'Another landmark has been removed from the town of Port Antonio
by the death of Mr. John Simeon Levy.' June 30, 1926
by the death of Mr. John Simeon Levy.' June 30, 1926
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John Sim[e]on Levy [1860-1926] 'Mr. Levy first saw the light of day in a little town in the parish of Manchester, in the year 1860, the offspring of Richard and Ophlia Levy. He was educated at the Mandeville Free School. In the choice of a calling, the young man decided to walk in the footsteps of Tubal Cain, and in due course was indentured to a Mr. McKenzle Powell, blacksmith. In this capacity he came to Port Antonio 45 years ago, in the service of the Boston Fruit Co., afterwards going into business on his own account.' Daily Gleaner, June 30, 1926
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John S. Levy was, it seems, one of at least seven children born to Richard Levy and his wife, Ophelia, in the 1860s and '70s. Richard was described as 'laborer' and later as 'planter', which may not indicate any change of status but only a change in terminology. It also seems that Richard and Ophelia were not married in the earlier 1860s, but had married at some date before the mid-1870s.
Register of Baptisms, Parish of Manchester, 1863
The later records also indicate that this Levy family was Black, and the Jewish surname may have been perhaps acquired from a slave owner who had owned Richard, or his father, before 1834.
Register of Baptisms, Parish of Manchester, 1875
I have found practically nothing so far on the early history of the Mandeville Free School which was run by the Manchester District Free Schools Trust, but I will keep on looking.
McKenzle Powell was a blacksmith in Mandeville as late as 1878, who was also quite a skillful veterinary surgeon.
McKenzle Powell was a blacksmith in Mandeville as late as 1878, who was also quite a skillful veterinary surgeon.
The Boston Fruit Company:
'A man of courage, energy, push and an unconquerable will, rising from the ranks, he demonstrated by his own endeavours the possibilities of his race; and it was his great delight to help and to encourage the enterprising by word and deed. His dauntless spirit over-stepped every obstacle, showing itself in his contribution towards the improvement of the Titchfield Trust Lands, and the draining of swamp lands for banana cultivation. Among the various activities which were crowded into his busy life, might be mentioned: a livery business, a bakery, lessee of the Port Antonio market, contractor to the hospital and alms house, Port Antonio. Eventually he acquired extensive property and became a cultivator.'
from his obituary, Daily Gleaner, June 30, 1926
from his obituary, Daily Gleaner, June 30, 1926
Daily Gleaner, December 11, 1926
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Daily Gleaner, March 5, 1927
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