samsharpe

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FROM SLAVE TO NATIONAL HERO ... THE SAM SHARPE STORY

"We must all agree to set down after Christmas.
We must not trouble anybody and raise
no rebellion. We did not swear to burn anywhere
or to fight anyone."

SAMUEL SHARPE
LEADER OF THE
1831 SLAVE REBELLION
IN WESTERN JAMAICA
WHICH WAS LARGELY
INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING
ABOUT THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

"I would rather die upon
yonder gallows than
live in slavery"

FROM SLAVE TO NATIONAL HERO ... THE SAM SHARPE STORY

Sam Sharpe was an intelligent man with strong leadership qualities.
He became a leader of the Baptists in Montego Bay
at a time when religious meetings were the only permissible forms
of organised activity for slaves.

Sharpe developed a plan of passive resistance,
by which the slaves would refuse to work.

He selected Christmas Day
of 1831 as the day of action unless their
greivances for better treatment and their
demand for freedom were accepted by the
estate owners and managers.

Sharpe promoted his plan at the religous
meetings and made those who agreed with
the plan, kiss the Bible to show their loyalty.

The plan soon spread throughout the parish of St. James then to the other neighbouring parishes of Trelawny and Westmoreland, and as far as the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth.
The word was out! the slaves were ready for action.

Word of the plan soon reached the ears of some
of the plantation owners and in no time warships
and troops were sent from England to Montego Bay
and to Black River on the South Coast.

There was a great tension across the island as Christmas approached, but it was on December 27
when all hell broke loose as the Rebellion began.

Kensington Estate Great House
was set on fire as a signal, and
soon a series of fires broke out in St. James.
It was clear that the slaves meant business, and
it soon became evident that Sam Sharpe's plan
of passive resistance was now both impossible and impractical.

There was looting and shooting,
but in the main, the Rebellion was confined mostly
in the western parishes.

Sam Sharpe's Rebellion was the catalyst that speeded
up the process for the 1834 Abolition Bill which was passed by the British Parliament, leading to the abolition
of slavery in 1831.

During the Rebellion, 14 whites died and more than
500 slaves lost their lives - most as a result of the ensuing trials.

For his role as leader, Sam Sharpe was hanged
in Montego Bay on May 23, 1832.

Sam Sharpe Square, which is located in Montego Bay,
the island's second city and international tourist resort,
is named in his honour.

WHEN THE REBELLION WAS OVER 106 SLAVES WERE TRIED IN ST JAMES,
99 WERE CONVICTED AND 6 EXECUTED AND 84 SENTENCED TO DEATH,
IN HANOVER 96 OF THE 138 CONVICTED SLAVES WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH,
IN WESTMORELAND, 33 OF THE 64 CONVICTED WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH.
OTHER SENTENCES INCLUDED 500 LASHES, AND ONE SLAVE
WAS GIVEN 300 LASHES WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT!

SAMUEL
SHARPE

National Hero

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