On the Outskirts of Eden; Exploring the Roots of Creole Society in the Virgin Islands, 1492 – 1672

Description

“On the Outskirts of Eden; Exploring the Roots of Creole Society in the Virgin Islands, 1492 – 1672” by David Knight Sr, explores the emergence of creole society in the Virgin Islands during the years following early European contact with indigenous people, and before Danish colonization.

Knight has researched Virgin Islands history for decades and written several books. This newest volume, being released in November 2024, is the result of five years of research, but really pulls from all of Knight’s research.

Much of the research regarding the history of the Virgin Islands focuses on the Danish colonial period, and the early period after the US purchased the islands in 1917. Knight’s book however focuses on the earliest European colonial period, between 1492 and 1672. In other words, the 200 years before St. Thomas became a Danish colony. Knight’s book discusses the European presence on and around the island before the Danes. This period includes European contact with indigenous populations that lived in the Caribbean. European presence included Spanish, Dutch, English, and French.

Knight’s book explores the children that resulted from the European men and indigenous women. Creole children, and the creole society that would continue to form from the intermingling of people. When the Danish West Indian Company took control of St. Thomas in 1672, there were creoles (people born in the West Indies) among the early settlers. Knight’s research highlights that by 1686, when the first comprehensive census was compiled, nearly 50 percent of the island’s population were Creoles. And many were women.

Knight’s book includes 26 illustrations such as historical maps and drawings, narrative based on his research of primary sources, and reference sections. The book is hard cover and 104 pages.

Contents of “On the Outskirts of Eden; Exploring the Roots of Creole Society in the Virgin Islands, 1492 – 1672”

Prologue (Expectations of Eden) – P. 9
A few words about the term “Creole” – P. 11

Part I: Sex, Lies, and Gothic Script – P. 13
Introduction – P. 14
The Sons of Sea Rovers and Daughters of Eden – P. 16
The Emergence of Creole Society in the West Indies – P. 20
Northern European Incursions into the Lesser Antilles c. 1570–1665 – P. 23
A Timeline of Northern European Colonization in the Lesser Antilles 1615 to 1665 – P. 27
The Indigenous Conundrum – P. 32
A Maelstrom of Change – P. 33
An Uneasy Peace – P. 38

Part II: Princes, Thieves, and The Sable Venus – P. 43
An Object of Desire – P. 44
The Danish Annexation of St. Thomas in the Virgins Archipelago – P. 46
Gleaning the Rabble – P. 50
Emporium of the Devil – P. 52
The African Solution – P. 55
Searching for the Children of Eden – P. 57
Lifting the Veil – P. 60
End Note – P. 72

Introduction to the Appendices – P. 73
Appendix I: Governor Iversen’s list of the first St. Thomas Planters – P. 74
Appendix II: “Memorial of persons who are on St. Thomas” dated July 4, 1680 – P. 75
Appendix III: St. Thomas deeds confirmed by Governor Iversen in July of 1680 – P. 78
Appendix IV: May 15, 1686, list of all “Inhabitants and Planters found on St. Thomas” – P. 83

References – P. 84
Index – P. 99