born Corina Hart, daughter of Daniel Hart and Louisita de la Croix de Martini who was of Italian parentage. Man's paternal grandparents were a Scottish couple - Francis Banks Brash and Jean (Jane) Graham McNee - who had emigrated to Trinidad shortly after their marriage in Glasgow in 1867. Man's mother Corina had been sent away to school at a Catholic convent in America where her aunt, Emmanuel de Martini was a nun (Sr. Mercedes). Corina also had an uncle who was a Catholic priest in Arima, Monsignor C.B. de Martini. Harris and Corina Brash raised their children in the Catholic faith, and lived in the rural Tucker valley estate. Harris Brash later managed San Carlos estate, about 9 miles north of the town of Arima, in the Heights of Guanapo, Northern Range. Man's early education was by a Governess called Miss le Cadre, who lived with the family in their Tucker Valley home. He later went to St Joseph's Convent Arima from Heights of Guanapo, along with his sisters "Toots" and Vicky. When he got his first job in Port of Spain, he boarded with Addie Devenish, a lady whom Man loved and always referred to as his second mother. Roaming the estates among crops of cocoa, bananas, coconuts, coffee and citrus must have been an idyllic and carefree childhood for Man and his siblings, though I'm sure they each had their share of chores around the homestead. They grew up joining in with the estate workers "dancing the cocoa". It is therefore unsurprising that in later years, he formed his own company, B.H. Brash & Co. Ltd., curing cocoa and coffee beans for export. His grandaughter Isabel Brash carries on the family love for cocoa beans in her Trinidad artisan chocolate business called Cocobel Chocolate. Harris Brash and Corina Hart in 1904 Bernard (Man) Brash's parents The Sheppard Family in 1828 Nineteen-year old Jessie is seated next to her mother, holding her sister Florence With the blessing of her widowed mother and much to the excitement of her younger siblings, Jessie and Bernard Henry McNee (Man) Brash were married on 29 August, 1936. In her memoirs, Jessie's mother Elsie wrote "he was a fine young man and she a happy bride". Though the Sheppards were staunch Presbyterians, they were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Richmond Street, Port of Spain, a stone's throw away from the Sheppard family home. Jessie vowed to raise their children in the Catholic faith, as was required by the Church. She faithfully kept her promise. Jessie & Man's Family One year after Jessie and Man were married, they welcomed the first of their four children into the world, on 17 August 1937. They named their firtborn Bernard Harris Michael Brash - Bernard after his father, Harris after his Brash grandfather. Bernard married Ruth Ann Ganteaume and they had three children - Elizabeth, Rosanna and Bernard. He passed away in 2017 when he was 80 years old, having had an impressive career as Commander of the Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard. On 29 October 1939, along came the child that Jessie would affectionately call her "gold bead". Charles Anthony Brash was named after his grandfather Charles (Charlie) Sheppard. Charles joined the oil industry in Trinidad, becoming one of the country's leaders of the oilfield services sector. He is the Chairman and Founder of Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd. and has recently been honoured as a Trinidadian Hero for his his outstanding contribution to oil production over the past sixty years. Charles and his wife Rosalind Thavenot, are the proud parents of six children - Charles (known by his second name Anthony), David, Charlene, Rachel, Daniel and Isabel. Maurice Brash, Jessie and Man's third son, became a well-known actor, singer, radio personality, and a highly sought after voice-over artist for many advertisements. He has performed in numerous television shows and soap operas, stage plays and presentations. Born in Woodbrook on June 10, 1947, Maurice was educated at Fatima College where he went on to teach French after studying Languages at the University of the West Indies. On his return from a scholarship to France in 1975, Maurice led the St. Dominic Savio Choir to become most outstanding Secondary School Choir. In 1989, the French Government awarded him the “Palmes Academiques” for his contribution to the teaching of French language and culture. In 2015 Maurice was inducted into the Fatima Hall of Achievement for his outstanding contribution to his Alma Mater. After three boys, Jessie must have been thrilled when, at 42 years old, she delivered their last child - a girl! Rosalind Elsie Theresa Brash, born on 5 April 1951, was the beautiful blonde baby of the family and was given the name Elsie after Jessie's mother. Her growing up years were filled with piano and vocal training. She has performed in several concerts, sometimes singing duets with Maurice. As small children, she and Maurice even sang duets on the Sunday afternoon "Auntie Kay Show" - a Radio Trinidad programme showcasing children's talent - before the days of television in Trinidad. Rosalind is an accomplished soprano, having won many awards at the annual music festivals. She has sung at countless weddings in Trinidad and Houston, where she lived for a while with her husband, David Voisin. Rosalind and David have one son, Daniel. Jessie saw to it that all her children were sent to piano lessons at an early age. As very young children, she would seat them on her upright piano where she accompanied them during her numerous tea parties and social functions, many held for charity. At Christmas time she would have them perform for the sick at hospitals, as well as for the Princess Elizabeth Home for Children. Maurice recalls: "Her home at 23 O'Connor and then at 38 O'Connor Streets welcomed so many members of our family on both sides. At 23 O'Connor people we had never met would come into our drawing room and play the piano, because the neighbours said Mrs. Brash wouldn't mind. That was when you never locked the house. Our homes were always full of music and singing." I have warm and happy memories of my Aunt Jessie playing the piano at Grandma Sheppard's legendary Christmas Parties where all of her grandchildren would be asked to perform. Auntie Jessie brought the family together around her piano at countless family gatherings. She also was an accomplished organist, and provided music at church for weddings of many family members. Sadly, Jessie's husband Man passed away on 20th February 1970 at age 59. After his death when she was 60 years old she decided to start teaching and took over a small primary school called St. Anthony’s Private School. Three years later, she ran her school from her Woodbrook home, on 38 O'Connor Street. Her closest sister Ida, by then also a widow, moved in to live with her and together they nurtured and taught young children, always including music in their daily curriculum. Jessie's contribution to music and culture in Trinidad has been invaluable. The newspaper articles which I've transcribed below give testimony to her life of music and the high esteem in which she was held. It's heartwarming to know that The Jessie Brash Memorial Trophy is presented each year to outstanding musicians at Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival. Jessie passed away on 23 April 2002 in her ninety-third year, leaving behind a large family of whom she and her husband Man would be very proud today. Her rich legacy of music and kindness will live on forever in the hearts of all her family and everyone who knew and loved her. 1985 - Valerie singing at a family party in Barbados accompanied by Jessie, Standing behind us are her sisters Flo and Ida Newspaper Articles Sunday Express, February 28, 1993

