Joseph Chatoyer
Encyclopedia
Joseph Chatoyer was a Garifuna (Carib) chief who led a revolt against the British
colonial government of Saint Vincent
in 1795. He is now considered a national hero of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
also Belize and other Carib countries he fought for during the war. (Camillo Gonsalves
, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations
, described him in 2011 as his country's "sole national hero".)
For two centuries, the indigenous Carib population of the island succeeded in resisting European attempts at colonization by retreating to the mountainous, densely forested interior of the island. By the 1770s, however, both Britain and France
had made inroads on Saint Vincent. In 1772, the native population rebelled. Led by Chatoyer, the First Carib War forced the British to sign a treaty with them—it was the first time Britain had been forced to sign an accord with an indigenous population in the Americas.
By 1795, it became apparent to the local population that Britain had no intention of keeping to the treaty. This time, however, the Caribs were joined by a group of French radicals inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution
. In the Second Carib War, Chatoyer divided the island with DuValle, another chieftain. Working his way along the coast, Chatoyer met up with his French supporters at Chateaubelair
, and together the forces worked their way to Dorsetshire Hill, from where they would launch their attack on Kingstown
.
On March 14, a battalion of British soldiers led by General Ralph Abercromby
, marched toward Dorsetshire Hill. That night, Chatoyer was killed by Major Alexander Leith. Though the rebellion continued, until June, 1796, Chatoyer's death led to the desertion of the French supporters and turned the tide of the war.
Chatoyer is now considered a national hero of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A monument to him stands on Dorsetshire Hill, where he died. A play based on his life, The Drama of King Shotaway
, was the first play written by an African-American.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
colonial government of Saint Vincent
Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
in 1795. He is now considered a national hero of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean....
also Belize and other Carib countries he fought for during the war. (Camillo Gonsalves
Camillo Gonsalves
Camillo Gonsalves is a Vincentian diplomat and lawyer. He is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' current Permanent Representative to the United Nations.He studied and initially worked in the United States...
, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, described him in 2011 as his country's "sole national hero".)
For two centuries, the indigenous Carib population of the island succeeded in resisting European attempts at colonization by retreating to the mountainous, densely forested interior of the island. By the 1770s, however, both Britain and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
had made inroads on Saint Vincent. In 1772, the native population rebelled. Led by Chatoyer, the First Carib War forced the British to sign a treaty with them—it was the first time Britain had been forced to sign an accord with an indigenous population in the Americas.
By 1795, it became apparent to the local population that Britain had no intention of keeping to the treaty. This time, however, the Caribs were joined by a group of French radicals inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. In the Second Carib War, Chatoyer divided the island with DuValle, another chieftain. Working his way along the coast, Chatoyer met up with his French supporters at Chateaubelair
Chateaubelair
Chateaubelair is a large fishing village on the Leeward coast of the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, the main island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located just south of the volcano of Soufrière. Commonly referred to as just "Chateau", it is the focus and largest community in the...
, and together the forces worked their way to Dorsetshire Hill, from where they would launch their attack on Kingstown
Kingstown
Kingstown is the chief port of Saint Vincent, and the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. With a population of 25,418 Kingstown is a centre for the island's agricultural industry and a port of entry for tourists...
.
On March 14, a battalion of British soldiers led by General Ralph Abercromby
Ralph Abercromby
Sir Ralph Abercromby was a Scottish soldier and politician. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was noted for his services during the Napoleonic Wars, and served as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland.He twice served as MP for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire, and was...
, marched toward Dorsetshire Hill. That night, Chatoyer was killed by Major Alexander Leith. Though the rebellion continued, until June, 1796, Chatoyer's death led to the desertion of the French supporters and turned the tide of the war.
Chatoyer is now considered a national hero of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A monument to him stands on Dorsetshire Hill, where he died. A play based on his life, The Drama of King Shotaway
The Drama of King Shotaway
The Drama of King Shotaway, founded on Facts taken from the Insurrection of the Caravs on the Island of St. Vincent, written from Experience by Mr. Brown was the first known play by an African-American playwright, though no known copies exist. It was based on the story of Joseph...
, was the first play written by an African-American.