Twenty-Nine Years in the West Indies and Central Africa
A Review of Missionary Work and Adventure, 1829–1858

An important account of missionary work in the West Indies and Nigeria at a time of great social change.

Hope Masterton Waddell (Author)

9781108016698, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 September 2010

708 pages, 6 b/w illus. 4 maps
21.6 x 14 x 4 cm, 0.9 kg

This vivid account of the missionary work of the Rev. Hope Masterton Waddell in the West Indies and Central Africa was first published in 1863. During his sixteen years in Jamaica he witnessed the slave revolt and the aftermath of the abolition of slavery. The mission helped former slaves adapt to freedom in new communities. In 1846 he left Jamaica for Calabar in West Africa (now part of Nigeria), and his narrative is one of the best European accounts of pre-colonial Africa. The mission was concerned with ending local practices such as polygamy, human sacrifice and witchcraft, and Waddell formed a close relationship with King Eyo. The book gives considerable detail about the history and culture of the area, as well as on the work of the mission. His work in Calabar is still commemorated there in the Hope Waddell Training Institute, Duke Town.

Preface
1. 1829. Call to missionary work
2. 1830–1831. Settled at Cornwall
3. 1832. Rumours of a servile war
4. 1832–1833. Consequences of the insurrection
5. 1834–1835. Voyage to Scotland
6. 1836–1837. Church collections
7. 1837–1838. Site for new church
8. 1838-1840. Apprenticeship and freedom
9. 1841–1844. Journey to south side
10. 1841–1845. Mission to Africa
11. 1845. The past of Africa
12. 1846. The Calabar Mission adopted and encouraged at home
13. 1846. Disarrangements
14. 1846. Visit to Bonny
15. 1846–1847. Arrangements in Clarence
16. 1847. Early history of Calabar people, and affairs of Creek Town, Old Town, and New or Duke Town
17. 1847. Calabar river and harbour
18. 1847. Death of King Eyamba
19. 1847–1848. Mission-house at Creek Town
20. 1848–1849. Return to Scotland
21. 1850. Mate of mission ship
22. 1850. Horrid doings at Creek Town
23. 1850. Human sacrifices at Ebunda
24. 1851. Visit to a farm
25. 1851. Trial for witchcraft in Creek Town
26. 1852. Death of King Archibong
27. 1852. Fate of Mr. Chisholm
28. 1853-1854. Letter from the mission carpenter
29. 1855. Old Town affairs
30. 1856. Consul and Man-of-war again
31. 1857. School labours
32. 1858. School labours
33. 1858. Death of King Eyo
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH]