While historians have long documented Barbados’ links with North and South Carolina in the Americas, the connection to Shelter Island on that continent has remained largely unexplored. The History & Legacy of the Constant & Carmichael Plantations Project seeks to change that by shedding light on the role of two St. George plantations—Constant and Carmichael—in the transatlantic trade network.
The project will be executed by the campus’ department of History, Philosophy and Psychology in partnership with the Sylvestor Manor on Shelter Island. Senior lecurer Dr. Henderson Carter emphasized the significance of the study stating, “very few people in Barbados or New York are aware of this link. This project will not only uncover an important chapter of our shared history but also create valuable opportunities for academic exchange and public awareness.”
Dr. Rodney Worrell, co-researcher and Head of the Department, echoed this sentiment, adding, “while much is known about the Carolinas’ connections, this research will fill a critical void in our understanding of the Barbadian model of slavery and colonial exploitation.”
A Major Investment in Historical Research
The study, which will be led Dr. Carter as Principal Investigator, alongside co-researchers Dr. Rodney Worrell, and Dr. Cleve Scott, is expected to generate significant academic and public engagement outcomes. Researchers plan to develop a documentary detailing the Barbados-Shelter Island connection, as well as radio and social media podcasts to expand public awareness. A permanent exhibition at the Sidney Martin Library will house the project’s findings, while academic publications will contribute to ongoing research in the field.
Over the course of the project, two academic conferences will be hosted in Barbados—one in the second year and another in the final year—to provide scholars with a platform to present their discoveries and encourage further discussion on this overlooked historical link.
Uncovering a Forgotten Trade Route
According to researchers, the Sylvester family, along with merchants Thomas Rous and Thomas Middleton, established these plantations in the 1640s. The wealth generated from sugar production enabled the Sylvesters to acquire Shelter Island in 1651, setting up a trade system that saw the island supplying Barbados with timber, horses, cattle, and provisions in exchange for sugar, molasses, and rum.
Beyond trade, the study will also explore the forced movement of enslaved Africans and displaced indigenous people between Barbados and Shelter Island. Dr. Carter noted that this research could reshape understanding of migration patterns in the colonial era.
Quakers and the Moral Dilemma
A significant aspect of the study is the role of the Quakers, who sought religious refuge on Shelter Island after facing persecution in Barbados. The project will investigate the paradox of Quaker participation in a system that conflicted with their religious convictions, as well as the broader influence of Quaker leader George Fox, who visited Barbados in 1655.
Student Engagement and International Collaboration
A key feature of the initiative is its emphasis on student participation. Over three years, 60 students—20 each year—will engage in study tours to Shelter Island. Cave Hill Campus historians will collaborate with Sylvester Manor and share research findings and staff from Sylvestor Manor will also attend conferences and deliver lectures in Barbados. Other participants in the project include New York University, the Bard Graduate Center and the University of Massachusetts, Boston, whose studies will travel to Barbados for reciprocal research opportunities.
With substantial funding and institutional backing, the study is poised to bring long-overdue attention to an overlooked aspect of Caribbean and American history. As the first group of students prepares to embark on their research journey in June, scholars and the public alike await the revelations that this landmark project will bring to light.
