History of Local Government

The parishes comprise the unit through which Local Government administration takes place.  In 1664 the island was divided into seven (7) parishes -  St. Andrew (formerly Liguanea), St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Thomas, Port Royal, St. John and St. David.

 By 1675 eight (8) more parishes were formed, Vere (separated from Clarendon in 1673), St. George, St. Thomas-ye-Vale, St. Dorothy, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, St. James and St. Mary, confirmed by the “Act for Regulating the Parishes” in 1677. 

By 1693 the parish of Kingston was formed, carved out of St. Andrew, and in 1802 it became a city governed by a Mayor, Aldermen and a Common Council.  Westmoreland was formed in 1703 from St. Elizabeth and Hanover in 1723 from the former.  Portland was also formed in 1723 out of St. George and St. Thomas-in-the-East.  Trelawny was separated from St. James in 1770 and Manchester in 1814 out of portions of St. Elizabeth, Clarendon and Vere.  In 1841 the last parish was formed, Metcalfe, forged out of sections of St. George and St. Mary. 

Vestries
Originally,  each parish was governed by a body known as the Vestry (individuals met in the church vestry).  The Vestry consisted of ten (10) men and two (2) church Wardens who were annually elected by the Freeholders in the parish.  They had the responsibility of collecting taxes for the maintenance of the ministers and the poor and erecting and