Redleg is a term used to refer topoor whites who live or at one time lived onBarbados,St. Vincent,Grenada and a few otherCaribbean islands. Their forebears were sent fromIreland,Britain andContinental Europe asindentured servants, forced labourers, orpeons.[1][2]
According tofolk etymology, the name is derived from the effects of thetropical sun on the fair-skinned legs of white emigrants, now known assunburn. However, the term "Redlegs" and its variants were also in use for Irish soldiers who were taken asprisoners of war in theIrish Confederate Wars and transported toBarbados asindentured servants.[3]
In addition to "Redlegs", the term underwent extensive progression in Barbados and the following terms were also used: "Redshanks", "Poor whites", "Poor Backra", "Backra Johnny", "Ecky-Becky", "Johnnies" or "Poor Backward Johnnies", "Poor whites from below the hill", "Edey white mice" or "Beck-e Neck" (Baked-neck). Historically, anything besides "poor whites" were used as derogatory insults.[4][3]
Many of the Redlegs' ancestors weretransported byOliver Cromwell after hisconquest of Ireland.[5] Others had originally arrived on Barbados in the early to mid-17th century asindentured servants, to work on thesugar plantations.[3][6] Small groups ofGermans andPortuguese prisoners of war were also imported as plantation labourers.[7] After theMonmouth rebellion, one thousand two hundred rebels were sold as slaves for the Barbados plantations.[8]
By the 18th century, indentured servants became less common.African slaves were trained in all necessary trades, so there was no demand for paid white labour. The Redlegs, in turn, were unwilling to work alongside thefreed black population on theplantations.[1]
Because of the deplorable conditions under which the Redlegs lived, a campaign was initiated in the mid-19th century to move portions of the population to other islands which would be more economically hospitable. The relocation process succeeded, and a distinct community of Redleg descendants live in the Dorsetshire Hill District onSt. Vincent as well as on the islands ofGrenada around Mt. Moritz andBequia.[4]
The term "Redleg" is also used inSouth Carolina, where Barbadians had settled.[3]
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