Samuel Sharpe instigates a rebellion
On 27 December 1831, the Christmas Rebellion began at the Kensington Estate in St James, Jamaica.
Samuel Sharpe was the main instigator of the 1831 Slave Rebellion. Although he was a slave, he was also a leader of the native Baptists in Montego Bay. This enabled him to travel and spread his concerns and encourage political thought, concerning events in England which affected the slaves and Jamaica.
Sam evolved a plan of passive resistance in 1831, whereby the slaves would refuse to work on Christmas Day of 1831 and afterwards, unless their grievances concerning the better treatment and the consideration of freedom, were accepted by the estate owners and managers. Sam’s plan failed.
