Montego Bay, St James Parish, Jamaica — Caribbean Region of the Americas (Greater Antilles of the West Indies)
Sam Sharpe
Sam Sharpe was enslaved on both the Croydon Plantation and at a property in Montego Bay in St. James. He was owned by Samuel Sharpe, Esquire, Attorney. He was a man of exceptional intelligence and a Baptist lay preacher. He believed all men were created in the image of God, were equal, and that therefore slavery was wrong. He preached about the injustices of slavery and read of the works of the abolitionists.
In 1831 Sharpe organized a passive resistance movement against slavery in St. James, Trelawny and Westmoreland by demanding pay for work done. Set to begin during Christmas 1831 the strike turned into an armed rebellion. The uprising was savagely suppressed by the English. Hundreds of enslaved people were caught, tried and executed in Montego Bay Market Place on May 23, 1832.
However, the widespread nature and seriousness of the rebellion convinced the British Government that the time had come to end the enslavement of African people. This took place on August 1, 1834 and therefore Sam Sharpe had not died in vain.
Sam Sharpe was buried under the pulpit of the Burchell Baptist Church, here in Montego Bay. In recognition of his fight for freedom, Sam Sharpe has been declared one of Jamaica's National Heroes. This monument is dedicated to Sam Sharpe, National Hero, and shows him preaching to his people.
Caption: Sam Sharpe (died) 1832
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Colonial Era. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1832.
Location. 18° 28.439′ N, 77° 55.379′ W. Marker is in Montego Bay, St James Parish. Marker is at the intersection of Saint James Street and Corner Lane, on the right when traveling south on Saint James Street. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cage (here, next to this marker); Montego Bay Civic Centre (within shouting distance of this marker); Jamaica's Independence and Royal Visit (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Montego Armoury (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Fort Montego Cannons (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Fort Montego History (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Montego Bay History (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Old Hospital Park (approx. 1.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montego Bay.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 620 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 11, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6. submitted on February 20, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.