“The first Rector of “St Thomas Ye East” was appointed in 1666 and served in Morant Bay, known only as Mr Nicholas. Nothing is known of the old church, which was located at Church Corner except that it was abandoned because of delapidation. The old Church Records were lost when the Court House was destroyed by fire in the disturbances of 1865.
This church was under construction at the time of the disturbances. Consecrated by Bishop Reginald Courtenay 15 Sep 1874. Severely damaged by hurricane 18 August 1880. Again severely damaged by hurricane 17 Aug 1951. The Revd. S. H. Cooke, Rector at the time of the disturbances was not killed by the rioters, as some affirm. He died of dysentery in Kingston on 16 June 1875 and was buried in “Tamarind Tree” churchyard, near Old Harbour. The mortal remains of the Revd. John G. Richards (a former Rector) was interred in the Sanctuary of this church. The five old monuments mounted on the walls of this church, were taken from the old church” [adapted from a plaque on display within the church]
THE FIVE OLD MONUMENTS
Ebenezer TAYLOR Esq., died 04 May 1827 age 54, Magistrate of St Thomas in the East, died at sea on board the ship Feliza enroute to Great Britain. Erected by his widow Frances; daughter of the Late William Vick, Esq., of Shady Spring.
Revd. John WEST, upwards of 28 years Rector of this parish. Erected by his Parishoners as a testimony of their high sense of his Examplary conduct during the long period of Ministry. Died 17 Oct 1817 age 61.
This monument was erected by Peter Vallette Esq., to perpetuate the memory of ANN (VALLETTE) his late dear wife, who departed this life 17th November 1747 aged 66yrs & 7 days. She was daughter of Jno. & Mary Harris and the relict of Capn. Thos. Simson.
Samuelis Cruickshank BAILLIE, who almost three years before his death, a memorial, next to the example set, by his piety near J. R. Baillie….reportedly died 1790 age 47 (translated from Latin)
Gulielmi (William) BAILLIE, 54 years spent in Jamaica. Died 19 Jan 1786 age 74. AND Jacobi BAILLIE, who died 03 Oct 1785 age 61.
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OTHER MONUMENTS/PLAQUES
Presented by Mr and Mrs R. K. DEWAR of “Rozelle”
In Loving Memory of
Mrs ALICE ELIZA LEWIN
Also of their infant children
WILLIAM PLUMMER, died Nov 25, 1912
YVONNE ALICE, Died Jan 9, 1915
and JOYCE CYNTHIA, died Dec 31 1915
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CONSTANCE VICTORIA youngest daughter of
E.A. & S.T. ROGERS of Barbados
Born 25 Apr 1897
Died 02 Apr 1913
Jamaican Ancestral Records 