DOCSLIB.ORG

Important People in Jamaica's History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Important People in Jamaica’s History Introduction There are many important people who have helped to shape the Jamaican nation. Many of which have led or influenced the important events that were discussed in the previous topic. Here we will highlight those important individuals and their work or impact on the nation. Before we begin to list the names of these individuals, we must define a few important terms: Hero - This is a person who shows great acts of courage or strength when faced with danger or adversities. Our national heroes and heroine was named because of their services to Jamaica in a most distinguished nature. Heroine - The title given to a female hero. Our only heroine is Nanny of the Maroons. Nation - A large group of people united by history, culture or language and are located in a particular territory. Eg. Jamaica Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Profile of Our National Heroes and Heroine Norman Washington Manley Born: July 4, 1893 in Roxborough, Manchester. Died: September 2, 1969 Parents: Margaret A. Shearer Thomas Albert Samuel Manley. Money: Present on the $5 coin. Short Biography Manley was a scholar, lawyer, athlete and soldier in World War I. He was the founder of the People’s National Party (PNP) and remained President for 31 years until his retirement. He played essential roles in moving the country towards independence (August 1962) and self-government (July 1959). Manley was conferred with the Order of National Hero on October 18, 1969 as per Government Notice 706 Jamaica Gazette, along with his cousin Alexander Bustamante. Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History George William Gordon Born: 1820 near Mavis Bank Died: October 23, 1865 Education: Mostly self-educated Parents: Ann Rattray and Joseph Gordon Money: Present on the $10 coin Short Biography George William Gordon did a lot. He was a shopkeeper, land owner, produce dealer, politician, social worker, philanthropist and preacher. He was an evangelist and the leader of the Native Baptist Movement. He built multiple churches and was elected into the House of Assembly at an early age in 1843. When he entered politics, he was an advocate for the poor-stricken peasants and spoke openly on their behalf. During that time Paul Bogle was actively revolting against the government and they believed William Gordon played a part when Paul Bogle and his men raided the courthouse and set it on fire. Due to this a warrant was set for George William Gordon by Governor Eyre. George was sentenced to death on October 21, 1865. In honor of him the Jamaican Parliament House was named after him. It is often referred to as ‘Gordon House’ for short. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Paul Bogle Born: In 1822 Died: October 24, 1865 Money: Present on the 10-cent coin. Short Biography Paul Bogle and George William Gordon worked alongside each other. Paul Bogle was made Deacon of one of George William Gordon’s churches and leader of one of the parties in charge of taking complaints to the Governor. Due to the many injustices and poverty Bogle was urged to lead a protest march to the Morant Bay courthouse on October 11, 1865, also known as the Morant Bay ReBellion. He was captured and hanged on October 24, 1865. Paul Bogle was appointed with the Order of the National Hero in 1969 as per the second schedule of the National Honours and Awards Act. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Nanny of the Maroons Born: Unknown – she may have been born in Jamaica or Africa. Died: In the 1750s Money: Present on the $500 bill. Short Biography Much is not known about Nanny of the Maroons. She was not a slave and originated from the Ashante triBe. She was the sister of Cudjoe that led the Trelawny Town Maroons and Quao. Her focus was around the welfare of women and children in the community and she served as a spiritual leader of the ‘Windward Maroons’ in Nanny Town located in Portland. Nanny was also a great military leader; she was particularly skilled in organizing the guerilla warfare conducted by the Eastern Maroons to keep away the British troops who attempted to overpower them. "Granny Nanny" was always seen as a symbol of strength and unity. Her grave may be found in Moore Town, Portland (New Nanny Town) at Bump Grave. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Samuel Sharpe Born: In 1780 Died: May 23, 1832 Money: Present on the $50 bill. Short Biography Sam Sharpe is known for his work in leading the Slave Rebellion in 1831. His great leadership qualities have resulted in many trusting him and he was appointed leader of the native Baptists in Montego Bay. Sam Sharpe's plan was to have a peaceful protest and have slaves refuse to work on or after Christmas Day until they were paid properly and got better treatment. The information spread quickly throughout other parishes such as Trelawny, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Manchester. On December 27, 1831, the Kensington Estate Great House was set on fire and that was the start of the rebellion. The slave rebellion led to the death of many slaves and 14 whites. Sharpe was hanged on May 23, 1832. In 1838, slavery was aBolished shortly after the Abolition Bill that was passed by the British Parliament in 1834. He is also known for his famous saying: “I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery”. On March 31, 1982 the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe was conferred the Order of the National Hero as per Government Notice 23 Jamaica Gazette along with Nanny of the Maroons. Sam Sharpe Square in St. James was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Sir Alexander Bustamante, K.B., O.N.H., Ll.D (Hon.) Born: February 24, 1884 in Blenheim, Hanover Died: August 6, 1977 (Age 93) Education: Up to the Primary Level Parents: Robert Clarke and Mary Clarke Money: Present on the $1 coin Short Biography Bustamante during his early years was involved in the trade union throughout Latin America and the Meditarranean. Upon returning to Jamaica he began to speak out about the poor social conditions of Jamaica and demanded a better life for those who were poor and underprivileged. Bustamante then joined the Jamaica Workers and Tradesmen’s Union as treasurer and here he influenced workers to take action against their poor conditions as well. This led to Bustamante’s arrest for influencing the people to gather unlawfully and he was sent to jail without bail followed by a detention camp in 1940. Upon his release on July 8, 1943 he formed the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP). Shortly after the passage of universal adult suffrage in May 1944, Bustamante took the young JLP to the general elections where the Party won 22 of the 32 seats. He was named Chief Minister in 1953 and became the first Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1962. The Bustamante Children's Hospital was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Marcus Mosiah Garvey Born: August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay Died: June 10, 1940 Money: Present on the $20 coin Short Biography Marcus Garvey was known for his work in a published newspaper ‘The Watchman’. He encouraged self-government for black people worldwide, cultural activities, economic projects and protest against racial discrimination through the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He travelled throughout the United States in 1916 and by 1921 he was the leader of the largest black organization in history. In 1922 he was charged with fraud and sent to prison then deported to Jamaica approximately three years later. Upon his return he continued to organize public meetings and other cultural activities but soon left for England until he suffered two strokes in 1940 that led to his death. He was buried in Kendal Green Cemetery, London and in 1964 his body was sent back to Jamaica and reburied in National Heroes Park. Marcus Mosiah Garvey became Jamaica’s first National Hero. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Index of Key Terms Hero Heroine Nation People's National Party (PNP) Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Norman Manley International Airport Samuel Sharpe Marcus Mosiah Garvey Nanny of the Maroons George William Gordon Paul Bogle Norman Washington Manley Sir Alexander Bustamante Slave Rebellion Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Guerilla Warfare Jamaican Parliament House (Gordon House) Morant Bay ReBellion Caribbean Youth Development Institute .
Recommended publications
  • After the Treaties: a Social, Economic and Demographic History of Maroon Society in Jamaica, 1739-1842

