generations.

Businessman Kirk Kitson and United Bermuda Party MP Rick Spurling handed over the deeds for a half-acre lot on Smith's Island to The National Trust to preserve.

With the donation, the Trust now owns five acres of property on the island in St. George's Harbour.

"We are very grateful for this donation,'' Trust president Hugh Davidson, who accepted the deeds, said. "Smith's Island has significant tracts of open space and is one of the last few undeveloped areas of Bermuda.'' The 61-acre Smith's Island was home to Bermuda's first settlers.

After the wreck of the Sea Venture in 1609, Christopher Carter, Robert Waters, and Edward Chard stayed on the island for two years.

In 1612, the first party of settlers from England -- 50 men, women, and children led by Governor Richard Moore -- arrived on the Plough and lived on the island.

DEEDS OF TRUST! -- UBP MP Rick Spurling, far right, and businessman Kirk Kitson, right, yesterday presented the deeds to half an acre of land on Smith's Island to National Trust president Hugh Davidson and director Amanda Outerbridge.