St. Ann – Interesting Place Names
Annandale
Originally a Scottish place name, it was owned by a Scotsman who built a great house there in the 18th Century.
Black Stonedge
A Scottish place name.
Calabar
The name originated in southeast Nigeria.
Drax Hall
Named after Charles Drax, a planter who willed the property for the setting up of a free school. It later became Jamaica College and was moved to Hope Road in Kingston.
Dry Harbour
This spot was the “Puerto Seco” of Christopher Columbus, so-called because there was no fresh water there.
Dumbarton
This is an original place name.
Fern Gully
One of Jamaica beauty spots, so named because many ferns grow on the banks of the gorge through which the road winds.
Flamstead
An English place name.
Liberty Hall
Named when the liberty tree was planted there in August 1, 1838 to commemorate the abolition of slavery.
Llandovery
The name originates in Wales. This property once had on it a sugar estate. The Llandovery Falls are also here, famous because they were depicted on Jamaica’s first one-penny stamp.
Madras
The name originated from a city in India. It is a reminder that indentured Indians came here in 1845 to replace the freed African slaves.
Penhurst
Presumably named after Penhurst Castle in Kent, England.
Prickly Pole
Named after a kind of palm, the Prickle Pole palm once grew plentifully.
River Head
Is said to be so named because it is the head (source) of eight rivers.
Try See
The site of a Free Village and named by former slaves. Try See is part of the phrase: “Try and see what can be”.
FAMOUS PERSONS OF THE PARISH
The Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey – First National Hero of Jamaica.
Born 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay – died 1940 in England. Became famous and was made a National Hero for his tireless struggle for the betterment of Black people, worldwide.
The Hon. Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley O.M. (Order of Merit)
A musician who contributed to the world-wide development of reggae music, born at Rhoden Hall, Nine Miles, February 6, 1945 and died May11,1981.
Dunbar Theophilus Wint
A son of the parish who became famous firstly as a Legislator, and later as a politician.
Aabuthnot Gallimore and Neville Gallimore
A father and son team who became famous as noteworthy politicians. Neville Gallimore (son) is also a medical practitioner.
Dr. Ivan Lloyd
Excelled as a medical doctor and as a politician.
Sir Thomas Roxborough
Became well-known as Custos of the parish.
Colonel Aldington Curphey
Was well known as Custos of the parish and president of the Senate.
Hon. Wills O. Isaacs
Prominent politician.