Samuel Nicholson (1743 – December 28, 1811) was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy . Along with shipwright George Claghorn he oversaw the building of USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), and Nicholson was that ship's first commander.
90-617: The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, Samuel Nicholson was born in Chestertown, Maryland . He married Mary Dowse, sister of Edward Dowse , on February 9, 1780, and had "a large family of children". They lived in Dedham, Massachusetts , and at least three of their daughters were baptized in the Episcopal Church there. Nicholson was a captain in the Continental Navy . He served as
180-680: A Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection with the US military, as covered under Article 98 . In January 2008, Dominica joined the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas . Both male and female same-sex sexual activity were criminalized in Dominica in the 19th century during the colonial era. In April 2024, Dominican attorney-at-law Cara Shillingford persuaded the High Court of Justice to overturn
270-563: A humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. As of the census of 2010, there were 5,252 people, 1,971 households, and 984 families living in the town. The population density was 2,020.0 inhabitants per square mile (779.9/km ). There were 2,361 housing units at an average density of 908.1 per square mile (350.6/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 74.2% White , 20.4% African American , 0.3% Native American , 1.8% Asian , 1.0% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of
360-399: A landslide caused by the heavy rains crushed their house. In another incident two people were injured when a tree fell on their house. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit estimated that 100 to 125 homes were damaged, and that the agricultural sector was extensively damaged, in particular the banana crop. In August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika caused extensive flooding and landslides across
450-569: A lieutenant aboard Bonhomme Richard under John Paul Jones who at the time was commander of Deane , which was used to capture three British sloops-of-war . Nicholson also commanded Dolphin in 1776. By the time the American Revolution was finally won there were few ships to speak of in the young American Navy. The navy, like the army, was largely disbanded, with many naval vessels being sold or turned into merchantman vessels. Now that America had won its independence it no longer had
540-439: A prize : off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina , on 8 September, she intercepted Niger , a 24-gun ship sailing with a French crew en route from Jamaica to Philadelphia , claiming to have been under the orders of Great Britain. Perhaps not understanding his orders correctly, Nicholson had the crewmen imprisoned, placed a prize crew aboard Niger , and brought her into Norfolk, Virginia . Constitution sailed south again
630-584: A county to be in Progressive Farmer's Best Places list, they hold them to the usual standards — good schools, health care, safety and other desirable qualities. But what makes Kent stand out is its residents' resolve to maintain a solid rural heritage." On the first Friday of each month, Chestertown residents, as well as neighboring towns' residents make their way down to Chestertown's main street. Many shops open their doors to visitors and put their merchandise on display. This event draws many people from
720-427: A destination for tourists interested in whale-watching . The Commonwealth of Dominica is engaged in a long-running dispute with Venezuela over Venezuela's territorial claims to the sea surrounding Isla de Aves (literally Bird Island, but in fact called 'Bird Rock' by Dominican authorities), a tiny islet located 140 miles (225 km) west of the island of Dominica. Dominica is a parliamentary democracy within
810-475: A few years the government sought to encourage the island as an ecotourism destination, although the hurricane of 2017 has since changed these plans. The country had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 1.06/10, ranking it 166th globally out of 172 countries. There are two primary population centres: the capital Roseau (with 14,725 inhabitants in 2011) and Portsmouth (with 4,167 inhabitants in 2011). The main centres tend to be located around
900-430: A group of sperm whales live in this area year-round. Other cetaceans commonly seen in the area include spinner dolphins , pantropical spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins . Less commonly seen animals include killer whales , false killer whales , pygmy sperm whales , dwarf sperm whales , Risso's dolphins , common dolphins , Atlantic spotted dolphins , humpback whales and Bryde's whales . This makes Dominica
