Categories
Grand Bassa

Bob Gray and the Liberian colony

Prior to May 1826, the colonial government of Liberia also obtained a tract of land on the north bank of the north branch of the St. John’s River from three Bassa rulers, including Bob Gray.

By May 1826, Gray had built a trading post on the land for use by the colonial government. He promised, according to Governor Jehudi Ashmun, “to turn over to the Colony all the produce he should be able to bring down from the interior of the country.”

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