Stewartville, Guyana

Last updated
Stewartville
Village
Guyana location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Stewartville
Coordinates: 6°52′18″N58°17′48″W / 6.871573°N 58.296572°W / 6.871573; -58.296572 Coordinates: 6°52′18″N58°17′48″W / 6.871573°N 58.296572°W / 6.871573; -58.296572
CountryFlag of Guyana.svg  Guyana
Region Essequibo Islands-West Demerara
Population
 (2012) [1]
  Total2,808
Time zone UTC−04:00

Stewartville is a village district in Guyana on the Atlantic coast of West Demerara, just east of the mouth of the Essequibo River. There are four sections in the village: Stewartville Housing Scheme, Sarah Lodge, Stewartville Old Road and Stewartville Sea View. [2]

Contents

Community

Stewartville is about 10 miles (16 km) west of Vreed en Hoop, and is separated from the neighbouring community of Leonora by a trench. The community of Uitvlugt is immediately to its west. The village is populated by various ethnic groups. [2]

Stewartville is named after the Stewart family who owned the plantation. John Stewart Jr. was the illegitimate son of John Stewart Sr. [3] In 1826, [4] John Steward Sr. died. In his will, he named John Steward Jr. as his natural son and awarded him the plantations of Stewartville and Annandale. John Stewart Jr. was probably of mixed race, and was elected Member of Parliament in 1832. Despite his background, he was a strong proponent of slavery. [3]

With the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1834, freedmen began making group and individual purchase of land in the village. [5] By the 1860s many Africans had settled in the Creole village of Stewartville and were working on the West Coast Demerara estates. There is a record of four Sierre Leonians in 1874 petitioning from Stewartville for a grant of crown land to cultivate rice on Hog Island, Essequibo. [6]

Later, estate workers originally from South India came to the coast and introduced their own traditions. [7] The Indians mostly settled in areas between the Afro-Guyanese villages. [8] A mosque was built in Stewartville around 1911. [9] At times, in the 1970s, there were violent clashes between the ethnic groups. [10] As of 2012 the village had a population of 2,808. [1]

Climate

Temperature is fairly steady throughout the year at between 25 °C (77 °F) and 27 °C (81 °F). There are two wet seasons in May–July and in December–January. Average monthly rainfall ranges from 104 millimetres (4.1 in) in September to 383 millimetres (15.1 in) in June, with about 2,670 millimetres (105 in) annually. [11]

Infrastructure

Stewartville has a secondary school, serving other communities in the region. [12] The Unserved Areas Electricity Programme brought electricity to the community in 2005-2006. [13] The school road at Stewartville was rehabilitated in 2009, but the job was done by an inexperienced contractor and was poor quality. In less than six months, potholes were starting to appear. [14] In August 2011 it was announced that funding was being provided to upgrade roads in the area, including regarding the roads, road sides and drains, with 32,000 people expected to benefit directly. [15] In February 2012 residents of Sarah Lodge were complaining that road works had started two months before and then stalled, and the unfinished construction was blocking the main road and causing serious flooding. [16]

Erosion of the shore has long been a problem. In 1918 it was reported that repairs to the sea wall were needed. [17] Excessively high tides on 16–17 October 2005 caused breaches of the sea defenses on West Coast Demerara. In November the government announced it had approved contracts for emergency repairs. $102M was to be spent on obtaining and laying boulders along the sea defense line at Stewartville and Leonora. The work was being funded from a 38.9 Euro grant agreement under the Eighth European Development Fund. [18] In December 2009 a high spring tide caused waves that over-topped the sea wall and flooded several yards in Stewartville Sea View. No drainage system had been installed since the 2006 flooding. The wall was damaged near to the point where the flooding occurred. [19]

In October 2010 the contractor working on a project to repair the sea defenses recommended using riprap construction as an alternative to building wave walls. With riprap construction, loose boulders absorb the force of the waves. Unlike wave walls, which tend to be undermined, crack and require expensive repair, riprap defenses need little maintenance. However, they are slightly more expensive to build. [20] In October 2011 it was announced that the EU-funded program to reconstruct or rehabilitate about 20 kilometres (12 mi) of sea defenses would not be completed by its month-end deadline. A new date of February 2012 was proposed. The contractor had run into difficulties that included design changes, heavy rains and delays in accessing duty-free materials. [21]

Other events

During the 2006 general elections the PPP/C held a "Grand Victory Rally" at Stewartville before the election was held. Speaking at the rally to an audience made up mostly of sugar workers and rice farmers, President Bharrat Jagdeo outlined a $500B development plan for the next five years. [22] The PPP/C held another massive rally at Stewartville in November 2011 during the Guyanese general election, 2011. [23] President Bharrat Jagdeo again spoke at the event. [24]

