Settler Town, Sierra Leone
Settler Town, Sierra Leone or Settler Tong in Krio is the oldest part of Freetown, Sierra Leone and was the home of the Nova Scotian Settlers Settlers were African American ex-slaves (who immigrated to Sierra Leone and established the first permanent free African American settlement in Africa). During the nineteenth century, Settler Town was a prestigious residential area, due to the fact it was the original portion of Freetown, Sierra Leone, having been established on March 11, 1792.
History of Settler Town
On January 15, 1792, Lt. John Clarkson (abolitionist) led 1,196 black Americans from Halifax Harbor in fifteen ships across the Atlantic to the geographical region of Sierra Leone where these immigrants would establish a colony and the settlement of Free Town on March 11, 1792. In Freetown, these American ex-slaves were known as the 'Nova Scotians' and the 'Settlers'. Following the arrival of the Maroons in 1800 and the settlement of these second set of colonists in Freetown, Settler Town distinguished from the Maroon district in Freetown and became a walled town.
Location of Settler Town
Settler Town was established as a walled town following the arrival of the Maroons in 1800 and was located between Little East Street (now Malamah-Thomas Street) and George Street. During the nineteenth century, Settler Town was continually used in reference to the original portion of Freetown, although it also expanded to include other areas that the descendants of the Nova Scotian Settlers resided in such as upper Regent Road and Regent Street.
Notable residents
- Thomas Peters- African American leader of who the Brindley Town African Americans; immigrated to Sierra Leone
- David George- African American Reverend of Baptist church