    After the Treaties: a Social, Economic and Demographic History of Maroon Society in Jamaica, 1739-1842

    University of Southampton Research Repository Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis and, where applicable, any accompanying data are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non‐commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis and the accompanying data cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content of the thesis and accompanying research data (where applicable) must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder/s. When referring to this thesis and any accompanying data, full bibliographic details must be given, e.g. Thesis: Author (Year of Submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University Faculty or School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination. University of Southampton Department of History After the Treaties: A Social, Economic and Demographic History of Maroon Society in Jamaica, 1739-1842 Michael Sivapragasam A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History June 2018 i ii UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON ABSTRACT DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY Doctor of Philosophy After the Treaties: A Social, Economic and Demographic History of Maroon Society in Jamaica, 1739-1842 Michael Sivapragasam This study is built on an investigation of a large number of archival sources, but in particular the Journals and Votes of the House of the Assembly of Jamaica, drawn from resources in Britain and Jamaica. Using data drawn from these primary sources, I assess how the Maroons of Jamaica forged an identity for themselves in the century under slavery following the peace treaties of 1739 and 1740.
  • We Make It Easier for You to Sell

    We Make It Easier for You to Sell

    We Make it Easier For You to Sell Travel Agent Reference Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM PAGE ITEM PAGE Accommodations .................. 11-18 Hotels & Facilities .................. 11-18 Air Service – Charter & Scheduled ....... 6-7 Houses of Worship ................... .19 Animals (entry of) ..................... .1 Jamaica Tourist Board Offices . .Back Cover Apartment Accommodations ........... .19 Kingston ............................ .3 Airports............................. .1 Land, History and the People ............ .2 Attractions........................ 20-21 Latitude & Longitude.................. .25 Banking............................. .1 Major Cities......................... 3-5 Car Rental Companies ................. .8 Map............................. 12-13 Charter Air Service ................... 6-7 Marriage, General Information .......... .19 Churches .......................... .19 Medical Facilities ..................... .1 Climate ............................. .1 Meet The People...................... .1 Clothing ............................ .1 Mileage Chart ....................... .25 Communications...................... .1 Montego Bay......................... .3 Computer Access Code ................ 6 Montego Bay Convention Center . .5 Credit Cards ......................... .1 Museums .......................... .24 Cruise Ships ......................... .7 National Symbols .................... .18 Currency............................ .1 Negril .............................. .5 Customs ............................ .1 Ocho
  • World Bank Document

    World Bank Document

    37587 Public Disclosure Authorized National and Regional Secondary Level Examinations and the Reform of Secondary Education (ROSE II)1 Public Disclosure Authorized Prepared for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Culture Government of Jamaica January 2003 Public Disclosure Authorized Carol Anne Dwyer Abigail M. Harris and Loretta Anderson 1 This report is based on research conducted by Carol A. Dwyer and Loretta Anderson with funding from the Japan PHRD fund. It extends the earlier investigation to incorporate comments made at the presentation to stake- holders and additional data analyses and synthesis. The authors are grateful for the generous support of the Ministry Public Disclosure Authorized of Education, Youth, and Culture without whose contributions in time and effort this report would not have been possible. Acknowledgement is also given to W. Miles McPeek and Carol-Anne McPeek for their assistance in pre- paring the report. Findings and recommendations presented in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Jamaican government or the World Bank. 2 A Study of Secondary Education in Jamaica Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures 3 Executive Summary 4 Recommendation 1 4 Recommendation 2 5 Introduction and Rationalization 8 Evaluation of the CXC and SSC examinations 10 CXC Examinations. 13 SSC Examinations. 13 CXC & SSC Design & Content Comparison. 13 Vocational and technical examinations. 15 JHSC Examinations. 15 Examinations and the Curriculum. 16 Junior High School and Upper Secondary Curricula. 18 The Impact Of Examinations On Students’ School Performance And Self- Perceptions. 19 Data on Student’s Non-Academic Traits.
  • Statement by the Honourable Olivia Grange, Cd, Mp Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport

    Statement by the Honourable Olivia Grange, Cd, Mp Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport

    STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE OLIVIA GRANGE, CD, MP MINISTER OF CULTURE, GENDER, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT ON THE MATTER OF EFFORTS TO CLEAR THE CRIMINAL RECORDS OF NATIONAL HEROES AND OTHER FREEDOM FIGHTERS HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Mr. Speaker, The legacy that we honour and celebrate during Heritage week is a direct result of the selfless acts of our country’s six named National Heroes. During this week every year we acknowledge as a nation that the tenacity, resilience and fearlessness of these freedom fighters laid the foundation for the social, economic and political advancement of Jamaica. It is only fitting therefore that I rise in this Honourable House today to advise you Mr. Speaker, the Members of the House and the entire Jamaica of the intention of this administration to take immediate steps to enact legislation which would once and for all set the record straight and ensure that justice is served for at least some of those who stood up for cleared the pathway to our modern democracy. Mr Speaker the Cabinet has approved drafting instructions in respect of legislation which will cause the expungement of the criminal records of notable freedom fighters, national heroes, supporters, sympathizers and participants by association who were involved in the 1760 Chief Tacky’s St. Mary rebellion, the 1831/32 Christmas rebellion, the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion and the 1929 campaign of the People’s Political Party. 1 | P a g e Our National Heroes Paul Bogle, Samuel Sharpe and Marcus Garvey, as well as, our ancestral hero Tacky, will be those directly affected by this legislation when it comes into being.
  • The Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica

    The Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica

    timeline The Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica Questions A visual exploration of the background to, and events of, this key rebellion by former • What were the causes of the Morant Bay Rebellion? slaves against a colonial authority • How was the rebellion suppressed? • Was it a riot or a rebellion? • What were the consequences of the Morant Bay Rebellion? Attack on the courthouse during the rebellion The initial attack Response from the Jamaican authorities Background to the rebellion Key figures On 11 October 1865, several hundred black people The response of the Jamaican authorities was swift and brutal. Making Like many Jamaicans, both Bogle and Gordon were deeply disappointed about Paul Bogle marched into the town of Morant Bay, the capital of use of the army, Jamaican forces and the Maroons (formerly a community developments since the end of slavery. Although free, Jamaicans were bitter about ■ Leader of the rebellion the mainly sugar-growing parish of St Thomas in the of runaway slaves who were now an irregular but effective army of the the continued political, social and economic domination of the whites. There were ■ A native Baptist preacher East, Jamaica. They pillaged the police station of its colony), the government forcefully put down the rebellion. In the process, also specific problems facing the people: the low wages on the plantations, the ■ Organised the secret meetings weapons and then confronted the volunteer militia nearly 500 people were killed and hundreds of others seriously wounded. lack of access to land for the freed people and the lack of justice in the courts.
  • 4/2/2017 4/2/2017 Results Event 1 Girls 3000 Meter Run OPEN 1 485

    4/2/2017 4/2/2017 Results Event 1 Girls 3000 Meter Run OPEN 1 485

    Jamaica National Championship Meet Hy-Tek's MEET MANAGER 9:26 AM 6/2/2017 Page 1 JAAA/ JAMALCO DEVELOPMENT MEET 2017 - 4/2/2017 4/2/2017 Results Event 1 Girls 3000 Meter Run OPEN Name Age School Seed Finals Finals 1 485 Jones, Jade Hydel High 11:12.35 2 225 McGROWDER, Vonessa 19 Edwin Allen 11:52.98 3 618 Wint, Zoey-Ann 16 Manchester High School Girls 11:59.99 Event 2 Boys 5000 Meter Run OPEN Name Age School Seed Finals Finals 1 248 Sweeney, Aj 17 Edwin Allen 17:20.58 2 68 Mundle, Romar 19 Bellefield High School 17:27.94 3 190 gregory, rohealo 19 Cross Keys High 17:40.90 4 295 Stapleton, Shavawn 19 Excelsior High School Boys 18:15.55 5 289 Fairweather, Tavio 19 Excelsior High School Boys 18:15.97 6 65 Howell, Shemar 16 Bellefield High School 18:17.38 7 162 Tyme, Derrick 16 Christian High School Boys and 18:57.29 8 70 Tomlin, Akeem 17 Bellefield High School 18:59.02 9 73 Wilson, Tajshae 19 Bellefield High School 19:00.98 10 1239 Williams, Rajmore 17 Tacius Golding High School 19:16.23 11 521 Mclaren, Lamard Lennon High School 19:16.30 12 155 Ledgister, Chadroy 18 Christian High School Boys and 19:28.28 13 837 Bryan, Tajay 18 Tacius Golding High School 20:20.07 Event 3 Girls 1500 Meter Run CLASS 3 Name Age School Seed Finals Finals 1 212 Dwyer, Rushana 14 Edwin Allen 4:53.34 2 51 Lawerence, Aneisha 14 Bellefield High School 4:54.54 3 433 Pryce, Samantha 14 Holmwood Technical High Girls 4:55.73 4 624 Chamberlain, Shatay 15 Mavis Bank High 4:59.59 5 449 Williams, Dahiema 14 Holmwood Technical High Girls 5:14.19 6 424 Johnson, Aliya 14 Holmwood
  • The Muslim Maroons and the Bucra Massa in Jamaica

