NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023 5 formal European religious teachings to the enslaved Africans. The Presbyterians sent two missionaries to the island on the request of planters who wanted to provide their slaves with religious instructions in 1827. One missionary, the Reverend James Watson, went to Lucea and eventually built two churches, one in 1830 and the other in 1832 in Green Island. The other went to reside nine miles outside of Lucea. POST-EMANCIPATION Typical of the post-emancipation period, the economy of Hanover became diversified and less dependent on sugar. The new peasantry engaged in the production of crops such as yam, cocoa, plantain and cassava. A particular variety of yam known as the Lucea yam later became affiliated with Hanover. Hanover became very prolific in agricultural production at that time. To enhance the labour force after the emancipation of slaves, several immigration schemes were developed from within Jamaica. These schemes recruited people voluntarily from India, China and other parts of Europe. The East Indian Scheme which took place between 1845 and 1917 saw some of the immigrants coming to Hanover. CONTEMPORARY HANOVER Nineteenth century Hanover saw items that were exported from the harbour up to the 1960s. In the 1970s, there was the exploration of crafts. In the 1980s there was a sojourn into agro- processing with turmeric processing. Additionally, in 1962 a cocoa fermentary was established. A deepwater pier was constructed but exportation from that particular port ceased in 1983 when the port was closed. Not only did they supply neighbouring parishes but also Panama which had many workers from Jamaica and so it was common for ships laden with provisions to sail from the Lucea Harbour. In the 1930s, the parish was famous for its cattle production as there were numerous grazing pens in areas such as, Settlewood, Burnt Ground, Knockalva, Ramble and Haddo. There were also some banana plantations in places such as: Kenilworth, Paradise Point and Westfield. Fishing is another economic activity in which some of the citizens participate. Hanover in 1989 engaged in manufacturing; Jockey International, a clothes manufacturing company, operated out of the parish where they produced over {20,000} dozen units per week. Initially, they employed approximately 450 persons and had made plans to expand their facilities. Tourism is another mainstay of the parish and provides employment for many. Some popular hotels are, Round Hill, Tryall and the new Grand Palladium. NOTABLE THINGS ABOUT HANOVER • The remains of a sugar factory and distillery can be found in Kenilworth. • The historic clock which was installed in 1817 was initially intended for St Lucia. However, when it ended up in Jamaica, the locals claimed it and funded outstanding amounts through a subscription service. The clock, which is adorned by a German helmet, sits atop the old Lucea courthouse. • Tryall Golf Club was previously a sugar estate and currently houses a 200-year-old water wheel – from the time of slavery. • In Lucea, Fort Charlotte which was built to defend the harbour from French raiders is the namesake of the George III’s Queen. • In 2007, Chigwell, a small farming community in the east of the parish, was flooded for months from rains that were associated with Tropical Storm Nicole. • Hanover shares the Negril strip with Westmoreland. • Fat Hog Quarter – is an ode to the fact that pigs were reared in this area in the 1700s. • Cascade has a number of fern species. • In 1985 the parish was affected by flooding which left a number of residents homeless. • There are claims that the Lucea Parish Church has a tunnel from the church to Fort Charlotte. The actual date of the establishment of the Parish Church is inconclusive but records of the earliest recorded baptism was 1725, 1727 and 1749, respectively, were the dates of the earliest recorded marriage and death, respectively. • The Lucea Police Barracks was once the Hanover District Prison from the 18th century. It is now home to the Hanover Museum. HISTORY CONTINUED FROM 4 HANOVER 300TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE Fort Charlotte, located in Lucea, Hanover, was built in the mid 18th century by the British. PHOTO BY ALBERT FERGUSON HANOVER 300TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2023
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