St. George's in St. George's Parish, Bermuda, British Overseas Territories — North Atlantic Ocean (Sargasso Sea)

Pilot Darrell's House

Built 1795. Purchased by Pilot Darell in 1800.

Photographed by Judith Elizabeth Pearson, circa 2019

1. Pilot Darrell's House Marker

Inscription. Pilot James Darrell was an extraordinary Bermudan and mariner who spent much of his life as a slave. At age 47, Pilot Darrell was granted his freedom in recognition of his skill navigating the Royal Navy flagship HMS Resolution through the Narrows Channel in 1795.

Pilot Darrell was one of Bermuda's first King's Pilots and the first known black person to own property on the Island. This house was passed onto his wife and children, and was restored and is still owned by his direct descendents. Here in St. George's, Pilot Darrell belonged to the Island's largest free black community and fought for the rights of free blacks and slaves.

Erected by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.

Location. 32° 22.908′ N, 64° 40.72′ W. Marker is in St. George's, Bermuda, in St. George's Parish. It is on Aunt Peggy's Lane. This marker is on a back street near the town square where the traffic is limited to residents and pedestrians.

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The marker sits in front of the house, which is a private residence. The house is designated as an African Diaspora Heritage Trail Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Aunt Peggy's Lane, St George's, Bermuda, British Overseas Territories. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Till (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); First Government House (about 150 meters away); Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale (about 180 meters away); American Prisoners of the War of 1812 who died in Bermuda (about 180 meters away); Settlement of Bermuda (about 240 meters away); Thomas Moore (about 240 meters away); United States Navy Anchor (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Broad Arrow (approx. 15.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. George's.

More about this marker. A much older, engraved marker is beside this one (shown in photo) on a wall in front of the house.

Regarding Pilot Darrell's House. Pilot

Plaque designating Pilot Darrell's house as an African Diaspora Heritage Trail Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Judith Elizabeth Pearson, circa 2019

2. Plaque designating Pilot Darrell's house as an African Diaspora Heritage Trail Site

James ('Jemmy') Darrell (1749 - 1815) was one of the most respected black pilots in Bermuda. In 1789 he was one of three pilots chosen for the work that led to the discovery of the Narrows Channel and Murray's Anchorage in Bermuda.

Additional commentary.
1. family tree
Jemmy Darrell (James) is my great, great, great, grandfather. I would like to communicate with other members of his family. Please apply to an editor for Mr. Easter’s email address.

— Submitted May 21, 2023, by Dave Easter of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Additional keywords. Bermuda, African-Bermudians, historic homes

Photographed by Judith Elizabeth Pearson, circa 2019

3. Pilot Darrell's House Marker

This older engraving is on the wall beside the marker. It reads: Pilot James Darrell 1749 - 1815. Pilot Darrell navigated the 74 gun HMS Resolution into Murray's Anchorage in 1795. In recognition of this nautical feat he was freed from slavery in 1796 and became one of Bermuda's first King's Pilots. He was one of the first free Blacks to own a home in Bermuda.

Pilot Darrell's House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Judith Elizabeth Pearson, 2019

4. Pilot Darrell's House

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2021, by Judith Elizabeth Pearson of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,530 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Judith Elizabeth Pearson of Burke, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.