Official Slave Registers of Irish Slaveowner Hamilton Brown, Ancestor of Kamala Harris


EXCERPTS FROM THE SLAVE REGISTERS

NATIONAL ARCHIVES, LONDON

CONTRIBUTED by Jeanne A. Smith, MD

The National Archives in London, (also known as the Public Record Office), is the repository for numerous records concerning the West Indies, and Jamaica in particular. These records include wills, manumissions, correspondence, proclamations, slave registers and other transactions. I had the opportunity recently to visit the archives and review a small portion of the myriad records which they have. My interest was in tracing my ancestors back to the slavery days thus I was particularly interested in the Slave registers (T71 series).

I also looked at the Colonial Office correspondence related to apprenticeships, (the compulsory period of service which followed the abolition of slavery in 1834) and found in CO137/231-232 a series entitled “Despatches Apprentices 1838″. The proclamation which follows advises the former slaves that the period of apprenticeship would end in 1838 instead of 1840. Readers of the history of slavery in the West Indies know that many of the islands did not enforce the requirement for an apprenticeship, considering it impractical and unenforceable. The Jamaican planters insisted on an apprenticeship period, but soon discovered that it was unmanageable, and thus the legislation to end the apprenticeship in August 1838, although one would never know from this proclamation that there had been any problems1.

A complete catalogue of Public Record Office holdings, plus information on getting to and using this wonderful facility can be found at www.PRO.gov.uk

Hart Richard, Slaves who Abolished Slavery, Blacks in Rebellion University of the West Indies Press 1985


JAMAICA, ss

A   P R O C L A M A T I O N

By his Excellency Sir LIONEL SMITH, Knight commander of the most honorable military order of the Bath, Knight grand cross of the Royal Hanoverian order, a Lieutenant-General in her Majesty’s land forces, and Colonel of the Fortieth Regiment of Foot, Captain-General, Governor-in-chief, and Commander of the forces in and over Her Majesty’s Island of Jamaica, and other territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same.

PRAEDIAL APPRENTICES

IN a few days more you will all become FREE LABOURERS the legislature of the island having relinquished the remaining two years of your apprenticeship

The 1st of August next is the happy day when you will become free under the same laws as other freemen whether white, black or coloured.

I, your GOVERNOR give you joy of this great blessing.

Remember that in freedom you will have to depend on your own exertions for your livelihood, and to maintain and bring up your families, You will work for such wages as you can agree upon with your employers.

It is their interest to treat you fairly

It is your interest to be civil, respectful, and industrious.

Where you can agree and continue happy with your old masters, I strongly recommend you to remain on those properties on which you have been born, and where your parents are buried.

But you must not mistake, in supposing that your present houses, gardens, or provision grounds, are your own property

They belong to the proprietors of the estates, and you will have to pay rent for them in money or labor, according as you and your employers may agree together.

Idle people who will not take employment, but go wandering about the country, will be taken up as vagrants, and punished in the same manner as they are in England.

The ministers of religion have been kind friends to you; listen to them; they will keep you out of troubles and difficulties.

Recollect what is expected of you by the people of England, who have paid such a large price for your liberty.

They not only expect that you will behave yourselves as THE QUEEN’S good Subjects, by obeying the laws, as I am happy to say you always have done as apprentices; but that the prosperity of the island will be increased by your willing labour greatly beyond what it ever was in slavery. Be honest towards all men; Be kind to your wives and children spare your wives from heavy field work as much as you can; make them attend to their duties at home, in bringing up your children, and in taking care of your stock;above all, make your children attend divine service and school.

If you follow this advice, you will, under God’s blessing be happy and prosperous.

