The Jamaica Archives has mounted an exhibition, Slavery and the Road to Freedom in commemoration of the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Africans. With the abolition of the slave trade, the society embarked on the long road to freedom, which culminated in the Abolition of Slavery in 1834 and in the Emancipation of the Apprentices in 1838.
The exhibition is divided into three main sections: 1. Plantation Life—which focuses on the daily routine of slaves on the plantation, and the punishment meted out to them for misdemeanours. 2. Abolition Movement—highlights the laws passed between 1816 and 1826 aimed ostensibly at improving the lives of the slaves and ameliorating their conditions. One of the principal laws was the Return of Slaves. 3. Abolition and Emancipation—examines accounts on the evils of Slavery, compensation for the plantocracy and highlights the legislation, which ended slavery. On display are printed copies of the Abolition of Slavery Act and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1838.
Most of the documents reproduced for the exhibition are official records from our collection, which were compiled by government officials in both central and local governments at the time and were inherited by the Archives. In addition to these official records are letters and plantation journals donated to the Archives by private individuals who desire to preserve the legacy of our island. Illustrations from various published works were also included in the exhibition to portray the system of Slavery. Below is a list of the official records used:
• Council Minutes: The Council acted as an advisory body to the Governor and as part of the legislature, and its dual function produced two separate classes of proceedings—the Minutes and Journals. The Council Minutes cover its advisory activities as the Governor’s Privy Council.
• Manumissions: Records of deeds freeing slaves.
• Register of Slave Baptisms: Records of the baptism of slaves in the Church of England (Anglican).
• Inventories: Enrolments of inventories of the estates of deceased persons.
• St. George Slave Trials: Records of trials held in the parish of St. George (Portland) for offences carried out by slaves against whites.
• St. Thomas-in-the-Vale Workhouse Records: Records of the receival and delivery of slaves in the workhouse as a form of punishment for offences.
• Port Royal Sale & Transfer of Slaves: Records outlining the transfer and sale of slaves to new owners.
• Port Royal Return of Slaves: Records of the number, class and condition of slaves held by each slave owner.
• Laws of Jamaica: Compilation of all regulations and acts passed by the Jamaica Assembly.
• Votes of the Assembly: Printed copies of the proceedings of the House of Assembly.
