Near a Plantation: Free Villages in Barbados, 1905-1945

In Near a Plantation, Woodville Marshall
presents a transformative account of post-slavery Barbados. Through meticulous
examination of wills and deeds, Marshall challenges established assumptions,
delving deep into the complex dynamics that influenced the lives of former
slaves. His exploration offers a comprehensive perspective that reshapes our
understanding of how free villages came to be in Barbados.
Marshall's
careful examination reveals the hurdles faced by the formerly enslaved in
obtaining land. Plantation owners monopolized land and controlled labour,
leaving little opportunity for others. Despite this, some ex-slaves found ways
to secure land through negotiation or purchasing from speculators. As the story
progresses, we learn about the beginnings of free villages, where land
speculators and negotiations with former masters played pivotal roles.
Against the
backdrop of economic downturns and shifting social landscapes, Marshall charts
the rapid expansion of free villages, driven by newfound opportunities for land
ownership and the influx of remittances. This narrative culminates in the
transformative impact of free villages on the economic and socio-political
dynamics in Barbados and how it fostered avenues for social mobility and
contributed to the modernization of Barbadian society.

Near a
Plantation not only fills a critical gap in
post-slavery literature but also prompts a fundamental reassessment of
historical narratives surrounding emancipation in Barbados. Marshall's
methodological approach, seamlessly weaving archival insights into a compelling
narrative, offers invaluable perspectives for scholars, students and
enthusiasts of Caribbean history alike.