Given under my hand and seal at arms, at St Jago de La Vega, this ninth day of July in the First year of her majesty’s reign, Annoque Domini, 1838

LIONEL SMITH

By his Excellency’s command

C. H. DARLING, Sec.


The British Parliament abolished the slave trade in 18072. But soon recognized that transport of slaves from Africa to the Americas was still continuing. In an effort to enforce the prohibition on importation/purchase of new slaves, the slave registration system was devised. Beginning in 1817 plantation owners were required to list by name, color, age, place of birth all slaves on their plantation3. In subsequent years, (1823, 1826, 1829, 1832 and 1834), the reports consisted mainly of births, deaths, runaways and manumissions.

Unfortunately, most registers which I have seen list the vast majority of slaves by a single (first) name only, do not recognize marriages at all, and give mother’s name (never father’s) only for children. Generally, surnames do not appear and must have been obtained only when freedom, or perhaps baptism occurred. African refers to born in Africa, and creole refers to born in Jamaica. In the colour column, most individuals are listed as Negro, or Black. There are a few Mulattos,and Sambos. The other categories (Octaroon, Quadroon, etc.) do not appear to have been used much, if at all.

These records are difficult to use by themselves. But if used together with manumission records, early baptism and marriage records, other records, and even the wills of plantation owners it may be possible to find some of one’s ancestors.

The four slave registers which follow are for the year 1817 for plantations in the parish of Saint Ann owned by Hamilton Brown (2), Sarah Duncan (1), and Angus Campbell (1). Hamilton Brown owned several plantations over the years 1817 to about 1845. According to the 1818 Almanac which can be found on this site, (Jamaican Family Search) , he was the owner of Minard (128 slaves) which he must have acquired from its previous owner (John Bailie) in 1815 or later. The number of slaves on this estate approximates the number of slaves in one of the registers attributed to his ownership (124 slaves). The other register (86 slaves) cannot be assigned to any estate, although he is listed in Almanacs for subsequent years as owning several, (Antrim, Grier Park, Colliston, Little River, Retirement and Unity Valley).

Angus Campbell owned Lime-Tree Garden with James Campbell according to the 1809 Almanac. By the time of publication of the 1815 Almanac James had died and Angus is listed as having 39 slaves.

This fits well with the 1817 slave register report which lists 40 slaves. He apparently dies by 1818 when the Almanac lists his estate as including another piece of property, Cottage, with 15 slaves.

All four returns were found in T71/43

An index to the returns is in T71/43

Williams, Eric, “From Columbus to Castro The History of the Carribean.” Random House, New York, 1970

3Grannum, Guy, “Tracing Your West Indian Ancestors.” Public Record Office, Kew, Surrey, London, 2002


PAGE 88

Jamaica SS

A return of slaves in the parish of Saint Ann in the possession of Hamilton Brown as owner on the 28th day of June 1n the year of our lord 1817

NAMES

Names of all Males to precede names of females

MALES

Colour

 

Age African or creole Remarks
1 Apollo Negro 45 African
2 Jein Negro 40 African
3 Sambo Negro 40 African
4 Cicero Negro 30 African
5 St???e Negro 45 African
6 Chance Negro 44 African
7 Clendin Negro 42 African
8 Jamaica Negro 32 African
9 Apollo Negro 32 African
10 Montague Negro 38 African
11 Jack Negro 30 African
12 Mark Negro 32 African
13 Ned Negro 36 African
14 Sharper Negro 40 African
15 Ceasar Negro 38 African
16 John Negro 30 African
17 Charles Negro 35 African
18 Oxford Negro 35 African
19 Hannibal Negro 32 African
20 ??ill Negro 30 African
21 Dick Negro 35 African
22 Duke Negro 32 African
23 Nelson Negro 34 African
24 Robert Negro 30 African
25 George Negro 35 African
26 Prince Negro 40 African
27 Henry Negro 38 African
28 Hamilton Negro 28 African 4
29 Tom Jack Negro 40 African
30 Neal Negro 34 African
31 Luke Negro 28 African
32 Bel Negro 25 African
33 ????? Negro 33 African
34-39 missing
PAGE 89
40 Charles Negro 16 Creole
41 London Negro 11 Creole
42 Nelson Negro 10 Creole son of Juddy
43 Jamaica Negro 10 Creole son of Evey
44 ?Seny Negro 8 Creole son of Juddy
45 Virgil Negro 8 Creole son of Love
46 Tom Negro 4 Creole son of Juddy
47 Joab Negro 3 Creole son of Lucky
48 Harper Negro 3 Creole son of Love
49 Jack Negro 2 Creole son of Lucy
50 James Negro 2 Creole son of Tamer
51 Sambo Negro 2 Creole son of Evey
52 Dick Negro 1 Creole son of Nanny
53 Charles Negro 1 Creole son of Nelly
54 Hugh Negro 5mos Creole son of Maria
55 Sam Negro 4mos Creole son of Gift
56 George Negro 6mos Creole son of Flance
FEMALES
1 Pheba Negro 50 African
2 Love Negro 42 African
3 Juddy Negro 40 African
4 ?Floramel ?Meromel Negro 40 African
5 Flora Negro 38 African
6 Lucy Negro 40 African
7 Maria Negro 40 African
8 Laura Negro 30 African
9 Evey Negro 30 African 5
10 Olive Negro African
11 Lucky Negro 28 African
12 Venus Negro 32 African
13 Rachel Negro 30 African
14 ?Betsy Negro 27 African
15 Juliet Negro 48 African
16 Hellen Negro 40 African
17 Nanny Negro 27 African
18 Nelly Negro 28 African
19 Gift Negro 25 African
20 Jeane Negro 33 African
21 Milly Negro 32 African
22 Industry Negro 13 Creole
23 Margaret Negro 10 Creole Daughter of Juddy
24 Nancy Negro 4 Creole Daughter of Tamer
25 Mary 4 Creole Daughter of Evey
PAGE 90
26 Peggy Negro 3 Creole Daughter of Flora
27 Sarah Negro 2 Creole Daughter of Nanny
28 ? Hanna Negro 6mos Creole Daughter of Tamer
29 Hellen Negro 5mos Creole Daughter of Milly
30 Nelly Negro 2 Creole Daughter of ?Floramel ?Meromel

 

Males 56

Females 30

Total 86 Eighty Six

I Hamilton Brown do swear that the above list and return consisting of two sheets is a true perfect and complete list and return, to the best of my knowledge and belief in every particular therein mentioned of all and every slaves possessed by me as owner, considered as most permanently settled, worked and employed in the Parish of Saint Ann on the twenty Eight day of June One thousand Eight Hundred and Seventeen without fraud, deceit or evasion So help me God.

Sworn before me this twenty fourth day of September 1817

Hamilton George

J. Gordon


Jamaica SS

A Return of Slaves in the Parish of Saint Ann in the possession of Hamilton Brown as Owner on the 28th day of June in the year of our Lord 1817

