The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

GENERATIONS from now, how will young Bahamians view history? Through exuberant eyes or with questions?

What is celebrated today in and around Fox Hill goes further than culture, food, music and a sense of community. It is greater than the climbing of the greased pole. Today Fox Hill acknowledges history: the pains, dreams and prayers of their slave forebears.

Most of all Fox Hill Day is a commemoration of 1834, when it took a little over a week for the message of freedom and deliverance to move from Gambier Village, down the shores of Bay Street and along the prosperous Eastern Road to their beloved Fox Hill community. For years, there were dreams of freedom. There were only thoughts of what joys rewarded labour could bring. From the inception of slavery these were the prayers and murmurs of slaves throughout the islands of the Bahamas.

The identity of the culture and principles cherished throughout the Bahamas are rooted in the struggles and pains of these people.

The message delivered in 1834 called for the end of slavery. However today, 180 years later, another message is en route to Fox Hill. It is entitled “Remembrance”.

Named after Samuel Fox, a Negro who came to the area around 1752 and took up residence on government-granted farm land, located at modern day St Augustine’s Monastery, Fox Hill has forever been rooted in hard work and perseverance.

Although at times overlooked and forgotten, Fox Hill played a vital part in the national development of the Bahamas. Being the home to many freed slaves from the Bahamas and North America, the community acted as the incubator for many of the modern food, religious practices and social norms preserved in the archipelago.

For those that need reminding why Fox Hill Day is being recognised and celebrated, they should remember the days of Florence Cox bundling her dillies in three baskets. Two for the handlebars on her bicycle and the other for her head. And the days of Prestor S Moss loading his flour, rice and cigarettes onto the back of his truck to take to his grocer on Bernard Road.

It was Fox Hill resident Dr Philip Rahming that wrote the national song “God Bless Our Sunny Clime”, which was the runner up to the National Anthem. Dr Rahming is also responsible for penning the National Pledge. Dr Leopold D Cox was the subcontractor responsible for Princess Margaret Hospital.

Fox Hill was home to townships belonging to the Joshu, Nongo, Burnside and Congo tribes. From those emerged families and a community. The community of Fox Hill is one that requires mention in any discussion about Bahamian development and identity. So today, people can break from their daily errands to partake in the history being shared in Fox Hill.