The Hon. Joseph Fadelle, 1810-1896, was a free coloured man born in Dominica. He lived on the corner of Virgin Lane and Constitution Hill, and was the owner of Copt Hall Estate.
He was an abolitionist dedicated to the abolition of slavery and gained the reputation as “a hard-headed and fearless leader – besides which he wielded a most powerful and incisive pen.” (A.T.Righton, The Dominican, 17 September 1896). He was well known in the region as well as in England. He contributed some articles to the Anti-Slavery Reporter (February 26, 1840).
In the 1840’s he was arrested and imprisoned while visiting Martinique “on the plea that he was a dangerous agitator among the negros of Dominica and the Government had to take precaution that he would not extend his operations in Martinique” (The Dominican 17 September 1896).
In 1834, at the age of 24, Hon. Joseph Fadelle Esq. was elected to the House of Assembly for the first time. Four other free men of colour were elected at the same time: his half-brother Hon. William T. Rainy, Hon. James Garraway, Hon. Leone and Hon. Boland. (The Dominican 17 September 1896).
In the 1840’s he was appointed Asst. Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
In 1846 he was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly.
In 1849 he was appointed Provost Marshall and Messenger of Council.
He served as Superintendent of Police.
He was Interpreter of the Courts.
He served as President.
He served as Inspector of Schools.
In 1851 he formulated the Education Bill which, after being modified, passed into law and served to ameliorate the plight of the newly freed slaves.
On 12th June 1838 Hon Joseph Fadelle Esq was appointed by the House of Assembly, together with James Garraway, Lewis Frederick Bellot, William Blanc and D.S. Laidlaw to a committee “to prepare the laws that may be deemed necessary to meet a state of entire freedom in this colony” ( Sessional Papers printed by order of the House of Lords or presented by Royal Command in the Session 1837-38 Vol. XIV).
Hon. Joseph Fadelle was responsible for founding the Reading Rooms which preceded the public library. (Dominica Dial 12 January, 1889).
In Conclusion, in the words of A.T. Righton in the obituary of Hon Joseph Fadelle Esq in The Dominican 17th September 1896 “ Of the band of heroes who stood at the prow of the ship which ultimately took them into the haven of Liberty was Joseph Fadelle.”
In the Dominica Dial of 7th September 1889 pages 2 & 3, the esteemed editor, the Hon. William Davies appealed for a memorial to Hon Joseph Fadelle as follows: “ In this island there still survives one such deserving native, whose deeds merit lasting commemoration. At the preliminary meeting held last year to inaugurate the Jubilee of Emancipation, a burst of applause greeted the mention of the name of Mr. Joseph Fadelle. His efforts in the cause of freedom still live in the minds of the present generation, but they will be forgotten in a few years, unless steps are taken to immortalize them.”
A few buildings from that era that belonged to the family still stand today as per the photographs.