PAGE 851

Names Names of all males to precede names of females Colour Age African or Creole Remarks
MALES
1 Sam Negro 48 Creole
2 Ceasor Negro 58 African Runaway since Oct 1815
3 Quashy Negro 58 Creole
4 Ned Negro 50 African
5 Jack Negro 40 Creole
6 Robert Negro 40 Creole Son of Salmon
7 Ceasor Negro 38 Creole Son of Salinda
8 London Negro 38 Creole
9 Nero Negro 36 Creole
10 London Negro 34 Creole
11Cuffey Negro 32 Creole Son of Sarah
12 Harry Negro 35 Creole
13 Primus Negro 30 Creole
Page 852
14 Allick Negro 24 Creole Son of Bennaba
15 Stepney Negro 22 Creole Son of Yalba
16 ? Juno Negro 20 Creole Son of Sinny
17 Tom Negro 19 Creole
18 Sam Negro 15 Creole Son of Bennaba
19 Henry Negro 14 Creole Son of Bennaba
20 Hampshire Negro 12 Creole Son of Charlott
21 Smart Negro 12 Creole Son of Yalba
22 Edward Negro 12 Creole Son of Bennaba
23 John Negro 12 Creole Son of Catherine
24 Jack Negro 12 Creole
25 Jimmy Negro 12 Creole Son of Venus
26 ?Smith Negro 11 Creole Son of Jenny
27 George Negro 12 Creole Son of Hannah
28 William Negro 11 Creole Son of Chloe 7
29 Joseph Negro 10 Creole Son of Venus
30 Lincoln Negro 10 Creole Son of Quasheba
31 George Sambo 9 1/2 Creole Son of Catherine
32 Patrick Negro 8 1/2 Creole Son of Bennaba
33 Lee Negro 7 1/2 Creole Son of Jenny
34 Richard Negro 7 1/2 Creole Son of Quasheba
35 Reston Negro 7 Creole Son of Hannah
36 John Trail Negro 7 Creole Son of Phemus
37 Richard Negro 6 1/2 Creole Son of Catharine
38 Frederick Negro 6 Creole Son of Chloe
39 Thomas Negro 6 Creole Son of Nanny
40 Milton Negro 5 Creole Son of Charlotte
41 Miller Negro 5 1/2 Creole Son of Phemus
42 Stephen Negro 3 1/2 Creole Son of Dido
43 Adam Negro 3 Creole Son of Charlotte
44 Rodney Negro 2 3/4 Creole Son of Parthenia
45 Robert Sambo 2 1/2 Creole Son of Dolly
46 York Negro 2 Creole Son of Nancy
47 William Quadroon 1 3/4 Creole Son of Pennie
48 Frank Negro 1 3/4 Creole Son of ?Tenefor
49 Edmond Negro 4 mo Creole Son of Charlotte
50 Robin Negro 1 mo Creole Son of Phemus
FEMALES PAGE 853
1 Dido Negro 60 African
2 Salinda Negro 60 African
3 Fanny Negro 50 African
PAGE
4 ?Haeni Negro 46 Creole
5 Yelba Negro 46 Creole
6 Sarah Negro 44 Creole
7 Minimy Negro 42 Creole
8 Phillis Negro 42 Creole
9 Bessy Negro 42 Creole
10 Dolly Negro 40 Creole 8
11 Chloe Negro 40 Creole Runaway since 18 April
12 Jenny Negro 40 Creole
13 Hannah Negro 38 Creole
14 Charlotte Negro 38 Creole
15 Nancy Negro 38 Creole
16 Phema Negro 36 Creole
17 Catherine Negro 34 Creole
18 Kate Negro 32 Creole
19 Benneba Negro 32 Creole
20 Nelly Negro 32 Creole
21 Venus Negro 32 Creole
22 Dolly Mulatto 32 Creole
23 Rose Negro 30 Creole
24 Parthenia Negro 28 Creole
25 Daphne Negro 27 Creole
26 Wannica Negro 27 Creole
27 Dido Negro 23 Creole Daughter of Chloe
28 Jane Mulatto 25 Creole Daughter of Chloe
29 Sally Negro 24 Creole Daughter of Sarah
30 Betty Negro 24 Creole Daughter of Charlotte
31 Violet Negro 22 Creole
32 Quasheba Negro 30 Creole Daughter of Fanny
33 Lucinda Negro 26 Creole Daughter of Nanny
34 Sabina Negro 20 Creole Daughter of Yalba
35 Chloe Negro 18 Creole Daughter of Chloe
36 Queen Negro 17 Creole Daughter of Chloe
37 Charlotte Negro 17 Creole Daughter of Hannah
38 Dorinda Negro 17 Creole
39 Peggy Negro 15 Creole Daughter of Nancy
40 Mimba Negro 15 Creole Daughter of Jenny
41 ??annica Negro 14 Creole
42 Patience Negro 13 Creole
43 Frances Sambo 13 Creole
44 Nelly Negro 13 Creole Daughter of Sarah 9
PAGE 854
45 Nelly Sambo 13 Creole daughter of Kate
46 Emma Negro 15 Creole
47 Harriet Negro 15 Creole Daughter of Charlott
48 ?Elinor Negro 9 Creole Daughter of Hannah
49 ?Nanny Negro 8 Creole Daughter of Chloe
50 Phebe Negro 5 3/4 Creole Daughter of Yelba
51 Mary Ann Negro 5 Creole Daughter of Nancy
52 ?? Negro 5 Creole Daughter of Rose
53 Julie Negro 5 Creole Daughter of Parthenia
54 Eliza Negro 8 1/2 Creole Daughter of Charlott
55 Priscilla Negro 8 Creole Daughter of Nellie
56 Sarah Negro 8 1/2 Creole Daughter of Quasheba
57 ?Dancy Sambo 8 1/2 Creole
58 ?? Quadroon ? Creole Daughter of Jane
59 Diana Negro 4 3/4 Creole Daughter of Rose
60 Lizabeth Sambo 4 3/4 Creole
61 Nelly Negro 4 Creole Daughter of Chloe
62 Eliza Sambo 4 Creole Daughter of Daphne
63 Kelly Negro 4 Creole Daughter of Hannah
64 Harriet Negro 3 3/4 Creole Daughter of Quasheba
65Nancy Negro 2 1/2 Creole Daughter of Catherine
66 Christmas Sambo 2 1/4 Creole Daughter of ?Wannica
67 Louisa Negro 1 3/4 Creole Daughter of Dido
68 Gracey Negro 1 3/4 Creole Daughter of Hannah
69 Eleanor Negro 1 3/4 Creole Daughter of Jenny
70 Sylvia Negro 1 Creole Daughter of Quasheba
71 Caroline Negro 4m Creole Daughter of Parthenia
72 Libby Quadroon 11m Creole Daughter of Dolly
73 ?Kelly Negro 30 African
74 ??? Negro 42 Creole

