Everyone says it's a small world but no better example lately is the connection between Mikarabee Estates and my home country, Canada, and my province, New Brunswick.

The Elgin District of St. Elizabeth Parish,which dates back to pre-slavery days, was named after James Bruce Elgin, a London-born British Colonial Administrator and 8th Earl of Elgin, who became the Governor of Jamaica in 1842. He was 30 years old.

Personally, Elgin's stint in Jamaica was a series of tragedies for him. His boat was shipwrecked on his arrival to Jamaica and later, after the birth of a daughter, his wife contracted a tropical disease and died. He stayed for a little over 4 years until, in 1847, Elgin became the Governor-General of Canada.

He was the son-in-law of Lord Durham, who in 1840 had recommended that Canada be given a system of responsible government. It was Elgin who put the system into practice.

While Governor-General of Canada, Elgin signed a law that compensated French Canadians who had property destroyed during the Rebellions of 1837. It was so controversial for Elgin to do this because of anti-French sentiments. It set off riots that nearly caused Elgin's death.

I have pictures on file of Elgin and other historical photos and information. There are also books containing his journals and his descriptions of life and work in Jamaica.

I am a historian and I work in the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Canada. In my province there are two small communities named after Elgin - one is simply called Elgin and it is a farming community of about 1000 people; the other is a fishing village called Port Elgin.

If anyone is interested in more history of James Bruce Elgin, I'd be happy to bring some material with me when my husband Milt and I come to visit on February 19. We'll be at Irie Rest in Billy's Bay until April 2.

I hope this is of interest.

Wow! That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing that with us Sue.

And see ya soon!