990-474: A re-enactment of the legendary "tea party." A parade begins the festival, marching down High Street to the Chester River, and then follows with colonial music and dance, fife and drum performances, puppet shows, colonial crafts demonstrations and sales, military drills, and a walking tour of the historic district. In the afternoon, re-enactors, playing the part of angry citizens and Continental Soldiers, march to
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#17328515046871080-464: A takeover by mercenaries in Operation Red Dog , led by Mike Perdue and Wolfgang Droege . They tried to overthrow Charles as prime minister and reinstall ex-prime minister John in exchange for control over the country's development. The FBI was tipped off, and the ship hired to transport the mercenaries never left dock. The mercenaries lacked formal military experience or training, and most of
1170-573: A week later to escort a merchant convoy, but her bowsprit was severely damaged in a gale; she returned to Boston for repairs. In the meantime, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert determined that Niger had been operating under the orders of Great Britain as claimed, and the ship and her crew were released to continue their voyage. The American government paid a restitution of $ 11,000 to Great Britain. After departing from Boston on 29 December, Nicholson reported to Commodore John Barry , who
1260-499: Is Morne Diablotins , at 1,447 m (4,747 ft) in elevation. The population was 71,293 at the 2011 census. The island was settled by the Arawak arriving from South America in the fifth century. The Kalinago displaced the Arawak by the 15th century. Christopher Columbus is said to have passed the island on Sunday, 3 November 1493. It was later colonised by Europeans, predominantly by
1350-448: Is Dominica's national bird and is endemic to its mountain forests. A related species, the Jaco or red-necked parrot ( A. arausiaca ), is also a Dominican endemic. Both birds are rare and protected, though some forest is still threatened by logging in addition to the long-standing threat of hurricanes. Dominica has recorded at least four species of snakes and 11 species of lizards. Dominica
1440-623: Is a town in Kent County, Maryland , United States. The population was 5,532 as of the 2020 census . It is the county seat of Kent County. Founded in 1706, Chestertown rose in stature when it was named one of the English colony of Maryland's six Royal Ports of Entry . The shipping boom that followed this designation made the town at the navigable head of the Chester River wealthy. In the mid-eighteenth century, Chestertown trailed only Annapolis and
1530-642: Is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea , the northernmost of the Windward Islands (though it is sometimes considered the southernmost of the Leeward Islands ). The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (750 km ) and it is about 29 miles (47 km) long and 16 miles (26 km) wide. Known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its lush scenery and varied flora and fauna, Dominica
1620-480: Is by road. Maryland Route 213 is the most significant highway serving the town, and is the main north–south road along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Other state highways serving the town include Maryland Route 20 , Maryland Route 289 , Maryland Route 291 and Maryland Route 514 . Dominica 15°25′N 61°20′W / 15.417°N 61.333°W / 15.417; -61.333 in
1710-570: Is known nationally as the home of the Sophie Kerr Prize , which is awarded to the graduating senior with the most literary potential. The award is near $ 50,000 annually. The most recent prize, worth $ 61,382 was awarded at a ceremony in Baltimore to Alex Stinton, an Eastern Shore native. The town is also home to Radcliffe Creek School, founded in 1996. The school is open to students with, and without, diagnosed learning disabilities. Radcliffe Creek
1800-463: Is largely covered by rainforest and is home to the world's second-largest hot spring , Boiling Lake . Within its borders lie two ecoregions: Windward Islands moist forests and Windward Islands xeric scrub. The most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters, the largest of these being (north-to-south) Morne aux Diables , Morne Diablotins (the highest on
1890-423: Is the last major stronghold of the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana ( Iguana delicatissima ). Dominica is home to 195 species of birds. Because of the isolated location of Dominica, this number is lower than that of Trinidad , which is located closer to mainland South-America and has 472 bird species. The Caribbean Sea offshore of the island of Dominica is home to many cetaceans . Most notably
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#17328515046871980-434: Is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, and is still being formed by geothermal - volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest hot spring , called Boiling Lake . The island has lush mountainous rainforests and is the home of many rare plants, animals, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall occurs inland. The Sisserou parrot , also known as
