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Europeans
The
Corsicans
Corsica, a
Mediterranean island, went through some significant
political upheavals in the 18th century. After
coming under the rule of Genoa for approximately
500 years, the people of the island spent 40 years
fighting for their independence in a series of
revolts, culminating in 14 years of autonomy.
Corcisa was "given" to France in 1768 as part of
the Treaty of Vesailles.
A former rebel
leader, who had been appointed governor of Corsica
by the King of France in 1790, turned the isalnd
over to the English in 1794, rather than be tried
for his support of the Bourbons. This
Anglo-Corsican alliance only lasted for 2 years,
until 1796, when the French regained control.
According to an article in The
Book of
Trinidad,
this is the time frame in which the "Corsican
Immigration" to Trinidad occurred, perhaps due to
nobles from Corsica island seeking a new
home.
In any case, the
Corscians weren't there very long before the island
was taken by the English. Don Simon Agostini, a
Corsican immigrant, was one of the first
capitulants to take the oath of allegiance to
England. The Agostini's are still a prominent
family in Trinidad.
(The
information on this page was obtained primarily
from The
Book of Trinidad, edited by Gérard A.
Besson, and Bridget M. Brereton. Port-of-Spain:
Paria Publishing Company Ltd., 1991.)
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