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Our Heritage

While being proud of our captains, we must not forget that Sabans have also made great accomplishments in other fields as well.
Tempered by his harsh surroundings and forced to emigrate, success to the Saban abroad became a must. Failure abroad could have meant returning home to face the hard struggle for survival from which he already had tried to free himself. His success abroad could also mean a better life for his immediate kin left behind.
Sabans have proven to be remarkably adjustable abroad to any situation in which they may have found themselves. They generally emigrated to Barbados, Bermuda and the United States. However, some went to Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela etc., and their descendants are still living there.
A Dutch member of Parliament who visited Saba after World War II, in a news paper interview on his arrival back in Holland, commented on some Sabans, who, in his opinion had done well:

Dudley Simmons, the Captain of the first ship that arrived in Algiers during World War II is a Saban. Born on Saba of Saba parents who belong to the most prominent of that place. Benjamin Holm, a chemist of repute in the United States, is born of an old well known Saba family. Lovelock Holm, Saban, is President of the Jersey Oil fields. Ned Peterson, now with Western Union Wheat Field, was previously known as Vice President of one of the banks on Wall Street. He is of Saban birth. Sydney Leverock has a Bachelor of Science degree. The capitol of Saba is also called Leverock's Town, because of the prominent place occupied by the Leverock family on that island. The brothers Arthur and Harold Hassell are respectively Major and Captain in the military range of the United States. Anton Hassell is the president of Bata's Shoe Factory in Yugoslavia. Countless Sabans have given themselves up as volunteers either in our army or in the U.S. Army. In World War I not less than 110 Sabans were Naval Officers, all in the service of Uncle Sam's Navy. About 500 Sabans are working in Aruba and Curacao, and we all know that they acquired very good names there.
It is noteworthy, that a small population like that of Saba, numbering 1000 souls, has produced such sons. Is it the mercilessness of the mountains that strengthens? Is tenacity acquired out of the endurance that is necessary to climb the countless trails from one top of Saba to another? Is it that same quality, the hard struggle against the sea that surrounded by the other nations made Europe's Netherlanders great?

In our own research we have come up with a large number of prominent Sabans. A brief description of some of them follows:

Arthur S. Hassell was a brilliant young man who, as Victor Borges would put it, was born in the U.S.A., because his parents happened to be there at the time of his birth. Both his father and mother were born and bred on Saba. His father, William James Hassell, born on Saba in 1871, was a well known sea captain. His mother, Florence A. Hassell born Every, was born on Saba in 1873.
As the boy Arthur grew, parents and instructors discovered his talents. They did their level best to have them developed and promoted. He grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a good athlete. He was awarded a Ph.D. from Brown University in 1926 and Master of Business Administration in 1929. His activities as Account Executive, as President, Treasurer and General Manager of various businesses would fill pages.
During his military career he served as Aide to the Commanding General and Assistant G-3, Plans and Training. He went overseas with the VI corps and served in North Africa, Germany and Algiers (General Eisenhower's Headquarters). He was discharged in the U.S.A. as Colonel and awarded a Bronze Star and three Theatre Service Ribbons.
He later served as Professor at the University of Hartford (Connecticut) and was also Chairman of the Department of Marketing and Business Administration. He last visited Saba accompanied by his wife in 1971.

View of Windwardside and Mt. Scenery - 1890.

Theodore Hassell, son of Archie Hassell of Windwardside, visited Saba for the first time in 1969, accompanied by his wife and children.
Mr. Hassell designed and helped to construct the dummy robot for the space clothing test of the Gemini Program, while working for Chance Vought Aircraft in 1964. In 1969 when he visited Saba he was working on the ABM (Anti Ballistic Missile) program for the Douglas Aircraft Corporation.

Dr. Moses L. Cossley was born in Saba in 1885, and died in the U.S.A. in 1971. The following was written about him in newspapers in the U.S.A. at the time of his death:

Dr. Moses L. Crossley, a Brown University alumnus who in 1947 received a gold medal from the American Institute of Chemist for his work in the development of sulfa drugs, died Friday in Hagerstown, Maryland after a long illness. He was 86. After his retirement in 1950 as director of research for the American Cyanamid company in Stamford, Connecticut, he served as a professor of biological research at Rutgers University. During that time , he participated in research in the chemotherapy of cancer and was instrumental in the development of cancer treatment drugs such as TEM and TEPA. A trustee emeritus of Brown University, from which he graduated in 1909, he received the Brown Bear award from the Brown University Club in New York in 1940. His selection as a recipient of the award from the American Institute of Chemists was in recognition of his leadership in research and his activities on behalf of the profession of chemistry. Dr. Crossley, an expert on dyes and pharmaceuticals, had a leading part in the research on the relation of molecular structure to colour in organic compounds. He directed research which led to the discovery and industrial development of sulfa drugs, and conducted a fundamental study of the chemistry of infectious diseases. Dr. Crossley received Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Brown, and in 1944 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University. After his graduation from Brown, he remained for two years as instructor of chemistry. Later he was Head of the Chemistry Department at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by Wesleyan. In 1918, he became the Chief Chemist of the former Claco Chemical Company, Bound Brook, New Jersey, which later became part of the American Cyanamid, for which he acted as Director of research. Dr. Crossley was a trustee emeritus of Union College of Cranford, New Jersey, and a Past President of the Institute of Chemists and the Academy of Science. He published more than 100 papers on educational and scientific subjects, and was a delegate to several of the world congresses on sciences.

Howard Lovelace Hassell was born in New York March 4th, 1923. His father Hubert Lovelace Hassell was born in St. John's, Saba, November 2nd 1896, and was Captain of Standard Oil Ships for many years. His mother Evelyn Hassell born Leverock, was also born in St. John's, on February 2nd, 1898.
Mr. Hassell received the following degrees: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, Master of Administration from Columbia University, Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry) from Cornell University. He served in the U.S. Army Special Engineering Detachment--Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.
When he visited Saba in 1971, he was working for Shell Oil Company, Emeryville, California, assigned to Synthetic Rubber Division. He researched the chemistry of Macromolecules. Upon completion of the Manhattan Project, Mr. Hassell received the following letter:

Dear Mr. Hassell,

We wish to acknowledge, by means of this letter, your contribution to work on the atomic bomb. The success of the Manhattan Project was only made possible by the splendid work of my members of the Special Engineering Department.
According to your group leader, you are to particularly be commended for the high quality of the work done by you as a member of the chemistry group. You joined the group June 4th 1945 and tool part in important work involving the chemical processing of plutonium. You assisted in the construction of equipment and with the maintenance as well as with the improvement of the chemical process. You are invited to use this letter as a reference.
Very truly yours, J.R. Oppenheimer, Director.

As recently as the Vietnam War, at least seven Sabans fought in the Armed Services of the United States. Mr. Cyril E. Hassell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The reasons given for this award were:

For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Hassell distinguished himself by exceptionally valourous action on June 29th, 1969, while serving as a fire team leader with the 31st infantry on that date. The company was conducting search and clear operations near TU when it came under intense hostile rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese army force. In the ensuing battle Sergeant Hassell and the remainder of the point element were pinned down in an exposed forward position.
Quickly assessing the tactical situation, Sergeant Hassell skillfully deployed his comrades to more tenable positions and directed effective retaliatory fire on the determined insurgents. His courage and timely actions prevented the enemy soldiers from completing a strategic flanking maneuver, and were instrumental in minimizing friendly casualties.

Closer to home in the Caribbean Islands, Sabans also made names for themselves. A prominent Saban who died just a few years ago and who last visited Saba in 1972, was the Hon. George R. Simmons, who served as Administrator of the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands for 19 years.
The following story is taken from the Wesleyan Holiness Advocate of 1976:

