it a year later. On 28 April 1812, the British combined the colonies of Demerara and Essequibo into the colony of Demerara-Essequibo. They were ceded to Britain on 13 August 1814. On 20 November 1815, the Netherlands ratified the agreement. Slave rebellion Large slave rebellions broke out in West Demerara in 1795 and on the East Coast of Demerara in 1823. Although these rebellions were easily and bloodily crushed, according to Winston McGowan, they may have had a long-term impact in ending slavery: Dissolution On 21 July 1831, Demerara-Essequibo united with Berbice as British Guiana, now Guyana. In 1838, Demerara was made one of the three counties of Guiana, the other two being Berbice and Essequibo. In 1958, the county was abolished when Guiana was subdivided into districts. Historical Demerara was divided in 1958 and are a part of Guyanese administrative regions of Demerara-Mahaica, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, and Upper Demerara-Berbice. Notable Demerarans Sir James Douglas (1803–1877), Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island (1851–64) and the Colony of British Columbia (1858–64). Rev. Joseph Ketley (1802–1875), Congregational missionary, mid 19th century. John Edmonstone (late 18th century–mid 19th century), a freed slave who taught Charles Darwin taxidermy. Andrew Watson-first black person to play association football at international level. Commanders of Demerara Jonathan Samuel Storm van 's Gravesande (†1761) (1750–1761) Laurens Lodewijk van Bercheijk (†1765) (1761–1765) Jan Cornelis van den Heuvel (1765–1770) Paulus van Schuylenburgh (1772–1781) Antony Beaujon (22 April 1796 – 27 March 1802) Governors of Demerara Robert Kingston (27 February 1781 – 1782) Louis Antoine Dazemard de Lusignan (1782) Armand Guy Simon de Coëtnempren, comte de Kersaint (*1742 – †1793) (1782) Georges Manganon de la Perrière (1783–1784) Directors-general Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande (1752–1772) Joseph Bourda (acting) (6 March 1784 – February 1785) Jan L'Éspinasse (February 1785 – 18 August 1789) Albertus Backer (18 August 1789 – 31 March 1793) Baron Willem August Sirtema van Grovestins (31 March 1793 – May 1795) Antony Beaujon (May 1795 – 22 April 1796) Antony Meertens (27 March 1802 – September 1803) Lieutenant governors of Demerara and Essequibo Robert Nicholson (September 1803 – 18 August 1804) Antony Beaujon (18 August 1804 – 17 October 1805) James Montgomery (acting) (19 October 1805 – 8 May 1806) Henry William Bentinck (*1765 – †1821) (8 May 1806 – February 1812) Hugh Lyle Carmichael (*1764 – †1813) (February 1812 – 11 May 1813) E. Codd (acting) (11 May 1813