About
Type: Ruin
Parish: St.Philip
Founding date: 1750
See on Google Maps!
Map showing location of the Retreat/Montgomery mill
Current Status
There is no longer a mill at this site and no record to be found showing that this estate converted to steam but this estate is often ‘twinned’ with Colins also owned by William Goodwin in the late 1800’s which did convert to steam.
Estate Related History/Timeline
1829: In 1829 this estate contained 100 acres.
1851: The Antigua Almanac shows the Retreat/Montgomery of 165 acres belonging to Heirs of John J. Walter.
1891: In an 1891 Collins record book 166 acres is recorded for Retreat.
In 1835 case was brought in the Vice Chancellor’s Court against Richard Farmer, late of the island of Antigua who was visiting his family in Philadelphia, when he was unexpectedly arrested and filed suit by Jacob D. Walter, brother of John J. Walter deceased. Apparently he had left Antigua where he was a lessee of an estate (one belonging to John H. Walter supposedly) and was charged with damage of a forcible entry and possession of the premises contained in the said lease. He was allowed bail providing he signed a promissory note to pay three thousand pounds Antigua currency or six thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollar and sixty-six cents United States currency.
#47 appears to be for Retreat/Montgomery as Walker may meant to be Walter, the owners at the time. #278 may have been another estate of similar name (unknown) though the awarded amount and number of slaves are very similar.
1890s: William Goodwin purchased Collin’s (#98) along with Retreat. R.S.D. Goodwin, his son, inherited the property.
Enslaved People’s History
Based on contemporary research, we have little information to share about the enslaved peoples from this plantation at this time. We do know that Retreat was awarded £738 7 s 1 d for the liberation of 46 enslaved people when slavery was abolished in the Caribbean. The awardees were Ann Bean Walter, Jacob Daniel Walker and Peter Phillip Walker. Unsuccessful were John Braddshaw, Edward Moore, Samuel Mission Richards and John Steigenburger. Also, Retreat was awarded £738 7s 1d for 46 enslaved. The awardees were Ann Bean Walter, Jacob Daniel Walker and Peter Phillip Walker. Unsuccessful were John Braddshaw, Edward Moore, Samuel Mission Richards and John Steigenburger. We will continue our quest for more information about these vital individuals.
Ownership Chronology
Ownership from 1750 Robert Malloon
- 1790: T. Montgomery
- 1829: John J. Walter 100 acres – 255 slaves. (dec. by 1835)
- 1861: Heirs of John J. Walter 1851 & 1872 Antigua Horsford Almanac.
- 1878: D.W. Scarville
- 1891: William Goodwin (1830-1899)
- 1933: R.S.D. Goodwin (1874-1950) 1933 Camacho Map.
- 1950c: Antigua Syndicate Estates Ltd.
- 1958: Antigua Government – Crown Land