 In 1918 she provided piano music for silent movies. She was only eight then. She remembers feeling sad during a movie she played for “The Transgressors” about a father who neglected his daughter. How could one forget some of the “beautiful” actors - Ramon Navarro and Mary Pickford? 

“I played for silent films when I went to spend holidays with my grandmother” said Jessie Brash, 83, of her grandmother Christina Gomez from Sangre Grande. There was a resident pianist, but I just filled in for fun. I did it about a dozen times.” The name of the Sangre Grande cinema eluded her, but not all of the memories were a blur. She recalled the “cocoa people” would pay monthly for a cinema box which was available to any family member. The cinema manager, one Mr. Watson, usually asked Jessie’s grandmother for permission for her to play. for the movies. During sad scenes, she played such tunes as Hearts and Flowers or I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.

 “The piano was below the screen so I had to look up at the screen while playing and change the music as was necessary. Silent movies were very nice. They had lovely actors and very handsome men,” said Brash, mother of Maurice Brash, opera singer, actor, teacher and Prime 106 news announcer.

 She didn’t play for silent movies at the London Theatre, now Astor, in Port of Spain, but Brash remembers that it cost a shilling to go to balcony, six pennies for house and three pennies for pit. Ever so often, management had an “egg night”. Patrons who showed up with an egg got in free. Egg night, as you can imagine, was special.

 As Bishop Anstey High School students, Brash and a friend, Lynette Brown, took turns at the piano playing marches and show numbers from the English musicals Showboat and The Girlfriend for their fellow students to march into their classrooms. They were about 12.

 As a child, Brash received some basic training from a German music teacher living in Gray Street, St. Clair, who she remembers as Nothnagel. Twice weekly she was tutored in the classics. However, she thinks her talent lies in playing music by ear. She considers it a gift. It must have been a trait she inherited from her father, Charles Sheppard, whose instruments were the violin and mandolin. Her father was a partner in Salvatori, Scott and Co. Ltd., a general dry goods store that was located where the Salvatori building now stands on Independence Square, Port of Spain. “We used to have some beautiful music evenings” said Brash of her upbringing.

 From the cinema to the school, Brash then took her talent to the Music Festival. She formed the Brash Quartet with violinist Elsie Pereira and cellist Beatrice Tibbets. They won at least a dozen certificates with their renditions of chamber music.

 During World War II, Brash, comedian Lundy de Montbrun, Boscoe and Sheila Holder, and blind pianist Maurice Connor, entertained the American soldiers stationed in Trinidad. The Holders weren’t married then but Boscoe played piano and Sheila sang. Brash dressed her two sons, Bernard and Charles, like soldiers in khaki jacket and pants and took them to the weekly Sunday concerts which were organized to boost the Yankees’ morale.
The musical evenings that Brash enjoyed during childhood have not disappeared entirely. She sometimes teams up with Syl Dopson on clarinet, John Henderson on cuatro,vionists Carl Stodart and Elsie Pereira, bass cellist Philip Habib and Ken Kelshall on the mouth organ at the Diego Martin home of pianist Yvonne Burnett, to make music.

 This spontaneous orchestra plays such waltzes as Ramona, Charmaine and Desert Song. When the spirit becomes infectious, some of the musicians give in to the mood. They drop their instruments, put their arms around one another and do a tango, waltz, fox trot or the rhumba.
 These old-fashioned dances are a throw-back to the days when popular music had mellower melody and gentler rhythm. The times when people really danced. They moved around the room. Launched their heads back. Threw their feet in the air.
 The ballroom dances have been replaced by the soca bogle, the flex, the butterfly and the bubble. Style and grace in motion have given way to waves and gyrations.
Nowadays, said Brash, people listen to noise.
 And couples, she notes, “rent-a-tile.”

 MELODIES FROM AN AGE OF GRACE 

 Newsday, Sunday May 5, 2002 

 We observe the passing of another outstanding woman, Jessie Brash, on Wednesday April 24. The funeral service took place on April 25 at the St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church in Woodbrook where Jessie had been the organist for 30 years, never accepting any payment for a talent she felt she owed to her God.

 Born Jessie Mabel Sheppard on November 22, 1909, the first of Charles and Elsie Sheppard’s 12 children, she married Bernard “Man" Brash in 1936, a union which produced four children, Bernard, Charles, Maurice and Rosalind, 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

 When her husband died in 1970, leaving no estate, Jessie acquired a small school from Marion De Montbrun at the corner of Roberts and Alfredo Streets in Woodbrook, and determinedly turned St. Anthony’s Private School into a haven for young children on whom she lavished love while giving them an adventure into learning, singing and an awareness of God.

 But it was Jessie’s passion for music which was overriding. With her father she shared a love for music before her feet could barely reach the pedals.
 He even had her play the piano for a silent movie in a neighborhood cinema when his friend, the cinema owner, found himself minus a pianist one evening.

 My memory of this upright woman was seated at the piano accompanying the dancers of Thora Dumnbell’s dance school with heart and soul. And this she did for more than 30 years.

 Those were Jessie’s happiest years and we are told “Thora’s friendship was very dear to her, as was her friendship with Elsie Pereira and Beatrice Tibbits with whom she spent many years playing beautiful music, winning Music Festival awards and driving her late husband who had no ear for music, round the bend.”

