The Merikins. America, Trinidad and Canada's forgotten history official documentary
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 бер 2016
- It was the engagements in the Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia and Georgia, between the United States and Britain that led to the founding of the Company Villages in Moruga Trinidad.
During the battle Britain lost to America, the black soldiers who fought against their ex-masters as Corps of the Colonial Marines in British service were later awarded lands in Trinidad in companies where they became known as the Merikins.
The war that lasted for two years had developed a peculiar relationship between black American marines and the British. The Colonial marines who were former slaves believed the British King had come to free them, while the British saw the black American marines as a source of fighting power to curb American expansion.
After the war, Alexander Cochrane, Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief in North America issued a proclamation in 1814 inviting those who may have been disposed to emigrate from the United States, to board a British vessel where they would be taken to one of Britain's overseas possessions and set free. An estimated 761 marines took up the offer and came to Trinidad in six batches or companies.
Im a descendant of the Merikins. My ancestor who fought in the War of 1812. I even now know the name of the plantation he escaped from and the plantation owners.
What is this name? How did you find out?
Wow. Thats awesome how your family was able tovl preserve that part of your history
This is awesome. I’ll love to find out that info about my merikin ancestors.
Wow
Blessed Be💜💜💜✝️☮️🕊️
I’m a Black American and this was a great documentary..This proves we are Connected
Let us not forget that at the time the Merikins were given land in Trinidad (1815) the British enslaved Africans in the same country (Trinidad) until August 1, 1838! The British should not be congratulating themselves about the 4,000 Merikins that were given their freedom after the War of 1812. The British gave some of the enslaved Africans an opportunity to gain their freedom because they wanted the labour of the Africans to help the British in their effort to win the War of 1812.
That is so true! Thanks for explaining that because i was wondering why slavery was aboloished much later! They separated these people
At least the British kept there side of the bargain tho...I think America reneged on their bargain they made to those they enslaved so they fought and still tensioned enslave after the war of I am not mistaken....
Speak the Truth 👏🏿
It is also important to note that even though the Island was a British colony, it still very much operated under Spanish law which made slavery legal. And the only people who had slaves were Spanish, French and Dutch settlers who preceeded the British. And the Merikin settlers in Trinidad were numbered to be 774, of which 574 were men. The British governor Lord Harris was the one who insisted and established the need for title deeds to be given to the setters which stipulated that the 16 acres that was granted to the heads of the family was in perpetuity.
Slavery officially ended on 1 August 1834, there were 4 years of Apprenticeship in which the former slaves were paid.
This is my second time watching this video it's awesome I'm a Trinidadian and just learned about this within the last four years beautiful history to be proud of
I was born in Trinidad 🇹🇹 in 1959 but I never heard of The Merikins. Thank You for this educational video.
1814 was their year
Sail out and buy
This needs to be included in our history books from Secondary School level.
11:12 what treaty ?
Thank you for this extremely important information on a very positive part of our history. Let's now make it a compulsory part of our school curriculum that ALL Trinidadians and Tobagonians will be inspired by the plight of the Merikins, come together and shine as a positive example to the whole world. Very proud of you and thank you for showing us all the right way. God bless always.
Im a descendant of The Merikens. My sister and I have been trying to get more information on the history. This complicates the ADOS platform because we have claims in America and the Caribbean.... Amazing❤
Yes it does sister..Im from the U.S and I agree
Me too I’m just finding this today
I am also descendant of Merikins on my mothers Side. I always heard stories that my people were not slaves in Trinidad. This made me wonder if they were free people of color or Merikins. My family still has land in Robert Village Trinidad. This complicates my Ados Lineage because my Fathers side is from North Carolina and my Mothers Grandfather was a Merikin. My people are the Warwells.
@@NAKMEEZY Wow! My father was from Six Company Village and some years back, my Uncle was digging up soil to plant crops and they found a sword buried way back in the bushes. We were told that our family fought for the British in exchange for their freedom and given cheap land in Trinidad as compensation for their service. The Ados narrative needs to expand their definitions to include us as descendents of The Merikins. My family name are The Christopher's
@@SalkisRe Wow! I have participated in ADOS panels and had to bow out due to anti african and anti caribbean sentiment. I have mentioned that part of my family were Merikins but people literally have no idea what i was speaking about. I will go to Trinidad and research on the ground one day. I think the archives are a good place to start. Have you heard of Carols Daughter?
