Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parish of Saint George
Parish
Dutchman Bay
Country	Antigua and Barbuda
Established	1725 (split from Saint Peter)
Capital	Fitches Creek
Population  (2018)
• Total	8,817
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)

Saint George is a civil parish of Antigua and Barbuda, located on the island of Antigua. It had a population of 7,976 in 2011.

History

When North Sound was divided into New North Sound and Old North Sound, Saint George was initially a part of the Parish of Saint Peter as part of the Division of North Sound. New North Sound became the parish of Saint George, while Old North Sound remained a part of Saint Peter. The Division of New North Sound is the only division in Saint George as a result.

The Parish Boundaries Act stated that "the parish of Saint George shall continue to include all the homes, plantations, and lands in the division of New North Sound, extending from there westward and including all the homes, plantations, and lands in the division of Old North Sound, including Long Island, the plantations, lands, and houses formerly of John Lucy Blackman Bayer, Otter Bayer, and George Thomas, Esquires, and the plantation, lands, and houses, formerly of Benjamin Nibbs."

Sugar Mills

Barnacle Point

Barnacle Point is the land that is on the sea to the north and east of the airport. It was once held by R. Allen Stanford, who also owns Maiden Island. He is responsible for the construction of a restaurant, a docking space, and a maintenance facility for business jet aircraft. In 2010, Mr. Stanford was sentenced to prison in the state of Texas, United States of America, for his involvement in ponzi schemes involving offshore banking and banking in the United States. These schemes caused many people to go bankrupt, many employees to lose their jobs, and his properties to be contested. Receivership was granted for each and every one of his holdings in Antigua.

Barnes Hill

There is no longer a mill at this location, and very little else but the name of the estate is left to identify it. Old-timers claim that it was situated at the most westerly point of Powell's road and that it was demolished when runway #10 was constructed in order to make room for low-flying planes. In the back of the settlement that bears its namesake at the top of the hill, there are still visible remnants of a few old little stone structures that are covered in wild coralita. As was the case with the most of the estates, the highest point or top of the hill was chosen as the location for construction in order to take advantage of the influence that the breeze had on providing cooling. Also, it made it possible for the planter to see out over the majority of the land. The result of this is that the residents of Barnes Hill now have breathtaking views to the north of the island, which overlook the water.

Blackman's/Mount Lucie

Blackman's is located in Parham Harbour, with its northernmost shores not far from Sir Vivian Richard's Stadium, which is to the south. There is no proof that this estate ever switched to steam at the mill, which is currently held by the Shoul family. The mill is still there and in good condition, but it is covered in honey bees (old deserted mills often house bees and the honey gets collected by those in the know). The buff house was still standing as of the late 1990s, although it had suffered serious termite damage and collapsed after the last hurricane, leaving just the stone steps and bottom storey together with some of the surrounding garden walls. There was a building to the east of the main house, possibly where the works were, that had been rebuilt and was still in reasonably good shape in 2000. The place is currently entirely encircled by jungle.

The location of this mill was perfect for delivering sugar straight from the estate in the past rather than taking the more time-consuming trek overland by ox and cart. For 130 slaves, Mount Lucy or Blackman's received £2043 7 s 10 d. Just William Henry Rowland Irby received the honor.

The name "Lucie" was adopted by John Blackman (b. 1676–1726) from Blackman of Mount Lucie estates in Barbados and Antigua.

Carlisle’s

There is no evidence that this estate switched to steam, and the mill still stands. One of the modest, old stone outbuildings that is still being used as a home sits next to the mill. The original estate home is no longer visible, and the entire hillside has been developed into a neighborhood. The V.C. Bird International Airport's whole runway is visible from the top of the hill where the mill is located, overlooking Winthorpe's former village and estate.

The land that today makes up this estate was formerly Stokes land, which was a portion of Winthorpe's estate that was sold to Major William Barnes, who then sold it to Captain Francis Carlisle. Another reminder of the Carlisle family's impact on the island in the early 1700s is the Carlisle Bay, which is located on the south side of the island close to Old Road, St. Mary's. The Carlisle Bay Hotel is located on a lovely sand beach that stretches across the bay. In 1678, Major William Barnes sold Captain Francis Carlisle 150 acres of "Stotes Land" that he had purchased from Winthrop. When Major William Barnes of Millend, Stepney, passed away in 1694, a portion of his testament was written down in Antigua.

Date Hill

The mill that sits on this property is in pristine shape and was once a part of the Sugar Mill Hotel. While the hotel was operational, it served as a bar for guests. R. Allen Stanford bought the land, and after that, he had everything on the property destroyed with the exception of the mill. Date Hill, like the majority of the estates, was constructed on a hill and had sweeping views of the surrounding area, including all of the offshore islands and estates belonging to Nibb, High Point, and Winthorpe. A breathtaking panorama, especially when one considers the fact that storms often approach from the north-eastern direction. During its prime, this farm was also responsible for the cultivation of ground supplies.

