1810s: The Blue Mountains

 

1810s: Blue Mountains

June 12th, 1811: 


The drawings that I had seen of the Blue Mountains can only do so much to exemplify their beauty. Upon entering the mountain range, I was met with astonishment of the diverse plants that are scattered across the mountainside (2) Before traveling to Jamaica, I was sure to consult the various notebooks, journals and magazines that have written about these mountains. 


The Blue Mountain ridge is located on the eastern side of the island of Jamaica and moves westward and to the north. One of the magazines that my mother gave me notes the Blue Maintain Peak, which is about 7360 feet high. Then, west of St. Catherine Peak (which is about 5053 feet), the range separates into two paths (2). 


These mountains are also home to Maroons, which are former slaves who escaped their enslavement for freedom. They have braved the treacherous (yet beautiful) terrain and have made a home for themselves here (1). I am interested to meet these people, if they would have me, as I have a great respect for what they have done for themselves. 



June 18th, 1811: 


I have discovered that the community that lives in the Blue Mountains is called both Nanny Town and Moore Town. As I understand it, Nanny Town was the name of the town previously, and the community has adopted the name Moore Town after a treaty was signed in 1739 (3). Although, some still call it by its previous name. What is also interesting is that the Natives known as the Arawaks (an occasional friend to the Maroons) also escaped into the Blue Mountains when the English first arrived (3). 



June 22nd, 1811:


I wanted to write down what some of the people who live close to or in the Blue Mountains have told me. They speak of a ‘Cloud Forest’ that is found far up in the mountains (4). These mountains also have unique plants and animals that can be found in many parts of the forest. They have one huge butterfly that I have not seen anywhere else (4). 



(1) “Cultural Heritage: Blue and John Crowe Mountains National Park.” Blue and John Crowe Mountains National Park. https://www.blueandjohncrowmountains.org/cultural-heritage

(2) Hill, E. T,  A Sketch of the Geology of Jamaica. Scottish Geographical Magazine, 1899. https://doi.org/10.1080/00369229908733108 

(3) Agorsah, E. Kofi. “Nanny Town Excavations: Rewriting Jamaica’s History?” Newsletter of the Jamaican Geographical Society, (1993): 1, 6-7, https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/black_studies_fac/48/

(4) "Natural Heritage: Blue and John Crow Mountains.” Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust. https://www.jcdt.org.jm/blue-john-crow-mountains/natural-heritage

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