September 12, 1934 – Adolphus Eleazer Freeland was born to William and Keturah Freeland. He hails from Potters Village.
Adolphus Eleazer Freeland began his Education at the St. Mark’s Primary School then attended the Potters Primary School shortly after it opened in 1947. He won a Scholarship to the Faith and Hope High School where he completed his secondary education. He earned diplomas in Trade Unionism and Industrial Relations in the UK, USA and Trinidad.
His early employment history includes seven (7) years as a Chemist’s Assistant and a Lab Technician at the Antigua Sugar Factory. He also worked as a “Cane Weigher”, a “Fly Lab Assistant”, and in the later stages as an Overseer.
Adolphus was a talented cricketer. In 1958, he was selected as a fast bowler on the Antigua Team, and later the Leeward Islands Team, all in the same year. He was the first player from Potters to play on either team.
Sir Adolphus was a member of the Leeward Islands and Combined Leeward and Windward Islands cricket teams from 1959 to 1968. He was known to be quite a menacing fast bowler. He is credited with being the first Leeward Islands cricketer to take 5 wickets in a first-class innings. Adolphus Freeland consistently nagged at his opponents off stump with line and length deliveries and then produced vicious bouncers and devastating beamers to terrorize and eventually humiliate the batsmen of the era. He also served for many years as a Director of the then Antigua Cricket Association.
During the 1960’s and the 1970’s, Adolphus Eleazer Freeland was first a vibrant Sunday school teacher at the Potters Zion Moravian Church, and later he became the Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a lay Preacher within the Moravian Church and he preached at every Moravian Church that was established during that period.
Life as a lay preacher was not easy, but it was rewarding for young Adolphus who had to find any means possible to get to churches in places like New Field. On one occasion, Adolphus had to preach at Lebanon Moravian in Seaview Farm, but it was raining heavily in Potters. Adolphus spurred by Sir Dr. V.C. Bird Sr., who once said “… never let rain stop you from fulfilling your mission, because people are waiting and it might not be raining over on their side”, ensured he was ever present for his assigned pulpit. His experience on the pulpit was a key component for his successful political life.
Adolphus’ political career started in 1968 in the midst of the historical split that birthed AWU and PLM. He became the General Secretary of the Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU) in that very year and held that position until 1976, making him the longest serving General Secretary in the history of the union thus far.
Adolphus was also instrumental in the construction of the AT&LU Headquarters on 46 North Street. He worked tirelessly soliciting donations in the form of money, blocks and other building materials.
In 1971, he contested the general elections for the first time as the ALP Candidate in St. George’s constituency but was unsuccessful. He received 520 votes to Sydney Prince’s 707 votes.
In 1976, he won his first of five (5) terms as Parliamentary Representative for the St. George’s Constituency Antigua Labour Party Government. He served in the Cabinet as a Minister until his retirement in 1999.
Sir Adolphus Eleazer Freeland served as Minister of Labour in Antigua and Barbuda for 23 consecutive years (1976 – 1999), the longest serving Minister of Labour in the entire Commonwealth. It is indeed a commendable record.
Adolphus Eleazer Freeland’s ministerial portfolios also included Health. During his tenure as minister of health the improvements to the national health care system includes
- Establishment of the Community Health Aide Program where Health Aides were trained to assist with the administration of Public Health;
- The Friends of Holberton Organization in 1976;
- The construction of the Spring View Hospital in Barbuda;
- The Tuberculosis (TB) Ward transformed into the Gweneth O’Reilly Ward;
- The Health Clinics built in Potters, Newfield, Jennings and Bishopgate Street;
- Radiology and Pathology Units completed;
- Construction of the Medical Benefits Headquarters on Nevis Street to include the initial pharmacy;