Today in History: February 9

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, Loyalist Robert Cunningham died in Nassau in 1815, at the age of 75.

According to Appleton’s ‘American Biography’ Cunningham was born in Ireland circa 1739 and moved to South Carolina in 1769, where he became a judge.

When the American War of Independence began, he remained loyal to the Crown and was imprisoned in Charleston in 1775 on charges of committing high crimes and misdemeanors against the liberties of South Carolina. He remained in prison until February 1776.

The British Government awarded him compensation for the loss of his South Carolina property, and he resettled on New Providence with his family after being granted land for his services during the war.

On his partly legible tombstone, it once read:

“In memory of General Robert Cunningham who exiled from his native Country in the American Revolution for his attachment to his King and the Laws of his Country.”

In 1967, Alvin Rudoph Braynen was sworn in as Speaker of the House.

The January 10, 1967, general election resulted in an 18/18 tie between the United Bahamian Party and the Progressive Liberal Party, one seat being won by the Labour Party, Randol Fawkes and one by Braynen.

After negotiations Braynen and Fawkes gave their support to the PLP to help form the new government. In return for his support, Braynen was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, and served until October 1972.

In 2021, three Cuban citizens were rescued from Anguilla Cay by the United States Coast Guard. Authorities said the two men and one woman survived on the island for 33 days, by eating mainly coconuts.