Sam Sharpe - a note, 1831
Kay Sullivan's Monument to the National Hero, Sam Sharpe, in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.
Jamaican Historical Society Bulletin Vol 8 No 4 December 1981
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The Jamaica Advocate: August 29th, 1896 p 3, cols 2-3
'An Episode with Many Lessons A correspondent in Montego Bay sent us this brief page from the unwritten history of the past. The following highly interesting occurrence took place in this town many years ago. It should prove particularly interesting at this August season, the anniversary of the Negro emancipation. My father was both an eye and ear-witness. Why such a wonderful event has never found its way into the History of Jamaica or of the “Slavery Rebellion”, it is hard to tell. On the 30th May 1831, the martyrdom of Sam Sharpe took place on the scaffold in the Parade of this town in that portion near to the “cage”. Sharpe was, or had been, a slave at the time; could read and write so well, as to occupy a prominent position (that of deacon) in the then shamefully persecuted, but only Christian church at the time, the Baptist Society. In those days the poor negro’s life was in jeopardy if it were known that he could read. Sharpe’s name is mentioned in the “Memoir of William Knibb” lately published in England and now for sale in Jamaica. Every Jamaican should own one. Persecution, hanging, shooting, catting, tarring, feathering, martial law, DEATH, awaited every friend of, or sympathiser with the poor, downtrodden negro slave. For a long time authorities thirsted for Sharpe’s blood; for an equal portion of time he succeeded in baffling them; but they were determined to have him. He was decoyed by promises of trust and honour from the white man; he was taken, and truth, honour and pledge, all sacrificed in the glut for revenge and blood. He was lodged in the gaol of this town to await execution; but he had not to wait long, for, on the next day he was led forth to the place of execution on the Parade, under an escort of soldiers. He wore no shoes, but he had on a pair of socks. At the proper moment he mounted the scaffold, where he made a most affecting appeal, asseverating his innocence of being a participator in the rebellion, to the last moment. He then read from the Bible the (?)5th Psalm, and solemnly invoked the Almighty to send down a shower of rain as soon as he was dead, to prove his innocence to all. The day was known to persons yet alive to have been ‘clear and hot’. The trap door was put away and Sharpe dropped, and as soon as life could have fled, down came the shower of rain. The crowd melted away from very fear, rather than on account of the rain some ran home, of whom my relative was one; only officials bound by duty remained. It rained every day after for seven days. His body was buried in a felon’s grave by the authorities; but there were those who resolved that it should not remain there for ever, if they could help it. * * * * * * * * * * Seven years after, his bones were disinterred in the night by two Christian Baptist Ministers of blessed memory (who took labourers with them), Revs. Wm. Knibb and J E Henderson (the latter gentleman was pastor at the Second Baptist Church in this town until his death) who brought them home to this town in their buggy. These bones are known to have been kept in the possession of an eminent gentleman of that period, Mr Lewin, in his store and residence, in the premises of (then) Mr John H James, Snr, opposite the (now) Second Baptist Chapel . They were subsequently decently arranged, placed in a coffin made for the purpose with a hinged lid and fastening, and deposited in a vault also made for that purpose under the floor beneath the platform of the Communion table in the First Baptist Chapel. There they lay - a holy relic -- in peace, and as it was supposed, in safety until the coffin was, but a very few years ago to everyone’s surprise, discovered to be empty; some dastardly, sacrilegious impecunious monster having assisted in purloining them it is believed as near as possible known, to sell them to a young medical student. Sharpe’s daughter, Mrs Gaynor, now an old lady (she was 2 or 3 years old when it happened) is still in Montego Bay. She lives with her daughter, Mrs Scott, a respectable young married lady; they are both members in the Second Baptist Chapel. The old lady, when spoken with on the subject, invariably melts into tears at the thought of her father’s [body] — a vary precious sacred relic, sacred to all who love their homes and esteem their privileges - having been stolen. On application to the minister, any one will be allowed to have a look at the empty coffin in the vault. A Native of Montego Bay' ------------------- |
This extract from the Jamaica Advocate is not a very accurate account of the events of 1831-32; for one thing the date of Samuel Sharpe’s execution is incorrect and the place of execution is questionable. One suspects that the story of the shower of rain proving Sharpe’s innocence grew up after the event. It is, however, an interesting reflection of popular feeling on the matter.
Of more interest perhaps, is the reference to Sharpe’s daughter and grand-daughter and it is to be hoped that enquiries being made in Montego Bay may throw further light on the question of Sharpe’s descendants, if any.
I am particularly interested in the reference to ‘Mr Lewin’ and I would be glad of any assistance readers could give in identifying this gentlemen. I have noted a number of references to Mr Lewin, whose name is given as Israel Levi Lewin in one place, as a friend of the missionaries. However, reference is also made to a Mr Levine in the same connection. This aroused a query in my mind, as to whether this Mr Lewin/Levine was identical with Mr Sidney Lindo Levien (or Leveen) who was also in Montego Bay in 1831-32 and involved in the events of that time. If anyone could help me with information about Israel Levi Lewin, or Sidney Lindo Levien (in connection with 1831, not 1865 in which I already know of his involvement) I would be most grateful. J.L.
[For more details reference may be made to Samuel Sharpe: from slave to National Hero by C S Reid, published in 1988.]
Of more interest perhaps, is the reference to Sharpe’s daughter and grand-daughter and it is to be hoped that enquiries being made in Montego Bay may throw further light on the question of Sharpe’s descendants, if any.
I am particularly interested in the reference to ‘Mr Lewin’ and I would be glad of any assistance readers could give in identifying this gentlemen. I have noted a number of references to Mr Lewin, whose name is given as Israel Levi Lewin in one place, as a friend of the missionaries. However, reference is also made to a Mr Levine in the same connection. This aroused a query in my mind, as to whether this Mr Lewin/Levine was identical with Mr Sidney Lindo Levien (or Leveen) who was also in Montego Bay in 1831-32 and involved in the events of that time. If anyone could help me with information about Israel Levi Lewin, or Sidney Lindo Levien (in connection with 1831, not 1865 in which I already know of his involvement) I would be most grateful. J.L.
[For more details reference may be made to Samuel Sharpe: from slave to National Hero by C S Reid, published in 1988.]
