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9 unusual facts about Demerara


A. J. Seymour

He returned to Guiana in 1965, a year before Independence, and worked with the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba), based in Mackenzie (the town was later renamed Linden) until 1971; first as Community Relations Officer, later as Public Relations Officer.

Alexander Innes Shand

His father owned an estate in Demerara, but his income was reduced by the abolition of slavery.

Barbados Joe Walcott

Joe Walcott, (March 13, 1873 – October 1, 1935) also known as Barbados Joe Walcott to distinguish him from the American known by the same name, was born in Demerara, British Guyana on March 13, 1873, and died October 1, 1935.

Demerara

In 1781, the American revolution induced the Dutch Republic to join with the Bourbon side against the British, a large fleet under Admiral Lord Rodney's command was sent to the West Indies, and after having made some seizures in the Caribbean Islands, a squadron was detached to take possession of the colonies of Essequebo and Demerara, which was accomplished without much difficulty.

Hugh Lyle Carmichael (b. 1764 – d. 1813) (February 1812 – 11 May 1813)

The name "Demerara" comes from a variant of the Arawak word "Immenary" or "Dumaruni" which means "river of the letter wood".

Guyana Power and Light

Guyana Power and Light is the main official supplier of electricity in Guyana, South America with its franchise area encompassing the entire three counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.

Michael Francis Ward

Ward accepted an offer of a position on the Government Medical Service in Demerara in 1881.

Park Benjamin, Sr.

He was born in Demerara, British Guiana, August 14, 1809, but was early sent to New England, and graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. He practiced law in Boston, but abandoned it for editorial work there and later in New York.


Aretas William Young

In 1826, Young was made protector of slaves in Demerara and in 1831 was nominated to become Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island off Canada following the sudden death of Sir Murray Maxwell, who briefly held the role.

Communion token

Tokens were also issued by Presbyterian churches in Corfu, Florence, Madeira, Port Louis, Bombay, Cochin, Berbice, Demerara and Kingston, Jamaica.

Demerara River

The Demerara's width and depth allow oceangoing vessels up to 5,000mt to navigate up to Linden (105 km from the mouth), while smaller vessels may reach up to Malali (245 km from the mouth).

Emerson Samuels

Emerson Samuels was born on 22 August 1928 in Nabacalis on the East Coast of Demerara, where he spent his childhood.

Haiakwa Creek

It enters the Demerara River 27 miles upstream of Linden.

Jonestown, Demerara

More narrowly, traditional geographic terms put Jonestown in the Mahaica district of the East Coast of Demerara — East Coast Demerara or just ECD, for short, in any case meaning that part of Demerara east of the Demerara River and facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Parika

It is popular for its ferry service, operated by the Ministry of Transportation, to and from the Essequibo Islands and West Demerara area.

Zahra Freeth

She accompanied her husband to the bauxite mining town of Mackenzie, now known as Linden, in British Guiana (now Guyana) and wrote Run Softly, Demerara (1960) about her experiences there.


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