Over 20 high-profile politicians, athletes descended from Long Look

A community established some 250 years ago by just 25 formerly enslaved people who bought their freedom has produced more than 20 prominent politicians and world-class athletes, according to historians commemorating the anniversary of the Long Look Estate.

The BVI just commemorated the 250th anniversary of Long Look — regarded as the first free Black community in the Virgin Islands and one of the earliest in the Western Hemisphere. During those celebrations, local historians showed how the tiny community has left an extraordinary legacy that continues to shape the territory today.

Genealogical research presented by historian Bernadene Louis identified 23 current and former legislators in the BVI and the USVI who can trace their ancestry or family connections to the Long Look free people.

Among them are current leaders such as Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, Culture Minister Luce Hodge-Smith and Opposition Leader Marlon Penn. Former leaders include past Premier Dr Orlando Smith, Dr Kendrick Pickering, Leslie Franklin Malone, Terrance Lettsome, Dolores Christopher, Carvin Malone, Vernon Malone,  Alfred Frett, Neville Smith and Conrad Maduro.

Dancia Penn, Andre Penn, Omar Hodge, Hubert O’Neal, Alvaro Maduro-Caines, Walwyn Brewley and Eileen Parsons also descended from Long Look. Over in the USVI, former Governor Charles Wesley-Turnbull and former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen also had strong familial connections to Long Look.

“When we examine the history of Long Look, we discovered that its contribution to political leadership is not simply a matter of chance,” Louis said. “Rather, it is a story woven through generations of families whose values of service, integrity, resilience, and civic responsibility have been passed from one generation to the next.”

Louis said much of that leadership can be traced to four women — Margaret Nottingham and her daughters Dora, Eve and Diana — whose descendants established the Potter, Rabsatt and Pickering family lines that became deeply rooted in the community.

Discard the negative stereotype

Historian Ron Potter’s presentation noted that the community has often been unfairly dismissed with the saying that “nothing good can come out of Long Look,” but argued that its history proves otherwise.

“The free people and the early immigrants in Long Look left a legacy of leadership,” Potter said.

He noted that Long Look’s influence extends well beyond politics: Commonwealth champion Dian Crabbe, Olympic finalists Kyron McMaster and Chantel Malone, and Olympian Tahesia Harrigan-Scott were also identified as descendants of the Long Look free people.

“So if the people who represent the Virgin Islands on a world stage have a Long Look ancestry…how could that comment ‘nothing good can come out of Long Look’ apply?” Potter argued.

The historians said Long Look’s enduring legacy demonstrates how a small community founded by formerly enslaved people transformed generations of Virgin Islanders through leadership, public service, education and sporting excellence.