Greenwall Sugar Works

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the crushing of cane was done by the use of wind, water, or a trapiche, more commonly known as an animal-powered mill. The Greenwall Estate in St. Thomas was one of the many sugar estates that used an animal-powered mill. This type of mill allowed workers to feed the sugar cane into the rollers and remove the trash, while the animals worked to power the mill.

The ruins include sections of the curing and boiling houses that are now covered by vegetation. These structures were a part of a larger building that once facilitated enslaved labour. The estate passed through many hands from William Sutherland, with 234 enslaved people and 68 livestock. Following his death, the estate was held by William Harris, Thomas Wright, Frances Grossett, and Herman before emancipation.

Despite its ruin, the estate still remains as a reminder of Jamaica’s colonial history.