Thank You 💜🙏 So very proud and grateful to still have my Gramma Who at 95yrs old is 1 of the oldest living descendants of the Merikins💜🙏
I am east indian and I was happy to come across this history lesson. Wonderful documentary. Blessings to your grandmother🙏🙏🙏
We will be celebrating my Gramma Bailey's 98th Bdayyyyy on Dec 29th 2022 IN Trinidad 💜💜💜💜🙋♀️💯💐🙏🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹 I will be visiting her original house where she was born in Moruga..and walk the roads and paths spoken of here💜🙏🕊💯🙋♀️ Eternal Divine Blessings Flowwww to her..Elliot Clan🕊🙏
We will be celebrating my Gramma Bailey's 100th Bday 12/29/24🎉🎉🎉🎉❤...she will be celebrated next week home > Techier Village Point Fortin Trinidad during their Borough Week celebration 2024...WoooooHoooo❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉.... My Gramma Bailey is the 1st Cousin to Papa Neezer❤ RIP..I will be releasing my own Merikin True Story Revealed Documentary 8-20-24 on the anniversary of the great escape of our Ancestors....Being completed by Oyetayo Raymond Ojoade❤🎉..Blessed Be
My heritage began in 6th Company via the Cooper’s. My grandfather often spoke about this with us. The you for preserving our history.🙏🏾
What do you know about the Parris family of Moruga? Are they part of the Merikins too?
I am a Cooper too! Here in Canada now.
I am also a Cooper from 6th company
You might be related to the Cooper's in liberia ua-cam.com/video/UUxNtVj0fjM/v-deo.html
@@tobincooper4267 no
I am so proud to be a Trinidadian 🤗 as A nation we are filled with a rich history of the two different cultures such as The West Indian Indian and the Africans ,,the Africans that came to Trinidad and Tobago was told to Us that they came from Africa not knowing they came from America ,,We truthly stand alone as a nation always fighting for what's right for the citizens of this beautiful country of ours
Most came from Africa. A few came from America. Dont confuse the two.
@@africanrumpunch7742 Africans came from Africa ; every RACE has an origin.
Fascinating! This documentary adds to the fund of narratives about slavery and freemen in the Americas. It is a welcome story. Thank you to all who contributed.
This just change the history of my family. I'm American and I'm Trinidadian. Wow🤔 don't know how to feel.
From the bottom of my heart... Thank You ( Merikin Decendent.. Richardsons Clan)
Do you know alot of the richardsons history? My grandmother is from the richardsons i believe the 6th company but its hard to find more information.
@@simoneh5925 I'm in the same boat as you. There is some info I was able to find I will share it with u as soon as I get the chance. Nice to meet you by the way
I am a proud Merikin descendant, 5th Company.
Very beautiful if I might ad
Thank you SO much for this!!! Truly, THANK YOU!
18:30 what books has Michael Anthony written ?
All devils. 💀👻☠️It is always a choice of lesser evils when dealing with these wicked inhumane beings. Thank you for sharing this information 🕵🏾
This movie/ documentary was told so real and moving I could almost feel like I was there. Great thanks to the Dennisons and the whole crew involved. This was a fascinating film of our lost history. THANK YOU.
These have to be some of the most badass people, ever! To survive slavery and then survive indentured servitude in the British navy to gain their freedom. RESPECT!!!
History enables us to appreciate good, bad, and indifferemce of the past and should infirm our decisions for the future.
I salute Michael Toussaint who worked tirelessly researching the lineage on Amphee and Bishana
Of whom i am a descendant.
May god continue to bless our future as he did thr past
This should be in American and Canadian history books to often we only get the story cookie cut from what they want to show us in school it's not doing anybody any favors
Unfortunately, as I've discovered in my life, your own education is your responsibility. Even in the worst cities, there are libraries, and often free internet, and millions of books for the taking. Even used books are worth their weight in gold. There is no excuse i'm afraid. If individuals are foolish enough to ignore those resources, then they are fools indeed. Generations of people have risen from poverty, and ignorance by self education. It is a life long pursuit, and a passion for discovery that will set you free. No matter what it takes you must travel, join the military if you need to. Get a job on the other side of the country, or the other side of the world. People do it every day. Every religion, and cultural tradition values travel as the way to wisdom. Unless you personally experience your own sojourn you will never see truth. No single book, or single course, or singular experience can get it for you. You have to dug it up like mining for gold. No one can do it for you no matter how honestly they try. You sure as heck can't blame your teachers.
Scott you are so right, except it should be WORLD history. The problem is we are the ones that should be telling the world and not waiting for them to tell our story.