In October 2010 a boat carrying drinks and other products from the Banks DIH company to the Essequibo Coast developed leaks and had to be grounded on the Stewartville foreshore. Mud had got into the pump, which would not start, and the engine room flooded. After the tide receded, the boat leaned to one side. Some boxes fell off and were taken away by Stewartville residents. [25] That night, dozens of people climbed onto the boat, taking soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, as well as other products such as biscuits and bottled water. The looting was thorough, including draining the fuel from the boat's tanks. Some started drinking while they were looting. One man, apparently drunk, fell into the water and drowned between the boat and the sea wall. [26]

Notable people

Allan Carlyle Miller was born in Stewartville Village on 19 September 1898. [27] After training in the southern United States as a doctor and a Baptist minister, he returned to Guyana and established the Guyana Missionary Baptist Church Lott-Carey. [28] The well-known artist Donald Locke was born here in 1930. [29] Locke started to study painting under E. R. Burrowes in the Working People's Art Class in Georgetown in 1947. In 1979 he moved to the United States, dying in Atlanta Georgia in December 2010. [30] In 1973, Stewartville was home to Diana Amelia Barrow, who was 107 years old. She was the mother of six children, two of whom had died, and had 23 grandchildren. [31] Michael Joseph the Finance Secretary of Guyana as of 1 November 2018 to present was born and raised in Stewartville.

Related Research Articles

Politics of Guyana

The politics of Guyana takes place in a framework of a Parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Guyana is the head of government and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the President, advised by a cabinet. Legislative power is vested in both the President and the National Assembly of Guyana. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The history of Guyana begins about 35,000 years ago with the arrival of humans coming from Eurasia. These migrants became the Carib and Arawak tribes, who met Alonso de Ojeda's first expedition from Spain in 1499 at the Essequibo River. In the ensuing colonial era, Guyana's government was defined by the successive policies of Spanish, French, Dutch, and British settlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bharrat Jagdeo</span> President and Prime Minister of Guyana

Bharrat Jagdeo is a Guyanese politician who has been serving as Vice President of Guyana since 2020, in the administration of President Irfaan Ali. He had previously also held the office from 1997 until 1999, during the presidency of Janet Jagan. Jagdeo subsequently served as the President of Guyana from 11 August 1999 to 3 December 2011. He also holds a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Ramotar</span> Guyanese politician

Donald Rabindranauth Ramotar is a Guyanese politician who was President of Guyana from 2011 to 2015. He was also the General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) from 1997 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demerara Harbour Bridge</span> Bridge in Peters Hall , to Schoon Ord

The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a 6,074-foot (1,851 m) long floating toll bridge. It was commissioned on 2 July 1978. The bridge crosses the Demerara River 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the Guyanese capital Georgetown, from Peter's Hall, Demerara-Mahaica, East Bank Demerara to Schoon Ord, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, West Bank Demerara. There is a pedestrian footwalk. A raised section lets small vessels pass under. A retractor span lets large vessels pass.

The Railways of Guyana comprised two public railways, the Demerara-Berbice Railway and the Demerara-Essequibo railway. There are also several industrial railways mainly for the bauxite industry. The Demerara-Berbice Railway is the oldest in South America. None of the railways are in operation in the 21st century.

Vreed en Hoop is a village at the mouth of the Demerara River on its left bank, in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region of Guyana, located at sea level. It is the location of the Regional Democratic Council office making it the administrative center for the region. There is also a police station, magistrate's court and post office.

Demerara Distillers

Demerara Distillers Ltd. is a Guyanese distillery known for the El Dorado Rum brand. It was at one time the world's second largest producer of rum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockstone</span> Village in Upper Demerara-Berbice, Guyana

Rockstone is a village on the right bank of the Essequibo River in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region of Guyana, altitude 6 metres. Rockstone is approximately 26 km west of Linden and is linked by road.

Uitvlugt is a village in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region of Guyana. On the coastal public road on the west bank of the Demerara River, it lies immediately to the west of Stewartville and to the south of Zeeburg, about 20 minutes by road from Vreed-en-Hoop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banks DIH</span>

Banks DIH Ltd. is a publicly traded food and beverage manufacturer in Guyana that can trace its origins back to 1840. It is one of the leading local manufacturers.

Nabaclis also Nabacalis is a community on the East Coast of Demerara, in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is in low-lying country by the coast, which is subject to flooding in the rainy season.

The Kayman Sankar Cricket Ground is a sporting venue in Hamptoncourtpolder, a village on the Atlantic coastline of Guyana's Pomeroon-Supenaam region. Its chief use has been as a cricket ground, though in recent years it has also hosted grasstrack motorcycle racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sase Narain</span> Guyanese politician and lawyer (1925–2020)

Sase Narain was a Guyanese politician and lawyer. He served as Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana from 1971 to 1992, becoming the longest serving Speaker in Guyana.

