Introduction & Acknowledgements
This book seeks to paint a picture of what life was like in the Over-the-Hill area of Grant’s Town and surrounding areas on the Island of New Providence, The Bahamas, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century following Emancipation, when the area was settled by freed slaves. It includes a brief history of the settlement and development of the area, the role of the Church in that process, and introduces some of the families that lived Over-The-Hill.
On my frequent drives through the old neighbourhood, I observed that most of the once lovely and immaculately maintained homes of my childhood had disappeared or were in a state of disrepair. Only a few of such homes remain as oases in the midst of decay and I thought it important to record the Over-the-Hill story for those of us who remember and for future generations. I began by taking photographs of the old houses and developed the idea of telling stories about some of the families who occupied them. Most of the houses pictured are still occupied by descendents of the original owners. Others were sold and are being well kept by the new owners. However, I thought it was important to bring to life and put a face to some of the families who lived in the area before they began to move out to the newly developed suburbs, and also to highlight the tremendous contributions that Over-The-Hill people made towards the development of The Bahamas.
The stories are told from my perspective as a child and young adult growing up at my family’s home situated at the corner of Gaol Alley and Anderson Street and also as a member of St. Agnes Anglican Church. However, much of the information contained in the book was gleaned from family and friends as well as through interviews with present and former Over-The-Hill residents, to whom I am very grateful for their enthusiastic support of this project. Their names are listed in the oral sources and bibliography. I am also grateful to my cousin, the late Jackson L. Burnside III, who was a great source of inspiration. His comments are noted in the Appendix II. Thanks also to my dear lifelong friend, Sylvia E. Richardson, for allowing me to include the beautiful poem that she penned in memory of Jackson, (Appendix III).
I extend special thanks to Sir Orville Turnquest for writing the Foreword.
I hope that, through these pages, you will enjoy meeting some of the people from Over-The-Hill.
The book is available at local bookstores and Amazon.com
Link to The Tribune newspaper article.