 In 1973, the indomitable woman purchased No. 38 O’Connor Street on the strength of her good name alone. A time when your good name was worth something. The house became a haven for many, from her children for whom she was a healing force, to her sister Ida and many whom she helped by holding charity events at the Woodbrook house. Her mother, Elsie, in a short appreciation of her children, once compared Jessie to a diamond. 

Jessie’s children and friends felt the comparison was only valid in the worth of the stone, but not as a cold, hard and showy jewel, for Jessie was the essence of warmth, gentleness and genuine, unpretentious beauty.
 Hazel Ward-Redman once described her as the prettiest lady she ever saw.

 But, said eulogist, Bernard Tappin, “her beauty lay in the gentlest of her voice and in the generosity she showed everyone, for none entered her home without being invited to share a meal, even when she didn’t know if there was anything in the kitchen to eat.”

 Jessie’s faith in God was so strong that nothing phased her and up to the day before she was admitted to the nursing home, where she died peacefully, answered the question “How you going?” with the words “I’m going but ah eh gone yet!”

 Jessie had begun a short semi-autobiography called “An office affair” which she eventually dictated to her close friend Ann Pouchet after diabetes had claimed her eyesight. 

Jessie smiled at the piano, smiled when telling the only joke she could remember about the king who was castrated, smiled when organizing some little concert for someone in need, and smiled when singing the “ole lady walk a mile and a half” calypso as she tried to negotiate the walker with the help of Josephine, Anne Marie and Angela. JESSIE’S GONE, CHURCH ORGAN SILENCED

 By Angela Pidduck Compiled by Valerie Sheppard - 27 September, 2022 With thanks for contributions from: Rosalind (Brash) Voisin - Jessie's daughter Joan (Sutherland) Leggett - Niece of Jessie's husband, Bernard "Man" Brash Research reference for Nothnagel: "The Germans in Trinidad" by Fr. Anthony de Verteuil Videos by Meindert van der Meulen - Valerie's husband Jessie's children Charles, Rosalind and Maurice surrounded by some of her grands and great-grands at a Sheppard Family gathering Trinidad, 11 September, 2022

