By Henry Whiteley

In 1832, Henry Whiteley, a young Methodist clergyman, travelled to Jamaica on a mission to preach the gospel to the Negro slaves and convert many to Christianity. Three Months in Jamaica is Whiteley’s account of that visit. The account was published in June 1833, and is one of the few remaining records of the working conditions and methods of punishment that existed on Jamaican sugar plantations during the period (1655-1838) when the British system of slavery existed throughout the island.

An excerpt from Three Months in Jamaica:
I proceeded on horseback to New Ground estate the next day. On my way thither I saw much majestic arid beautiful scenery, and enjoyed the prospect exceedingly, until I came in sight of a gang of negroes at work. Most of them were females; and they were superintended by a driver, with the cart-whip in his hand. Just as I rode past, the driver cracked his whip and cried out, “Work! Work!”