EX-politician of Anguilla James Ronald Webster excited about the VR-research

Source picture: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

While visiting Sint Maarten in November 2007, Malaki took a trip to Anguilla to meet mr. Ronald Webster, ex-politician of Anguilla regarding the VR- Research Project. Mr. Corville of The Heritage Museum in Anguilla recommended to call mr. Webster. A quick call and mr. Webster was happy to meet us. Driving up to a beautiful area in Anguilla we found his nice white house. Mr. Webster and his wife were very happy to receive us at his home. We sat down and talked about the research and asked mr. Webster about the van Romond's. He talked about D.C. van Romondt and showed us a picture of Ms. Josie who he dearly loved.

Mr. Webster inherit the property Mary's Fancy from mr. D.C. van Romondt, better known as " The King of Tintamarre". Mr. D.C. van Romondt's partner was ms. Josie a woman of colour and was godmother to Roland Webster.

Source picture: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Mr. Ronald Webster gave Malaki a copy of his book " Scrapbook of Anguila's Revolution" about his political career and where he also mentioned the property he inherited from mr. D.C. van Romondt.

" On page 6 of the book Ronald Webster writes the following chapter : "GROWING UP IN HARD TIMES/FROM RAGS TO RICHES"
I was born on March 2, 1926, at Island Harbour. My parents produced sixteen children, of whom eight survived. My father worked as a fisherman, did a bit of farming and operated a small shop, which my mother used to run in his absence. I attended the East End school, run by the St. Kitts government and remained there until I reached the sixth grade. Just before my tenth birthday, my brother, a sister and I travelled to Dutch Sint Martin in search for work. There was no work to be had in Anguilla those days.

Source: Eleanor O'Malley (USA)

I got employment at the Mary's Fancy Estate, owned by D.C. van Romondt, and was able to improve on my education while I carried out certain duties on the farm. I worked extremely hard at different jobs and looked after a number of animals. One of my regular chores was to distribute large amounts of fresh cow's milk to customers at various part of Sint Martin. I worked there for over twenty-seven years, during while time I was treated like an adopted son. Mr. van Romondt died in 1948, and his wife, in 1958. On their passing, the entire estate was willed to me. I inherit 300 acres of prime land, a large dwelling house and all the stock. Good fortune smiled on me, to the tune of about U.S. $ 1.5. million. I returned to Anguilla in 1960, the year after hurricane Donna".



Source picture: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Ronald Webster (born 2 March 1926) is a politician from Anguilla. He served as the island territory's Chief Minister from 10 February 1976 to 1 February 1977 and again from May 1980 to 12 March 1984.
Prior to serving as Chief Minister, Webster was designated "President" of Anguilla when the territory declared its "independence" from the United Kingdom in 1967, although this was not recognized by the UK or the international community. Ronald Webster is one of the founder and board members of the Caribbean Commercial Bank in Anguilla.

Mr. Ronald Webster is one of the guests of honor at the upcoming VR-reunion and we are happy to have him at the opening!