2070-482: The Boston Tea Party , the citizens of Chestertown wrote a set of resolves that prohibited the buying, selling, or drinking of tea. Based on these resolutions, a popular legend has it that the citizens held their own "tea party" on the Chester River in an act of colonial defiance. The Chestertown Tea Party Festival celebrates Chestertown's colonial heritage with a weekend of events on Memorial Day weekend, including
2160-536: The British West Indies to have an elected legislature controlled by an ethnic African majority. Most of these legislators had been free people of colour and smallholders or merchants before the abolition of slavery. Their economic and social views were different from the interests of the small, wealthy English planter class. Reacting to a perceived threat to their power, the planters lobbied for more direct British rule. In 1865, after much agitation and tension,
2250-577: The Charles Sumner Post No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic , Thornton , Washington College: Middle, East and West Halls , and White House Farm (Chestertown, Maryland) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Chestertown is at 39°13′10″N 76°4′6″W / 39.21944°N 76.06833°W / 39.21944; -76.06833 (39.219328, -76.068424). According to
2340-474: The Commonwealth of Nations . The capital is Roseau . The Commonwealth of Dominica is one of the Caribbean's few republics . The president is the head of state , while executive power rests with the cabinet , headed by the prime minister . The unicameral parliament consists of the 30-member House of Assembly , which consists of 21 directly elected members and nine senators, who may either be appointed by
2430-502: The Island Carib people, who are thought to have driven out the previous Arawak population. However, this may be a partial misconception as ancestral Kalinago narratives mention the two groups co existing and intermarrying. The Arawak were not the primary indigenous group. It is believed that before them were a group of paleo-Indians who arrived towards the end of the late Pleistocene period. In 1493, Christopher Columbus first spotted
2520-527: The Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea . The capital, Roseau , is located on the western side of the island. Dominica's closest neighbours are two constituent territories of the European Union , the overseas departments of France, Guadeloupe to the northwest and Martinique to the south-southeast. Dominica comprises a land area of 750 km (290 sq mi), and the highest point
2610-516: The Military of Dominica , who organised an attack on the police headquarters in Roseau which resulted in the death of a police officer. Newton and five other soldiers were found guilty in the attack and sentenced to death in 1983; the sentences of the five accomplices were later commuted to life in prison, but Newton was executed in 1986. A second occurred later in the year when the country was threatened with
2700-631: The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Non-Aligned Movement . The Caribs called the island Wai‘tu kubuli , which means "Tall is her body". Christopher Columbus , sailing for Spain, named the island Dominica, after the Latin term dies Dominica for Sunday , the day on which he first saw it in November 1493. Dominica's name is pronounced with emphasis on the third syllable, following
2790-520: The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 , Britain ended the institution of slavery throughout its empire , except in India. With freedom came enfranchisement. In 1835, the first three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica. Many slaves from the neighbouring French colonial islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique fled to Dominica. In 1838, Dominica became the first colony of
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2880-691: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade , by which slaves were imported and sold as labour in the islands as part of a trade that included producing and shipping sugar and coffee as commodity crops to Europe. The best documented slave plantation on the island is Hillsborough Estate, which had 71 male and 68 female slaves. The Greg family were notable: Thomas Hodgson, a brother-in-law, owned a slave ship, and Thomas Greg and his son John Greg were part-owners of sugar plantations in Dominica. In January 1814, 20 slaves absconded from Hillsborough. They were recorded as recaptured and punished with 100 lashes applied to
2970-526: The U.S. Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 2.91 square miles (7.54 km ), of which 2.60 square miles (6.73 km ) is land and 0.31 square miles (0.80 km ) is water. As of the first US Census in 1790, Chestertown was the geographical center of the nation's population. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chestertown has
3060-549: The Western Hemisphere Dominica ( locally / ˌ d ɒ m ɪ ˈ n iː k ə / dom-in- EE -kə ; UK : US : / ˌ d ɒ m ɪ ˈ n iː k ə / or / d ə ˈ m ɪ n ɪ k ə / ; Dominican Creole French : Dominik ; Kalinago : Waitukubuli ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica , is an island country in the Caribbean . It is part of the Windward Islands chain in
