Manumission of Slaves [1747-1838]

The Manumission of Slaves registers contain certificates (deeds) of freedom for free people of “colour” (black or mixed-race). According to Jamaican law, “free people of colour” had to prove their freedom from slavery. This information was recorded in the Manumission Registers in the Island Secretary’s Office. The Collection comprises 70 bound registers. The first 4 volumes are missing, as reported in the list of record books in the Island Secretary’s Office compiled in 1869. Persons were freed in the following parishes: Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Port Royal, Portland, St. Andrew, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. David, St. Dorothy, St. Elizabeth, St. George, St. James, St. Mary, St. Thomas in the East, St. Thomas in the Vale, Trelawny, Vere and Westmoreland.