The Merikins (derived from the word Americans) of the company villages, south Trinidad, are descendants of former African-American slaves from Southern American States. They fought on the side of the British, as part of the Colonial Marines  during the British American war of 1812 - 1814, in exchange for their freedom. This freedom consisted of relocation to Trinidad, with each family being granted 16 acres of land. They arrived in Trinidad in six companies or batches between 1815 - 1816 to settle and develop what is now known as the company villages.

The National Archives is now hosting an exhibition entitled Celebrating the Merikins: Our heritage, Our faith,Our future.