October 15th 1885, was the day on which a later famous Saban, Mrs. Irene Blyden-Taylor, was born. The place, Saba, a very beautiful, but also very small rocky island jutting high up over the sea, like the times, offered very limited opportunities for her early development. Though place and time denied her the privilege of early schooling, God had plans to harness, develop, and use the many talents of this remarkable woman. She was converted at the age of eighteen, when the Reverend and Mrs. Moulton visited Saba as part of their tour of the West Indies. Events moved not only with a new accelerated pace, but also with that amazing synchronization which for the Christian demonstrates not only divine direction, but divine control. It seems quite evident that her surrender to the Lord was entire and complete.
Soon after her conversion she was employed by the Moultons as their domestic helper. Thus began an association which was eventually to take her away from Saba to the places and people among whom she was to spend the rest of her life in Kingdom Building. Shortly after her conversion, the Moultons left Saba and continued their tour of the islands reaching as far as Guyana. So rapidly did Sister Irene Blyden grow in the grace of God that she became a local Preacher and conducted many evangelistic services during that three year period which the Moultons spent on the tour. The impact which she created from the onset was very significant, as God honored his word and her Ministry in each service. The next major step in Miss Blyden's life was taken when the Moultons, on seeing her potential, decided to take her to North America with them. This was in 1906, and having succeeded in entering God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, that very year her formal education began. She was then twenty-one. Having no money to pay her school fees she worked her way through school serving tables. It was there that Alfred Taylor met her. She left school in 1910 when the Moultons were returning to the West Indies, hoping to return to complete her schooling, but such was the need in Nevis that when the tour ended she answered the call and began her full-time Ministry there.
Always musically inclined she had learned to play the piano, organ and guitar at school. She carried around a portable organ wherever she preached. She was a gifted player and singer, as well as an outstanding and dynamic Preacher, one with strong charismatic personality. She became a mother to many and particularly to her several adopted children. She built up a special visitation Ministry supplying clothing and money, even helping to find homes for the destitute. Working with her husband, Richard Alfred Taylor, they pioneered and established most of the churches now in Nevis. The Taylor Memorial Wesleyan Holiness Church, in Charlestown, Nevis, is a fitting monument to the great labours of love of this heroine of the Faith.
Her son, Mr. Arthur Wingrove Taylor is now General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Holiness Church for the Caribbean area.

Leo A.I. Chance was born on Saba November 8th, 1932. After completing elementary school he continued his education on St. Maarten. Later he started working in Aruba for Lago Oil & Transport Co. There he attended Navigation School where he obtained his license as mate. He was later Captain of the 'Esso San Nicolas', 'Esso Oranjestad' and the government-owned tugboat the 'Arikok'. On May 26th, 1959 he was elected as a member of the Island Council of Aruba. He was re-elected April 29th, 1963, and again on May 26th, 1967. In 1966, he was elected as a member of Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles. In 1969 he was re-elected and obtained the largest amount of preferential votes in the island of Aruba. He was Minister of Communication and Transportation from 1969 to 1973. He was re-elected to the Legislature in 1973, and again in 1977. Mr. Chance has been Minister of Justice and Vice Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles since 1976. He served almost continuously as Minister in various Cabinets from 1969 until 1987. In 1988 he was awarded the high honorary distinction of Commander of the Dutch Lion by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Eugenius Achilles Johnson was born and raised in the village of Hell's Gate. He started working as a clerk for the Government in 1950, and for a number of years had to walk up and down the trails leading to The Bottom, in order to get to work and back home again. His dedication to his job resulted in his being appointed Administrator of Saba in 1971. He was Knighted in 1977 by Her Majesty Queen Juliana for his dedication to the people of Saba. After he retired from the Government service Eugenius found his real niche in life in the Lions Club. He has been a very active member of this club, resulting in his being the first Saban ever to be elected in 1988 as Governor of District 60B, which encompasses most of the Caribbean Islands from Jamaica to Trinidad.

Henry Carlyle Every was born on Saba September 4th, 1933. He died January 14, 1984 in Middelburg, Holland, and was buried in English Quarter, Saba, January 26th, 1984. He first obtained his Senior College (HBS) diploma, and then became a lawyer in 1954.
On October 30th, 1968, he obtained his Doctor of Law Degree. In 1954 he was appointed as Court Recorder at the Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles. In 1957 he was transferred to the Department of taxes, and in September of that year to the General Secretariat. In March 1960, Mr. Every was transferred to Saba , where he carried out the duties of Administrator, Notary Public, Federal and Island Treasurer, Head of the Post Office and Conservator of Mortgages.
In 1964 he was transferred to Aruba to the Central Office of Judicial and Central Affairs. In 1969 he became Head of the Central Office for Personnel Affairs. From September 10th, 1971, until October 8th, 1971, he was Acting Lieutenant Governor of the Windward Islands. In August 1973 he was appointed a member of the Court of Justice, and on Friday, May 7th 1976, he was sworn in as life-time Judge. This took place at a formal session of the court of Justice in the presence of many of his friends and family, and witnessed by the aforementioned Minister of Justice L.A.I. Chance.

Floyd Every, a well-known school teacher and brother of Henry Every died at the age of 45 in 1979 and is buried with his mother Mrs. Leona Every in the Springfield Cemetery at St. Kitts. Their sister Mrs. Barbara Kassab, a talented artist, lives at St. Kitts with her husband and children. Her paintings have been presented to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as well as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands!

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Content © Will Johnson 1979, 1983 and 1989 - Third Edition - Copyright © CaribSeek 2003 - All Rights Reserved.