3150-469: The Americas, Hispaniola, and island shares with Haiti. Hispaniola was later renamed Dominican Republic. Spain had little success in colonising Dominica. In 1632, the French Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique claimed it and other "Petites Antilles" for France , but no physical occupation took place. Between 1642 and 1650, French missionary Raymond Breton became the first regular European visitor to
3240-573: The British established a legislative assembly , with only European colonists represented. French remained the official language, but Antillean Creole , which had developed from it, was spoken by most of the population. In 1778 the French, with the active co-operation of the population, began the re-capture of Dominica . This was ended by the Treaty of Paris (1783) , which returned the island to British control. But
3330-528: The DLP, replaced Pierre Charles as prime minister, becoming the world's youngest head of government at the age of 31. Under Skerrit's leadership, the DLP won elections in May 2005 that gave the party 12 seats in the 21-seat Parliament. The UWP won 8 seats and Ronald Toulon, who was an independent candidate at that time, won the remaining seat. Later, Toulon joined the government. With his 2005 election win, Skerrit became only
3420-590: The Dominica Freedom Party in 1993 and did not contest the 1995 general election in any capacity. No longer benefiting from the veteran charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Eugenia Charles, the Dominica Freedom Party lost the 1995 election to the UWP, whose leader Edison James became prime minister. James, former General Manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Company attempted to diversify
3510-508: The Dominica Freedom Party led by former trade union leader, Charles Savarin . Douglas became prime minister. One UWP member of the House of Assembly crossed the floor, joining the DLP-DFP coalition government. However, Douglas died on 1 October 2000 after only a few months. Prime Minister Douglas was replaced by Pierre Charles , who also died in office on 6 January 2004. Roosevelt Skerrit , also of
3600-603: The Dominican economy away from over-reliance on bananas. The crop was largely destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995. Further James was unable to restore banana to its former selling price and prestige. Moreover, the James administration became embroiled in Opposition charges of official corruption. In the 31 January 2000 general election , the UWP were defeated by a coalition of the DLP, led by left-leaning Roosevelt B. "Rosie" Douglas and
3690-463: The French from the 1690s to 1763. The French trafficked slaves from West Africa to Dominica to work on coffee plantations. Great Britain took possession in 1763 after the Seven Years' War , and it gradually established English as its official language. The island gained independence as a republic in 1978. Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" for its natural environment. It
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3780-426: The French islands with wood, and they gradually became permanent settlers. They brought the first enslaved Africans from West Africa to Dominique , as they called it in French. In 1715, a revolt of "poor white" smallholders in the north of Martinique, known as La Gaoulé, caused settlers to migrate to southern Dominique, where they set up smallholdings . Meanwhile, French families and others from Guadeloupe settled in
3870-581: The Imperial amazon, is critically endangered and found only on Dominica. It is the island's national bird and is featured on the national flag , making Dominica one of only two sovereign nations whose official flag features the color purple. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations , the United Nations , the Organization of American States , the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie ,
3960-641: The Spanish pronunciation of its name given to it by Christopher Columbus. The similar names and the identical demonym with the Dominican Republic has caused some in Dominica to advocate a change in its name to establish its own identity. Dominica first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene era approximately 67 million years ago, making it one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity . Dominica's precolonial indigenous inhabitants were
4050-408: The UWP again won both seats. The DLP under Skerrit went on to win the 2014 Dominican general election . On 17 September 2012 Eliud Thaddeus Williams was sworn in as President (a largely ceremonial role), replacing Dr. Nicholas Liverpool who was reportedly removed from office due to ill health. On 30 September 2013 former Trade Union leader and former Dominica Freedom Party leader Charles Savarin
