Category: Greenville

Kankiya was later swept away by the Nonbwa River, and Siglipo came to be known as Grand Cess. Of these villages, the people of Matiye alone kept fields and canoe landing station separate from the others, suggesting it might have been settled by people of different origin.

According to Grebo oral tradition, some of their ancestors founded Grand Cess, Picininny Cess and Sasstown. The various traditions aren’t mutually exclusive. It is likely that both Klao and Grebo ancestors were involved in the town’s founding.

Footnote: Thomas Ludlam, “An account of the Kroomen, on the coast of Africa,” African Repository, April 1825, pp. 43-55; H. Scudder Mekeel, “Social administration of the Kru: A preliminary survey,” Africa 10 (1937): 75-96; Martin, 1968, p. 50; Innis, 1966, p. 142.

In 1462, two Portuguese ships captained by Captain Pedro de Sintra anchored near the Junk River along the coast of present-day Liberia. De Sintra’s visit marked the first European contact with the area now known as Liberia.

Later Portuguese visitors would map this coast and name countless towns, including “Grand Cess” and “New Sestros” (from the Portuguese “cesta” for the wicker baskets widely used for transporting produce in this region).

Greenville was established in 1838 through the joint efforts of the Mississippi State Colonization Society and the Colonization Society of Louisiana. It is seated at the mouth of the Sinoe River. The first 37 immigrants quickly turned to growing cotton. They were all manumitted slaves from Natchez, Mississippi.

Greenville began as the smallest and least funded settlement. It would remain relatively underdeveloped for decades. The surrounding area, first called Mississippi in Africa, would come to be known as Sinoe County.

Footnote: Cassell, 1970, p. 111; Shick, 1980, p. 33; Sullivan, 1978-79; Brown, p. 87-88, 95, n. 21; also d’Amico, 1977, pp. 121-122; Cassell, 1970, pp. 103, 106-108, 111; Shick, 1980, pp. 33, 65-66, 74-75, 166, n. 2. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

By 1843, the town’s 79 residents had 10 acres cultivated; they would be joined by 240 other immigrants between 1843 and 1845.

When a census was taken in 1843, 40 residents identified their occupations. One worked in agriculture, four were artisans, two merchants, one professional, 15 semiskilled, and 17 unskilled. There was no appointed office holder.

Footnote: U. S., Congress, Senate, U. S. Navy Department, tables showing the number of emigrants and recaptured Africans sent to the colony of Liberia by the government of the United States … together with a census of the colony and a report of its commerce, &c. September, 1843: Senate Document No. 150, 28th Cong., 2n sess., 1845.

In 1843, 23 Greenville residents were Methodists, which was the only denomination in town. In addition, the Methodist Church operated an indigenous mission here.

Given mission support from abroad, the Methodist church cast the longest shadow, especially over the small outlying towns like Greenville. In 1843, the only local school was operated by Rev. Alfred F. Russell with 14 pupils.

Footnote:U. S., Congress, Senate, U. S. Navy Department, tables showing the number of emigrants and recaptured Africans sent to the colony of Liberia by the government of the United States … together with a census of the colony and a report of its commerce, &c. September, 1843: Senate Document No. 150, 28th Cong., 2n sess., 1845.

When Liberia declared its independence in 1847, the country contained 11 towns. Greenville was one of them.

By prevailing European and Asian standards, a country that small was unusual. But it was the typical size of nearby polities.

Most polities in the area at the time, including Liberia, were composed of non-continuous towns. In other words, they consisted of settlements widely separated by unclaimed forest and mangrove swamp.

Of the various neighboring examples, Liberia at independence most resembled the Kru polity, which consisted of widely dispersed settlements along the coast.

In 1850, most houses in Greenville were located along the sea-shore, where the soil was not suitable for farming.

A visitor offered this description: “Greenville presents a handsome appearance from the anchorage. It is one of the most healthy settlements in Liberia.”

Footnote: J. W. Lugenbeel, “Sketches of Liberia – No. 2,” African Repository, July 1850, p. 207.

Many repatriate families that first settled in Greenville later moved to larger towns, like Monrovia. One notable example was Alfred B. King, who immigrated on the “M. C. Stevens” in May 1860 at age 8 in the company of his mother Mary, 30; Charles, 7; Cora, 3; and William H., 13.

In Greenville, Alfred attended a primary school operated by Robert Lloyd and his wife.

Footnote: Liberia Bulletin, November 1902, pp. 1-4.