Prestwidges of Jamaica

This web document is a collection of information gathered from family records, letters, interviews, a visit to Jamaica and records from the Church of Later Day Saints.  It is an evolving workspace in plain view for any interested parties.   As such, it may never be finished.

The story of this family on this island is not very different from others. The journey taken by many family lines moved from Europe through the usual corridors of Caribbean commerce on their way to the new world. The confluence of trade, cultures, the lure of financial opportunity and perhaps the simple beckoning of the vanishing daily sun brought these elements together for their appointment with history.

Taking the large view, for most Prestwidges, Jamaica was a stepping stone from England to other places.  Jamaica for the Prestwidges who left England, however, was a final destination. Take a look at a brief history of Jamaica for some background.

The first records of any Prestoids were in the mid-1700's and their numbers flourished to a grand total of around 25 on the eastern half of the island during the mid 1800's.  As of 1997 there are only 3 Jamaican inhabitants with the Prestwidge name.

Fort George or Fort George Pen was a residence and a sugar plantation that had stopped production by the mid-1800's.  I am told that there are records of that estate that still exist and I am trying to get in touch with the holder of those records.

Jamaican Prestwidge Records

Below are a collection of Jamaican records.  In most cases they are from Mormon records.  Others are color photos I took at the record office in Spanish Town or other places in Jamaica.  As with all records before the mid-1800's, some tolerance with regard to spelling is required. 

Like everything else, the borders of counties and parishes have changed over time.  Depending on when you are interested make sure that you select the parish or county for the time you are interested in.  I am too embarrassed to say how long it took me to realize this while doing Jamaican research.  I created this Jamaican Parish Reference for anyone who needs it.

Other Records

• James Prestridge - Reference in The Problem Of Freedom by Thomas C. Holt, page 139 - "Of course, some planters persisted in their attempts to use rent collections as a lever for labor control throughout the first two decades of the post emancipation era.  In 1852, James Prestridge, the overseer for Fort George Pen, reported that he was demanding six months rent in advance.  The measure was designed primarily to 'prevent an accumulation of arrears,' he claimed.  Demanding and collecting were entirely different matters, however: some of the tenants paid Prestridge; others refused.  Apparently those who did not pay cash rent were encouraged to work it out on the property, but very few were willing to do this either.  Indeed, only the people still working on the pen paid regularly, and almost no one paid on time, but waited until the last moment in December, just before the notices to quit became due."

• George Prestwidge - Reference in Jamaica Surveyed, by Barry Higman, page 193 - It quotes from an account from a property named Mount Edgecombe in St Ann. They sold 8 bags of pimento to George Prestwidge (no other comment).

• James Prestwidge - Reference in Jamaica Surveyed, by Barry Higman, page 28 - a copy of a Surveyor's Notice "to James Prestwidge Esq and Roderick Forrester and others", by the surveyor Thomas Harrison, dated December 11, 1879. The Notice stated that he was ordered by the Circuit Court "to survey certain boundary lines of lands " in St. Mary "known by the name of Fort George and Come See which adjoins lands said to be in your possession or belonging to you". The survey would begin "in the Annotto River at or near the corner of Fort George and Annotto River Plantation and follow the River up to the land in dispute.

The following Mormon microfilms on Jamaica have been checked and no Prestoids were found.  The following list has not been double checked.

• 1291702 - St Mary
• 1291703 - St Mary
• 1291709 - Portland
• 1291674 - St George
• 1291675 - St. John
• 1291768 - Port Royal
• 1291698 - St Andrew

The research continues, slowly.  When finances permit, another and better organized trip to Jamaica should uncover additional detail.  Wanna go?

Pedigree Chart from Dr. K. J. Prestwidge

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