Historical Reflections of Anguillian Offspring in Perth Amboy, New Jersey - Part 2

Historical Reflections of Anguillian Offspring in Perth Amboy, New Jersey - Part 2

By Eric Hughes

I am the proud offspring of Anguillian immigrants who migrated to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and I am sharing our story for posterity. This article highlights and transcends with fondest memories several amazing leadership accomplishments and success stories of their offspring.

This week, I will proudly present the outstanding and historical stories, careers and talent of pioneering young men, spear-headed by their dedicated Anguillian immigrant parents.

Austin E. Gumbs

President, Junior Class of 1949; and President, Senior Class of 1950

Austin E. Gumbs was born and raised in Perth Amboy and was the third son of William Alexander and Edith Gertrude (Richardson) Gumbs of Crocus Bay and The Valley, Anguilla, who migrated to the US around 1910. Austin wholeheartedly agreed that his Anguillian background played a major role in helping him reach his goals and objectives. For example, several years ago in an interview, he mentioned to me: “A very strong independent thinking atmosphere pervaded our home. We were forever reminded to respect ourselves as well as others. Our parents worked hard to support us, and I know this was because of their traditional Anguillian upbringing. We were expected to strive to better ourselves and not to depend on others. Education was stressed with no other option permitted.”

Austin excelled in high school by getting excellent grades and participating in numerous school activities that demonstrated his leadership and artistic skills. He was a poet, playwright and theatrical director, who wrote his junior and senior class plays “Through the Years,” and “Home Again Kathleen.” At a later date, he also wrote several other plays and original songs, including a comedy play entitled “Young Summer” that was produced by the Perth Amboy Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Later on, he wrote several original songs including “Anguilla My Island, Anguilla My Home”.

Austin was a member of the school chorus, track team and sports editor of the school. As a result of his outstanding multiplicity of academic, artistic and athletic skills, Austin’s class members elected him both Junior Class President of 1949 and Senior Class President of 1950, to lead them to reach their goals and objectives.

He completed his undergraduate education from Bowie State University in Maryland, was awarded an MA from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, and he also pursued advanced studies at the universities of New York, Rutgers, Kean State, in addition to Wagner College.

Austin had an illustrious career in the field of education. He started in 1954 as a 6th and 7th grade teacher at Perth Amboy School No. 5; 1959-1969 as a teacher, and Poet, Playwright and Theatrical Director at Perth Amboy High School; and during 1967 served as Vice Principal of Perth Amboy School No. 10 (currently the Dr. H. Richardson School); as Principal of Perth Amboy School No. 2 in 1969 (currently Ceres School). The City of New Brunswick in 1970 hired Austin as Principal of Redshaw Junior High School.

Austin was known for a number of “firsts” in the educational arena. He was the first African American high school teacher in Perth Amboy when he taught English from 1959 to 1969; he was hired in 1972 as the first African American Principal in Highland Park High School, NJ. His tenure in Highland Park was followed by the appointment in 1976 as the first African American Superintendent of schools in Highland Park and Middlesex County. In 1980, he was appointed the first African American Superintendent of schools in Willingboro, NJ.

He also became in 1972 the first and only African American official elected to the City Council in Perth Amboy. Moreover, Austin served a number of years as President of the Perth Amboy Board of Education.

He was inducted into the Perth Amboy High School Hall of Fame (NJ) in 1989, as one of its distinguished graduates and was also named Distinguished Alumnus of Bowie State University that same year.

I recall one of Austin’s proudest international moments occurred in 1967, when as President of the Anguilla Improvement Association, he accompanied the legendary late Jeremiah (Jerry) Gumbs, an Anguillian also from Perth Amboy, and the late first Chief Minister Hon. Ronald Webster of the Government of Anguilla to the United Nations in Manhattan, NYC. The purpose of the visit was to discuss Anguilla’s plight in the dispute with the former colony of (St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla). They were also received at the Pan American Union in Washington, DC and subsequently flew to San Francisco to meet with individuals interested in assisting Anguilla during their struggle to secede from the former colony of Saint Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla.

David W. Rey

President, Junior Class of 1951

David Wilfred Rey was born and raised in Perth Amboy to parents William B. and Agnes T. Rey, who were immigrants from Anguilla. He was the youngest of three siblings.

David became one of the most popular students in high school. He was a member of the Senior Council, Senior Chorus and participated in many other extracurricular activities. Because of his outgoing personality and comedic but sly disposition, humour and unparalleled wit and fun and friendliness galore, he sought and was elected Junior Class President of 1951, only two years after Austin Gumbs was elected class president.

During David’s early years, he took tap dance lessons and appeared in and won many talent shows in the Perth Amboy area. He portrayed two prominent African American entertainers at school events and other contests: Cab Callaway, a very popular, zoot suited actor/entertainer from the 1930s and 1940s; and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, an expert tap dancer and respected actor from the 1920s and 1930s. David received rave reviews for his performances.

David was a very good athlete. He played on the baseball team, ran track and later in life became a very good tennis player.

He was a very intelligent person and soon began thinking of college as a junior. Eventually, David attended Saint Paul’s College graduating with a B.Sc degree in 1956. He continued his education at Newark State College and earned an M.A. degree in 1963, and completed eighty-seven credits beyond an M.A. degree at Columbia University in 1968.

Professionally, David was an educator. He was appointed Assistant Principal of School No. 10 in 1969, and taught at William C. McGinnis School in 1976 and the Samuel E. Shull School in 1987 until his retirement from the Perth Amboy School System in 1994.

David was also president of two important organizations in Perth Amboy: The Sons and Daughters of Anguilla whose mission was working towards maintaining the connection to the Motherland (Anguilla) and identifying Anguillians worthy of achievement recognition. He also led the Modern Gents Social Club that promoted social events and sponsored academic scholarships to deserving and needy black students.

To be continued…

The Daily Herald

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