We, the descendants of Compere & Quasheba (Ma Jane), have decided to host a family reunion spanning four generations. COMPERE AND QUASHEBA were Africans enslaved in the Caribbean. Compere was born in Africa, and Quasheba in Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), child of an enslaved African woman who worked on the plantation as a bush-midwife.
These two people met at the Hermitage plantation in Grenada, and resided in that region of Grenada known as Upper Hermitage.

The name, Quasheba, suggests that we have traditions linked to the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa.  Quasheba, in Twi, means "Quashie's child", and Quashie/Quarshie/Kwasi is a male child born on Sunday.  Another name, Dada, one of Compere’s and Quasheba’s grandchildren, means“Mother” in Ewe.  The Twi and Ewe-speaking people belong to the Akan group. Based on this formation, we claim Akan heritage for the George family.

The reunion, which takes place in August 2012, will provide a wealth of information relevant not only to George descendants but also to the wider Grenadian community.  Descendants will share fascinating stories about the origin of Bishop Hill, the early occupants of upper Hermitage and ownership of Buddy, and the inter-relationships that underpin the creation not only of Hermitage but of Grenadian society.

All will discover that a simple quest of merely wanting to know more about our origins has led to what is probably one of the most significant historical journeys through Hermitage and the lives of early post-slavery settlers. Today, descendants of Compere and Quasheba are world citizens.

The reunion is inspired by some of the offspring of O’Farrel (Farrel)George, who got an enthusiastic response when they contacted other descendants of the early George settlers.  They formed a Founding Committee in Toronto, Canada, followed by a Steering Committee in Grenada. Resource Committees are located in New York, and England.

Committees