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.
New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!
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! How much do you love Jamaica?
Join our growing list of well-thinking Jamaica-loving folks who are demonstrating what a friendly, helpful and fun Jamaican community looks like. 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
Experience Negril Jamaica - The Undisputed Capital Of Casual
They call it the capital of casual in Jamaica, and for good reason, no other town has the flair, ease, excitement, fun and vibes like Negril Jamaica
Ocho Rios Jamaica - Welcome To The Capital Of Adventure
Forget Negril, Forget Montego Bay! With its unique personality, Ocho Rios Jamaica contributes a significant way to Jamaica's rich tourism offering. Here's why.
Major Jamaican Cities & Towns - Including the Largest City in Jamaica
Did you know that there are officially, only two Jamaican cities, Montego Bay and Kingston? But wait, Portmore is right on their heels.
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
- History of St. Thomas, https://nlj.gov.jm/history-notes/History%20of%20St.Thomas%20Final.pdf
New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿
 |
You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! 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 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. |
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.
NEW!
Join the growing list of well-thinking, Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community
👇🏿
Featured Video!
Travelling To Jamaica?
Read this BEFORE you go
👇🏿
New Here?
I recommend you START HERE to enjoy the best of this website!
New! For Authentic Jamaican products, from my very own hands, visit my Etsy store here.
Recent Articles
-
River Tubing In Jamaica | Where Should I Go?
Apr 14, 24 05:34 PM
You can’t avoid water activities on a Jamaican vacation. We are an island after all! I see you are interested in river tubing in Jamaica. Here’s where to go. -
Champs 2024 | A Little History And The Highlights!
Apr 12, 24 05:18 PM
Champs 2024 was an absolutely remarkable display of talent from our young athletes! Here are the highlights. -
What Is The Duty Free Threshold In Jamaica?
Apr 11, 24 09:34 AM
What is the duty free threshold in Jamaica? If you are interested in getting items into the island, this is something you may want to know. -
Health Benefits Of The Jamaican Cassava
Apr 10, 24 09:01 PM
Cassava isn’t quite as popular as before, but it is still a favourite for some Jamaicans. Let’s look at the health benefits of the Jamaican Cassava. -
What Are The Best Outdoor Activities In Jamaica?
Apr 09, 24 11:51 AM
Jamaica is beautiful, I’m sure you’ve heard. But how much will you experience at the hotel? What are the best outdoor activities in Jamaica? Let’s find out!
About The Author
A patriotic Jamaican who adores its culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.
To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day (and over 1.1millon page views monthly)
His efforts have earned this site featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.
He invites you to subscribe to this site to stay updated on all the latest and check out his unique Jamaican products on his e-store.
If you are on social media, here are the links to follow his latest posts:
You are also invited to join his exclusive JAMHearts community where like-minded Jamaican enthusiasts discuss all things Jamaican.
Didn't Find What You Are Seeking?
Do a quick site search here:
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.