4140-535: The West or Caribbean Sea Coast elites in Roseau, Dominica's capital. Eugenia Charles again won the 1990 general election, the first incumbent Dominica Prime Minister to win three consecutive general elections. However, Eugenia Charles's DFP had been pushed to within one seat of losing its majority in Parliament by the emergence of the UWP. It was, therefore, no great surprise when Eugenia Charles gave up political leadership of
4230-507: The buildings on the island had been destroyed, with infrastructure left in ruins. The UK, France and the Netherlands set up shipping and air lifts to take aid to the island; the scale of destruction having left most people homeless. Dominica won its first two Commonwealth Games medals in silver and bronze in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast . President Charles Angelo Savarin
4320-444: The coast, with the mountainous interior sparsely populated. Dominica is especially vulnerable to hurricanes as the island is located in what is referred to as the hurricane region. In 1979, Hurricane David struck the island as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread and extreme damage. On 17 August 2007, Hurricane Dean , a Category 1 hurricane at the time, hit the island. A mother and her seven-year-old son died when
4410-471: The colonial office replaced the elective assembly with one made up of one-half members who were elected and one-half who were appointed. Planters, who were allied with colonial administrators, outmanoeuvred the elected legislators on many occasions. In 1871, Dominica became part of the British Leeward Islands . The political power of the elected assembly progressively eroded. Crown colony government
4500-595: The construction and home of the ship to be centered in Chestertown. In the same year the non-profit group Sultana Projects, Inc. was formed by Swain and supporters to fund construction of the ship. A shipyard was constructed and the keel for the Sultana was laid in October 1998. Over 3,000 students participated in the community and educationally led effort, with a core group of volunteers logging over 150,000 hours of time building
4590-635: The country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, named Chestertown, Maryland, to its 2007 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations , an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. Chestertown was selected from 63 destinations in 27 states that were nominated by individuals, preservation organizations, and local communities. In 2008, Progressive Farmer magazine honored Kent County and Chestertown by naming it #1 in "Best Rural Places to Live in America". "For
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#17328515046874680-400: The crew had been misled into joining by the ringleader Mike Perdue. White supremacist Don Black was also jailed for his part in the attempted coup, which violated US neutrality laws. The Charles government supported the 1983 American invasion of Grenada , earning Dominica praise from the U.S. government of Ronald Reagan , and an increase in financial aid. By the middle of the 1980s,
4770-528: The docks where redcoats (played by members of the Maryland Loyalist Battalion) defend the ship for a short skirmish, then retire. The ship, the schooner Sultana , is then boarded by the angry citizens, and the tea is thrown into the Chester River. In 1997, John Swain came up with blueprints for a reproduction of the American-built yacht, later Royal Navy schooner HMS Sultana , planning
4860-414: The economy had begun to recover, before weakening again due to a decrease in banana prices. Eugenia Charles won the 1985 general election, becoming only the first incumbent Dominica Prime Minister to be popularly re-elected. The continuing downturn in the economy and the tight grip by Eugenia Charles on Dominica politics gave rise to a self-titled "Third Force" political formation in 1988, which disrupted
4950-510: The former Chestertown High became Chestertown Middle School. The middle school became the consolidated Kent County Middle in 2010. The town is home to Washington College , a private liberal arts college founded in 1782. Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the USA. George Washington was a founding patron. Kent County public library maintains the Chestertown Branch. The college
5040-562: The island at 1,447 m), Morne Trois Pitons and Morne Anglais . Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a tropical forest blended with volcanic features; it was recognised as a World Heritage Site on 4 April 1995, a distinction it shares with four other Caribbean islands. The Calibishie area in the country's northeast has sandy beaches. Some plants and animals thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests. The island has several protected areas , including Cabrits National Park , as well as 365 rivers. For
5130-428: The island during his second voyage to the Americas. Because he saw the island on a Sunday (November 3, 1493), Columbus named the island Dominica (Latin for 'Sunday'). Some Spanish colonisers settled here. But, as European explorers and settlers entered the region, indigenous refugees from surrounding islands settled Dominica and pushed out the Spanish settlers. The Spanish instead focused on their first founded Island of
