Stokes Hall Great House: A Glimpse into Jamaica's Colonial Past

Stokes Hall Great House, situated in the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica, offers a compelling journey into the island's rich colonial history. Built by Luke Stokes, a former governor of Nevis, sometime after the English conquest in 1655, the great house was strategically fortified, reflecting the turbulent times. The location was initially called Hato de Morante by the Spanish before Stokes renamed it Stokesfield. Like many early Jamaican great houses, Stokes Hall was constructed as much a fortress as a residence. Its thick walls, some two feet in width, featured loopholes for firing cannons and muskets. Corner towers, reaching nearly thirty feet, provided extensive views of the surrounding landscape. The house was also designed for comfortable living, boasting large bedrooms and other conveniences. Stokes Hall was part of a larger estate that became a prosperous sugar plantation, symbolizing early English colonization. However, the initial settlers faced immense hardship, succumbing to diseases like malaria and yellow fever. After the death of Luke Stokes and his wife, survivors relocated to higher ground, where they built Stokes Hall Great House. In historical documents, Stokes Hall is sometimes referred to as "Stokes Hall Slave House" because it was built by slaves brought from Nevis by Luke Stokes. Today, the great house stands in ruin, a consequence of the devastating 1907 earthquake. The ruins include three towers, the foundations of the kitchen outhouse, and a water tank. The remaining structure is made of concreted rock rubble faced with dressed stone, with traces of stucco coating still visible. From the vantage point of Stokes Hall, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding river delta covered with sugar cane, the Duckenfield Hall sugar mill in the distance, and the Blue Mountains to the north.