Local author Kathleen Dowling continues to shed new light on the 1848 Emancipation in the former Danish West Indies, offering the community a rare, in-depth perspective from original Danish National Archives and personal discoveries.
At a recent in-person book signing of “Voice Us: The 1848 Executed Eight” and discussion, Dowling engaged with attendees about the figures, facts, and lesser-known narratives that helped shape one of the most significant moments in Virgin Islands history.
Dowling, whose three-part book series on emancipation chronicles events surrounding the July 3, 1848, freedom of enslaved Africans on St. Croix, has dedicated years to researching archival records, many handwritten in Danish. “We had very limited information, but there’s so much more to this story than just General Buddhoe and Martin King,” Dowling shared in an interview. “There were so many others whose names and sacrifices also deserve recognition.”
The series is divided into three volumes, each offering a unique perspective on the 1848 emancipation. The first volume provides biographical details, letters, and key documents surrounding the event. The second volume focuses on the testimonies of the enslaved during and after the revolution, shedding light on their personal experiences, and the eight individuals who were executed. The third volume, currently in development, will explore the events in Christiansted, with particular emphasis on the roles women played in the uprising, including significant incidents that took place in Beeston Hill, Water Gut, Basin Triangle, and Mon Bijou on the night of July 3.
Throughout the evening, Dowling emphasized the importance of using history as a tool for modern understanding—especially in the context of gun violence and youth education. She openly shared what motivates her to tell these stories in ways that inspire peace, healing, and critical thinking.
Dowling herself described the research process as a “labor of love,” driven by what she calls “ancestral energy.” She added, “2024 was the year of truth. There’s an effort to suppress our history—not just here, but globally. My job is to present the truth in its rawest form.” She thanked community members for trusting her with their oral histories and supporting her archival work. Environmentalist and community leader, Olasee Davis, praised Dowling’s commitment: “We are very grateful to have Kathleen right here in St. Croix. We have a privilege.”
“An Almost Bloodless Revolution”

During her presentation, Dowling reflected on how the 1848 uprising has often been framed, citing newspaper articles and letters from that time. One particularly striking headline from July 11, 1848, in a UK paper read: “No lives have been lost among the white and colored population.” Yet Dowling clarified that the revolution, often called “almost bloodless,” was complex and not without confrontation. Her favorite passage recounts when Buddhoe and his companions confiscated weapons, a strategic move that arguably prevented greater violence.
One central topic raised during a lively Q&A session was why Buddhoe himself wasn’t executed, unlike others involved. According to Dowling, historical testimony suggests Buddhoe was deeply respected by the enslaved population, and any harm against him could have triggered unrest. Governor Peter von Scholten’s forces arrested Buddhoe later that July, but reportedly a Danish officer offered him protection until his eventual exile.
New Discoveries and Debunked Myths

Among the discoveries highlighted during the event was official documentation confirming Buddhoe’s birthplace as St. Croix, refuting a long-held claim from a 20th-century letter suggesting he was from St. Kitts. Dowling proudly shared that she located Buddhoe’s birth and baptism records, affirming his March 19, 1820, birth date on St. Croix.
The author also noted the importance of clarifying public misconceptions that will further be described in her third book in the current series. While often described as a bloodless revolution, records indicate a few violent incidents did occur in Christiansted on the night of July 3, including in areas like Beeston Hill, Water Gut, Mon Bijou, and Basin Triangle. Still, the uprising remained relatively restrained compared to other Caribbean rebellions.
Community elders and audience members speculated on Buddhoe’s fate, as no concrete record of his death exists beyond his arrest on July 26, 1848, and being shipped away later that year. While some accounts claim he was seen in Trinidad, Curaçao, or New York, Dowling continues to search shipping records under variations of his name for definitive answers.
Dowling’s emancipation series is available at Undercover Books, UVI Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and online through Amazon. The author continues to host discussions and lectures across the territory, contributing to a growing local movement to reclaim and share untold stories of the past.
“It’s just that time,” Dowling said. “Time to tell the full story.”