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  • Brief History of Emancipation
 

Brief History of Emancipation

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Help preserve the history of the islands.

Steps to Freedom

The movement towards emancipation started as early as the 1770s.

New laws were gradually introduced which were less oppressive and gave more rights to the slaves, whilst removing some of the long held rights of slave owners, especially in the area of punishment. Many people believe that these changes were an attempt by the slave owners to delay the inevitable emancipation of slaves.

Assemblies overseas would have been forced to adopt new laws introduced in Britain, and this usually led to each country introducing their own Acts. This meant that new laws introduced in the Bahamas would have been implemented in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, due to the distance and difficulty of travelling between Nassau and the Turks and Caicos Islands it is likely that it would have been more difficult for the Assembly in Nassau to guarantee that the Laws were being upheld.

The 1796 consolidated Slave Act made it law for slave owners to provide suitable clothing and provisions for the slave communities as well as limiting the degree of punishments that could be inflicted on the slaves. Christmas Day and the two following working days were declared as holidays whilst the slaves were to be given compulsory religious education and baptism. However, the Act was clearly created to protect the status quo between the owners and the slaves and covered the legislation to deal with slave crimes, such as absconding, restricting the rights to travel, to carrying arms as well as still suffering the death penalty or deportation for striking a white person or stealing livestock.

In March 1807 the British Government outlawed the slave trade and abolished slavery in the United Kingdom. In the overseas territories slavery was still legal but there should have been no purchasing of slaves directly from Africa. In fact the Royal Navy set up special patrols to board ships and free slaves on the journey from Africa to the West Indies. Any captured slaves became the property of the government and were placed in the hands of the chief customs officer, and could be bound in apprenticeships for up to 14 years.

The Registration Act was passed in April 1821 in the Bahamas and lead to it becoming law for all slave owners to register their slaves every three years, beginning in 1822 (see section 8). These were the first real extensive records of slave holdings.

Of course the disparity of the rights of freed slaves in the United Kingdom and those of the slaves in the West Indies caused some serious concerns in Britain. The Abolitionist movement grew and formed a very powerful lobby. In 1823 a new campaign was launched by the humanitarians and saw the publication of anti slavery literature, such as the accounts of Mary Prince, published in 1831. This movement put pressure on the governments of colonial areas, much to the disgust of these Assemblies who disliked interference in their affairs. However, in the end they had to succumb to the political will from Westminster.

It also must be remembered that some owners would have come to England with their slaves, who of course would not officially be seen as slaves but as domestic servants, but in real terms they still had no freedom and at any time could be taken back to the West Indies and into slavery. This is the background of the Mary Prince’s accounts and how she gained her freedom, but was unable to return to her husband in Antigua, as she was not officially a free slave outside Britain.

The 1796 Consolidated Slave Act was updated with the 1824 Consolidated Slave Act (amended 1826), following prompting by the British Government. This restricted the punishment of the slaves, and even though the initial attempt was the removal of flogging as a punishment for female slaves this was changed to female slaves being flogged in private only, and now flogging could not consist of more than 39 lashes at any one time. Any owner who mistreated a slave could also now be imprisoned. Again the religious well being of the slaves was included. The Act sought to gain legal marriage of slaves and forbade the separation of families. However marriage was only allowed if permitted by the slave owner that meant that in the strictest legal sense there would have been few “legal” families to be separated, even though the nuclear family (mother, father and children) existed widely in the Bahamian Archipelago. The new laws also permitted, for the first time, slaves to purchase their own freedom. The succeeding 1830 Act changed little, except that slave labour could no longer be employed on the Sabbath.

The Real change occurred in 1833. In August of that year the bill for the Emancipation Act passed through Parliament in Britain. The Act took effect from 1st August 1834 and it gave the choice to each Colonial legislature to decide whether the slaves could be freed outright or had to undergo an apprenticeship scheme: the Bahamas Legislature (covering the Turks and Caicos) decided on an Apprenticeship for the slaves. All Colonies had to pass their own Abolition or Emancipation Acts, the Bahamas doing so in 1834 and before the Emancipation Act from Britain was implemented the Bahamas had passed their own Abolition Act in February 1834.

Even though the Apprenticeship scheme was supposed to last until 1840 the Bahamas passed a law on 21st July 1838 to end the Apprenticeship scheme early. This had followed the British Government agreeing to full emancipation from the 1st August 1838.

Culture & History

  • Golden Age of the Turks Islands
  • Nature & Environment
  • Slavery
  • Lucayans
  • Shipwrecks
  • Salt Industry
  • SIsal Industry
  • Royal Events
  • Space Race
  • Turks & Caicos History Timeline
  • Landmarks
  • Further Reading

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The Museum is a publicly funded not for profit organization.

It is not a part of the Turks & Caicos Islands Government and receives no regular support from the Government. Only your Support makes it all possible. Become a supporter today — we can’t do it without your help.

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Click here to view a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

The Colors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

RED was chosen to represent the nation’s capital, Grand Turk. The color is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE was chosen to represent Salt Cay. The color came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE was chosen to represent South and East Caicos. The color comes from the Spiny Lobster and fish and reflects the fishing industry in the “Big South.”

