Winthropes
Winthropes | |
|---|---|
Former village | |
Winthropes | |
| Coordinates: 17°08′22.67″N 61°47′21.42″W / 17.1396306°N 61.7892833°W | |
| Country | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Parish | Saint George |
| Population (1856) | |
• Total | 309 |
Winthropes was a village in Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda. Winthropes developed around a sugar plantation established in 1638 and was named after Samuel Winthrop, the eldest son of John Winthrop, a former Massachusetts governor. In 1678, this plantation had a population of 6 whites and 67 blacks.[1] In 1856, Winthropes had a population of 309 people in 71 homes.[2]
In the 1940s, the United States decided to build an airbase here (now the V. C. Bird International Airport). The people of the village, except for a white family known as the MacDonalds, were forced to leave. While there was initially some tension between the Americans and the village elders, the United States promised to build a "model village" in another part of the island. During the negotiations, the United States fenced their base and Winthropes residents were required to show a pass to come and leave. Bulldozers were also sent by the Americans to destroy gardens and encourage their departure. Eventually, an American-funded village, New Winthropes, was established near Barnes Hill on 2 April 1942.[3]
References
- ^ "Winthorpes – Antigua Sugar Mills". Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ^ Commons, Great Britain Parliament House of (1858). Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons. Ordered to be printed.
- ^ "The New Winthorpes Story". Retrieved 2026-06-14.