@@Shokereh ....Yes. When blacks tell history, it is very different from how whites tell history. We need to tell more of our history from our own mouths and pens.
Wow! Absolutely fascinating
Wow great stuff! Unique T&T as usual! Hope this can be used to give some positive impetus to our society,great little country with growing pains.
12:49 professor Samaroo eating nice. I keep seeing his face
I was born in Trinidad my family we the people are the children of the most high God there is more family it’s deep what they are telling us about there is much more family
I love this video very much i had to subscribe to the channel
It is a shame that the powers that be,and all the govt's from indep to now has failed to bring to the forefront of our education this remarkable and rich history of our people,and their quest for" FREEDOM THEIR VERY NATURE AND SOVERIGN RIGHT", the essence of All Human Beings,and the true Trinidadian spirit. A great multitude of thanks to the film makers the cast and the entire production co, for making this possible,and most of all for their vision and foresight.
I believe that I'm a descendant of these people. Amazing. Makes me want to learn more
14:10 Quebec Ontario and Nova Scotia
Good Job. History, History so needed for learning by all.
Wow. I do not think the African Americans know this part of their history. I wonder what they'll think? West indian slaves were freed nearly 100 years before American slavery.
This is Awesome. I truly appreciate and enjoy this documentary. It should be shared in the schools. This documentary answered so many unswered questions.
@@angelaphillip6993 American slavery ended in 1865 more than half of America was free states many people were already free in the west or north east and midwest of America ua-cam.com/video/UUxNtVj0fjM/v-deo.html
Thanks for the information i spend my school vacation in moruga district and was familiar with the different companys but did not know the history of different companies
Thank you for this very interesting and important part of Trinidad.
Rich history! Thanks for your excellence that instills pride in the will to human freedom and beingness!
Thanks for sharing this valuable information.
26:00 they weren't allowed to read or write
Excellent documentary
Excellent! Well done!
Love the documentary I am a descendant of the Merikins the Webb Clan 4 company.
The US embassy needs to treat the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago with more respect.
I did history when I attended school in Trinidad and I was never taught about this part of my culture. This is a fucking disgrace
I always thought that there werent a wider History of Trinidad, so i am so grateful of this awesome part of our History of our ancestors , thanks for the effort ,
14:30 95 of the 2000 came to trinidad .
We're placed in forest far from cultivated area
1821! After the 1814 move.
Thanks for the video. great work .I vaguely remember the name mentioned as a kid but often thought it was mispronunciation of ''American' .Glad to I was wrong!!!!!
Thanks to all my Merikin family 6th And 5th Company. In memory of my dad The late Reverend Nathaniel Hodge., and Granddad Manny Hodge and Uncle Buree Reverend Jeremiah Hodge and my other Uncle Reverend Rudolph Hodge. There are many more relations. Thanks to them we were not slaughtered by the haters in North America. I, we are truly grateful.
It would be wonderful to know where they originally came from in Africa.
Beautiful!
Let us think critically 🙇🏽🙇🏾♀️
This is an excellent documentary. Really informative and fascinating.
Interesting...
However, these families did not begin as slaves... they were ENSLAVED Africans and/or Native “Americans”.
This is a great start but needs to go back further in order to justifiably and legally claim birthrights, land and covenant.
Blessings
Exactly what I was thinking.
I am the granddaughter of Boyzie Huggins's sister Miriam. Miriam, my grandmother, married my grandfather Ekin, so I am also a descendant of 5th Company Duntin. 🖤👑👑
I am your family, a Cooper related to the Huggings and the Duntins
good documentary ,Judah is scattered everywhere.
@Maritza Piccarillo Show your proof that the info is bullshit. I take it that you are a non-Christian.
Thank you
This is amazing,my ppl loney from 5th company
Let's look forward to the future, while not forgetting the past. A wonderful story! A group, "company's", biopic!
My own research on the Merikens as a student at UWI has been finally completed with this highly professional documentary. Papa Neezer had caught my attention then and now. His was pure clean righteous obaya. Nolene Davidson.
Great Vid. Did not know of the Merkins before this. I do look forward to the truth about the war of 1812 which was really about wiping out and taking the lands of the remaining copper colored native tribes they found here.
They found cities they will never tell you the bombed America. They'll never we had Free energy. Go down the rabbit whole of Tartarian empire
Amazing story
And the land in chagaramas that was given to Africans/ Merikans was taken from them. Talk about that..