Moses Finzi Lobo (Barbados 1834 - Philadelphia 1904) Background and Early Life in Barbados The eldest son of London-born Moses (Matthew) Lobo and Sarah Cohen D'Azevedo , was Daniel Moses Lobo, born on 24 August 1805 in Amsterdam. His younger brother Isaac, born in Suriname, was my maternal 3rd great-grandfather. Both brothers emigrated to the island of Barbados, British West Indies - now generally referred to as the Caribbean. When he was 22 years old, Daniel married his first cousin Leah Lobo on 31 October 1827 at the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Barbados. Leah was born in St. Thomas, British Virgin Islands, and was the daughter of Matthew Lobo's brother David Lobo and his wife Rachel de Leon. On 20 September 1828, Leah and Daniel became parents of a daughter whom they named Leah Sarah. Sadly, baby Leah Sarah Lobo would never knew her mother. Barely a year after their marriage, Daniel Moses Lobo's wife Leah died on 8 October 1828 in Barbados, just eighteen days after giving birth to their child. Six years later, Daniel Moses Lobo married Sarah Finzi, born in Barbados on 9 June 1798. They were married at the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Barbados on 5 January 1834 when Daniel was 29 years old. On 29 March 1834, Sarah's brother Abraham Finzi married Daniel's cousin, Judith D'Azevedo. That year was to be a most eventful one for the family, as on 6 December 1834, Daniel's wife Sarah gave birth to a son. They named him Moses Finzi Lobo - a half brother for six-year old Leah. My great-grandfather Daniel Lobo was Moses' younger first cousin. Moses Finzi's father Daniel Moses Lobo was a merchant and, like many other Sephardic Jews of that time in Barbados, settled with his wife and family in Swan Street, where they also traded. He operated a dry goods store on Swan Street, which was just around the corner from the Nidhe Israel Synogogue in Bridgetown. Daniel Moses Lobo took an active role in the Jewish community of Barbados, as did his Azevedo relatives. He was the Secretary of the Rebuilding Committee of the Nidhe Israel Synagogue that was badly damaged in the hurricane of 1831 and is recorded as D.M. Lobo in several of the minutes of the Mahamad. Young Moses Finzi no doubt attended the first Jewish religious school which was established, in January, 1844. It is recorded that his second cousin, Mrs. Judith Finzi was superintendent ("Occident," ii. 102). The Great Fire in Bridgetown On 3 February 1845 when Moses Finzi Lobo was just eleven years old, a great tragedy struck that no doubt impacted the course of his life. A severe fire broke out at the family's home and business place, No. 20 Swan Street. The fire ravaged his father's property and numerous houses and acres of Lower Bridgetown were burnt, becoming aptly known as Burnt District. The area was subsequently rebuilt, but three years later advertisements placed by John Montefiore appeared in the The Barbados Mercury & Bridgetown Gazette , offering the Lobo property for rent. There are also advertisements for an auction sale of all of D.M. Lobo's furniture and household articles as well as for his stock-in-trade . Sometime after the fire of 1845, Daniel Moses Lobo, his wife and children all emigrated to Philadelphia, USA, where they lived the rest of their lives as part of a steadily growing Jewish community there. Many other Jews emigrated from Barbados to America, mostly to Philadelphia and New York. In 1848 there were only 71 Jews left in Barbados, 38 of whom belonged to the congregation. Dwindling Jewish Community in Barbados Dr. Laura Liebman interviewed Barbadian historian Dr. Karl Watson in 2010. When asked about the size of the Jewish community at its peak, Dr. Watson replied: "By the middle of the nineteenth century, the minutes of the Mahamad openly lamented that the “ancient” Barbadian Jewish community was under the threat of extinction, fueled by the forces of migration and intermarriage with Christian families. In 1848, the shamash (warden), E.A. Moses, wrote poignantly to a friend about the declining fortunes of the Nidhe Israel community: “You are aware of the departure of my friend Lobo & family and also of S.E. Daniels & family for the United States. M. D’Azevedo and family will very soon follow. My anxieties & labour for our fallen Snoga (Snoga is the diminutive of esnoga, or synagogue) are necessarily increased. Heaven guard it. Amen.” Life and Career in Philadelphia Moses Finzi Lobo was a fifteen year old boy in Philadelphia when his father Daniel died in on 23 August 1849. It was the day before his forty-fourth birthday. His widowed mother Sarah lived another eighteen years, and their burials took place in Philadelphia. Young Moses Finzi grew up to be a well respected and prominent journalist with a flourishing career. He died on 17 December 1904 and is buried in the Mount Sinai Cemetery, Philadelphia. The following article was written about him by Charles J. Cohen and has been published by the American Jewish Historical Society: "Moses Finzi Lobo was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, December 6, 1834, and died in Philadelphia November 17, 1904. He came to Philadelphia about 1845, and at twelve years of age attended the public schools, obtaining a good education, which was greatly added to in after years by close study, notwithstanding an active business career. About the year 1859 he entered the employ of the late Henry Cohen, importer of stationery in Philadelphia, and continued there until 1867, finding this position particularly attractive, as he had the privilege of the Sabbath and the holidays. Being devoted to his religious duties, he observed them with much care. After leaving Mr. Cohen's establishment he occupied several positions on different newspapers, being on the editorial staff of the North American and of the Age , and at the time of the Centennial Exhibition in 1876, through the influence of the late George W. Childs, he was appointed head of the Press Bureau established at that time, and did excellent work. His connection with the newspapers received the highest commendation, particularly from the late William W. Harding, of the Inquirer , and the Hon. Clayton McMichael, of the North American, both of Philadelphia. Mr. Lobo's knowledge of shorthand was exceptional, and he was frequently chosen to report scientific addresses, his knowledge of terms and scientific phraseology being superior to that possessed by many following the profession at that time. He was private secretary to the Superintendent of the Mint, resigning that position to engage in literary work, beginning with a complete concordance to the poetical works of Milton; this, however, was discontinued on finding that such a publication was already on the market. He wrote much on matters of local history, and was particularly interested in English grammar. In this connection it may be said he noticed that a comma had been misplaced in the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Writing to the Hon. Charles Sumner, the author of the amendment, regarding this error, he received in reply Mr. Sumner's statement that the criticism was justified, but that a greater object had been obtained, and that in his judgment it was unwise to again open the subject. Of a diffident, retiring nature he did not take that rank in communal affairs to which his abilities entitled him; many of his contributions to literature are not known, since they were published anonymously. He had a few close personal friends who esteemed him highly for his mental and moral worth. At the time of the Civil War he endeavored to enlist, but was prevented by physical disabilities; his pen and word, however, were always found on the side opposing slavery. In the year 1860 he became associated with the Congregation Mikveh Israel that had just removed on Seventh Street, above Arch Street, and remained a congregant until his death." Source for the above article: Author(s): Charles J. Cohen Source: Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 19 (1910), pp. 197-199 Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43057861 Moses Finzi Lobo died on 17 November 1904 in 1524 North 8th Street, Philadelphia Pensylvania, U.S.A. and was buried on 20 November 1904. Inscription on his headstone at Mount Sinai Cemetery Philadelphia: MOSES FINZI LOBO BORN BARBADOS DECEMBER 5 1834 DIED NOVEMBER 17 1904 (Source: www.findagrave.com ) Genealogical information sourced in Holland, Barbados and Canada Other Reference sources: BARBADOS - Jewish Encylopedia Rediscovering an Important Link to American Jewish History: Field Notes from the Nidhe Israel Synagogue Complex in Barbados See also: BARUCH (BENTO) OSORIO THE LOBO & D'AZEVEDO FAMILIES

