Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!

St Thomas Jamaica
The Home Of the Maroons & The Morant Bay Rebellion

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

start_here_if_new_image_link

see_jamaica_in_videos_banner_july_2024_large
St Thomas Jamaica | Morant Bay Court House (Photo Credit: Jamaica National Heritage Trust)St Thomas Jamaica | Morant Bay Court House (Photo Credit: Jamaica National Heritage Trust)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

When many persons are visiting or touring Jamaica, the parish of St. Thomas probably never comes to mind. However, this parish is a historical gem.

New! Take a piece of Jamaica with you💃!

Savour the memories!  Now you can get your authentic Jamaican souvenir items, as well as traditional Jamaican herbs, spices and housewares on our popular e-store. Click Here to learn more.


And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!

St. Thomas in the East was the parish's original name, and it was chosen primarily to set it apart from St. Thomas in the Vale (which is now a part of modern-day St. Catherine). One of the oldest parishes in Jamaica, St. Thomas was formed by combining the previous parish of St. David with St. Thomas in the East.

St. Thomas was one of the first places in Jamaica to be settled, and its historical legacy stretches back to the 15th century because, according to some historians, when Christopher Columbus arrived, he was met by a sizable Taino presence in the parish.

How Did St Thomas Jamaica Get Its Name?

The names Sir Thomas Modyford and Thomas Hickman-Lord Windsor, two potential governors of Jamaica, were combined to form the name "St. Thomas."

The parish may have been named after Thomas Hickman Lord Windsor in 1662 because some historians contend that St. Thomas was already known by that name when Sir Thomas Modyford arrived.

Morant Bay: The Capital

The parish's primary town and shipping port was determined to be Morant Bay, the capital of St Thomas Jamaica. It was known as "Freeman's Bay" shortly after the English took control there in 1655; Thomas Freeman, who controlled a sizable portion of the area, was the man behind the name.

The town's original name was "Petersborough" and it was located in Court House, Bath St. Thomas in the East. Peter Ballette is credited with planning the town's original layout. When exactly the capital officially adopted the name Morant Bay is unknown.

Settlement

The Tainos (Arawak), who were already on the island when Columbus arrived, were the first group of people to settle in St. Thomas. After establishing, the Spaniards built cattle ranches at "Morante," which would later become Morant Bay.

Another significant town was "Ayala," also known as Yealoth or Yallahs. The first English inhabitants arrived on the island a year after it was taken by the English, among them troops dispatched to populate the Morant Bay region.

Maroons

The Maroons were the main group of people to settle in the parish of St. Thomas out of all the other groups. These maroons were former slaves who fled to the mountains to join other maroon bands who had also deserted their captors due to mistreatment and who did not wish to be held as slaves.

In later years, maroon tribes moved into St. Thomas' hilly regions, where they finally merged with those in Portland to form the "Windward Maroons." They established their own communities, resolutely resisted the English for many years, and to some extent, were successful, since the English were forced to sign a peace treaty with the Maroons.

Morant Bay Uprising

The Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865, which altered how the island of Jamaica was governed, is most often linked to the history of St. Thomas; Paul Bogle, a Baptist deacon from Stony Gut who led a group of his people to the then-capital of Spanish Town to beg for a change in the people's situation, was at the vanguard of the uprising.

Their worries and annoyances were futile because no authority would notice them, which helped to spark the insurrection on October 11, 1865. During the repression of the uprising, many people died, and 439 people were executed while Martial Law was in effect; One hundred forty-seven more people were executed after martial law was lifted.

A commission was established under Edward Eyre's leadership to look into the causes of the riots. The inquiry gave Governor Eyre full credit for acting quickly to put an end to the epidemic but blamed him for continuing to apply disproportionate force and for the way George William Gordon was tried and put to death. Gordon was a well-known Kingston businessman and substantial property owner who served as the St. Thomas assembly member.

He was also politically and religiously involved and harshly criticized Governor Eyre for how he treated the populace and their circumstances. Paul Bogle and George William Gordon were both recognized as National Heroes.

Notable Places in St Thomas Jamaica

  • Bath Fountain
  • Morant Bay Court House
  • Morant Bay Fort
  • Morant Bay Lighthouse
  • Bogle Memorial Garden
  • Stokes Hall Great House

What is St Thomas Jamaica Known for?

The parish is known for a few things but the most popular are:

  • The birthplace of the Honourable Paul Bogle
  • The Morant Bay rebellion
  • Bath Mineral Spring
  • The some-what taboo practice of obeah

Which mountain is found in St. Thomas?

Parts of the Blue Mountain and John Crow mountain ranges are found in St. Thomas

So, if you are asking yourself, should I add St. Thomas as a part of my bucket list of places to visit in Jamaica? With so much history and amazing landmarks, the answer is an astounding yes!

You might like these

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)


If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more. 

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Jamaican Cities and Towns from St Thomas Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from St Thomas Jamaica

References & Sources For St Thomas Jamaica

  1. History of St. Thomas, https://nlj.gov.jm/history-notes/History%20of%20St.Thomas%20Final.pdf

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

JAMAICA_ON_A_BUDGET_EBOOK_COVER_LEAN

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise!

JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget!

I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

my_island_jamaica_channel_tv

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Jamaica_subscribe_button

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

copyscape
Back To The Top Of This Page

Like My Site? Please Click Here To Share It With Your Friends

Home   |   JOIN US   |   Site Search   |   Have Your Say   |   Archives   |   Old Archives   |   Contact   |   Disclaimer   |   TIP ME!   |   Link To Us


Do like I did! Share your passion
(about your city, hobby or experience) and make a living from it. Click Here to see how.

By Wellesley Gayle   |   Copyright © 2007-2024 My-Island-Jamaica.com   |   All rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Policy