CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IN our continued effort of featuring some notable residents of Nevis in the buildup to the island’s biggest cultural event, Culturama, which is in its 35th year, this week SKNVibes has spoken with 66-year-old Joseph ‘Sammy’ Freeman of Stoney Grove.
Among the issues briefly touched on by this father of nine were Culturama and his experience on the MV Christina which sank on August 1, 1970 on its way from St. Kitts to Nevis.
How did you get the nickname Sammy? – This came from my grandfather.
What are your views on crime? - They should torture them (criminals). Pull out them toe nail and finger nail. Them doing too much wrong. No sorry for them.
Do you go to church? Yes, I am a Methodist.
What are your views on Culturama? – I am glad Culturama is coming. I can sing the country and western songs and I can entertain with the blowing of my pipe.
What do you get from blowing the pipe? It reminds me of the old soldier days. Blowing the trumpet was. My favourite tune was slow march and the Last Post.
How are you treated by the public? – They treat me good
What do you recall about your experience on the Christina? I was on that boat. The boat was full; it was raining and everyone ran for shelter so the boat was full at one end. The back of the boat went down in the water and caused the boat to spin around, turning the front back to the direction it came from, which is St. Kitts. Demons were on the boat. A man dressed in all black sat next to the captain. When the boat when down I jumped off into the water, but before that I gave the bag of breadfruit which I had to King Bankie to help him float.
I saved a woman and she turned round and married an Antigua man even though she promised to marry to me. I saw Sea Hunter coming from the Cliff Della region and it came to our rescue. When we reach by the pier in Nevis a big black bird was on the pier surrounding the dead ones that the boat brought in. It did not matter what we did to run the bird, it never moved. That was just to prove that a demon was present. I was frightened but I had the heart of a soldier. Two of my aunts were among the many who died on that boat. Alberta Freeman and Tymer Freeman were my aunts. Brother Freeman’s first wife, Gusto Freeman, also died.