    The Muslim Maroons and the Bucra Massa in Jamaica

    AS-SALAAMU-ALAIKUM: THE MUSLIM MAROONS AND THE BUCRA MASSA IN JAMAICA ©Sultana Afroz Introduction As eight centuries of glorious Muslim rule folded in Andalusia Spain in 1492, Islam unfolded itself in the West Indian islands with the Andalusian Muslim mariners who piloted Columbus discovery entourage through the rough waters of the Atlantic into the Caribbean. Schooled in Atlantic navigation to discover and to dominate the sea routes for centuries, the mission for the Muslim mariners was to find the eternal peace of Islam as they left al-Andalus/Muslim Spain in a state of ‘empty husks’ and a land synonym for intellectual and moral desolation in the hands of Christendom Spain. The Islamic faith made its advent into Jamaica in1494 as these Muslim mariners on their second voyage with Columbus set their feet on the peaceful West Indian island adorned with wooded mountains, waterfalls, sandy beaches and blue seas. The seed of Islam sown by the Mu’minun (the Believers of the Islamic faith) from al-Andalus gradually propagated through the enslaved African Muslims from West Africa brought to serve the plantation system in Jamaica. Their struggle or resistance (jihad) against the slave system often in the form of flight or run away (hijra) from the plantations led many of them to form their own community (ummah), known as Maroon communities, a feature then common in the New World plantation economy.1 Isolationism and lack of Islamic learning made Islam oblivion in the Maroon societies, while the enslaved African Muslims on the plantations saw their faith being eclipsed and subdued by the slave institution, the metropolitan powers and the various Christian churches with their draconian laws.
  • John Eyre, the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, and the Racialisation of Western Political Thinking

    John Eyre, the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, and the Racialisation of Western Political Thinking

    wbhr 02|2012 John Eyre, the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, and the Racialisation of Western Political Thinking IVO BUDIL The main purpose of this study is to analyze the process of so-called ra- cialisation of the Western thinking in a concrete historical context of Brit- ish colonial experience in the second half of the nineteenth century. For most authors, the concept of racialisation was related to the Europeans´ response to their encounter with overseas populations in the course of global Western expansion from the early modern age. Frantz Fanon de- scribed the phenomenon of racialisation as a process by which the Euro- pean colonists created the “negro” as a category of degraded humanity: a weak and utterly irrational barbarism, incapable of self-government.1 However, I am convinced that the post-colonial studies established by Eric Williams and his followers emphasizing the role of racism as a strategy of vindication and reproduction of Western hegemony over overseas socie- ties and civilizations tend to neglect or disregard the emergence and the whole intellectual development of the racial vision of the human history and society with various functions, impacts and role within the Western civilization itself. Ivan Hannaford stressed that the idea of ancient Greeks to see peo- ple not in terms of their origin, blood relations, or somatic features, but in terms of membership of a public arena presented a crucial political achievement and breakthrough in human history.2 It created the concept of free political space we live in since
  • We Make It Easier for You to Sell

    We Make It Easier for You to Sell

    We Make it Easier For You to Sell Travel Agent Reference Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM PAGE ITEM PAGE Accommodations .................. 11-18 Hotels & Facilities .................. 11-18 Air Service – Charter & Scheduled ....... 6-7 Houses of Worship ................... .19 Animals (entry of) ..................... .1 Jamaica Tourist Board Offices . .Back Cover Apartment Accommodations ........... .19 Kingston ............................ .3 Airports............................. .1 Land, History and the People ............ .2 Attractions........................ 20-21 Latitude & Longitude.................. .25 Banking............................. .1 Major Cities......................... 3-5 Car Rental Companies ................. .8 Map............................. 12-13 Charter Air Service ................... 6-7 Marriage, General Information .......... .19 Churches .......................... .19 Medical Facilities ..................... .1 Climate ............................. .1 Meet The People...................... .1 Clothing ............................ .1 Mileage Chart ....................... .25 Communications...................... .1 Montego Bay......................... .3 Computer Access Code ................ 6 Montego Bay Convention Center . .5 Credit Cards ......................... .1 Museums .......................... .24 Cruise Ships ......................... .7 National Symbols .................... .18 Currency............................ .1 Negril .............................. .5 Customs ............................ .1 Ocho
  • Redalyc.Jamaica: Forty Years of Independence

