Before Jamaica had paved highways, footpaths carried dreams of justice.

In St. Thomas, those dreams began in a small village called Stony Gut, where a quiet but determined Baptist deacon named Paul Bogle looked around his struggling community and decided enough was enough.

Life after Emancipation was supposed to bring freedom, yet the people were still trapped by unfair taxes, unemployment, and discrimination.

Bogle’s decision to stand up for what was right would soon lead to one of the most defining moments in Jamaica’s history.

This is the story of Paul Bogle and the Morant Bay Rebellion.

Image credit: Jamaica Experiences / AI artwork created with ChatGPT (OpenAI).


Started in Stony Gut, St. Thomas

Paul Bogle was born around 1822 in Stony Gut.

Little is recorded about his early years, but what is clear is that he was a man of faith.

Years after Jamaica declared an end to plantation slavery, Bogle witnessed how government policies favored plantation owners and ignored the cries of the working class.

In October 1865, frustration reached its breaking point.

After a man was unjustly arrested, Bogle led hundreds of people from Stony Gut to march to Morant Bay in protest.

It was originally planned as a peaceful demonstration, but it quickly turned violent when the militia fired into the crowd.

The protestors fought back, and chaos erupted.

The British governor at the time, Edward Eyre, responded with brutal force.

The rebellion was crushed, and hundreds of people were executed or imprisoned.

Paul Bogle was captured, tried, and hanged along with his followers.

Yet even in death, he became a symbol of courage and moral conviction.

Bogle's lasting legacy

In 2023, Paul Bogle’s image was immortalized on Jamaica’s $50 bank note.

He represents the fight for equality, human rights, and dignity for all.

The Morant Bay Courthouse, now a museum and national monument, stands as both a memorial and a lesson in resilience.

 When you visit St. Thomas, stop by the Paul Bogle Statue in front of the courthouse.

Walk through the museum to learn about the rebellion and reflect on how one man’s faith ignited a national movement.

Image credit: Jamaica Experiences / AI artwork created with ChatGPT (OpenAI).