Sky Eclat
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 17, 2012
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SLAVES AND SLAVERY IN JAMAICA
Under the command of Penn and Venables the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish in 1655. In 1662 there were about 400 Negro slaves on the island. As the cultivation of sugar cane was introduced, the number of slaves grew to 9,504 by 1673. The landowners acquired more slaves to do the work on the estates, and in 1734 there were 86,546 slaves. In 1775 there were 192,787. The 19th century Almanacs on this site show the numbers of slaves on each property, until slavery was finally abolished.
In the meantime, there were movements in England pushing for the abolition of slavery. In 1807 the African slave trade was abolished by Parliament, effective January 1, 1808. Theoretically this meant that no more slaves could be brought from Africa to the colonies in the British West Indies, but slaves could be transported from one colony to the other.
Recognizing that the law was not being adhered to, the House of Commons in England passed a bill in 1815 requiring the registration of slaves. It became effective when it was adopted by the colonial legislatures. In 1816 an act was passed for a more particular return of slaves with more information, effective in June 1817, to keep a stricter check on any movement of the slaves. Returns were made until 1834.
In 1823 the British government pledged to adopt measures for the abolition of slavery in the colonies. In the ensuing years there was a considerable exchange of letters on the subject between Britain and the colonies, particularly the legislatures and planters. The slaves by this time were agitated about their status, as the slave trade had already been abolished. In 1824 there was a slave insurrection in Hanover, followed in 1831 by a more widespread insurrection in the county of Cornwall. In June 1833 the governor wrote a Proclamation to the slaves to clarify their status. By December 1833 there was a Bill for the abolition of slavery, and it became effective on August 1, 1834. At that time all slaves became apprentices. They remained working for the same slave masters. The system was a failure, and that too was abolished. Slaves received their unrestricted freedom on August 1, 1838.
Relative to slavery in the British colony of Jamaica, please see the following items on this site:
1702-1787 Numbers of Slaves Shipped
Among the manuscripts donated by C. E. Long to the British Museum there were statistics on the number of slaves shipped into and out of Jamaica from 1702 to 1787. See the combined data at Slave shipments1732 First Maroon War
A Letter from the Governor concerning the First Maroon War, and steps taken in the aftermath.1754 Runaway Slaves
Excerpts from the Courant for June 22 to 29, 1754, contain the names of some runaway slaves or indentured servants, and information about them. See Courant 1754.1760-1810 Persons declared to be "white by law" or "free"
Acts of the Jamaican Assembly 1760-1810 with respect to certain people of African or part-African descent. Acts of Assembly, and Acts of Assembly (2)1776 Slave Revolt
Reports of the 1776 slave uprising in Hanover, taken from newspapers, and private letters.1787 Slaves in DuBourg Marriage Contract
The Marriage Contract between Joseph Thomas Patrice DuBourg and Josephine Charlotte Benigne Brusle widow de Mauleon (translated from the French). The contract lists the names of 95 slaves.1788 Slave Count
A Return of the Number of White Inhabitants, Free People of Colour and Slaves in Jamaica in 1788, by Parish. This list is from CO 137/87. It consists of total number of persons in each category in each parish, and it contains no names. It also shows the number of Maroons in each area. It is typical of the kind of "census" that was sent to England from Jamaica in the early days. See 1788 Return.1789 Letter, and data on slaves on the slave ship "Crescent"
Letter from John Fowler, Jamaica, dated 1789, to James Stothert, referring to purchase of slaves.An analysis of data for the ship "Crescent," and crew and slaves on board.
See Fowler 1789
1790 List of Slaves at Golden Grove
List of Slaves on Golden Grove Estate 30th June 1790. This estate was in St. Thomas in the East.1790 Statistics on Slave Trade with Africa
Slave tables from the 1790 Almanac, showing statistics on slave trade with Africa.1790 Letter, document, and data on slaves on the slave ship "Sarah"
Letter from J. Fowler, Jamaica, dated September 1790, concerning a recent delivery of slaves on the slave ship "Sarah".An analysis of data for the ship "Sarah," trips made, and slaves on board.
A Bill of Sale for provisions purchased by John Fowler for the ship "Sarah" dated August 30, 1790.
See Fowler 1790
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