5220-489: The island population, especially the class of free people of color , resisted British restrictions. The British retained control throughout French invasions in 1795 and 1805, the first taking place during the period of the Haitian Revolution , which gained the independence of Haiti (formerly Saint-Domingue, France's richest Caribbean colony). Great Britain established a small colony in 1805. It used Dominica as part of
5310-471: The island. Hurricane Allen the following year caused further damage. After the 1980 election , Seraphin's government was replaced by one led by the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) under Prime Minister Eugenia Charles ; she was the Caribbean's first female prime minister. In 1981, Charles's government was threatened with two attempted coups. The first was led by Frederick Newton , commander of
5400-485: The island. In 1660, the French and English agreed that Dominica and St. Vincent should not be settled, but instead left to the Carib people as neutral territory —but its natural resources attracted expeditions of English and French foresters, who began harvesting timber. In 1690, the French established their first permanent settlements. French woodcutters from Martinique and Guadeloupe began to set up timber camps to supply
5490-499: The island. Multiple communities were evacuated and upwards of 30 people were killed. According to a Rapid Damage and Impact Assessment prepared for Dominica by the World Bank, the total damage and losses from the storm were US$ 484.82 million or 90% of Dominica's yearly GDP. Category 5 Hurricane Maria struck the island in 2017 and caused losses of approximately US$ 930 million or 226% of GDP. The Sisserou parrot ( Amazona imperialis )
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#17328515046875580-557: The laws banning same-sex activity since they violated LGBT individuals' constitutional rights. Dominica is divided into 10 parishes , given below with their 2011 Census populations: Dominica's currency is the East Caribbean Dollar . In 2008, Dominica had one of the lowest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rates of Eastern Caribbean states. The country nearly had a financial crisis in 2003 and 2004, but Dominica's economy grew by 3.5% in 2005 and 4.0% in 2006, following
5670-495: The males and 50 for the females. The slaves reportedly said that one of their people had died in the plantation hospital, and they believed he had been poisoned. In 1831, reflecting a liberalisation of official British racial attitudes, the Brown Privilege Bill conferred political and social rights on free blacks (mostly free people of colour , who generally were of mixed race , with African and European ancestry). With
5760-446: The north. In 1727, the first French commander, M. Le Grand , took charge of the island with a basic French government. Dominique formally became a colony of France, and the island was divided into districts or "quarters". The French had already developed plantation agriculture on Martinique and Guadeloupe, where they cultivated sugarcane with enslaved African workers. In Dominique they gradually developed coffee plantations. Because of
5850-648: The popularly elected seats of the legislative assembly in 1924, and one-half in 1936. In 1940, administration of Dominica was transferred from the British Leeward Islands to the British Windward Islands . During World War II , some Dominicans volunteered in British and Caribbean forces. Thousands of Free French refugees from Martinique and Guadeloupe escaped to Dominica from the Vichy -controlled French islands, staying in Roseau and other villages. Until 1958, Dominica
5940-442: The population. There were 1,971 households, of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.1% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
6030-560: The president or elected by the other members of the House of Assembly. Unlike other former British colonies in the region, Dominica was never a Commonwealth realm , instead becoming a republic on independence. Dominica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dominica is also a member of the International Criminal Court , with
6120-548: The protection of the British navy and had to defend its own interests abroad. The idea of an American Navy was the subject of much debate between the Federalists who favored a strong navy and the anti-federalists who felt the money required for a navy would be better spent elsewhere. However the repeated threats from France and the Barbary states of North Africa had given cause to now consider resorting to more forceful measures to procure