Ida Amelia Sheppard and her husband Leslie Robert de Sousa Four years into their marriage, my grandparents Charles and Elsie (Gomez) Sheppard welcomed their fourth child into their home in Edward Street, Port of Spain. They named their daughter Ida Amelia, born on 11 April 1913. She was a baby sister for Jessie who was then 4, Madge 3, and Boysie who was just 14 months old at the time. Over the next fourteen years, these four oldest children would welcome nine more younger siblings into their large Sheppard fold. As one of the older children, Ida grew up helping to care for her younger sisters and brothers. With his growing family, Charlie Sheppard bought a large house situated at the corner of Richmond and Park Streets, Port of Spain. The Sheppard family was living in this lovely family home at #30 Richmond Street when Charlie died at 45 years old in 1931. Ida had just turned eighteen. Left fatherless, Ida and her other older siblings undertook their responsibilities in helping their mother raise the younger children. In 1919 at the height of popularity for the Model T, a young Irish immigrant who settled in Trinidad acquired the country's sole Ford dealership. He was Charles McEnearney. He went into partnership with Trinidadian Robert de Sousa , an estate proprietor and entrepreneur. Together they owned and ran Trinidad's first Ford dealership, Charles McEnearney & Co. Ltd. By the time the Sheppard family was living at 38 Richmond Street, their company had established their automobile dealership and showroom right across the street from the Sheppard's residence. This is where Robert de Sousa's son Leslie would meet and fall in love with the beautiful Ida Sheppard. A romance and courtship ensued, and Leslie was warmly welcomed into the Sheppard family. Ida and Leslie were married on 22nd July 1933 at St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Port of Spain. It was the start of a long and happy marriage. Leslie and Ida presented Elsie Sheppard with her first grandchild, when their daughter Joan Elsie was born in 1934. Their family was complete by 1938 with the addition of two more beautiful daughters - Elizabeth Joyce (Betty) and Helen Jean. On the front staircase of her Richmond Street home circa 1936 Grandma Elsie Sheppard with her first grandchild, Joan de Sousa In her short memoirs "My Precious Jewels" written in later life, my grandmother Elsie called Ida her "Emerald". This is what she wrote about her: “Grandchildren started to appear because my third daughter married a wealthy estate owner. He had a wonderful country home, where he carried on a farm and raised cows, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks. Quickly babies came and their three lovely little girls were brought up among nature - the mountains, the river and the animals. It was a home that was always a nice place to go to, so my small children often spent their vacations with Emerald. Her husband was always proud to say, “My wife churned the butter, she made the jam, the cake …..” They were always very happy." My father Andrew was just ten years old when his sister Ida introduced her boyfriend Leslie to the Sheppard family. He always loved him and looked up to him with the greatest admiration. I recently discovered that he had written about him in his memoirs, in an article entitled "The Portuguese of Trinidad", dated July 1989, transcribed below: Leslie de Sousa, a perfect gentleman and a totally self-effacing, humble person, commanded great respect for his knowledge of cocoa and coffee as well as tonka beans (which are used for perfuming soaps and talcum powder). Leslie managed La Concordia Estate which occupied a large area of that part of the Northern Range known as Caura. It was all undulating land with a river and streams flowing throughout. It was rather difficult land to manage but through his quiet leadership La Concordia Estate prospered. The labourers were mostly of Carib/Indian origin with a dash of Spanish ancestry interwoven. Hard-working people who were always pleasant and docile. They worked from 5.30 a.m. to 5.30 pm. Leslie was married to Ida Sheppard and they raised three daughters between Caura and Port of Spain, where they attended school. When Caura was acquired by Government to create a dam the family moved to Diego Martin, another agricultural area near to Port of Spain. The dam idea was aborted and was the object of major scandal and corruption by Government officials. Leslie's father, Robert de Sousa, who was part owner of the cocoa estate, was also involved in the automobile business. He joined in a partnership with an Irish man, Charles McEnearney, to become distributors of Ford vehicles. They did very well until Robert (Bobby) decided to live in Grenada where he ran Geo. F. Huggins & Co.Ltd. and became a very wealthy land owner. The children were educated and lived in Trinidad with their mother in a large, stately house around the Queen's Park Savannah. Painting of the de Sousa Family home where Alice de Sousa lived with the children (Courtesy Joan (de Sousa) Bodu) Having settled into their new home in Deigo Martin, Leslie and Ida became pioneers in livestock farming, when they started Trinidad's first chicken farm. In 2012, an article about this was featured in "The Westerly". THE WESTERLY ISSUE 62, 2012 - PAGE 22 FIRST EVER CHICKEN FARM STARTED IN BLUE BASIN Information submitted by Joan Bodu (Transcribed from the article) In the 1940’s Leslie de Sousa moved from a cocoa, coffee and tonca bean estate in Caura to Blue Basin. His father had owned “La Concordia” in Caura where Leslie lived as a child and as a young man, until the land was bulldozed to make way for the Caura Dam (which incidentally never materialized). Leslie then moved to Blue Basin where he set up the first Poultry Breeder Farm in Trinidad. He built a house on 75 acres of land and set up buildings for laying, hatching and breeding. He and his wife Ida (nee Sheppard) raised a family of three daughters there. A photo of the old house is shown on left. As young girls, his daughters helped him on the farm every day by turning the eggs in the incubators before they left for school, and also later at night. In the morning, their mother used to drive them to Bishop’s High School in town, and after school in the afternoon they would walk down to the corner of Richmond Street and Arapita Avenue to get a wooden type bus, which would take them as far as the bus stop near the water wheel at River Estate. Their mother would meet them there and take them the rest of the way by car. Joan, Leslie’s daughter, remembers family and friends coming to visit them on weekends. The children would go to the back of the property which led to a spring and climb up the rocks, as high as they could go. On the other side of the Blue Basin road there was a piece of land which her father had cultivated with pink grapefruit. Behind this was the continuation of the Blue Basin stream. It was here that Joan and her sisters, along with the Salandy children, would catch crayfish. Another family who lived not far away was the Benson family. Joan remembers these years with fondness and the freedom she enjoyed as a child living in the ‘country’. After many years, her father Leslie sold the property and gave up his chicken breeding. The area nearby is now known as Blue Basin Gardens. Ida and Leslie de Sousa's daughters l/r Joan Bodu, Betty Scott, Helen Humphrey The de Sousa and Sheppard families became more entwined in 1938 when Leslie's younger sister Joyce married Ida's brother Bertie , the brother who came right after her in the family. This close family relationship continued to grow over the years. The marriages of Leslie's and Ida's daughters in 1955, 1956 and 1957 were occasions for great family celebrations - and more so when grandchildren started arriving. Leslie knew and enjoyed all five of his grandchildren, but passed away on 16th May 1974 at 65 years old. After Leslie died, Ida and her older sister Jessie who was also a widow, lived together in O'Connor Street. There they ran a preparatory school for several years, and many people who were their little students have the fondest memories of their early school days with "Auntie Ida" and "Auntie Jessie" , as they called them.. Sheppard sisters in Trinidad, February 1993 l/r Flo Johnson , Sybil Gibbon , Ida de Sousa , Audrey Clark I remember Auntie Ida as a fun-loving, beautiful lady, always stylish and erect in her bearing, lady-like and gentle in her manner. She lived to be ninety years old and to this day is very much missed and lovingly remembered by all her family. Ida and Leslie are laid to rest with Leslie's mother, Alice (Ferreira) de Sousa, at the Mucurapo Cemetery, Port of Spain, Trinidad. See also: Friendships~partnerships~family ties