Donovan’s (Vaughan’s)

This location still has a mill, a cattle enclosure, various walls, and several sizable ponds that are now populated with pink water lilies. Donovan's and Gunthorpe's were united when Gunthorpe's was upgraded to steam. Weir's estate is to the north-west, Blackman's and Cedar Hill (Lower) are to the north-east, and North Sound is to the south. The Sir Viv Richards Cricket Stadium is currently situated directly south of the estate.

Fitches’ Creek

The estate land has been transformed into a somewhat affluent private house complex in place of the once-existent mill. St. George's Anglican Church, one of the island's oldest churches, was constructed in 1687 on property given to Daniel Fitch and is located in Fitches' Creek. This church has undergone multiple reconstructions following hurricane damage. The neighborhood is rumored to be haunted; a very irate young man has been spotted repeatedly pacing back and forth outside the churchyard's wall.

According to legend, the estate home and works were located on a hill beyond Fitches' Creek. From there, they would have had a panoramic view of the surrounding country, the sea, and the trade winds (as indicated by the icon in the image). The buff house is supposed to have been on a hill to the right of the works, which is now a residential neighborhood. There are still some ruins in the bush and the estate's pond at the base of the hill. When converted to steam, this estate, with more than 500 acres, was one of the biggest on the island.

Gravenor’s

A modest plantation with 53 slaves and 83 acres as of 1829. Although it can be seen from Thibou's, which is to its west, the mill is in outstanding condition and was quite challenging to get because of undergrowth. In what is now known as Jabberwock beach, the height of the land is sufficient to provide views of the ocean. In October 2004, Jane Seagull & David Sullivan finally succeeded after three failed tries and five hours of labor. They took the pictures that are attached. The only unique aspect of the stunning stonework was a sizable rectangular floor pit that was not seen at any other mill sites. It's interesting to note that Barbuda has a boat landing called Gravenor's Landing that is close to Spanish Point.

In 1671, planter John Heely of Antigua, an ex-landlord of Richard Veele, sold 5 acres at New North Sound to Thomas Gravenor. Thomas Gravenor Gent requests permission to use a rock called Exchange, located north of Antigua, as building stone for the construction of a residence.

The Gravenor's of 83 acres, according to the Antigua Almanac, belonged to John Freeland's heirs in 1851.

Giles Blizzard’s

The tombstone and the mill, which are both located in one house's garden, are both in outstanding condition but are being encroached upon by the expanding village of New Winthorpes. To equip a town with a gravity-fed cistern that is no longer in use, the upper portion of the mill was shut off. It is possible to remove the mill equipment for scrap iron because it is located immediately outside the mill to the west. Janice Fredrick, who passionately guards it, informed us that the government has twice had intentions to turn the hilltop area into a park, but that these plans have not yet come to pass. The encroachment of the village has removed all remaining evidence of this estate. "Giles Blizzard est Anno Domini 1778," is written on an oval inscription above the mill's door with a rope pattern border. "At the request of Dr. Henry Stodden we have surveyed the plantation belonging to Capt. Giles Blizard, and now in the ownership of his children, of 155 acres," said one of the early settlers.

The estate had 830 acres in 1821 and 513 acres in 1921. The 1942 lease agreement between the Government of Antigua and the US Air Base resulted in the relocation of the community of Winthorpes' from its original location, which is now the runway for the V.C. Bird International Airport.

Gunthorpe’s

Nothing remains on this property to suggest the location of the old estate buildings or home. But, Mackie (Mackey) Hill would have been the ideal location because it has a brick cistern on the property and looks out over the nearby flat countryside. This subsequently developed into the location of one of the island's biggest factories, the Antigua Sugar Plant.

Hight Point (High)

The estate house has been converted into apartments, and the mill has been demolished. Although it was constructed of stone and has endured the test of time, all of its wooden adornments, including the galleries, have vanished. The Lord Nelson Club, Tides, and Cecelia's Restaurant are all situated in Dutchman's Bay beneath High Point.

Judge Blizzard’s (Blizard)

There is still a mill, albeit it is a little unique from others in that it is taller and narrower. This mill is in good condition overall and still has some of the wood on the top visible. There is no proof that this estate switched to using steam. The remnants of the works and the buff house, which actually had a homeless person residing in the chambers below, are located behind the mill. The sole image discovered was of Judge's estate house following the devastation of the hurricanes in the 1950s, and it showed the mill in the distance with its roof intact. We received a copy of the photo via Mrs. Anthony Shoul, who was residing at the home at the time. The house was quickly reduced to rubble and overgrown with bushes because its renovation would have been too expensive at the time. Many china shards were discovered on the slope above after the ancient brick well's ruins across the street were swept away. Some of them were superb examples of the blue pottery that many colonists used during the day. An outstanding sample board illustrating and classifying the various kinds of china discovered in Antigua over the years is kept in the archives at Nelson's Dockyard and was assembled by Desmond Nicholson. Thibou's, Nibb's, and Giles Blizard were all just up the road to the north, east, and south, respectively.

