Photos & Video: Service Honours Pilot Darrell

April 13, 2019

[Updated with photos] A Commemorative Service for Pilot James Darrell is taking place this evening [April 13] and you can tune in live below.

In describing the event, St Peter’s Church said, “Pilot James [Jemmy] Darrell, one of the first King’s Pilots in Bermuda, died 12 April, 1815 and a commemorative service is held annually at his grave site in the black cemetery on the Saturday closest to that date.

Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 44-minute replay is below

“Born a slave in 1749, James Darrell was instrumental in helping the Royal Navy find the channel into Murray’s anchorage as a result of which he was granted his freedom.

“As a free man of colour, he challenged laws that imposed new restrictions on free blacks and slaves, and also petitioned against proposals that would have led to a drop in income for King’s pilots.”