Annaberg Sugar Plantation near Leinster Bay in St. John, Virgin Islands — The Caribbean (The West Indies)

Life After Emancipation

Photographed by Michael Fischer, January 9, 2026

1. Life After Emancipation Marker

Inscription.
George Francis was born into slavery on Annaberg Plantation during the first decade of the 1800s. When he was enslaved, Francis gained influence that gave him opportunities beyond the reach of the other enslaved people. After inheriting two acres on Mary Point from his enslaver, Hans H. Berg, Francis sought to purchase more. His chance came when an earthquake and a hurricane hit in 1867. Francis bought the Annaberg and Leinster Bay plantations for $100.

The life of George Francis tells the extraordinary story of slavery to freedom. Land ownership was out of reach for most formerly-enslaved people, but Afro-Caribbean residents forged new possibilities through subsistence farming, animal husbandry, and kinship networks in the post-emancipation period.

Francis Family Legacy
The Francis family continued to play a pivotal role in the history of St. John. George Francis' son, Carl Francis [inset photo], was a member of the Colonial Council. When America bought the US Virgin Islands for 25 million dollars in gold in 1917, Carl Francis raised the American flag on St. John as a part of the Transfer Day Ceremonies.

[Black box text reads]
Peter

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Oxholm created this 1800 map of St. John documenting animal mills, windmills, and the names of sugar plantations on the island.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 18° 21.775′ N, 64° 43.784′ W. Marker is near Leinster Bay in St. John, Virgin Islands. It is in Annaberg Sugar Plantation. It can be reached from Leinster Bay Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: St John VI 00830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles

on the Caribbean Sea,

on in the Atlantic Ocean,

in North America,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Producing Sugar (here, next to this marker); The Sugar Factory (a few steps from this marker); Bake Oven (a few steps from this

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 9, 2026

2. Life After Emancipation Marker

marker); History of Annaberg (a few steps from this marker); Crushing Cane with Wind (a few steps from this marker); Windmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Confronting a Turbulent Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Across the Narrows (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leinster Bay.

More about this marker. Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a unit of Virgin Islands National Park.

Also see . . . Annaberg Sugar Plantation. (Submitted on January 17, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.