Pilot Darrell's Square
St. George Bermuda
Born in 1749, James Darrell was one of the most respected black pilots of Bermuda. But he was a slave. In 1789, he was one of the three slave pilots who was chosen for the work that led to the discovery of Narrows Channel in Bermuda and the Murray's Anchorage.
In 1795, when British Admiral George Murray visited Bermuda, James Darrell was chosen to pilot his ship HMS Resolution and take it through the Narrows Channel to Murray's Anchorage in St. George.
The channel was full of treacherous reefs, but Darrell guided the ship safely with his great navigational skill. Admiral Murray was so impressed that he recommended the slave be granted freedom. In 1796, James Darrell became free and was the first documented black man to own a house in Bermuda.
Pilot Darrell's House, Bermuda
Photo: James Willamor, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Darrell purchased a house on Silk Alley, in St. George's. This house is also known as Hermit's Court. The area where his house is located, has been named after him as Pilot Darrell's Square. Admiral Murray later formed the King's Pilots and Darrell was one of the first to be appointed. Pilot Darrell died in 1815 at the age of 64. His descendants still live in the house.
Photo: James Willamor, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Location
Silk Alley, St. George's
Bus Routes: #1, 3, 10, 11 (operate between Hamilton City and St George)
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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