Dr Rita Pemberton
The class structure of post-emancipation Tobago was heavily influenced by colour and with it nationality, wealth, the means to generate wealth, and the ability to exert administrative and political influence. Given its history as a British plantation colony, it was clear that from the start of the island’s existence as a British possession, white British males were positioned to be at the top of the class structure. All the island’s accessible land resources were apportioned to white males who could afford the prices on their own or with the backing of financiers in Britain. There were also some white male purchasers, such as Cedney Clarke, who owned and operated a sugar plantation in Barbados, the flagship of the conduct of enslavement in the region. At the top of the social ladder, Tobago’s society was very patriarchal because the presence of white women on the island was minimal, since the island’s environment was not considered salubrious for delicate white women.
Shortly after the land purchases were completed and the work on the plantations was operative with the introduction of captive Africans to constitute the labour force, the new owners requested and were granted the privilege of constituting a government for the island under the old representative system. Plantation owners therefore controlled land and labour and as members of the island’s Council and Assembly, they were involved in policy decision-making.
One of the very first challenges they faced was the spate of rebellions, which almost decimated the nascent sugar industry, and highlighted the position and problems of the labouring class and the vulnerabilities of the white ruling class.
The business of sugar production was heavily dependent on trade and shipping to facilitate the movement of exports of sugar and its by-products and imports of food and other essential items for the population, in addition to the movement of mail between the administration in the colony and the imperial government. It followed the rigid timetable with which the ships operated. Hence, there was a mercantile presence which also functioned as the financial sector, which was required to support estates’ needs. British merchant houses, which monopolised the handling of the business of Tobago planters, established business operations. Some of these were run by their agents, who also managed shipping arrangements, gave loans and credit to planters and formed a part of the island’s ruling class. Given the small size of the white population, it was common for the combination of responsibilities to be housed in a few individuals. There were planter/ merchant/ attorney or lessee/managers combinations who also served as members of the Assembly or Council which for a time tightened the hold of wealthy white males on all aspects of life.
At the instructions of the imperial government, the island’s administration was supported by a group of professionals or people with professional titles because some lacked formal training in the areas to which they w