I resently found out my ancestor were the merikin they settle in south Trinidad❤
At least most of our Ancestors understood their plight. Those that did, although they understood the uncertainty, of surviving by fighting for the new European master; even though it was only a promise of freedom, it seemed better than what they had. Unfortunately, we their descendants, don't seem to recognize our current plight. Harriet Tubman said that she could have saved more had they only realized they were slaves. Thanks for this History; hopefully more of us, now will wake up and act, before it's too late. Peace and blessings
Please share some History of Grenada. Thank you.
My ancestor.....5th Company
Gail Williams yes me to Gail. Ebenezer Elliot was my mother's Cousin better known as papa neezer. I know our history very well
Weston. Fifth Company!
I am 6th company
In Canada Amerindians had tensions with mainly Eskimos, Metis, And Europeans while in Trinidad And Tabogo it was mainly with Europeans, Sub Saharan Africans, And Indian Subcontinentals and in The United States Of America it was mainly with Europeans And Ashkenazis
Sharing...
Good
I will like to learn more about d Merikins I will like to trace my roots since my grand parents and parents are from the communities in South Trinidad, help!!
DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER 28
Try 5th Company, you can probably meet with the pastor that was seen in the video, Pastor Weston. He pastors the 5th Company Baptish church which is a historial Merikin church that built somewhere in 1840 -1865. Can't remember the exact date
They should really start from where their History began which is in Africa before they became Merikins. Their story iis not complete without that
Taking it back even further
👉🏼 Israelites 👈🏼
DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER 28
My family is from 5th company 🔥🔥🔥
Mine also 🤲🏼
Im proud of my ancestors
TRINIDAD A SMALL CARIBBEAN TWIN ISLAND WITH A HISTORY AND RICH DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.WOULD GUYANA BENEFIT FROM OIL LIKE YOU GUYS DID IN Trinidad?
Do you have names of them that came to trinidad
I wonder why the camera is focusing on the empty seats.
My Great 3x Grandparents Amphy & Bashana Jackson choose to flee AmeriKKka and sail to Trinidad.
Susan Hackshaw And now the Trinidad Blacks are fleeing Trinidad for New York!
My Ancestors , The Elliot
John Sancho ....my great great grandfather was cousin to the Elliots
Clifton Pierre yes I'm proud to be one. My family from Indian walk, 5th company, sixth company moruga. Papa neezer (Ebenezer Elliot)
@@danaelliot1041 hi Dana, am from 5th company also and related to the Huggins and Elliot meriken descendants
My Ancestors are the Elliots and Coopers
10:52 looks like the dad from wayan brothers rip
THE EAST COAST FAMILY IS GLAD TO BE APART OF HISTORY
We took you're land / freedoms / culture, but will stop persecuting you if you help us do it to others 🤔
Proud descendent of Amphy Jackson and Bashana Evins.
My family are descendants of him as well
I am a descendent of the Merikans my family is from 6th company.
Let's us educate and elevate ourselves by knowing history and GOD
👏👏
My familys last name Ransom was on the Merikin List 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹
Mines Also Susan.. The Arandells...Basse Terre...Laloon Marac..My Place. SweeT TnT
Black people are the true hebrew Israelites of the bible read due 28
not slaves but native peoples re educated to think they were cargo from africa to work as slaves , re write the his-story to suit the land grabbers
👍🏾
A history kept quiet for too long
Here
They did not fight for the British it was the united kingdom.
These albino European have a strong grip on you people's minds.
This merikin was not African they was of American Indian n they brought them rt back around to fight there brother in the wars that they created.... The hi jack is always African American n in that time there was no African American .....
Decendants of Benjamin Braxton
Pure vomit from the fariners, And now the real story suffer and slave
You NAILED it Gurl, but de Worl ga nuff nuff bitter stuff, flush de ting, man! AHA HA HA HA HA!
Using correct terms is important .these people were not slaves they were enslaved.and they were not afrikan americans the were enslaved. Afrikans they were not citizens of the united states
If the next generation were born on the plantation they were Americans
allr8 me duck hows freddy
BIBLE IS YOUR HISTORY
DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER 28
False information
What makes you say that?
Jealousy of course
Why would you say this is false information? Because the documentary presents people of African descent in a positive light? I’m a senior citizen who is descendant of the Merikins called Saunders and I grew up with the knowledge. Living elsewhere in Trinidad I spent my vacations as a child on the family lands in 5th Company….so do your research instead of calling the information false!
there you are. I was scrolling through just find the opinions of Indian which has always adverse to black development. and have not been dissappointed.
I don't like this
Why ?
This is a little child that reply to this sorry
unc peeps will not like this