An American writer describing Christmas in the British colonies in North America writes - 'Eighteenth-century customs don't take long to recount: church, dinner, dancing, some evergreens, visiting - and more and better of these very same for those who could afford more.' It is likely that that description is largely true of Christmas in Jamaica in the 1700s; our modern ideas of Christmas developed in the next century. Apart from descriptions of 'John Canoe' celebrations, I have so far found little else specifically on Christmas at that period.
In his book In Miserable Slavery Professor Douglas Hall surveys the diaries of Thomas Thistlewood, an Englishman who operated properties in Jamaica from 1750 to 1786. Some of the diary entries deal with Christmas. The main references are to Thistlewood's visits and visitors and to his special provisions for the slaves for the holiday. There is one description of a Christmas meal, which is quite interesting! (Stewed mudfish?!)
In his book In Miserable Slavery Professor Douglas Hall surveys the diaries of Thomas Thistlewood, an Englishman who operated properties in Jamaica from 1750 to 1786. Some of the diary entries deal with Christmas. The main references are to Thistlewood's visits and visitors and to his special provisions for the slaves for the holiday. There is one description of a Christmas meal, which is quite interesting! (Stewed mudfish?!)
from the diaries of Thomas Thistlewood
1751:
December
Tuesday 24th:
Received home 5 canoe loads of copperwood.
Shot a diver in the great pond. A very hard shower this afternoon.
Employed raising the trash and weeding the plant-cane sprouts in the Stoop See piece. Also weeded our peas.
Had Yule cake tonight. Brought home at 4 cart loads about 8 bundles of scotch grass for to serve the cattle in the holidays.
Two draughts heading wood from the trench side to the stoke-hole.
Cruddon and Frank assisting the carpenters. Ambo and Cudjoe lopping fences.
Old Tom brought home his five fathoms of rope as usual.
Lent Robert two pistoles, and gave him leave to go to Mr Williams’s Savannah and see his wife.
Wednesday 25th:
In the morning a pretty strong north, and coolish pleasant day at times cloudy with some drizzling rain.
Served a barrel of mackerel (384) amongst the Negroes. Also gave a pint of rum and some sugar to each Negro (the children excepted).
Thursday 26th:
The Negroes drumming and dancing all night along.
A very fine morning. Went and dined at Salt River. In the evening came home.
Mr Richard Pirot and his wife there, who are going to set up a school at Savanna la Mar, to be opened the 16th of January next.
At dinner had gooseberry tart. Today one of Mr Dorrill’s sloops came in with 42 mules.
In the news is a long account of the flying engine, in shape of a bird, performed by quicksilver and wheels, managed by a person with a large tail fastened to his thighs, by a Jesuit 20 years in India.
1756:
Sunday, 26th December:
Gave Mirtilla’s Sukey, for a Christmas box, 3 bitts. In the morning served our Negroes 6 herrings each, drivers 12 each, children some two some three each ...
In the morning Mr Crookshanks rode over here (gave him a glass tumbler) then he prevailed with me to go to Paradise with him.
Called at Mr Mordiner’s going, dined at Paradise, Mr Win. Maddin, Mr John Bell, Mr Blanch, Mr Samuel Mordiner, his wife [Quasheba] & children also dined there.
1760:
Wednesday, 24th December:
Driver Johnie drumming at the Negro house last night. Flogged him for it.
Thursday, 25th December:
Being Christmas Day, gave it to the Negroes. Gave strict charge to the Negroes to make no noise, &c’
1768:
Sunday, 18th December:
Gave my Negroes tickets as it is near Christmas.’
Sunday 25th:
Mr Hayward, Mr Morris, Capt. Cheeseman, and Mr John Hartnole dined with me. Had stewed mudfish, and pickled crabs, stewed hog’s head. Fried liver, &c. quarter of roast pork with paw paw sauce and Irish potatoes, bread, roast yam and plantains. A boiled pudding, very good. Cheese, musk melon, water melon, oranges, French brandy said to be right Cognac, punch and porter.
We walked into the New Ground, upon the hills, &c.
Sent to Egypt for Mr Hartnole, a fine loin of pork. This morning I gave Lincoln a bottle of rum. Abba ditto, Dick and Solon a bottle between them, Cudjoe and Johnie ditto, the girls a bottle among them, Pompey, Chub, and Caesar each a drink. Also about 9 herrings each Negro, and above a pint of dry salt to everyone.
p.m. Gave Kirkpatrick Old Quashe a bottle of rum.
For mudfish, a bitt. Mr Hartnole sent me some mudfish; I sent them to Mrs Bennett.
Monday 26th:
Gave my Negroes today.
1769:
Monday, 25th December:
Served my Negroes this morning 4 herrings and 4 mackerels each, gave Lincoln and Abba each a bottle of rum; Cudjoe and Johnie a bottle; Dick and Solon a bottle; girls a bottle; Pompey. Chub and Caesar each a dram, &c.
1774:
Sunday, 25th December:
Served my Negroes 18 herrings each, likewise gave Lincoln, Dick & Abba each a bottle of rum, Cudjoe & Solon a bottle between them, Caesar & Pompey do, Chub & Strap do, Fanny, Damsel & Bes do. Rest of the women 2 bottles among them. Phib 5.
Gave Abba 4 bitts for Christmas.
Gave my Negroes tickets.’
1781:
Monday, 24th December:
People terribly alarmed, for fear of an invasion.
Tuesday, 25th December:
It is said Governor Dalling is returned to Town; could not get the Windward Passage for French men of war cruising in the way.
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Thistlewood's diaries are extremely difficult to read, especially in the duplicated version (which is the one I once tried to use) because of the old style writing and the ravages of time. We must be grateful that they have survived, and that determined scholars are mining this virtually unique source. Thistlewood, whatever his failings, was a meticulous recorder of plantation life in 18th century Jamaica, including very valuable weather records, which hardly exist elsewhere.
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and from Edward Long, History of Jamaica, 1774
In the towns, during Christmas holidays, they have several tall robust fellows dressed up in grotesque habits, and a pair of ox-horns on their head, sprouting from the top of a horrid sort of vizor, or mask, which about the mouth is rendered very terrific with large boar-tusks. The masquerader, carrying a wooden sword in his hand, is followed with a numerous crowd of drunken women, who refresh him frequently with a sup of aniseed-water, whilst he dances at every door, bellowing out John Connu' with great vehemence; so that, what with the liquor and the exercise, most of them are thrown into dangerous fevers; and some examples have happened of their dying. This dance is probably an honourable memorial of John Conny, a celebrated cabocero at Tres Puntas, in Axim, on the Guiney coast; who flourished about the year 1720. He bore great authority among the Negros of that district.
. . . In 1769 several new masks appeared, the Ebos, the Papaws, etc. having their respective Connus, male and female, who were dressed in a very laughable style.
two later 18th century accounts:
Peter Marsden, An account of the Island of Jamaica, 1788
"At Christmas the slaves are allowed three days holiday during which time they are quite at liberty, and have herrings, flour and rum. They dance minuets. . .imitating the motion and steps of the English but with a degree of affection that renders the whole truly laughable and ridiculous. . .A gentleman some years ago was murdered here by his slaves, purely because he obliged them to work on the days appointed for holidays."
William Beckford, A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica, 1790
The negroes at this season of the year are in continual hurry and confusion nor do they ever seem to form any regular plans for the conduct or amusement of those days which they anticipate with so much pleasure and which they generally consume with as little thought. Their occupations and diversions seem to arise from the impulse of the moment; and many pass their time in dull and sedentary inaction, who were previously determined to give themselves up to song and dance. The first day of this recurring holiday they generally spend among the mountains, in collecting provisions for their own use, or in raising money to expend again in dress and trifles at the neighbouring town: the more wealthy sell poultry, or kill a hog, (by which they make a considerable profit), or give an entertainment to their friends, or make a public assembly, at which every person pays a stipulated sum at his admittance.
The mulattoes likewise at this season have their public balls, and vie with each other in the splendour of their appearance; and it will hardly be credited how very expensive their dress and ornaments are, and what pains they take to disfigure themselves with powder and with other unbecoming imitations of the European dress. Their common apparel at other times, and mode of attiring, are picturesque and elegant; and as the forms of the young women are turned with equal grace and symmetry, and as their motions in the dance are well calculated show off their make to the greatest advantage the most pleasing attitudes, as well as the most various inflections of body and of limbs, may be taken from them when thus engaged their most favourite amusement.
At Christmas the negroes upon neighbouring estates are divided like other communities, into different parties: some call themselves the Blue girls, and some the Red; and their clothes are generally characteristic of their attachment.
The plantation Negroes always make a point to visit their masters at Christmas when they array themselves in all their finery: they divide themselves upon the different estates; and those belonging to one property go down in procession together; and those of another, though belonging to the same master detach themselves in like manner, and proceed with music and singing to the place of their destination: at which, when arrived, and after having made their odd salutations they begin the song and dance, for it is almost impossible to do one without the other; and the very children, so soon as they are able to walk, at the first sound of the cotter (which I shall hereafter explain) put their little elbows in motion – their feet shall shortly follow, and in a little time the whole body seem[s] to be in action.
. . .
When the negroes are assembled at Christmas in all their finery, and select a spreading tree, under the shadow of which they assemble, they certainly form many very picturesque and pleasing groups, and though a general resemblance of colour and features may be thought at a little distance to prevail, - yet the most common observer will, upon a near inspection, perceive a very striking discrimination of both.
Some negroes will sing and dance and some will be in a constant state of intoxication, during the whole period that their festival at Christmas shall continue; and what is more extraordinary several of them will go ten or twelve miles to what is called a play, will sit up and drink all night, and yet return in time to the plantation for their work the ensuing morning: many, indeed, are consequently laid up in the hospitals; and too many, I fear, fall victims to condemned watchfulness, fatigue and inebriety.
William Beckford, 1744-99, was the cousin of the more famous, or infamous, William Beckford, the author of Vathek.
He was the illegitimate son of Richard Beckford, who left him several properties in Jamaica, including Roaring River. William, born in Jamaica and educated in England, lived in the island from 1774-88. On his return to London financial problems landed him in the Fleet Prison for his debts. While in prison he wrote A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica. |