Marigot, Dominica facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marigot
Village
Coryphaena hippurus at Marigot fishing port
Marigot Location in Dominica
Country	Dominica
Parish	Saint Andrew
Population  (2001)
• Total	2,676
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)

Marigot is the biggest village in the northeastern part of Dominica. It is located in Saint Andrew Parish. About 2,676 people live here. Marigot is home to a special fishing center and Dominica's main airport.

Many important people were born in Marigot. These include Wills Stratmore Stevens, a local education expert, and B.O. Robinson, a former education officer. Doctor Watts, former Prime Minister Edison James, and cricket umpire Billy Doctrove are also from Marigot. For a time, Marigot was a very important community in Dominica. Its people helped lead the government and local development. Former police Commissioner O.N. Philip and Customs Comptroller Victoria Watty are also from this village. Marigot is known for creating jobs, farming, and helping people start their own businesses. It is also the home of Allan Jerry E Samuel, who was the youngest person to serve in parliament in the Caribbean. The current leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton, also lives here.

A Look at Marigot's Past

The village of Marigot grew around a large farm owned by John Weir. He was an important official in Dominica. John Weir brought workers to Dominica from Antigua and other nearby islands. Today, the village stretches from Pagua Bay to Melville Hall. There are several smaller areas within Marigot. One of these areas is called Weirs, named after the old farm owner.

The Melville Hall Estate

A large farm called Melville Hall Estate used to be in this area. It was owned by Robert Melville. He was a governor of several islands, including Dominica. These islands were some of the first places the British Empire took over in the Caribbean. Robert Melville was part of a noble family. He bought land that had been given to other people before.

By 1770, Robert Melville's Melville Hall Estate was very large. It covered over 1,000 acres. The estate was worth a lot of money. It included 128 enslaved people, farm animals, and crops. After Robert Melville died, his cousin's son, Robert Whyte Melville, took over the estate. Later, his brother, John Whyte Melville, inherited it.

In 1832, William Greig managed the Melville Hall estate. He registered 135 enslaved people. After slavery ended in the British West Indies, William Greig received money. This was compensation for 50 enslaved people he had on the estate. John Whyte Melville also received money for 131 enslaved people.

Cultural Connections

Like the nearby village of Wesley, Marigot has a strong Methodist influence. This is because free workers were brought to the farms in the northeast. They came from places like Antigua and Montserrat. These workers helped replant the sugar farms. The people in the Wesley-Marigot area speak a special kind of English-based Creole language. It is sometimes called Kokoy.

Weather in Marigot

Marigot has a warm, tropical climate. This is typical for islands in the Caribbean. The weather is usually hot and humid. There is also a lot of rain throughout the year. The warmest months are usually from June to October. The coolest months are from January to March.

See also

In Spanish: Marigot (Dominica) para niños