Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

BECKFORD'S FREE SCHOOL, (Spanish Town). Established in 1744 by a bequest from Peter Beckford.

Treasurer: W. T. March

SMITH'S FREE SCHOOL, (Spanish Town). Supported by a bequest of £3000 from Francis Smith, to establish a school on the principles of the Church of England.

JAMAICA FREE SCHOOL (at Walton Pen in St. Ann's)

Master: Rev. G. Handford, M.A.

MANNING'S FREE SCHOOL (in Westmoreland).

Head Master: Rev. Daniel Fidler

RUSEA'S FREE SCHOOL (in Lucea, Hanover).

Master: James N. Dawes

St. JAMES' FREE SCHOOL (in Montego Bay, St. James). The present Trustees elect are R. W. Buchanan, S. G. Corinaldi, and Thomas Clerk.

Master: John Kroger Hepburn.

Mistress: Mrs. J. K. Hepburn

TITCHFIELD FREE SCHOOL (in Port Antonio, Portland)

Master: Charles Angel

VERE FREE SCHOOL (in Parish of Vere).

Treasurer: H. L. Garrigues

Head Master: Rev. John Thompson

Clerk: S. E. Auld

WOOLMER'S FREE SCHOOL (in Church Street and Parade, Kingston).

Head Master: William A. Hunt (salary £252)

Usher: P. Gallego (salary £180)

Assistant Teacher: E. A. Bell (£120)]

Teacher of French and Spanish: Andrew Judah (£120)

Teacher of Infant School: Maria Moore French (£120)

Teacher of Female School: Amelia Lecesne (£120)

Assistant Tutoress: Ellen McKerr (£60)

Male Schools: Number on Lists about 500. Average attendance 300

Female Schools: Number on Lists 480. Average attendance 280

MUNROE AND DICKENSON'S SCHOOLS (in the Parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth). A very large sum was bequeathed by these individuals for the establishment and maintenance of Schools in these Parishes, but the funds till recently have been grievously mismanaged, and up to the present time little has been done to promote the objects of the Trust. A small school has recently been established in St. Elizabeth's by a portion of the funds, but it is considered very inefficient compared with the Bequest.

NOTE: It was not at first the intention of the Compiler to notice the above schools, but was progress was made in the arrangement of the work, it was considered advisable to give at least a brief notice of the Institutions, some of which are, and all of them might be made, so useful to Jamaica.

MICO CHARITY, NORMAL, AND MODEL SCHOOLS (in upper Hanover Street, Kingston), for aiding Missionary and Educational Societies in Training Teachers. Established in 1836.

Superintendent: Rev. J. O. Beardslee

Master of Model Juvenile School: Rev. S. Whitehorne

Master of Model Infant School: John Martin

Provision is made for the training of fifteen Students, with a view to their being employed as Teachers. They receive a plain education, and are found in bed and board by the Institution.

EDUCATIONAL BOARD'S NORMAL SEMINARY for the training of young men of any denomination to be teachers, supported by annual grant from the House of Assembly.

Head Master: R. Bernard appointed 7/1/1850.

NOTE: This Institution was very efficiently managed by the late master, (now the Rev. A. Finlay of Manchester). Several intelligent young man of promise have been trained as masters, and sent out to labour under ministers of different religious persuasions, and most of them give satisfaction. It is hoped that under the superintendence of J. Cargill, the General Inspector of the Boards' Schools, that the recent appointment may also give satisfaction to the public.

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD OF JAMAICA'S NORMAL SEMINARY, for the training of teachers (in is Montego Bay), supported by contributions.

Directors: A synodical committee, the Chairman of which is the Rev. W. Carlisle (Lucea P.O.)

Classical and Mathematical Tutor: George Miller

Number of students in training for Jamaica and Africa: 12

CALABAR BAPTIST INSTITUTION for the education of young men for the ministry in Jamaica and Western Africa (voluntary con.)

Superintendent and Teacher: The Rev. Joshua Tinson. We can speak with confidence of the ability and fitness for this work of the Rec. Joshua Tinson. We believe the Institution has accomplished considerable good, though the state of the Island is unfavourable to the permanent prosperity of such an establishment.

OTHER SCHOOLS SUPPORTED BY THE DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS

It is impossible to collect accurate information respecting these: the compiler can only offer a few general remarks regarding each, which he hopes will not offend in any quarter, as he has no object in view except the diffusion of useful information which should enhance the value of this work.

General remarks regarding Jamaica Schools: Schools are neither so numerous, nor so well-conducted generally as they were some years ago. To have a good school, an intelligent, well-behaved, and devoted teacher, with the constant support, encouragement, and supervision of the clergyman, or some other influential person, of persons, are necessary. The poverty of the country, asses to the withdrawal of grants, allowed to Jamaica Schools by bodies in England, have made it impossible, in many instances, to retain or employ the qualified teachers. Hence many schools have been broken up, others have languished, and the result has been injurious to education. In some instances the clergyman, or ministers, appears to take no interest in day or sabbath schools, and under any circumstances, much good could not be done here. Other clergymen and ministers, with praiseworthy zeal, and laborious devotedness regarding their schools as second only in importance, to the public ministry of the gospel, have used every exertion to maintain good men as teachers, and in not a few instances have added to their own onerous duties, the hard drudgery of the day school, for three or four days of the week; and where such a spirit has been exemplified, good has been done. The conduct of such is beyond all praise, and stands out in bold relief beside the apparent indifference and apathy of others.

There are other and serious evils connected with the education of the peasantry in Jamaica; but an almanack is not the place to notice them.

Episcopal Schools: Some, when under the favourable auspices referred to above, are well-attended, and comparatively prosperous; other are doing little good.

Presbyterian Church, in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland: A good Sabbath school is connected with this Church, and measures are in progress to establish a day school.

Free Church, Falmouth: A good Sabbath school and a well-conducted grammar school are in operation here.

Jamaica Presbyterian Synod: The churches in Scotland not having withdrawn their assistance from the Synod, an efficient class of catechists and teachers conduct their schools, and considering the state of the island, we may report them in a good condition. Sabbath schools are held at almost every station.

Wesleyan, in connexion with the English Conference: Education is considered by this body, of great importance. A large staff of teachers, at considerable annual expense, have been maintained and with good results. We regret to state that in consequence of other, and what was considered by the Missionary Committee, more pressing claims, the grant from the mission Funds for education in Jamaica, has been greatly reduced, and, in consequence, a number of schools have been relinquished. Still a considerable number of well-managed schools are in operation; and under the able superintendence of the Rev. Jonathan Edmondson, who takes a deep interest in education, and the labours of the teachers, good is being done. Sabbath schools are held wherever teachers fit for the work can be had. See Table, for further information, Wesleyan Association under Rev. Thomas Pinnock. No day schools in connexion with this body; Sabbath schools, where practicable, are held.

Wesleyan Association, connected with the Rev. M. Baxter: We are not aware that any day school is supported by this body; there may be some Sabbath schools held, but cannot report with certainty, as M. Baxter did not reply to an application made to him for information regarding his Church.

Native Wesleyan: We fear that there are neither day nor Sabbath schools connected with this body.

Baptists, recognized by the Baptist Missionary Society: The distress so generally felt in the island, added to the withdrawal of all aid by the Baptist Missionary Society, has been injurious to their schools, some of the ministers finding it difficult to collect from large congregations enough for their own support. Notwithstanding, we find from the last report of the Western Union, that there were 42 day school, with an average attendance of 1992 children, in operation, some of these well-conducted. We can bear testimony to the interest that such men as the Rev. J. Clark, of Brown's Town, take in the education of old and young; still we could hardly say, from all that we can gather, that the majority of the Baptist schools are efficient. There are, by last report, 49 Sabbath schools in the Baptist Western Union, attended by 8586 scholars.

Native Baptists: Same as Native Wesleyan.

Moravians, or United Brethren: Both day and Sabbath schools are held at each of their principal stations. The salaries of the day school teachers is low, owing, we suppose, to the rigid economy which the missionaries must practice. This body has a training school at Fairfield, Manchester, under an intelligent European agent. The pupils in part maintain themselves by agricultural labour.

American Brethren: These are humble and self-denying missionaries, labouring in the parishes of St. Andrew and Metcalfe; they set the highest value on good education, and strive to procure it for the children of their congregations, and for all in their district.

The Independents: The Schools of their body were among the best-conducted country schools in Jamaica. The class of agents they employed were generally superior to most of the other denominations. Within the last few years the London Missionary Society have diminished their assistance to the Jamaica Churches, and in consequence, some schools have been given up, and others conducted by persons not so capable as the former teachers. Still their schools at Morant Bay and Mandeville are amongst the best mission schools in Jamaica. Sabbath schools are held at all their stations.

Roman Catholic School, Kingston: maintained by voluntary contributions of the denomination. We cannot speak of the state of this school; but we have the pleasure of the acquaintance of Mr. Abrahams, the teacher, an intelligent gentleman, and apparently well fitted for the work.

Hebrew National School, Kingston: The teachers are capable, the children intelligent, and their progress respectable.

President: Philip Lawrence

Vice President: George Delgado

Treasurer: Alexander Aria

Directors: Solomon Melhado, B. A. Franklin, Edward Lucas, Emanuel Lyons, J. Mitchell, A. Delgado, John Hart, Abraham Bravo, Lewis Aria, A. De Cordovo [Cordova], D. I. Alberga, J. Lawton

Plymouth Brethren: No day school that we have heard of are maintained by this small body of Christians. When Mr. Coleman was connected with them, he did much to instruct both old and young under his charge.

Commissioners: Hon. William D. Turner M.D., the Attorney General Hon Samuel J. Dallas, Edward Jordon, Philip Lawrence, Richard J. C. Hitchins, George W. Gordon, James Porteous, Henry Hutchings, Robert C. Carr, Robert Osborn.

Surgeon: Joseph Magrath, £200

House Surgeon: James Scott M.R.C.S. London, £436

Dispenser of Medicines: Charles Grant, £100

Steward: Patrick May, £171

Matron: Mrs. Susannah Barnett, £112

Chaplain: Rev. Thomas B. Turner, £100

Secretary: James Scott, £100

Surgeons: Drs. Lawson and Spence

Matron: Judith Ball

Commissioners: The Magistrates and Vestrymen of the Parish of Trelawny, or any five of them

Surgeon: Dr. George Macartney

Treasurer: Archibald Scott

Matron: Mrs. Dawkins

Supported by a duty on Shipping

Surgeon: Dr. A. D. Cooke

Governor: William Ellice

Chairman: Rev. T. B. Turner

Vice Chairman: Rev. S. Oughton

Treasurer: Henry Hutchings

Committee of Management: Rev. Dr. Stewart, Rev. Nathan Ashby, Dr. Charles Campbell, Dr. J. Magrath senior, Dr. Alexander Fiddes, John Hoyes, John S. Brown, Thomas McWhinney, Samuel Hendrick, R. J. C. Hitchins, James H. McDowell, Henry Hutchings, William Parke, Edward Lucas, Philip Lawrence, Jacob Bravo, Robert J. McPherson, Thomas Bland, William Titley, George Silvera, John Nethersole, Colin Campbell, George Delgado, James K. Fingzies.

Medical Officers: Eastern District: Dr. Sampson Altman; Western District: Dr. J. Magrath junior.

According to the Printed Report, there were 672 cases treated during last year, of whom only 22 died.

Physician: Dr. Charles Trutch

Clerk: William Ayton

Physician: William Forsyth Henderson, M.D.

Botanist and Curator of the Gardens: Nathaniel Wilson

Clerk: Ambrose Carter

The Botanic Garden at Bath is one of the best in the West Indies. The present Curator is a gentleman well qualified for the situation, and has devoted himself to the improvement of the Gardens with an earnestness of purpose, skill and assiduity, seldom manifested in Jamaica.

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