Key Heritage Sites in St. Ann that you had ignored.
The parish of St. Ann has numerous unique heritage sites that are around the parish and many citizens have passed these sites daily without recognizing the significance it has on the heritage of St. Ann and the country at large. According to Khan Academy Heritage refers to a property that has been obtained and or passed down through the generations. Heritage does not consist of money but rather of culture, beliefs, practices, and properties. Sharing a place with a local region implies a sense of common security. It speaks to our unique set of experiences and personalities, as well as our attachment to the past, present, and future. In this weeks Blog we are going to take a look at the Key Heritage Sites in St. Ann that are not known to persons(Khan Academy, n.d.).
Our Lady of Perpetual
Help
The
Spaniards were the first settlers in Jamaica, and they migrated to higher
ground on the shore when they settled in Seville, La Nueva. Thus, in 1534,
Abbot Peter, a martyr from Angleria, Italy, began the construction of a stone cut
church. The Spanish village that was Seville La Nueva was later relocated to
Spanish Town. The church was discovered near St. Ann's, but according to an
English historian named Hans Sloane, it was built using a stone form
constructed of ashlar and marble taken a mile up the hill. Because it was
constructed adjacent to the Peter Martyr The church is connected to the early
16th-century church and is located on the same property. The church was named
"Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church." (Jamaica National
Heritage Trust, n.d.)
Photo of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Photo
by: Jamaica National Heritage Trust-https://insidejourneys.com/tpthursday-a-jamaican-church/
Buxton
The Community of Buxton had been a free local community that was founded by the Rev. John Clark with the assistance of a philanthropist named Mr. Sturge. Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, was an abolitionist, was later given the town's name. He labored tirelessly to provide slaves with independence (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Sturge Town
This
settlement was named after Joseph Sturge, a Quaker giver who supported for the
abolishment of the Baptist teacher Reverend John Clark's apprenticeship
framework, which was laid out in 1839. The Town is around eight miles from this
settlement. By 1840, the town had developed to incorporate a school and a church.
The school was controlled by the church since it was monitored by Samuel Hodges,
the nearby minister at that time (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Photos of Sturge Town
Photo by: digjamaica-http://digjamaica.com/m/blog/free-to-live-jamaicas-free-villages/2/
Photos by:TheJamaicanationalHeritageTrust-http://www.jnht.com/_images/sturge_town_batist_church.jpgThe Bellevue Great House
This
Great house is situated in St. Ann. The archeological proof of this Great house
pronounces that it was a Taino Site. Moreover, there are two Taino destinations
on the ongoing property. In 1982, a gold antiquity was found on the property
and was the main gold ancient rarity to be recuperated on the island of
Jamaica. This particular artifact is a gold circle that dates from AD 600-800
and is utilized as an eye or ear plug for the Taino's Zemis stately divine
beings. This curio is kept at the Facey
Family (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
A photo of the Bellevue Great House
Photo by: The Jamaica National Heritage Trust- http://www.jnht.com/site_bellevue_great_house.php
The Liberty Hill Great
House
This
Great house, which dates back to the 600-650 AD and is believed to be the
earliest Taino settlement in Jamaica, is found not a long way from where
Christopher Columbus originally arrived on the island. The property was
utilized as a pimento ranch in 1786, and this harvest developed richly on the
property. Cotton was additionally developed on the land, in spite of the fact
that at that point, pimento was more well-known than cotton. Over the course of
that time span, the Liberty Hill Plantation House and Pimento Barbeque have endured
and are as yet situated on the property (Jamaica National Heritage Trust,
n.d.).
The Mount Plenty Great
House
This
Great House served as a home for custos, the collection of products, services,
and animals for St. Ann. As a result, the property was used to bury the Most
Honorable John Hiatt, who was born in 1772 and died at the age of 98. The property
is well-known for its horse rearing at that time (Jamaica National Heritage
Trust, n.d.).
A Photo of the Mount Plenty Great House
Photo by: The Jamaica National Heritage Trust-http://www.jnht.com/site_mount_plenty_great_house.phpThe Seville Great House
This
Great House is the most notable structure for the English when they came to
Jamaica. When the island was captured by the English in 1655, The Spaniards
deserted New Seville since they had lost the war. After the war, the English
appointed various properties to victorious warriors and officials who had fought
in the war and had survived. During the time spent assigning these properties,
the City of New Seville was given to Captain Hemmings, who was an official in
the military. In 1745, Hemmings' grandson constructed the great house that is
on the property now where the first house was inherent the seventeenth century
(Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
A Photo of the Seville Great House
Seville Heritage Park
This
park is situated on the same property as the Seville Great House. This is a
significant fascination that has antiques in plain view that portray the
different parts of the existence of the Taino's. The Park overlooks the exceptional
Caribbean Sea and the remnant of a waterwheel used to work the old sugar
factory (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Photo by : The Jamaica National Heritage Trust- https://www.slideshare.net/IgotspArkSs/sevielle-heritage-parkThe Edinburgh Castle
The
castle is located in the Pedro District in St. Ann. This castle was built by
Lewis Hutchinson, who was recorded as Jamaica’s first ever serial killer.
Hutchinson was a Scottish doctor who arrived on the island of Jamaica in the
1760s. Hutchinson was known as the "Mad Doctor" because, with a
single shot, he would kill any passerby. When he killed individuals, he would
force his slaves to throw their bodies in a sinkhole that is located on the
property. In this worst form of dementia, he would invite his victims to his
castle, where they would be entertained and later killed. After a time,
Hutchinson seemed to have become more daring as he shot his neighbor, who did
not die, and a soldier in full view of the colonists. The soldier died on the
spot. The Solider was on his way to arrest Hutchinson for shooting his neighbor,
but Hutchinson responded first by killing the soldier. Hutchinson tried to
escape from the island, but when he was about to set sail, he was captured and
later hanged at the Spanish Town Gallows in 1773. The number of people
Hutchinson killed will never be known, but when the property was searched after
he was captured, twenty-three watches and a huge amount of clothing were found.
At present, the castle stands in ruins (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Photos of the Edinburgh Castle
Now in this video titled "Lewis Hutchinson: Jamaica's First Recorded Serial Killer X Crime Conviction," this video gives a great overview of the history of the Endinburgh castle and the owner, Lewis Hutchinson(Dutchess Charm, 2020).
Video by : Dutcchess Charm-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYA1kfC_sc32 Market Street
Marcus
Mosiah Garvey, a national hero, was born on this street. On August 17, 1887,
Jamaica's first national hero was born, the youngest of eleven children. He
came from a poor household, yet it did not stop him from being the outstanding
leader that he was. Because to his financial circumstances, he had to leave
school early. He did not, however, let this deter him from his quest to learn.
Garvey became a global advocate for the advancement of black people, not only
in Jamaica. Garvey lived in a house made of wood that was built on blocks. It
is defined as having a Jamaican vernacular style. Anthony Scott and the African
People Association worked together to create a bust of Marcus Garvey in 1989(Jamaica
National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
A Photo of Marcus Garvey's House on this Street
The Drax Hall Waterwheel
Drax
Hall began as a sugar-producing company. It was a sugar estate until the 1880s,
when it switched to bananas, cattle, and then copra after 1905. This waterwheel
was used to make raw sugar from sugar cane juice. The cane was crushed by
forcing it between the rollers of a sugar mill using the waterwheel. Flowing
river water was available during the sugar plantation era and could be used to
power the mill roller. The water at Drax Hall came from a dam on the St. Ann
Great River, which identified the hall's western boundary. The
water flowed from a gutter to the main road via a dam piece, then along the
road until it passed beneath a dam near the Drax Hall estate entrance gates,
where it was piped so the wheel could operate. The water wheel's remnants may
be found on the Drax Hall Estate, which was founded in 1669 by William Drax, a
Barbadian who immigrated to Jamaica. In the manifestation process, the
waterwheel was employed to supply power to turn on the sugar mill rollers. When
travelling to St. Ann’s Bay, this waterwheel can be seen on the left-hand side
of the road in Drax Hall (Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Photos of the Drax Hall Water Wheel
The Moneague Inn
This
inn has been documented since 1844, since it was managed by Adolphe Duperly. It
was considered the best hotel on the island in 1860. This inn is significant
because it is situated on the main highway connecting the North Coast to
Seville, the Spanish capital of the time. Because people frequently take a
night break throughout a three-day travel, it is the most essential location
(Jamaica National Heritage Trust, n.d.).
