The list of proprietors in the Jamaica Almanac was basically a property tax roll. In the early nineteenth century the list showed how many slaves and livestock the proprietor held. The list appearing in the 1838 Almanac was given to the Parochial Vestries, which ran the local parish governments, on March 28, 1837. Proprietors who had twenty or more apprentices were taxed and listed in the Almanac.
On August 1, 1834 the Emancipation Act was passed, abolishing slavery and providing for a system of apprenticeship, which was slated to last for 12 years and then give way to freedom. On August 1, 1838, apprenticeship, which had worked very badly, was abolished. All freedmen were unconditionally free.
Kingston and Portland, which were excluded from the 1840 Almanac, are included here.
Please note that the numbers given after the names of proprietors and properties do not represent acres, as in 1840, but number of apprentices.
To consult the parishes from the 1838 Almanac, please choose from the following:
Kingston
Portland
To view more Almanacs online, please go to the companion site:
"http://jamaicanfamilysearch.com"
GO TO: