Sam Sharpe, a Creole slave...
Illustration
Sam Sharpe, a Creole slave born in Jamaica in 1801, was the spark that lit the slave rebellion in Jamaica in 1831. You might say that Sam burned with the spirit of freedom rather than the spirit of slavery.
Sam knew how to read and write and through his exposure to various newspapers he learned that many people in England were opposed to slavery. A religious man, Sam joined the Baptist church in Jamaica, the church being the only organized activity to which a slave could belong. Sam's leadership abilities soon became apparent and he became the "daddy" or leader of the church.
Sam developed a plan that he believed would bring an to end slavery. He suggested that all slaves should refuse to work after Christmas holiday, 1831. This was the time of year that the sugar cane was ripe and needed to be harvested quickly. Sam believed that plantation owners would rather pay the slaves to harvest the crop than let it rot. Sam's plan called for passive resistance, not violence.
But other slaves wanted more. On December 27, 1831, these slaves set fire to the Kensington Estate. Violence spread quickly and the government dispatched soldiers to ruthlessly put down the rebellion. Captured prisoners were taken to court, and condemned to die. On May 23, 1832, Sam Sharpe was executed in Market Square, Montego Bay. So strong did the spirit of freedom burn within him, so much did he detest the spirit of slavery that he said, "I would rather die on yonder gallows than live in slavery."
Two years later, bowing to political pressure, the British government passed the Abolition Bill which banished slavery in the British Empire.
Sam knew how to read and write and through his exposure to various newspapers he learned that many people in England were opposed to slavery. A religious man, Sam joined the Baptist church in Jamaica, the church being the only organized activity to which a slave could belong. Sam's leadership abilities soon became apparent and he became the "daddy" or leader of the church.
Sam developed a plan that he believed would bring an to end slavery. He suggested that all slaves should refuse to work after Christmas holiday, 1831. This was the time of year that the sugar cane was ripe and needed to be harvested quickly. Sam believed that plantation owners would rather pay the slaves to harvest the crop than let it rot. Sam's plan called for passive resistance, not violence.
But other slaves wanted more. On December 27, 1831, these slaves set fire to the Kensington Estate. Violence spread quickly and the government dispatched soldiers to ruthlessly put down the rebellion. Captured prisoners were taken to court, and condemned to die. On May 23, 1832, Sam Sharpe was executed in Market Square, Montego Bay. So strong did the spirit of freedom burn within him, so much did he detest the spirit of slavery that he said, "I would rather die on yonder gallows than live in slavery."
Two years later, bowing to political pressure, the British government passed the Abolition Bill which banished slavery in the British Empire.