Den Amstel is a village in Guyana's Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region. It lies on the Atlantic coast, approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west-north-west of the capital, Georgetown. The village has a population of 938 people as of 2012, who are predominantly Afro-Guyanese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana</span> Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Guyana

The COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Guyana on 11 March 2020. The first case was a woman who travelled from New York, a 52-year-old woman with underlying health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. The woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Isahak Basir CCH was a Guyanese historian who was a member of the National Assembly of Guyana from 1977 to 1991. Basir was nicknamed "Uncle Tabrak" and was of Indian descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson</span> Guyanese politician

Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson is a Guyanese politician. She has been a member of the National Assembly since 2015. She served as Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka from 1994 to 2012.

Windsor Forest is a village in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region of Guyana. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It was the first Chinese settlement in Guyana, however few Chinese remain.

Agatash is a village in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region of Guyana. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Bartica along the Essequibo River opposite Sloth Island.

References

  1. 1 2 "2012 Population by Village". Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. 1 2 "The World Beyond Georgetown: Stewartville". Stabroek News . August 28, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  3. 1 2 "John Stewart". Legacies of British Slavery database. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  4. "STEWART, John II (?1755-1826), of 3D, The Albany, Piccadilly, Mdx". History of Parliament. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  5. Lewis, Maureen Warner (2003). Central Africa in the Caribbean: Transcending Time, Transforming Cultures. University of West Indies Press. p. 347. ISBN   978-976-640-118-4 . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  6. Moore, Brian L.; Higman, B. W.; Campbell, Carl; Patrick Bryan (2003). Slavery, Freedom and Gender: The Dynamics of Caribbean Society. University of the West Indies Press. p. 136. ISBN   978-976-640-137-5 . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  7. Younger, Paul (2001-11-29). Playing Host to Deity: Festival Religion in the South Indian Tradition. Oxford University Press. p. 176. ISBN   978-0-19-514044-6 . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  8. Bisnauth, D. A. (2000). The settlement of Indians in Guyana, 1890-1930. Peepul Tree. p. 145. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  9. M'Bow, Amadou Mahtar; Kettani, M. Ali (2001). Islam and Muslims in the American continent. Center of Historical, Economical and Social Studies. p. 406. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  10. Lutchman, Harry; Mars, Perry; Addo, Herb (1976). Selected issues in Guyanese politics. Dept. of Political Science & Law, University of Guyana. p. 105. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  11. "Stewartville, Guyana". Gaisma. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  12. Imran Khan. "Vergenoegen" . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  13. "Government's extended electrification programme – transforming 220 communities". GINA. February 12, 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  14. "Less than six months later…New Stewartville road deteriorates". Kaieteur News. November 25, 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  15. "12 roads in Cornelia Ida/Stewartville to be upgraded- under CRIP". GINA. August 19, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  16. "Abandoned road works result in damaged streets, flooding in Stewartville". Kaieteur News. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  17. Guyana (1918). Administration Reports ... "The Argosy" Company, Limited. p. 17. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  18. "Cabinet clears contracts for emergency sea defence work". GINA. November 3, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  19. ALVA SOLOMON (January 1, 2010). "Spring tide harries West Dem". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  20. Kristen Macklingam (October 29, 2010). "BK Int'l touts alternative to wave wall sea defence" . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  21. "EU funded sea defence programme cannot meet October-month-end deadline". Kaieteur News. October 3, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  22. "A unique result / Parties wrap up campaign -- PPP/C leads in closing rallies". Guyana.org. September 3, 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  23. "Thousands attend PPP/C Rally in Stewartville. Biggest Rally yet". PPPC. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  24. MICHAEL YOUNGE (November 14, 2011). "Jagdeo urges lawmen to vote wisely". The Guyana Times. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  25. GAULBERT SUTHERLAND (October 4, 2010). "Banks DIH boat beached at Stewartville shore after leaks". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  26. GAULBERT SUTHERLAND (October 5, 2010). "Fisherman drowns looting grounded boat". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  27. Fitts, Leroy (1985). A history of Black Baptists. Broadman Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-8054-6580-8 . Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  28. "The Guyana Missionary Baptist Church – Lott Carey". Stabroek News. September 30, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  29. "Renowned Artist/Sculptor Donald Locke passes away". Kaieteur News. December 7, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  30. "Guyanese Artist Donald Locke Dies in Georgia". Repeating Islands. December 13, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  31. Guyana Information Services (1973). News from Guyana; the co-operative republic. p. 5. Retrieved 2012-08-07.