6210-636: The second incumbent Prime Minister of seven to be popularly re-elected. In the 2009 election , the DLP won 18 of 21 seats. The UWP claimed campaign improprieties and embarked on a wide range of protest actions, including boycott of Parliament. UWP's boycott lasted at least three unauthorized absences from Parliament for two of their three Elected Representatives in Parliament in violation of Parliamentary procedure, leading to their two seats being declared vacant and by-elections being called to fill them; by-elections were conducted for those two vacant seats in July 2010, and
6300-504: The security of American shipping interests. USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by act of Congress which was approved on March 27, 1794. Nicholson was commissioned as one of the first six captains in the reborn United States Navy on June 10, 1794. The vessel was designed by Joshua Humphreys, and built at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston , Massachusetts, under the supervision of master shipwright George Claghorn . Nicholson
6390-403: The ship and her crew the next morning. Upon joining Barry's command, Constitution almost immediately had to put in for repairs to her rigging due to storm damage, and it was not until 1 March that anything of note occurred. On this date, she encountered HMS Santa Margarita , the captain of which was an acquaintance of Nicholson. The two agreed to a sailing duel, which the English captain
6480-587: The ship. Over 10,000 people were at the launching of the ship in March 2001, and since then more than 8,000 students a year have boarded the Sultana for educational trips. The Sultana also plays a key role in the Chestertown Tea Party, as it is now the official boat of the staged re-enactment. The Schooner Sultana website offers more detailed information on the ship. The National Trust for Historic Preservation ,
6570-566: The surrounding town area, as well as many students from Washington College . It is in the Kent County Public Schools . Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School ( Henry Highland Garnet ), which had about 264 students as of 2021, and Kent County Middle School are in Chestertown, while Kent County High School is in an unincorporated area with a Worton postal address. The former Chestertown High School moved from its original 1915 building in 1953. In 1971 Kent County High opened and
6660-517: The traditional two-party arrangement of governing DFP and opposition DLP. "Third Force" soon formalized as the United Workers' Party (UWP) and selected as its leader Edison James, the former General Manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Company. This was a strategic selection given James's prestige among banana farmers and his originating from the East or Atlantic Coast that had begun to feel alienated by
6750-450: The trans-Atlantic slave trade, the general population came to consist primarily of black-African slaves. In 1761, during the Seven Years' War in Europe, a British expedition against Dominica led by Andrew Rollo conquered the island, along with several other Caribbean islands. In 1763, France had lost the war and ceded the island to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris . The same year,
6840-412: Was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age in the town was 34.9 years. 12.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 28.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.4% were from 25 to 44; 19.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 43.1% male and 56.9% female. In May 1774, five months after the British closing the port of Boston after
6930-500: Was confident he would win. But after 11 hours of sailing Santa Margarita lowered her sails and admitted defeat, paying off the bet with a cask of wine to Nicholson. Resuming her patrols, Constitution managed to recapture the American sloop Neutrality on 27 March and, a few days later, the French ship Carteret . Secretary Stoddert had other plans, however, and recalled Constitution to Boston. She arrived there on 14 May, and Nicholson
7020-432: Was considered Maryland's second leading port. A burgeoning merchant class infused riches into the town, reflected in the many brick mansions and townhouses that sprang up along the waterfront. Another area in which Chestertown is second only to Annapolis is in its number of existing eighteenth century homes. As of the 1790 census, Chestertown was the geographical center of population of the United States. Chestertown
7110-699: Was created for students ages 4 through 14, but a preschool program called 'little creek' was recently added as well. Students from several counties throughout Maryland attend the school. The Chestertown Spy is an online news source for Chestertown and the Chester River community. The Kent County News , a weekly newspaper, covers news of the town and county. WCTR Radio has been a local community resource since 1963. Originally an AM daytime station, it now has two FM frequencies: FM 106.9 in Chestertown serving Kent County, and FM 96.1 in Wye Mills, serving Queen Anne's County. The primary means of travel to and from Chestertown
