Recommended Reading and Historic Information About NevisThere are many books on the history, culture and natural resources of the Caribbean. Here area a few that we have found informative and fun: History/Non-Fiction: History: An excerpt from the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society website. “T he Island of Nevis formed in a series of volcanic eruptions over a period of approximately 3 1/2 million years, however, it has been .98 million years since the last eruption. Despite this the Island is still volcanically active as evidenced at Bath Spring and several near shore underwater sites. Archaeological excavations reveal that the first inhabitants came to Nevis about 4,000 years ago. These people relied heavily on the sea and traveled between islands in boats crafted from huge trees. The Museum features artifacts left from these first indigenous people who were followed by civilizations of people who left a series of ceramic styles. W e have only scant accounts of the contact between the earliest people and the English who settled Nevis in 1628. The settlement was preceded by visits from Christopher Columbus, other Spaniards, the Dutch and a well documented visit, in 1607 by the colonists on their way to found the Virginia colony The first Europeans raised subsistence crops and cash produce, which consisted of tobacco, ginger, cotton and indigo (for blue dye). However, the island was quickly transformed into a plantocracy when sugar was introduced in the 1640's. Raising sugar is very labour intensive, therefore, this need was supplied by African slaves which is responsible for the present demographic and cultural formation of the island. For a considerable time in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, exports from Nevis surpassed those from the colony of New York, thus gaining the island the distinction "Nevis-Queen of the Caribees." Although, Nevis continued to produce sugar commercially until the mid-1970's, after the turn of the 18th century it was soon evident that the stony soil did not make for sustained sugar production. Early in the 20th century, Great Britain encouraged putting extensive acreage in cotton, however, cotton raising diminishes each year. Livestock raising has been important and Nevis has supplied beef, pork and mutton for the regional export market. Fishing still supplies part of the seafood demand for Nevis and provide some export income. Alexander Hamilton was born in Nevis in 1757 (or 1755). His parents, mother Rachel Fawcett Lavien, daughter of a Nevisian doctor descended from French Huegonots and James Hamilton, 4th son of a Scottish Duke, were never married; however, theirs was a liaison that lasted about 15 years. Alexander was the second son of the relationship (his older brother was named for his father). Hamilton, naturally bright and enterprising, migrated to the North American colonies for education, became caught up in the American Revolution, was selected George Washington's chief military aide. He published many articles supporting the Constitutional Convention which established the United States of America. Washington appointed him Secretary of the Treasury and he worked tenaciously researching and writing the new nation’s monetary policy. Then he set about raising funds to pay off the Revolutionary War debts and fund the administration. Hamilton was the President's most prominent cabinet member and was relied upon by Washington in many realms. Unfortunately, his principles regarding the country incurred the wrath of Aaron Burr and the two engaged in a duel which was fatal to Hamilton.” There are many historic ruins and sites around the island, most easily accessed by car and by foot on the well marked “Nevis Heritage Trail”. Click Here to visit the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society Website |