Edith Florence (Flo) Sheppard wife of Victor Colin Johnson (1927 - 2010) Eulogy by Flo's granddaughter, Lorraine Patience at the Service of Thanksgiving & Celebration of Life St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Trinidad - January 2010 Edith Florence Johnson née Sheppard , fondly known as Florence, Flo or Floco, grew up in a large, close knit, musical family and was the “spoilt fish” from the get go; being the baby - twelfth child of Charles & Elsie Sheppard. Granny Flo grew up as a big sister to her sister Ida’s three daughters – Joan, Betty and Helen. She treasured these memories about the wonderful days spent with them in Caura - river-bathing, tram rides around The Savannah in a different and safe Trinidad & Tobago. 4th May, 1946 - Trinidad Granny Flo was blessed in many ways. She met her soulmate Colin Johnson , a very handsome Bajan gentleman working in Trinidad at the time. She had a great marriage (just shy of sixty years) resulting in four children, eight grands and six great-grands. Simply put, her hubby, family and home were her top priorities. Granny never quite got over her beloved Colin’s earlier passing and always referred to him in the present tense. Granny called his name often especially when stressed with computer challenges, looking for something, remembering past times or just frustrated. She loved, admired, supported him in all business ventures, communicated well and was his number one cheerleader – he could almost do no wrong in her eyes. Flo loved music especially the old-fashioned piano pieces and let's not forget “The Sugar Blues”. Of course her favorite piano players were sisters Jessie, Ida and sister-in-law Betty. Gran-Gran played her CDs from early in the morning - often loudly - and at night went to sleep with her Discman and earphones. About four years ago, her sister Sybil encouraged her to learn to use the computer – after a lot of "grand-charge" she agreed to take about eight lessons (probably did not want Auntie Sybil to have the upper hand in this arena). We cannot thank Janine Crooks enough for transforming Granny’s life. We all know Granny was a social butterfly and chatting was one of her favourite pastimes. Granny was not into surfing the net, but those social networking tools (email, MSN, Skype and Facebook) gave her another lease on life. She crossed boundaries, time zones, kept in touch, shared pictures with family and friends of all ages. Needless to say, Granny took to the computer like a fish to water. We also thank Jeffrey, William, Shane, Lorraine, her computer techs and the crew at TSTT etc. for their tremendous patience and support. When Granny's computer was down, she went into withdrawal mode and never rested until she was back online. We were so proud of her achievements. I personally do not know too many 80+ year-olds who use the computer – except for our Auntie Sybil, of course! We kept her updated when in hospital with all the well wishes from her Facebook family and she was happy to hear from you all. Some other memories of Granny Flo shared by her grand- and great- grandchildren: Granny Flo loved to . . . Louanna: Have her early morning cup of coffee Place her early morning call to Joan and Sybil Have several chats a day with Elsa and Rosemary Be in her garden, Tend to her rose beds and bougainvillea. Water her plants Hugo: Go on her computer Talk to Grandpa Jeffrey on Skype Mathew Bathe in the rain Nicola Talk and reminisce about Grandpa Colin (always in the present tense) Keep the Bible open to stop the rains especially for weddings or any important functions Go to Barbados and visit with Auntie Betty and family Stay at Marasol – Dover beach was her favorite Barbados beach Be in her own home, in her own bed Have her hair, nails and feet done Lorraine Have her children and grands close Go out on Fridays for a drink and 'Accra' at the Byte (Grandpa's favourite) Visit family & friends and take drives Watch 'Young and Restless' Take pictures with 'dickie bird' (digital camera) and have me put them on Facebook right away Print her favourite pictures and show them off Shane Tell everyone about her children and grandchildren’s achievements Go on beach limes to Mayaro,Toco & Down de Islands Cook her favorite Steam Pudding Indulge sometimes on the sweet stuff – ice cream and ice-box cake Trisha Look for shells or drift wood on the beach Create pieces of 'art' that we must see NOW Receive presents and show everybody what she got Be called 'Florence Nightingale' Hear the "Morning Miss Johnson” as people passed by on the street Two Rum 'n Cokes after the sun went down Talk some more with Sybil, Joan & Elsa Amelia Visit her friends in the 'Lodge' Talk on Facebook and MSN Colin Drink milk William Have her lawn cut with a mower and not a wakker Have her grand- and great-grands come over and run in the grass and pick oranges or mangoes Walk barefoot wherever she could get away with it (Barefoot Contessa) Keep us up to date on 'who died', new arrivals, weddings and any family trivia Emily Go for lunch with Mary Chat with Lorel Go to any concerts or shows her family was in (Love Movement, Wendy etc.) Go to family gatherings and weddings Pull my feet - said I would get tall Tell us the same thing over and over Tease Grampa when driving to the beach that our sea was far better than Barbados Sing the 'Blues' - The Sugar Blues When all is said and done, Granny, Mummy, Floco was quite a character and we will miss her dearly – keep on singing the blues, dancing, chatting, loving us and be united again with your loving Colin. Rest Peacefully. "Barefoot Contessa" July 2008 - on a steamy, hot day at her home in Diego Martin, Trinidad. A family gathering was taking place The rains came, and Flo just couldn't resist! I couldn't resist taking this photo! On one of her many visits to Barbados while staying at my home there l/r Flo, my mother Betty, me, Flo's sister Sybil (Sheppard) Gibbon