7200-454: Was elected president having only days before resigned as a Minister of Government. He is Dominica's eighth President. Tropical Storm Erika devastated the island in August 2015, killing 30 and causing severe environmental and economic damage. Dominica was again struck on 18 September 2017, suffering a direct landfall from Category 5 Hurricane Maria . Early estimates of damage suggested 90% of
7290-523: Was flying his flag in United States , near the island of Dominica for patrols in the West Indies . On 15 January 1799, Constitution intercepted the English merchantman Spencer , which had been taken prize by the French frigate L'Insurgente a few days prior. Technically, Spencer was a French ship operated by a French prize crew; but Nicholson, perhaps hesitant after the affair with Niger , released
7380-526: Was governed as part of the British Windward Islands . Caribbean islands sought independence from 1958 to 1962, and Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation in 1958. After the federation dissolved in 1962, Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom in 1967, and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. On 3 November 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica
7470-535: Was granted independence as a republic , led by Prime Minister Patrick John . In mid-1979, political discontent with founding prime minister Patrick John's administration climaxed in a civilian coup and ended in the passage of a Motion of No Confidence in the House of Assembly, Dominica's legislature, against John, collapsing the John administration. A new, so-called "Interim Government" was formed under Dominica's second Prime Minister Oliver Seraphin ; Seraphin's main task
7560-683: Was incorporated in 1805, and was named for the Chester River. Airy Hill , the Bernice J. , Brampton , Carvill Hall , Chester Hall , the Chestertown Armory , the Chestertown Historic District , Chestertown Railroad Station , Denton House , Gobbler Hill , Godlington Manor , the Island Image , Lauretum , Radcliffe Mill , Reward-Tilden's Farm , Rose Hill , the Silver Heel ,
7650-470: Was re-elected in 2018 for a new five-year term. In December 2019, incumbent Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit won his fourth consecutive general election eighteen seats to three, becoming the first Dominica Prime Minister ever to do so. Dominica received its first Olympic gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris when Thea LaFond won the women's triple jump with a length of 15.02 metres. Dominica
7740-542: Was re-established in 1896. In World War I , many Dominicans, mainly the sons of small farmers, volunteered to fight in Europe for the British Empire. After the war, an upsurge of political consciousness throughout the Caribbean led to the formation of the Representative Government Association . Marshaling public frustration with the lack of a voice in governing Dominica, this group won one-third of
7830-1015: Was relieved of command. Nicholson was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati , and the first commandant of the Boston Navy Yard when it was established in 1800. He remained on active duty with the Navy for the remainder of his life. Nicholson died at Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1811, and is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church in Boston. The U.S. Navy ships named USS Nicholson were named for him and other members of his family who served as naval officers: his elder brother, James Nicholson , his younger brother John Nicholson , his nephew, William Nicholson and his grandson James W. Nicholson . Chestertown, Maryland Chestertown
7920-562: Was still not ready to sail, and eventually had to borrow sixteen 18-pound (8.2 kg) cannons from Castle Island before finally being ready. Constitution put to sea on the evening of 22 July 1798, commanded by Captain Nicholson, with orders to patrol the Eastern seaboard between New Hampshire and New York . A month later she was patrolling between Chesapeake Bay and Savannah, Georgia , when Nicholson found his first opportunity for capturing
8010-539: Was the naval inspector who also oversaw her construction. Upon her completion Constitution was launched at Boston on September 27, 1797, under the command of Nicholson. His first Lieutenant was Charles Russel. Upon her completion Constitution was launched at Boston on September 27, 1797, under the command of Nicholson. His 1st Lieutenant was Charles Russel. President John Adams ordered all Navy ships to sea in late May 1798 to patrol for armed ships of France, and to free any American ship captured by them. Constitution
8100-576: Was to prepare the country for fresh general elections constitutionally due in 1980, hence the unofficial title "Interim" Prime Minister. Seraphin organized and led a splinter of the Dominica Labour Party called the Democratic Labour Party into the 1980 general election and lost mainly because his nearly 13 month-long premiership was dominated by the fallout from Category Five Hurricane David , which caused 56 deaths and untold damage across
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