THE LIFE AND WORK OF NATIONAL HERO GEORGE WILLIAM GORDON
African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica (ACIJ) was established in 1972 as a division of the Institute of Jamaica to deepen public awareness of African cultural retentions in Jamaica. In 1990, the Jamaica Memory Bank (JMB) was integrated into the ACIJ, forming the ACIJ/JMB. The JMB documents Jamaica’s social history throughout the country via audiovisual recordings of the memories of senior citizens. The ACIJ/JMB has a wealth of resources relating to Afro-jamaican cultural heritage and Jamaica’s social history. George William Gordon (1815-65) was the son of a quadroon slave and a Scottish planter, Joseph Gordon. He was born in Cherry Garden, St. Andrew. His father recognised that he was a gifted child so he gave him school books and young Gordon taught himself to read, write, and do accounts. At age 10, he was freed by his father and sent to live with his godfather, James Daley, a businessman of Black River. He completed his education in Black River. While still in his teens, Gordon established his own business and became, for a time, a highly successful businessman and landowner. However, he was passionate about politics and religion. Quick-witted, handsome, and a great orator, he participated in religious debates from an early age. He was brought up an Anglican, but joined the Presbyterians, and was baptised by the Baptists. During the 1860–61 religious revival that swept the island, he converted to the Native Baptist faith. His interest in religion never waned and he set about organising his own church. He established an independent Baptist organisation and erected the Kingston Tabernacle where he preached. He helped his followers to open chapels in the countryside and ordained deacons. Paul Bogle of Stony Gut was one of the Native Baptist deacons he ordained. Gordon’s adherence to what was regarded as a ‘lower class’ religion greatly alienated him from the white establishment and his own class of prosperous free coloureds.
GORDON’S PUBLIC LIFE
Gordon began his public life in 1844, at the age of 29, as an advocate for the peasantry. He was elected to the Kingston Common Council and deputised as mayor. He was also a Justice of the Peace and became the champion of the poor and oppressed and vigorously defended their rights in and out of the Assembly. He bought and leased lands which he cut up and sold or sublet cheaply to the peasants. His work made him very unpopular with the establishment and he did not gain a seat again until 1863 when he became a representative for St. Thomas-in-the-east where he owned much property. By 1865, the social and economic crisis in Jamaica had escalated, from his seat in the Assembly; Gordon spoke out for the poor and was critical of the Governor, Edward Eyre. On May 3, 1865, at a meeting in Gordon’s Kingston Tabernacle, Gordon’s followers resolved to settle their grievances. Queen Victoria of England was petitioned to assist the plight of the peasantry. However, she recommended in a letter known as the “Queen’s Letter” that the peasants engage in “hard work and industry” and not expect “schemes of government to better their condition”. After the Queen’s reply, Gordon held a meeting in St. Thomas which was advertised by placard. Governor Eyre regarded the placard as seditious.
Gordon’s Connection with the Morant Bay Rebellion Around this time, Paul Bogle began a series of protests in St. Thomas in his fight for justice for the small settlers. Though closely acquainted with Bogle, Gordon had no control over Bogle’s activities. Gordon had various connections with Bogle, but religion was the main one. Bogle led the march on the Morant Bay courthouse that escalated into the Morant Bay Rebellion, and Gordon was blamed as the leader of the conspiracy, though there was no evidence against him. A warrant was issued for Gordon’s arrest and Governor Eyre had him taken from Kingston to Morant Bay where martial law was in force. He was court-martialled and sentenced to death. On October 23, 1865, he was hanged from the yardarm of the HMS Wolverine in Morant Bay. For his fight against injustice, Gordon was named among the first of Jamaica’s National Heroes when the Order was established in 1969. Also, the seat of the legislature, Gordon House, was named after him.
ACTIVITY
FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS COMPREHENSION TEST
Read the passage above and the sentences below, then unscramble the words and fill in the blanks with the correct answers. shttcois George William Gordon was the son of a quadroon slave and a ______ planter. eivtna During the 1860-61 religious revival, Gordon converted to the ______ Baptist faith.
lateernbca George William Gordon erected the Kingston _________ where he preached. olbge George William Gordon ordained Paul ______ as a Native Baptist deacon.
tcevdaoa George William Gordon was an _____ for the peasantry
mstaho George William Gordon owned much property in St. ______.
dngroo The seat of the legislature, ________ House, was named after George William Gordon.
Correct answers: Scottish, Native, Tabernacle, Bogle, advocate, Thomas, Gordon.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS: During the month of February, the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/jamaica Memory Bank (ACIJ/JMB) will be focussing on Storytelling as an element of Jamaica’s intangible cultural heritage. The ACIJ/JMB will be featuring live online presentations and a pre-recorded interview on Storytelling during the course of the month. Dr. Amina Blackwood-meeks, College Orator, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, will be delivering a lecture titled – Storytelling: As Tangible as Jerusalem School-room. This lecture will be presented live on ACIJ/JMB’S Youtube platform on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Other lectures/presentations on Storytelling will follow during the month of February by the following presenters: - Ms. Kesia Weise, (Acting Senior Research Fellow, ACIJ/JMB), – Live Youtube lecture on February 11, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. - Prof. John Ayotunde Bewaji, (Retired UWI Professor of Philosophy) – Live Youtube lecture on February 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. - Dr. Jean Small, (retired teacher and storyteller) – Youtube presentation on February 26, 2021.
DATE: February 2021
For more details about these events, contact the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/jamaica Memory Bank: Telephone: 922-4793/7415