History

Samuel Sharpe

Matthew Lewis Grade 9 Class 2

Sam Sharpe

Sam Sharpe was born in 1801 in Montego Bay, St James Parish, Jamaica. He was born a house slave to an English lawyer.Sharpe's owner permitted him to become educated and well read. Sharpe's literacy, education and eloquence led to him being well respected in the slave community and he soon became a leader or "Daddy" in the Baptist Church. At the start of the 19th Century the Church was the only permitted place for slaves to conduct organised meetings.In his role of "Daddy", Sam Sharpe travelled around St James' Parish spreading the word of god. Sharpe concluded that the concept of slavery was not permitted under the bible and is quoted as saying "In reading my bible, I found that the white man had no more right to make a slave of me than I have to make a slave of the white man". He also points out that the line "No man can serve two masters" implies that it is forbidden for a man to serve god and a white master.

Accomplishments

He Led the Christmas Rebellion. He encouraged the slaves to fight for their

freedom. He aided in the abolishment of Slavery He did these when he was no more than 25 or

26 years old. He help burn down over 100 estates.

1. Who was the leader of the Christmas Rebellion? Samuel Sharpe2. When did the Christmas Rebellion Start? 1831

What were the causes of the Christmas Rebellion? Sam Sharpe believed that freedom was being withheld from the slaves.

3. Why were the missionaries blamed for the rebellion? William Knibb Thomas Burchell H.G. Pfeiffer

4. What were the 4 outcomes of the rebellion?

The abolishment of slavery.

Sam Sharpe was persecuted and hanged.

Missionaries, who were in any way sympathetic to the slaves, were persecuted.

Over 100 estates were burnt