Fireburn

Fireburn 1878,
Though the slaves were freed in 1848, The economic conditions on the island were so bad that the former slaves rioted and burned much of Frederiksted and many plantations on the island. Today they use the term Firburn meaning to start a riot, revolt etc. The Official date of the event is Oct 1.

Read the book, Budhoe

thanks for the info lizard
bombi, can you give us anymore info on this book ? searched around for a while and could not find anything.
thanks

Bombi is not going to be able to help you on this, he gave you some wrong information. (Budhoe) had nothing to do with the Fireburn of 1878. Budhoe's real name was Moses Gottlieb it is believed he came from the British West Indies, He could read and write. He was sometimes called Budoe or General Bordeaux, he had been the secret organizer and avowed leader of the uprising of the slaves in 1848. He was deported Jan 8, 1849 to Trinidad and never to be heard from again. The Fireburn of 1878 was a different event. The Fireburn is also known as contract day October 1. ,The freed slaves would have to sign a contract for labor every year and the pay was inadequate so they started to riot and burn. A couple of ladies went to jail for this The Queen Mary Hwy is in honor of one of them.

Lizard you are a wealth of info on STX history, I did find the Gottlieb info, thanks for tying this all together, we like to know about the history of where we are going to live as we have just completed building of our home. thanks again,

Some natives are wondering when the next fireburn will occur?

What will they burn?

Budhoe is available at Undercover Books in Gallows Bay or at one ofthe islands librarys. Although it isn'y specifically about the fireburn it does mention it and sets the tone of why it happened. It is a great read and very insightful in portraying the era of slavery and revolt on STX.

You will not find a Book (Budhoe) Because the name of the Book has two D's (Buddhoe) Sorry for the spelling mistake. The book is Buddhoe by Dr Patricia Gill (Murphy) and can be purchased online.

http://scandinavian-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_st_croix_labor_revolt_of_1878

I've got two extra copies of Buddhoe here on STX...up for grabs...pm if you want a copy...for FREE!

Free is good, but if you are going to purchase, giving the local bookstore the biz would be nice instead of some online megastore.
Dollars spent locally are re-spent locally.
-D

Online, you buy it directly from the author, who lives and ships from STX.

Buying locally is sometimes 2-3 times more than buying on line. I support local businesses but not to the point of being ripped off.

I would like a copy aquponics if you still have it.

I've got one left highlight, pm me and let's set up a meet up...