TAN was chosen to represent Middle Caicos. The color is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN was chosen to represent North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The color is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home of Wade’s Green Plantation, the most successful of Caicos Islands cotton plantations.

TURQUOISE was chosen to represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. The color is taken from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sail. These turquoise waters also contribute to our newest industry, tourism.

PINK was chosen to represent the beautiful conch shell, flamingoes and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW represents God’s glory as the sun shining down on all our beautiful islands and cays. The sun also contributes to our newest industry, tourism.

View a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

View Timeline

A Few Artifacts You’ll See at the Museum

Our collections represent the rich historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.

Lucayan Duho

Photo courtesy of Joanna Ostapkowicz. The Duho is one of the rarest artifacts in the museum’s collections. It was used a ceremonial seat for the cacique or chief of the Lucayans, the first inhabitants of these islands.

Fresnel Lens

The Grand Turk Lighthouse was erected in 1852 and was originally designed to burn whale oil and had an Argand reflector lamp. In 1943 the lighthouse was converted to a Fresnel Lens one of these lenses is now on display at the Museum.

Swivel Gun

The Molasses reef wreck, an early Spanish Caravel was equipped with three types of breech-loading swivel guns, one type is shown above. The swivel guns are thought to be anti-personnel weapons placed wherever convenient along the ship’s rail.

Salt Industry Post Card

The museum has diverse collection of early postcards of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most post cards depict scenes on Grand Turk, the capital and from the salt industry.

Take a Look
TCI Governor

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

H.E. Nigel Dakin CMG

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Museum on Grand Turk surely stands in one of the most majestic settings of any museum, anywhere! Perched on the edge of the Columbus Landfall national park. The 200-year-old building, “Guinep Lodge”, which houses a multitude of artifacts covering everything from the pre–Columbian Indians to the modern age, is a museum in its own right. The west facing building has stood firm and witnessed 200+ years of incredible TCI sunsets and has withstood every major hurricane since before records began.

The National Museum plays a vital role in recovering, preserving, recording and displaying the history of these island for all to see, enjoy and learn from. The museum’s archive is a veritable treasure trove of information, with enough information to fill two museums. With thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts from multiple archeological digs from around the TCI over the last 50 years, un-displayed artifacts from ancient warships, parish records or births, deaths and marriages dating back over 200 years; a veritable gold mine of information, just waiting to be discovered.

The museum is not only an exhibition facility for local history and artifacts, but also undertakes important work in the community with multiple events throughout the year and supports all the TCI schools, has a regular summer camp and kids club for our budding historians and archeologists of tomorrow.  The Grand Turk location includes a “science building” which is a fully fledged restoration facility to stabilize artifacts before they are displayed or stored in the archive. All of this work has been quietly undertaken since the museum was founded 30 years ago. There is also a campus on Provo and there are exciting plans underway to construct a new, multimillion dollar purpose-built facility for the wider enjoyment of our fascinating history. The Governor’s Office is proud to have supported the TCNMF over the years with vital capital projects.

Whether you are a local, or a visitor to our beautiful shores; I encourage you to visit and support the Turks & Caicos National Museum and absorb our colorful and surprisingly diverse local history.


H E Nigel Dakin CMG

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

Hon. Josephine Connnolly

"It is a pleasure as Minister with responsibility of Heritage to welcome you to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum website. This Gem of an operation is perhaps the most notable establishment in regards to sites of historical interest. Since its establishment in 1991 it has always been an intricate part of our tourism product.

As a supporter, I believe the National Museum’s success depends on all resident and visitors; and as Minister I am committed to strengthening our tourism product through the infusion of authenticity and the increase in awareness of the National Museum in the development of heritage assets for sustainable tourism development.

Visit and explore the Grand Turk and Providenciales locations and experience our heritage and culture through interactive displays and exhibits. Special thanks is extended to the National Museum, a tangible product, a repository for artefacts and documents, providing a true island experience.".

Hon. Josephine Connnolly
Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

"My interest in history and research goes back to my years as a student at the then Grand Turk Secondary School, where my teacher and later mentor, the late Helena Jones Robinson instilled a curiosity in me to appreciate context.  At that time, not fully appreciating the impact that curiosity would have on me, I sought only to please my teacher.

Pursuing tertiary education at various institutions, in various countries and at various levels, my initial foundation of inquiry was further stimulated.  Libraries and museums would form a very important part of my education, specifically during my studies in Jamaica, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Returning home after my studies abroad, my first visit to the Museum so captivated me that I began to tell all persons, visitors and islanders alike, that a visit to the museum was a MUST! The quaintness, yet thorough organization and presentation of artifacts of various kinds avowed me.

I found tremendous joy in taking my TCI Studies students to the Museum, standing back and listening to their expressions of excitement and curiosity as the curators and assistants would walk them through the various displays and presentations.

The Jamaican expression “likkle but tallawah” (small but strong) aptly fits our Museum.  The significance of this institution to our history and culture cannot be over stressed.

Welcome to The Museum.  A combination of history, culture and enchantment awaits you."

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Historic Photo Gallery of the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Locations

Guinep House, Front Street

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2160
From the US (786) 220-1159
Hours Vary - See our schedule under Locations

The Village at Grace Bay

Development Office and Caicos Heritage House
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2161
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

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