John Powell was the English captain of the "Olive Blossom" which landed in Barbados in 1625. They landed in what is now called Holetown, located in St. James, but formerly called Jamestown.
The English fell in love with the land and decided to come back two years later to settle in Barbados. Eighty English settlers came and set up their homes here in this land.
Life was difficult at the time. Water was scarce and the vegetation was extremely thick, but the settlers were resilient. They endured and overcame these hardships. They brought Indians from nearby islands and forced them to plant crops like cotton, corn and yam.
By 1639, about eighteen hundred settlers now called Barbados their new home. Sir William Courteenwas the overseer of the island and under his astute leadership and vision, the country became wealthy and the settlers were happy.
Holetown stands out in Barbadian history because it was on that spot that the English first landed and claimed Barbados for the King of England, King James. John Powell wrote the famous words on a tree, "James K. of E. and this island." They can be read on the monument which stands out like a beacon on the West Coastof Barbados for all the world to see and admire.
1. According to the passage, who or what was the "Olive Blossom"?
2. In what year did the English settle in Barbados?
3. What word in paragraph 1 shows that Holetown was not the town's original name?
4. What were the obstacles faced by the early settlers?
5. How did the Indians help the English settlers?
6. What is suggested by the line, "By 1639 about eighteen hundred settlers now called Barbados their new home"?
7. Why would Holetown always be important in the history of Barbados?
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