Long Island

The current mill was recently renovated and does not function as intended. The original mill, which was constructed in 1749, was destroyed by 1835.

The Siboney, who arrived on Long Island approximately 400 BC or earlier, were its initial residents. Eventually, between 400 B.C. and 600 AD, the Arawak people appeared. The Spanish drove them out in the 1520s, but the Caribs, who had arrived around 1,000 years earlier, kept raiding the islands until 1674. A very high grade flint that has been used for centuries by Amerindians and is still accessible across the Caribbean Island chain comes exclusively from Long Island. One of the home owners converted Flinty Bay into a sand beach, therefore it is no longer there.

The Environmental Awareness Group, WIDECAST (the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network), and the Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project team launched the project in the late 1980s. In 2015, the 29th year of research at Jumby Bay, about 450 nesting hawksbills were tagged and identified, with many long-time hens still coming back to lay eggs alongside newcomers. Since 1996, when people began hunting for their exquisite shells to use in sunglasses and jewelry, the Hawkesbill turtle has been listed as severely endangered. Turtle eggs were prized as a delicacy, and turtle meat used to be sold in the marketplace.

The Hawkesbill turtle needs all the assistance it can get because only one in a thousand of them live to adulthood.

Millars

On this location in the bushes, across from the road that round the airport and enters Fitches Creek, there is still a mill operating. This estate didn't adopt steam technology.

Although much of the site was destroyed, some of the airport runway was rebuilt, and the ruins of the buff house may still be seen next to the runway as planes take off or land. Once you enter Fitches Creek below the mill, a three chamber "dungeon" is located against the hill. Later, it was utilized to store ammunition for use in World War II and corn.

Nibb's

The mill, which can be seen from the road not far from the Free Trade Zone buildings, is in outstanding condition save from a tree growing out of the top. To the north is Will Blizard's, to the east is Hight Point (High), to the west is Gravenor's, and to the south is Winthorpes.

North Sound

Paynter's/Painter's

In Painter's, a mill is no longer there. Hurricanes had already caused damage to the estate house, which was eventually destroyed when Sunnyside School, founded by Maryellen Wilson (who was born in the Antigua Sugar Mill), built their auditorium. The cow corral at the bottom of the road is currently all that is left. When the school was first constructed, different school musicals and presentations were staged in the gallery of the ancient house with its front steps. "It was delightful to see the kids perform from the chairs set up in a line on the lawn in front, all in the open air."

Sherwood’s/Lebanon’s

In this location, there is no longer a mill. Just north of Stoney Hill, Sherwood's is situated between Gunthorpe's and Cedar Hill. Northeast of Midway Gas Station, about a mile off of Freeman's Road, is Sherwood Forest. Court, Tomboy, and Hercules plotted the 1736 insurrection in Stoney Hill Gulley, which is close by. Petrified wood from an ancient forest, much of which has been removed, is also abundant in the area. The image of "Sherwood's" is taken from a 1734 Herman Moll map.

Weir’s (Ware’s/Glanville’s/Little Zoar)

There is still a mill there, and it's in great shape. There is no evidence that this estate has ever switched to steam. The Hugh Marshall family has renovated the historic estate house and constructed a number of new homes nearby.

Will Blizard’s

This mill is starting to degrade and fall apart.

Nothing else of the estate is left because the US Navy Station was built so extensively on the land. The mansion was perfectly placed close on the water, with a view of Maiden and Long Island.

Winthorpes

Although there isn't a mill there anymore, this location is nonetheless interesting because the Winthrop family from Massachusetts landed there rather than someone from Britain, as was customary. The interplay between the then-existing colonies—including Australia—connected by sailing ships and familial ties was depicted in part. Isaac Royal, owner of the neighboring Royal's estate, was likewise a native of Massachusetts and Virginia, where both of his families owned huge tracts of land, cotton and tobacco plantations, and ships. As letters from Walter Tullideph to Governor Thomas indicate, the northern part of the island, where Winthrop's house situated, was relatively flat terrain and subject to periods of drought. The island's airport was created there using the original American infrastructure while it was also a part of the American base during World War II.

There are at least two different ways to spell Winthrop.

Populated places

The parish contains the city of Piggotts.

• Barnes Hill
• Carlisle
• Coolidge
• Fitches Creek
• Gunthorpes
• Hodges Bay
• Marble Hill
• New Winthorpes
• Osbourn
• Paradise View
• Paynters
• Sea View Farm

Features

V.C. Bird International Airport is in Saint George Parish.

The Stanford Cricket Ground is also located in the parish.

Demographics

Antigua and Barbuda 2011 Housing and Population Census

Individual

Household

There are 2,932 households in Saint George Parish.

Borders

International Borders

• None

Domestic Borders

• Saint John - South and West
• Atlantic Ocean - North
• Saint Peter - East

Places of Interest

• Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
• Coolidge Cricket Ground
• Dutchman Bay

See also

In Spanish: Parroquia de Saint George (Antigua y Barbuda) para niños