, 1961-03-13
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
Many valuable historical graves are today being destroyed on
ST. Crox. Most likely, newcomers who within the past 10 years have
focked to our island who have not as yet obtained enough historical
knowledge fail to realize what milestones out of the past they crush
and bury with the aid of Buldozers.
Others will also for pure novelty collect" big beautiful marble
slabs taken from various small grave sites thru out the island; to be
used for garden benches, cocktail tables, or even cenented into the
floors of their dining ROOM
1t was with great sadness we noted now more than a year ago,
the large impressive cemetery at Judiths Fancy being leveled to the
ground.
Will such proud old pioneer names as HeyIger, Towers and BEN
ners, now quite to be forgotten? The families who lived and died
here almost $50 years ago, and who were the foundation of culture
and civilization here. It was Peer Heliger, former Governor from
the island of St Eustahus who led a group OF Dutch immigrants to
these shores in the year 1742. They were well received by Danish
Governor Jens Hansen, SO they bought land and settled here.
With his knowledge and rich experience Of construction Of wind
mills and the cultivation Of cane fields, Pieter Heiger saw the land
bloom. Each Estate with its own sturdy sugar mill and fertile green
sugar cane fields planted in orderly rows-so thus, a period which
was to be termed "The Golden Years" for this island began.
Fortunately there are some among us, who having found old
Family graves on their estates have restored them and beauhhed
the surroundings into the peaceful garden spots they once were.
And we must not omit the magnificent monument raised to the
memory of Rachael Levine, mother Of Alexander Hamilton, to be
found at Estate Grange" and maintained by our local agricultural
department
remarkable lady, Anna Elizabeth Heegaard. Secluded and over grown
with heavy bush as this small cemetery plot is
The administration of this island has given us support and hope
that before long we can proudly present a memorial worthy OF this
This child Of st. Croix was born in chrishansted in 1870. Her
childhood was the world of wealthy merchants, rich ship owners and
slave traders.
She got a splendid education guarded by her mother, and no
doubt. also her Grandmother, who lived to be a grand old lady 1OS
wears old. Anna Elizabeth grew up to be a well to do charming young
lady, owning several houses in ChristianTed, but she dedlcated
large sums of money and years of her life to the one goal The eman-
cipation of the Slaves. At the age Of 81 she. gave up her own true
love and their lovely home at Estate Belvedere on the islands north
side to become the consort Of Governor General Peter Won Scholten.
Himself an intelligent and brilliant personality, the governor was
completely devoted and fascinated by the striving energy OF Anna
Elizabeth-together and with the willing help OF the Morav1an MIS-
sions all through the islands they raised the living standards OF the
un-free people. Finally after 20 years came July :, lS48 when the
(nroclamahon) Of emancipation was read by the Governor General
from the fort in Frederiksted. Peter Won Scholten died IN Denmark,
lies buried in a modest little grave in a small cemetery IN Copen-
hagen two Of his brothers, however, have found their final resting
place on this island, one is in ChrEtiansted cemetery, the other N
Frederiksted.
Anna Elizabeth Heegaard died in her own lovely home at Bu-
lows Minde on january !, 1880 years old.
In accordance with her last vii. and testament she was buried IN