Rulers · fl. c. 1800s–1830s
King Freeman of Grand Bassa
Bassa coastal ruler at the St John river mouth, controller of the camwood and rice trade of the Bassa littoral.
Biography
The Bassa coast between the Mesurado and the Cestos was a chain of independent towns rather than a single kingdom, and the men European captains called kings were town-heads whose reach ran a few miles inland and a few miles along the shore.
Freeman's importance lay in the St John estuary: rice from the Bassa interior, camwood floated down the river, and later palm oil all passed through his landing. He dealt with British and American captains on his own terms, setting the customs to be paid before trade opened.
Historical significance
Demonstrates the coastal 'landlord–stranger' system: foreigners traded only under a resident ruler's protection, and paid for it.
Timeline
- c. 1800Camwood and rice trade at the St John mouth
- c. 1820Regular dealings with American and British captains
- 1830sBassa Cove settlement founded in his neighbourhood
On the map
Associated with Grand Bassa. Open the historical atlas.
Related entries
References
- Dunn, D. Elwood; Beyan, Amos J. & Burrowes, Carl Patrick (2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia.
- Brooks, George E. (1972). The Kru Mariner in the Nineteenth Century.
Suggested reading
- Brooks (1972).