Males 50; Females 74; Total 124 One Hundred and twenty four

I Hamilton Brown do swear that the above list and return consisting of two sheets is a true perfect and complete list and return, to the best of my knowledge and belief in every particular therein mentioned of all and every slaves possessed by me as owner, considered as most permanently settled, worked and employed in the Parish of Saint Ann on the Twenty Eight day of June One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventeen without fraud, deceit or evasion So help me God. Sworn before me this twenty fourth day of September 1817. Hamilton George

J. Gordon


Jamaica SS

A Return of slaves in the Parish of St Ann in the possession of Angus Campbell as Owner on the 2? Day of June in the year of our Lord 1817

NAMES

Names of all males to precede names of females

Colour Age African or Creole Remarks
MALES PAGE 192
1 Angus Negro 35 African
2 Adam Negro 40 African
3 Ben Negro 35 African
4 Billy Negro 18 African
5 Cupid Negro 23 African
6 Cuffee Negro 14 Creole Son of Louisa
7 Wood Negro 35 African
8 King Negro 3 Creole Son of Damsel
9 Hiram Negro 40 African
10 Nelson Negro 9 Creole son of Louisa
PAGE !93
11 Quaco Negro 45 African
12 Sam Negro 27 African
13 Sandy Negro 26 African
14 Samie Negro 40 African
15 Sambo Negro 25 African
16 Richard Negro 30 African
17 Remus Negro 17 Creole Son of Helen
18 Rodney Negro 4 Creole Son of Charlotte
19 William Negro 30 African
20 Boatswain Negro 2 Creole Son of ?Herlen
FEMALES
1 Charlotte Negro 35 African
2 Maria Negro 32 African
3 Helen Negro 35 African
4 Rose Negro 40 African
5 ? Negro 40 African
6 Clarinda Negro 20 African
7 Caroline Negro 20 African 11
8 Susan Negro 17 Creole Daughter of Charlotte
9 Amelia Negro 9 Creole Daughter of Charlotte
10 Serena mulatto 9 Creole Daughter of Helen
11 Jenny Negro 4 Creole Daughter of Helen
12 Nelly Negro 4 Creole Daughter of Louisa
13 Sarah Negro 3 Creole Daughter of Louisa
14 Venus Negro 12 Creole Daughter of Maria
15 Eliza Negro 10 Creole Daughter of Maria
16 Rosanna Negro 5 Creole Daughter of Maria
17 Phillis Negro 2 Creole Daughter of Maria
18 Princess Negro 8 mo Creole Daughter of Clarenda
19 Louisa Negro 35 African
20 Rachel Negro 3 mo creole Daughter of Louisa

Males 20 Twenty

Females 20 Twenty

Total 40 Forty


Jamaica SS

A Return of slaves in the parish of Saint Ann in possession of Sarah Duncan Sen~ as proprietress on the 28th day of June in the year of our Lord 1817

NAMES Names of all males to precede names of females Colour Age African or Creole Remarks
MALES Page 347
Hamlet Black 50 African
Brutus ditto 45 ditto
Dublin ditto 28 ditto
Hector ditto 26 ditto
Hamlet ditto 14 creole Amy Wickham’s son
Robert ditto 10 ditto Amy Wickham’s son
Edwin ditto 8 ditto Amy Wickham’s son
Page ditto 5 ditto Fanny’s son
Strephon ditto 3 ditto Fanny’s son
Bluker ditto 2 mo ditto Fanny’s son
Allick ditto 20 ditto Jessey’s son
Hylas ditto 17 ditto Jessey’s son
Cupid ditto 12 ditto Jessey’s son
Adam ditto 10 ditto Pamela’s son
Colin ditto 7 ditto Pamela’s son
Wellingston ditto 2 ditto Pamela’s son
Shandy ditto 8 ditto motherless
Page 348
Wellington Black 1 Creole Eliza Gordon’s son
William Thomas ditto 6 ditto Manners’s son
John Thomas ditto 3 ditto Manners’s son
FEMALES
Amy Wickham Black 44 African
Fanny ditto 22 creole Amy Wickham’s daughter
Maria ditto 20 ditto Amy Wickham’s daughter
Sidney ditto 16 ditto Amy Wickham’s daughter
Sarah Johnston ditto 12 ditto Amy Wickham’s daughter
Yarrice ditto 8 ditto Amy Wickham’s daughter
Clarinder ditto 6 ditto Amy Wickham’s daughter
Eliza Gordon ditto 18 ditto
Leah ditto 13 ditto
Agnes ditto 4 ditto 13
Emili ditto 4 ditto Pamela’s daughter
Nany ditto 19 ditto
Jenny ditto 3 ditto Nancy’s daughter
Lilly ditto 1 ditto Nancy’s daughter
Jessey ditto 38 African
Pamela ditto 30 ditto
Manners ditto 32 ditto
Eliza Thomas ditto 12 creole Manners’ daughter
Frances Thomas ditto 9 ditto Manners’ daughter
Mirah ditto 1 ditto Manners’ daughter
Elcy ditto 33 African
Rose Thomas ditto 12 creole Elcy’s daughter
Susan Thomas ditto 9 ditto Elcy’s daughter
O. Jean ditto 6 ditto Elcy’s daughter
Phillis ditto 3 ditto Elcy’s daughter

Males 21 Twenty One

Females 25 Twenty five

Total 46 Forty Six

I Robert Duncan son of Sarah Duncan Senr~ do swear that the above list and return consisting of one sheet is a true perfect and complete list and return to the best of my knowledge and belief in every particular therein mentioned of all and every slave and slaves possessed by her as proprietress considered as most permanently settled, worked or employed in the parish of Saint Ann on the twenty eighth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, without fraud, deceit, or evasion.

Sworn before me this sixteenth day of July 1817, So help me God

Robert Duncan

John Chrystie


NOTE: On the Return of Sarah Duncan, Jamaican Family Search added Pamela’s 3 sons and corrected the spelling of 5 names, in August 2012.

 


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