Author: Patrick

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New Cess

Contract with King Freeman

On October 27, 1825, Jehudi Ashmun, governor of Colonial Liberia, reached an agreement to lease land on both sides of the river mouth from a local ruler named King Freeman. Within a month, the government had erected a warehouse and placed a trader on the land to buy rice from nearby farmers. The goal was to supply Monrovia with local rice in place of rice imported from America.

Immediately after completion, the warehouse was destroyed, in Governor Ashmun’s words, by “a mischievous individual.” The person responsible was expelled from the area by King Freeman, who rebuilt the warehouse at no cost to the colonial government.

Footnote: J. Ashmun, “Accessions of territory – and new establishments connected with the colony, African Repository, May 1826, p. 93.

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New Cess

Large rice farm

By May 1826, a large rice farm was being planted on the land by laborers assigned by the local ruler and were being supervised by the resident Liberian trader.

According to Ashmun, King Freeman did not want to risk upsetting his neighbors by allowing the colonial government to establish a town in his territory prematurely. So he stipulated in the lease agreement that the project be done in phases. Only if the small-scale initial farming and trading phase succeeded would large number of repatriates be allowed to settle in the area.

Footnote: J. Ashmun, “Accessions of territory – and new establishments connected with the colony, African Repository, May 1826, p. 93.

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New Cess

Union of Baptist Churches

In 1931, the legislature granted 200 acres of land in the New Cess section, Timbo district to the Union of Baptist Churches of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, for missionary purposes. Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 34-35.

In 1933, Jacob H. Logan and Sons of Grand Bassa received a franchise to operate a ferry across the N’yah or New Cess River from Logan’s town, Goyah section on the right bank to Zeawornh’s town on the left. In 1934, the legislature voted to transfer the voting poll from Trehn-Dru, New Cess, to Wohrwehn, Trade Town section due to the “adverse topological situation” of Trehn-Dru.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 34-35; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1933, pp. 36-37; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1934, p. 17.

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Fortsville

In the beginning

In the beginning, Fortsville was listed as a part of St. John’s River City.

In 1878, the legislature approved the “laying out and running off” of a road from Fortsville to the Saint John’s River.

In 1893, a sum of $1,150 was granted by the legislature to build bridges and throw up causeway in Bexley, Hartford and Fortsville.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1878, pp. 5-6; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1893, p. 9.

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Fortsville

Baptist Industrial Academy

In 1914, two new local institutions were incorporated. One was the Baptist Industrial Academy, with the Rev. James Kelly and the Rev. L. J. Campbell as trustees. The other was the Union Baptist Church.

One year later, the Saint Philips Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Mission was formed. Named leaders included Alexander A. Pierre, senior warden; Samuel P. Hodges, secretary; and vestrymen: James C. Rutlege, junior warden; Thomas L. Morris, E. J. Snyder, C. E. Verdier.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1914, pp. 7, 37; Acts 1915-16, p. 9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1915-16, p. 20.

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Fortsville

Diamond Brass Band

A fever for brass bands swept coastal Liberian towns in the early twentieth century. It hit Fortsville in 1927, when the local Diamond Musical and Social Brass Band was incorporated.

Founders included Joseph L. Reeves, manager; Mascon S. Hall, band master; Joseph F. Barnard, assistant band master; James T. Roberts, secretary; Josiah C. Reeves, treasurer; Joshua A. Winkey, drum major; Samuel Snyder, conductor; Arthur Hall, drum major; and members: H. C. Barnard, H. C. Reeves, James T. Forte, Nathaniel Anderson.

Footnote: Acts 1927-28, p. 40.

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Fortsville

J. J. Minor’s Lodge

In 1937, the local J. J. Minor’s Lodge No. 144 of the United Brothers of Friendship was incorporated.

Officers were Charles A. McIntosh, worthy master; C. E. Bernard, d. m.; Joseph Bernard, worthy secretary; W. E. Roberts, assistant secretary; J. T. Bernard, w. treasurer; Joseph E. Holt, w. chaplain; H. C. Reeves, r. s.; R. Z. Reeves, l. s.; W. E. Avery, i. s.; Joseph E. Reeves, o. s.; trustees: Thomas L. Frazier and James R. Page; W. H. Reeves, junior pilot; James S. Hill, senior m.; Joseph Washington, junior m.; and sick committee: Josiah T. Junius and David Morris.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1937, p. 90.

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Harper

From town to city

In 1864 the legislature allocated $15,000 for a revenue cutter named “Palmas” to be built at Harper.

In 1879, the status of Harper was elevated to city.

The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Liberia was incorporated in 1880 and granted the right for it and its subordinate lodges to make, hold and convey real and personal estate. Named as officers were James M. Thopson (master), Daniel F. Wilson (senior warden) and Samuel D. Ferguson (junior warden) of the Morning Star Lodge, Harper, Maryland County.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1864, p. 34; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1879, pp. 7-9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1880, pp. 11-14.

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Harper

St. Mark’s formed

In 1880, the legislature authorized the selection of a suitable town lot in Harper on which was to be built a market house.

The local St. Mark’s Protestant Episcopal Church was formed in 1881. Named as officers were Samuel D. Ferguson (pastor), James W. Ashton (senior warden), Joseph A. Gibson (vestryman), Francis O. Thorne (vestryman), Turner P. Stewart (vestryman) and Tilman T. Brewer (vestryman), all of Harper.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1880, p. 17; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1881, pp. 3-4.

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Harper

Lighthouse keeper retires

In 1881, the legislature approved a pension of $180 for resident James T. Carroll, retired light house keeper.

In 1883, the legislature approved three defense related construction projects in Maryland County: $500 for a stone gun house in Harper, $600 for fortification at Jacksonville and $500 for fortification at Tubman Town.

The local Ebenezer Baptist Church was formed in 1883, led by E.W. Diggs, Charles McIntosh, J.W. Simpson, E.B. Cummings, Adam Barker, Richard Webster, Boston Moulton and A.B. Jackson.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1881, pp. 9-10; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1883, p. 14; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1883, p. 14.

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Harper

Latrobe and Hoffman Station Station repaired

The legislature in 1888 approved $250 for repair to the causeway that connects Latrobe and Hoffman Station.

In 1895, the city charter was altered by the legislature.

In 1896, the legislature established one court martial each in Harper and Monrovia and fixed parade dates for the various brigades and regiments.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1888, p. 10; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1895, p. 9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1896, pp. 19-20.

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Harper

Foreign traders given access

The legislature in 1897 approved the establishment of factories by foreign traders doing business in the ports of Robertsport, Monrovia, Marshall, Grand Bassa, Greenville and Harper at the principal coastal trading points, other than ports of entry.

In 1914, the local Apollo Circle No. 1 was incorporated.

Resident Samuel Alexander Colston Howard was restored to citizenship in 1921, suggesting he was previously convicted of a crime.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1897, pp. 14-15; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1914, p. 7; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, pp. 22-23.