Photo By: ferngullyjamaica- http://ferngullyjamaica.synthasite.com/Moneague-Hotel.php
The Old Ship Anchor
This
ship anchor can be found on Priory St. Ann's main road. This anchor was recovered
from a ship called the HMS Hinsonbrook, which was built in 1778 in Nunt,
France, and later became a British warship. Captain Horatio Nelson commanded
the ship, which was fully rigged. This ship was a six-ship raider with 28 guns.
It also took part in other missions, including the well-known attack on the San
Juan Fortress and the capture of the Spanish in Central America. On January 19,
1778, the ship left Port Royal, Jamaica, and began to take on water, sealing
its fate. The ship captain chose to try to go to St. Ann, but as
it reached the harbor at the West Reef, the vessel stopped responding to the
helm and ran aground. Despite the ship's crew members' best efforts, they were
unable to get the ship over the reef. As a result, they were forced to abandon
the ship. Later that night, a schooner arrived and stole the ship's gun and
some stores, as well as the surviving crew members, and the ship sank. The
anchor was found and is now a renowned tourist attraction in St. Ann (Jamaica
National Heritage Trust, n.d.)
Unfortunately, there is no picture available for the display this anchor, but a short video is provided below to show the anchor as it stands today(ORIGINAL LIVING_with Nasalinks, 2020).
Dunn’s River
Dunn's
River is considered to be the location of the major battle "Las
Chorreras," which occurred in 1657 between the Spaniards and the English
for the control of Jamaica. The Spaniards named the region "Las
Chorreras," interpreted as "cascade or stream." The significance
of "Las Chorreras" has been decreased over the long haul to
"Ocho Rios", and that signifies "eight rivers,"
notwithstanding the region has just four streams, to be specific: the Cave
River, Roaring River, Turtle River, and Dunn's River. These waterways are
recognized by their straightforwardness, consistent stream, and quick plunge,
set apart by fast streaming cascades that flow directly into the Caribbean Sea.
The Dunn's River Falls and Park is a breathtaking waterfall that stretches for
about 183 meters (600 feet). Charles Pryce became the major proprietor under
British rule after the English victory in 1657. The Dunn's River location was
later discovered to be critical for the 276-acre Belmont property, which was
acquired by the government in 1972 in order to facilitate future improvements
to sporting and park services. The Belmont site was shared with the United
Development Corporation (UDC) for Jamaicans (Jamaica Information Service,
n.d.).
Good blog Shania I have been in this parish for quite a number of years now and I can say I never knew these sites were heritage sites thank you for highlighting us I am awaiting more educational content from this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent blog. I have learned about the heritage sites which i thought were abandoned buildings. Now i have learned about them. Next time when i see one of them i can easily identify that heritage site thanks to this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is excellent at telling information. I learned about all about the heritage sites. But the one that learned the most is Dunn's river where the famous battle of Las Chorreras happened. Next time when i see one of these sites can easily identify them and the history about them.
ReplyDeleteThis is an insightful piece. Shania, I had no clue there was a serial killer in St. Ann based on the facts I've acquired on this travel blog throughout the years I've lived there. Furthermore, I had no idea the parish had a castle. On my journey to Ocho Rios, I pass by the Drax Hall Water Wheel and seldom think of its cultural significance to St. Ann, let alone the old anchor or the history of Dunn's River Falls. Thank you very much for highlighting me on these sites, Shania.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I had no idea these places had culturally significant to St. Ann I'm delighted I read this blog post in order to learn more about St. Ann. Thank you for providing this information. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete