Rev. J. M. Trew

A history of Jamaica, William James Gardner, 1873.

      I first encountered John McCammon Trew in my research on Robert Love, who had been deeply influenced by him while growing up in the Church of England in Nassau.
       Later I learned more about his remarkable career in Jamaica, first as a Church of England clergyman in Manchester and St Thomas-in-the-East, and then later as the man who established the Mico Normal School.
        I will try, if only very inadequately, to show how important a role he played in Jamaica's history in the early 19th century.

Daily Gleaner, March 26, 1914

marriages performed by the Rev J M Trew in St Thomas-in-the-East, 1818-19

From the Rev. J. M. Trew, Rector of St. Thomas in the East, Jamaica.
November 14, 1822.
      It is with sentiments of devout congratulation, that we have to announce to you the extension of the Bible Society's influence in this western hemisphere.
     On Wednesday, the 13th instant, a meeting of its friends took place in the Court- house, at Morant Bay, pursuant to notice, which was respectably, although not very numerously, attended on which occasion an Institution was established, to be called The Jamaica Eastern Auxiliary Bible Society.
     Several magistrates of this extensive precinct came forward to cooperate in this laudable undertaking; and it was matter of satisfaction to witness the kind and affectionate feeling which existed among some, who till this period were in a great measure ignorant of the vast benevolent designs of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
      This circumstance will receive some degree of confirmation, when we acquaint you, that a sum amounting to nearly sixty pounds currency, was subscribed at the close of the meeting, which will be applied chiefly towards augmenting the funds of the Parent Institution; of this, however, we shall apprize you more fully hereafter.
     It only now remains for us to request, that you will receive this infant Institution into the number of your Auxiliaries, and that, while you extend a fostering care towards its temporal affairs, you will also commend it to the care of Him who ruleth in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth - that He may be pleased to prosper this our handiwork, and cause it to bring forth fruit unto eternal life.
     It was unanimously resolved,
That the Hon. George Cuthbert be President, and the Hon. William Shand, Kenneth Macpherson, and William Lambie, Esqrs. and the Rev. Edward F. Hughes be Vice Presidents of this Society.
That Mr Charles Scott and Mr. Newall Berwick be requested to accept the office of Treasurers; and that the Rev. J. M. Trew, and the Rev. J. Stainsby be Secretaries; and Mr. Joseph Pickford, Assistant Secretary.

The Religious Intelligencer, Volume 9
N. Whiting, 1824

THE CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, 1836

The sad record of the deaths of his wife and two of his daughters while on the way from the U.K. to join him in Jamaica -