Neilsa Marcella Sheppard née Tasker "NiNi" 16 January, 1951 - 29 March, 2024 Listen: Tribute to NiNi Valerie Sheppard 00:00 / 10:35 Tribute by Valerie Sheppard Delivered at A Service of Thanksgiving for Neilsa's life St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Maxwell, Christ Church, Barbados Friday April 12th, 2024 It was 1967 when my brother Peter first introduced his gorgeous girlfriend to our family. Peter was barely 18, Neilsa Tasker was a schoolgirl, not quite 16. She was a striking beauty and my impression from the outset was that she was different. Exotic, even! NiNi was fun-loving and vivacious, with a quick sense of humour and an infectious, bubbly laugh. She spoke Spanish and had a distinctive, appealing Latina air about her. We all knew that our Petes was completely smitten - and truth be said, that never changed. A child of the fifties, Neilsa was born in Trinidad to Mickey and Elba Tasker. Her dad was Guyanese, of English and Guyanese roots and her mother Venezuelan with some Dutch connections in the island of Saba. Neilsa was their second child, the younger sister of Marcia. The sisters grew up adapting to different cultures, living wherever their father’s work took them - St. Lucia, New York, and Venezuela It was there that Neilsa’s 18 year old sister Marcia died after a short illness. Neilsa was just 14 years old. The memory of Marcia and her tragic parting stayed with NiNi throughout her life. In the mid sixties, Mickey, Elba and Neilsa moved from Venezuela to Barbados where Neilsa was enrolled at the Ursuline Convent to complete her secondary education. From there she continued her studies at the University of the West Indies, obtaining her BA degree in Sociology and History with top honours. As part of the Tasker family of brilliant tennis players, Neilsa developed a great love of the sport and was herself a skilled player. She and Peter enjoyed games of tennis with her dad Mickey, and they remained avid followers of international tennis. She also enjoyed playing racquetball and squash. Neilsa and Peter dated as teenagers, in the days when boys would visit at the girls’ home and parents had to approve and know exactly where they were going and responsibly bring them home at the appointed time. On one occasion, Peter worked up the courage to ask Neilsa’s mother if he could take her to the Hotel Royal in Hastings where there was a live band and open-air dancing on a Friday night. Elba firmly put her foot down - absolutely not, you can’t take her out to a public place like that! But you can take her to the Drive-In or so. Needless to say, that was perfectly okay with them. How Neilsa and Peter loved to tell that joke! Predictably, their young romance blossomed into marriage and a beautiful traditional wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 17 October 1970 - a few days before Peter’s 21st birthday. Neilsa’s working career took a diverse path, starting with a teaching job at St. Winifred’s school. Her students still recall their stylish teacher who made learning fun for them! Meanwhile, Peter had already embarked on his lifelong career of photography and was offered a job with The Kodak Company in Puerto Rico. While living in Puerto Rico, Neilsa became involved in selling real estate, and it was there that their only child Renee was born in 1976. Peter’s promotions within the Kodak Company took them to live in Rochester, NY, and in Venezuela. Neilsa loved and supported Peter throughout every step of his career. In 1987, they decided to return to Barbados and open their own photography business, launching Sheps Photo, the one-hour photo developing franchise that became a household name in Barbados. Not only was Neilsa a co-owner and Director of Sheps Photo, she was highly skilled in colour printing, and Peter recalls with a grin that some of their customers would insist that “Mrs. Sheps” print their rolls. Neilsa worked long hours alongside Peter in their Mall 34 Sheps Photo business, the first of five outlets they established together in Barbados, also training staff to operate and run them. Neilsa and Peter traveled and cruised the world extensively. Their home overlooking the turquoise waters of Cotton Bay is a reflection of their travels, filled with a fascinating mix of treasures that appealed to her eclectic taste, collected from around the world. Though Neilsa was modest about her many talents, she was a gifted artist, ceramist and interior designer. Her pottery and paintings, her sense of colour and love of handcrafted, earthy items show her deep love of animals and nature. NiNi had a green thumb, and you couldn’t please her better than by giving her a clipping, plant or bulb that she could nuture and watch grow. Every plant she touched flourished. She wasn’t at all materialistic and had no interest in shopping for expensive designer clothes and accessories. Not surprisingly, Peter and Neilsa’s daughter Renee grew up to be an artist, photographer, and costume designer. Neilsa would help Renee make headpieces and costumes for Kadooment, spending days glueing beads, sequins and feathers for her. Eight years ago, after having just crossed the stage as band leader on Kadooment Day in the beautiful costume she had designed, Renee passed away suddenly. Her death was shocking and devasting. But their unending love for each other and for their twin grandsons Harrison and Nicholai saw them through those darkest of times. In her young days Neilsa loved a party, loved to dance and make jokes. She was warm and loving to her nieces and nephews - young people always found her so much fun to be around. With her larger-than-life personality, we all knew that Neilsa was authentic, genuine, with no pretensions. She enjoyed a wonderful lifetime of love and adventures with her Peter and was truly another sister to all of his siblings. In more recent years she was content to be at home surrounded by her dogs, plants and the people she loved. She made our brother the happiest man on earth, and he returned her love with the deepest devotion. NiNi suffered some serious health challenges during the last couple of years, and she faced them bravely with her Peter by her side until the very end. We will always hold Neilsa close in our hearts and remember how loving and kind she was to animals, and especially how she loved and cherished our brother Peter, their daughter Renee and grandsons Harrison and Nicholai. In 2020 during the time of the pandemic, Neilsa and Peter quietly celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary at home watching a slideshow of their wedding day that Peter created for his bride. We would now like to share this nostalgic look back to the start of 53 years of their enduring love and life together.

St. Patrick's Cathedral & The Ursuline Convent Barbados 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 because of religious persecution. In Barbados, my mother's parents, Esmée and Garnet St. Hill, who were baptised in the Anglican Church, converted to Catholicism sometime circa 1928. From then on, all baptisms, marriages and funerals of my immediate family took place and are recorded in Catholic churches. St. Patrick's Cathedral was central to family life for several generations. My Trinidadian father was Presbyterian, but since my mother was Catholic, in order for the marriage to take place at St. Patrick's in 1943, he was required to make a vow to raise his children in the Catholic faith. I was educated at the Ursuline Convent, as were my mother, aunts, siblings and several cousins. Altar boys at St. Patrick's Church, circa 1933 = my uncle Harry St. Hill holding the Bible CATHOLICS IN BARBADOS by John Prideaux Transcribed from an article appearing in The Sunday Advocate, Barbados - 14 July, 1950 The Roman Catholic community in this Island is in a minority, and the arrival of “Our Lady of Fatima” has brought it into the limelight. Barbados, due to its being English from the first settlers, and not having been occupied by the French or Spanish, is the most Protestant of the West Indian Islands. It is, therefore, not surprising to learn that the Roman Catholics were the last of the four leading denominations in this Island to have a Church. The first Churches were erected by the Anglicans, the religion of the State, then came the Moravians in 1767, and built their first Church in 1794. The Wesleyans were the next on the scene and when Thomas Cook, the founder of the Methodist Missions in the West Indian Islands arrived at Barbados in 1788, he found a nucleus of Wesleyanism in existence, formed by some of the soldiers who had formerly served in Ireland. Their first Church was destroyed by a mob of young men of the upper classes in 1823. Persecution Religious persecution came to an end whilst the Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister; Lord John Russell succeeded in carrying a Bill, which enabled dissenters to hold municipal or Government offices. At last, through the fear of civil war in Ireland, similar relief was given to Catholics by the Catholic Emancipation Bill of 1829. It was not, however, until ten years after the passing of the act by Parliament that the first records of the Roman Catholic Church in Barbados are found. On the 24th of February 1839, the gentlemen of Roman Catholic belief held a meeting and a resolution was passed to petition the Roman Catholic Bishop at Trinidad for a resident priest, and they engaged themselves to subscribe, and immediately subscribed £400 for his annual salary. In reply to this petition the Right Rev. Doctor MacDonnell appointed the Rev. Wm. Rogers to the mission. On his arrival here he was welcomed by the congregation, he proposed to build a church as soon as possible. This idea was unanimous with the congregation who opened a subscription list and Father Rogers went through the Islands to raise subscriptions from other Catholic communities, which were stronger than the one at Barbados, for it is found that in 1871, twenty-two years after the completion of the Church the Catholics in this Island only numbered 513. Committee On the 1st of September, 1893, a meeting of the congregation was held and a Committee was appointed to consider the purchase of a spot of land, just over an acre in extent, belonging to Mary Walcott, and situated in Jemmott’s Lane. This situation was considered as admirable and the land was purchased for £1,500, of which £1,000 was paid down. The most active member of the congregation appears to be Mr. Edward B. Haly, of whom his Lordship Bishop MacDonnell spoke most highly in his letter to the Committee on his decision to send a Priest. Other names found on this Committee are Mr. P. Didlon (whose son afterwards became Comptroller of Customs), Mr. Drinan and Mr. Thos. Stevens. The plan of the Church was made by Major Hart of the 81st Regiment, then stationed at Barbados. This Church was to have been dedicated to St. Edward the Confessor. The cornerstone was laid on December 24th 1840, but due to the lack of funds, Father Rogers would not continue with the construction. The next record is in November 1847, when Rev. M. O’Donnelly entered into a contract for the construction of St. Patrick’s Church. More money had been contributed in the meanwhile, and the names of officers and men of the soldiers stationed here appear in the list of donations. Progress appears to have been very slow, and it was not until 1849 that this Church was completed. An address was presented to the Rev. Father M. O’Donnelly on the 1st of August 1849, congratulating him on the completion of the Church. Father O’Donnelly did not live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labours, and he was buried in the Church itself on the Epistle side of the Altar. Bishop’s Visit On the 20th of March, 1850, the sacred congregation of De Propaganda Fide put the Church at Barbados under the Vicar Apostolic of Demerara, the Right Rev. Bishop Haynes, who paid his first visit to the Island on the 14th of July, 1851. He again visited the Island on the 12th of May, 1854. After the death of Father Nightingale, who had succeeded Father O’Donnelly, there was no resident priest, and the Bishop promised to do all in his power to induce one of the Religious Orders to take over the Mission. In 1854, it is recorded that Father Henry Segrave of the Society of Jesus, was in charge of this Church, and since then the Mission as been served by the Jesuit Father of the English province. Fickle Fate Father Strickland, who was in charge of this Church in the eighties of the last century, had the great desire to get a Convent. He maintained that there was much work to be done by nuns in Barbados. He managed to raise funds enough to build the Convent in the Churchyard, and succeed in getting Rev. Mother Ursula to be the founder. She came with another sister, and opened a school. Later she was called by His Lordship, Bishop Butler, to found another Convent at British Guiana. In 1894, Bishop Butler requested Rev. Mother Stanislaus of the British Guiana Convent to take over from the Sisters of Mercy in Barbados. She started the Convent again and under her zeal and administration the numbers grew. Her successor Rev. Mother Angela Daly, an educationalist with thirty years experience, built up a reputation for the Ursuline Convent in the West Indies. Fire Fate again struck on the night of 13th June 1897, when St. Patrick’s Church was destroyed by fire. Services were then held in the Schoolroom at the Garrison, which was loaned for the occasion; the Church was soon rebuilt, due to the energy of Father Hogan. The Legislature made a grant of £200 in aid of this, and subscriptions and donations were given not only by Catholics, but by Protestants and Jews alike. The Convent was outgrowing the size of the buildings in the Churchyard and when the residence of the late J.H. Stokes Esq. came on the market, it was purchased and the Convent removed there. Thus the lovely residence known to many as “LINDEN” became the home of the Ursuline Convent of Barbados. This lovely building soon proved to be too small, and the residence “Somerville” was purchased and added to it. Today this lovely Convent is the home of many school children not only from the other West Indian Islands but from places situated on the continent of South America, and is recognized as one of the leading educational institutions in this area. The rear or apse of the cathedral, 2024 Click on the photo below to view a photo gallery of The Ursuline Convent The Ursuline Convent in 1950 - formerly "Linden", the home of Mr. J.H. Stokes The above video documentary was researched, written and presented by Professor Emeritus Sir Henry Fraser, and shown on CBC-TV, Barbados on April 9th 2013 Sketches by Sir Henry Fraser See also: ST. ANN'S/GREYFRIARS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, TRINIDAD