    Redalyc.Jamaica: Forty Years of Independence

    Revista Mexicana del Caribe ISSN: 1405-2962 [email protected] Universidad de Quintana Roo México Mcnish, Vilma Jamaica: Forty years of independence Revista Mexicana del Caribe, vol. VII, núm. 13, 2002, pp. 181-210 Universidad de Quintana Roo Chetumal, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=12801307 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative 190/VILMAMCNISH INTRODUCTION ortyyearsagoonAugust6,1962Jamaicabecamean F independentandsovereignnationaftermorethan300 hundredyearsofcolonialismundertheBritishEmpire.Inthein- ternationalcontext,Jamaicaisarelativelyyoungcountry.Indeed, incontrasttothecountriesinLatinAmerica,Jamaicaandthe othercountriesoftheEnglish-speakingCaribbean,allformercolo- niesofGreatBritain,onlybecameindependentinthesecondhalf ofthe20thcentury.UnliketheirSpanish-speakingneighboursthere- fore,noneoftheseterritorieshadthedistinctionofbeingfound- ingmembersofeithertheUnitedNationsorthehemispheric bodytheOrganisationofAmericanStates. Thepurposeofmypresentationistopresentanoverview,a perspectiveofthepolitical,economicandculturaldevelopment ofJamaicaoverthesefortyyears.Butbeforedoingso,Ithinkit isimportanttoprovideahistoricalcontexttomodernJamaica. SoIwillstartwithabriefhistoryofJamaica,tracingthetrajec- toryofconquest,settlementandcolonisationtoemancipation, independenceandnationhood.
  • From Freedom to Bondage: the Jamaican Maroons, 1655-1770

    From Freedom to Bondage: the Jamaican Maroons, 1655-1770

    From Freedom to Bondage: The Jamaican Maroons, 1655-1770 Jonathan Brooks, University of North Carolina Wilmington Andrew Clark, Faculty Mentor, UNCW Abstract: The Jamaican Maroons were not a small rebel community, instead they were a complex polity that operated as such from 1655-1770. They created a favorable trade balance with Jamaica and the British. They created a network of villages that supported the growth of their collective identity through borrowed culture from Africa and Europe and through created culture unique to Maroons. They were self-sufficient and practiced sustainable agricultural practices. The British recognized the Maroons as a threat to their possession of Jamaica and embarked on multiple campaigns against the Maroons, utilizing both external military force, in the form of Jamaican mercenaries, and internal force in the form of British and Jamaican military regiments. Through a systematic breakdown of the power structure of the Maroons, the British were able to subject them through treaty. By addressing the nature of Maroon society and growth of the Maroon state, their agency can be recognized as a dominating factor in Jamaican politics and development of the country. In 1509 the Spanish settled Jamaica and brought with them the institution of slavery. By 1655, when the British invaded the island, there were 558 slaves.1 During the battle most slaves were separated from their masters and fled to the mountains. Two major factions of Maroons established themselves on opposite ends of the island, the Windward and Leeward Maroons. These two groups formed the first independent polities from European colonial rule. The two groups formed independent from each other and with very different political structures but similar economic and social structures.
  • History of Portland

    History of Portland

    History of Portland The Parish of Portland is located at the north eastern tip of Jamaica and is to the north of St. Thomas and to the east of St. Mary. Portland is approximately 814 square kilometres and apart from the beautiful scenery which Portland boasts, the parish also comprises mountains that are a huge fortress, rugged, steep, and densely forested. Port Antonio and town of Titchfield. (Portland) The Blue Mountain range, Jamaica highest mountain falls in this parish. What we know today as the parish of Portland is the amalgamation of the parishes of St. George and a portion of St. Thomas. Portland has a very intriguing history. The original parish of Portland was created in 1723 by order of the then Governor, Duke of Portland, and also named in his honour. Port Antonio Port Antonio, the capital of Portland is considered a very old name and has been rendered numerous times. On an early map by the Spaniards, it is referred to as Pto de Anton, while a later one refers to Puerto de San Antonio. As early as 1582, the Abot Francisco, Marquis de Villa Lobos, mentions it in a letter to Phillip II. It was, however, not until 1685 that the name, Port Antonio was mentioned. Earlier on Portland was not always as large as it is today. When the parish was formed in 1723, it did not include the Buff Bay area, which was then part of St. George. Long Bay or Manchioneal were also not included. For many years there were disagreements between St.