Photos: Remembering Kings Pilot James Darrell
[Updated with video] The Annual Commemorative Service for King’s Pilot James ‘Jemmy’ Darrell was held today [Apr 13] in St. George’s, celebrating the life of the freed slave who become the first black man to own a home in Bermuda.
Lead by Rev. David Raths and Rev. Dr Erksine Simmons the service was held at St Peter’s Church graveyard, with Bermuda Sea Cadets performing ceremonial duties.
In May 1795, James Darrell piloted Admiral George Murray’s ship — the 74-gun HMS Resolution — into St. George’s. The Admiral was so impressed with Mr. Darrell’s skill that he recommended that he be granted his freedom. Governor James Craufurd granted this request, and released Mr. Darrell from his enslavement on March 1, 1796.
Shortly after being freed he purchased a house in St. Georges on what is now Pilot Darrell’s Square. On May 23 1796 he was made a Kings Pilot – elite pilots whose main responsibility was to guide British naval ships through the Bermuda reefs. For the remainder of his life, Mr. Darrell fought against discrimination and for equal rights for black people. He died on April 12, 1815 at age 66.
Click to enlarge photos:
Read More About
Category: All, Community, History, News, Photos
Comments (4)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Articles that link to this one:
- Weekend Reports, Photos, Videos, Links & More | Bernews.com | April 15, 2013
- A Mosaic of Relatives From Around the World | April 25, 2013
I find this part of Diaspora very interesting, would like to commend the Pilot for his efforts and at same time question how he ever became a slave during that time and exactly what proceedure of freedom was used so that we can have an idea…thanks Bernews for the story…
Hi there, I am a relative of James Darrell. I would love to meet more of the relatives. I am from New Zealand and my great grandfather Stanley Darrell was his relative. Where can I get more names of people connected to this wonderful family. Thanks heaps. Jeanette Neil
jeanettemarieneil@gmail.com