Page 53 - BLACK HISTORY IN BERMUDA red

Partner Skit: Meet Charles Roach Ratteray

Ratteray: Hi I am Charles Roach Ratteray. Have you heard of me?

Student: Yes. Didn’t you grow up in Somerset and became a very skilled sailor and
shipbuilder?

Ratteray: That’s right! I was born in 1799 in Bahamas and came to Bermuda as a
five-year-old and was brought up by two dear ladies who raised me after
my mother died. I was able to learn how to read and write and learn all
the skills needed to build sailing boats and ships. My sailing ships went
all over the Caribbean and all the way to England. They carried onions
and other vegetables grown in Bermuda.

Student: I also heard that you were a very good businessman and that you owned
land and houses.

Ratteray: That is right! I also made money as a dairy farmer and I was able to earn
enough money to buy three houses and 26 acres of land. An important
part of owning land in those days was that I was allowed to vote.

Student: Yes, I hear that during times of slavery, slaves were not allowed to vote
and after Emancipation only men who owned property could vote

Ratteray: Yes, that is right. Women and people who didn’t own land were not allowed
to vote until much later.

Student: You became religious at some point in your life. What happened?

Ratteray: On a sailing trip to the West Indies we were hit by a violent storm and I
feared death as the weather became horrendous. After coming through
the storm alive, I promised the Lord I would dedicate the remainder of
my days to Him if my life was spared. I helped to get the property for
the Wesley Methodist Church and I also helped to build it. I also enjoyed
preaching at this church.

Student: Well Mr. Ratteray, you should be proud of your contribution to Bermuda.
Today you are recognised as an energetic, enterprising black man who
had an impact on many Bermudian lives.

bermuda national trust | black history in bermuda | 53