New York – The Story of My Barbados Family

April 26, 2019April 26, 2019

My Paternal Grandparents, Malcolm and Kathleen Davis – Chapter II

Malcolm McCarthy Davis (1897- 1966)

Malcolm McCarthy Davis was born on 23^rd May 1897 at Sedge Pond Plantation, St. Peter, Barbados. I don’t know who owned Sedge Pond at that time, but a Gill may have had an interest. (Queree has “1892–3 Chancery Court Gill et al v Peddar,” possibly John T. Pedder.) Malcolm’s parents were Robert Fitzherbert (Herbie) Davis and Keturah Matilda Alberta (Kit) Gill.

While Granny Kathleen was very ladylike, Malcolm was more earthy. As young men, he and his brothers, Evelyn Fitzherbert (Fitz) and Leo, migrated to the US. They were friends with William Greaves of Barbados who was already in Brooklyn, New York. They lived in New York State in either NY city or Brooklyn. Fitz was a professional boxer and Leo was a police officer in Brooklyn. All of the brothers knew how to box. I came across this on the Familysearch.org site.

12 April 1914 – Evelyn Davis, M, Single, clerk, 18ys old, 5″6″, fair, light hair, blue eyes going to brother Malcom Ince (actually Davis, the Ince seems a mistake copied from the line above), 357 W 44th St, NYC. Father in B’dos Robert Davis, Parks, St. Joseph.
IGI

Notice that first names are used here, even though father and son went by middle names. Queree shows A. Percy Haynes as the owner of Parks in St. Joseph at that time. (Arthur Percy Haynes was a son of the Honourable Joseph Alleyne Haynes of Newcastle, St John. It is possible that Malcolm’s father was an overseer or manager at Parks.) When they first went to the States, Malcolm and his brothers had low level jobs, but Fitz went on to a successful career with the Merchant Marines and Leo was promoted to police Captain in 1953. Malcolm returned to Barbados where he met and married Kathleen at Holy Innocents, St Thomas in 1923. The attending Anglican priests were Rev. Browne and Rev. Alleyne. By chance I came across this snip probably from a 1973 Advocate:

Wedding notice

My father, C. F. M. (Herbert) Davis, thought Malcolm had tremendous physical strength. He recalls as a small boy coasting down a hill at speed on his bicycle. To his horror, he saw a deep trench across the bottom of the hill. A water pipe was being laid. Herbert was unable to stop, but his father, Malcolm, stepped into the middle of the road and grabbed the bike’s handlebars, bringing boy and bike to a dead stop.

Malcolm was a “Planter” or sugarcane farmer. He typically wore long trousers, a jacket and a “Cork Hat.” The latter looked like a pith helmet. It was hard but light. It had a broad brim which protected the Planters from the tropical sun.

Next I will reflect on my personal experiences with my grandparents.

August 29, 2016March 13, 2021

Anthony Davis (1949-2009) Chapter II

When I was 12, we went with our parents to America. This trip was Herbert’s “Long Leave,” as he was required to travel north every few years.

New York – Anthony with Marjorie and great uncle Leo

This photo below was taken at great uncle Leo’s and great aunt Ida’s home in Brooklyn. I was breathing out trying to see the vapour condense from my breath, something that we had never seen in Barbados!

About 1962 – Brooklyn, New York, USA: Anthony and Ian

Brooklyn, New York, USA: Anthony, Marjorie and Ian

The photo below was taken at Plymouth, Crane, St. Philip, Barbados. In the background is the ravine, then the cliff and then the blue rough sea. We had a flight of concrete steps down to a secluded beach. My grandfather, Laurence, rented Plymouth every year.

Plymouth, Barbados: Ian with Laurence and Philip Cheeseman, Malcolm, Anthony and Ione Cheeseman

This was taken at Bohemia, 10th Avenue, Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados. The steps lead to the front door. The walk gate and driveway gate are visible. Behind the fence is the 10th Avenue with its’ massive “Cabbage Palms.” We are in front of a rose bed. To the right of the photo there is an orchid, and to the left a Periwinkle. The Periwinkles grew wild on my father’s land in St. Andrew.

04_Plymouth_Slides_001 — Bohemia: Anthony in suit and Ian in school uniform

This is Anthony on the East Coast of Barbados. We loved to explore and run around these beaches and hills.

June 21, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter IV

Marjorie’s Family Years in Barbados

My recollections of my parents start in Belleville, where we lived on the 10th avenue. We first lived at “Constant”, a two story wooden home. Then we moved to “Bohemia”, which was close to George Street. Below Marjorie and Herbert in the backyard of Bohemia. The concrete wall runs along 10th Avenue. Behind the wall are towering palms. We called them Cabbage Palms, but their scientific name is Roystonea oleracea. They bore a “broom” which was used by our maid.

bellevl — Bohemia, Belleville: Marjorie and Herbert

We were close to Bridgetown, and I recall my father coming home for lunch!

davisfamilyr — Bohemia, Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados: Marjorie and Herbert with Anthony and Ronnie. Our Julie mango tree is in the background.

Here is an extended family photo taken in Barbados.

Malcolm, can’t recognize the next two, Kathleen, Teddy Jones, Marjorie

Laurence’s sisters were Helen Farmer, Katy Jones and May Marshall. Teddy and Katy’s daughter Audrey was married to Louis Seale.

08_Family_Slides_005 — Marjorie, two I don’t recognise, Dorothy May, Laurence, Helen, Katy and son Harold Jones, Mona Watson?, May Marshall with sons John Anthony and David, Maureen, and in the foreground Louis Seale.

This is a nice photo of my mother, but I don’t know the story behind it.

As a condition of his employment at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Herbert had to take a “long leave” every few years. The only stipulation that he was to head north to Canada or the US. My parents used to say with Dad’s uncle Leo in Brooklyn, New York. Leo’s wife Ida is on the left below.

New York, USA: Ida Davis, Ian, Marjorie, Herbert and Anthony

Here is another unknown photo.

I am going to take a wild guess and say that the photo below was taken at Plymouth, Crane, St. Philip.

07_Our_Family_Slides_024 — Barbados: Marjorie, Ronnie and Ian

The photo below was probably taken on the south coast of Barbados. Marjorie is with her nieces, George’s girls.

07_Our_Family_Slides_020

Herbert was transferred to the nearby island of St. Vincent. Herbert had a sailboat, “Aurora.” I believe this group is seeing him off.

05_Family_Slides_017 — Careenage, Bridgetown: Ronnie, Christine, Marjorie and Herve inspecting the water

Below is a family reunion at Windermere, St. John, Barbados. Herbert, Marjorie and Ronnie would be visiting from St. Vincent.

Windermere: Back row: Pat, Sarah, Ronnie, Kathleen, Herbert, Marjorie, Laurence, George Front row: Anthony, Ann, Penny, Amy and Alison

Next: St. Vincent