The story of the parishes – Portmore set to be the first since 1867

Before the English arrived in 1655, Spanish Jamaica had eight geographical regions: Northside, Bluefields, Guanaoboa, Withywood, St Jago de la Vega, Liguanea, Yallahs and Morant.

From 1655-1675, the English divided the island into parishes, a series of church enclaves. The research revealed that it was Thomas Modyford, governor from 1664-73, who first divided the island into parishes.

The original English parishes were St James, St Ann, St Mary, St George, St Thomas, St David, Port Royal, St Andrew, St Catherine, St John, Clarendon and St Elizabeth.

The land west of St James and north of St Elizabeth was unnamed, likewise that between southern St James, southern St Ann, eastern St Elizabeth, north-western Clarendon and western St John.

Between 1673 and 1692 there were 15 parishes. St Elizabeth got a piece of that unnamed territory mentioned above, so did Clarendon, whose southern tip was made into a new parish called Vere (1673). Clarendon also took a piece of St John, so did a new parish, St Dorothy (1675), which took a part of east Clarendon. A new parish called St Thomas-in-ye- Vale was created at the north of St Catherine in 1675. St Thomas became St Thomas-in-the-East.

THE BIG 20

Kingston separated from St Andrew in 1693, and was just the Palisadoes strip, thus a total of 16 parishes. The number grew to 17 when in 1703, the unnamed land west of St James and parts of St Elizabeth became Westmoreland. In 1723 Portland was created from St George and St Thomas-in-ye-East, and northern Westmoreland became Hanover, pushing the total to 19.

The big 20 came in 1770 when a new parish called Trelawny emerged from eastern St James. Manchester was created from Vere, Clarendon and St Elizabeth in 1814, taking the tally to 21. The 22nd came in 1841 when Metcalfe parish was created from southeastern St Mary and St George.

On April 23, 1867, the number was reduced by eight to 14. Clarendon took Vere. St Catherine acquired St Thomas-in-ye-Vale, St John and St Dorothy. St Thomas-in-ye-East annexed St David. St Mary subsumed Metcalfe. St Andrew got a piece of Port Royal, likewise Kingston. St George was gobbled up by Portland. But, how did these parishes get their name?

THE NAMING

Regarding the parish names, St James was named for James, the Duke of York, who subsequently became King James II; Hanover, after the reigning British family, the Royal House of Hanover, which lasted from 1714-1901; Trelawny, in memory of Sir William Trelawny, governor of Jamaica, 1767-1772; St Elizabeth, for Lady Elizabeth Modyford, wife of Sir Thomas Modyford, governor of Jamaica, 1664-1671; and Westmoreland, after Westmorland, a county in England, and being the most western parish in the island.

In Middlesex, Manchester was named after the Duke of Manchester, governor of Jamaica, 1813-21. St Ann, one source says, was originally called Santa Ana by the Spaniards, while another says it was named after Lady Anne Hyde, the first wife of King James II of England. Yet, a third source says it was named for Anne, the eldest daughter of Lord Clarendon. Clarendon was named after

Lord Chancellor Edward Hyde, the first earl of Clarendon. St Catherine was named for Katherine of Portugal, wife of King Charles II; and St Mary, for Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Modyford, governor of Jamaica, 1664-1671.

In Surrey, Kingston was named after Kingston-upon-Thames, a London borough, while Portland was named in honour of the Duke of Portland, governor of Jamaica from 1722 -1726. St Thomas got its name from Thomas Modyford, governor of Jamaica from 1664-1771 once source says, while another claims it was actually after Thomas Hickman, second British governor of Jamaica. St Andrew was named after the apostle Andrew, patron saint of Scotland.

And now, St Catherine is set to lose a section of its huge acreages to Portmore to create a new parish in Middlesex, the 15th in Jamaica. Hanover must be smiling; sooner than later it will not be the smallest parish anymore.

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