Quebec Estate

Historical Significance

Quebec plantation was originally owned by William Beckford, who was schooled in England and became as absentee proprietor of his Jamaican estates. As an absentee owner, Beckford fell victim to his plantation managers, the Wildman brothers, who over a period of twenty years drained away his fortune. Not satisfied with only robbing Beckford of his wealth, the brothers eventually induced Beckford to sign Quebec plantation over to them in 1790, but not before using Beckford’s money and enslaved persons to improve the property. According to Fremmer, “besides the six per cent of each of Beckford’s Jamaican plantations’ profits the Wildmans’ got as manager’s fee. They transferred the best enslaved Africans from the other plantations to Quebec….Beckford’s money was spent on the purchase of new enslaved, African persons who were victims of slavery, mill machinery, supplies, even sheep, all for Quebec because that was the apple they had decided to pluck.”

The oldest brother, Thomas Wildman died in 1795 and bequeathed a fortune to his son, Colonel Thomas Wildman. The Quebec Estate was a part of his inheritance as the Crop Accounts of 1797 records Quebec as the property of the heirs of Thomas Wildman Esquire deceased. For that year the property produced 180 hogsheads of sugar and 56 puncheons rum. By 1800, under overseer George Grant, production had increased to 307 hogsheads of sugar and over 110 puncheons of rum.

William Beckford eventually discovered that he was fleeced and sued the Wildmans to recover Quebec, however, the records indicate that he was unsuccessful as the Crop Accounts of 1817, continued to list Quebec as the property of Thomas Wildman Esquire. At that time, the estate produced 328 hogsheads of sugar and 125 puncheons, 3 hogsheads of rum.

Production on the Quebec Estate was boosted by the large number of enslaved labourers. The Jamaican Almanac of 1810 cites Quebec with a staggering 813 enslaved persons when the normal number should have been around 200 enslaved Africans for an estate of that size. Production continued along the same volume; in 1822, under overseer James Heslop, the estate produced over 322 hogsheads of sugar and over 150 puncheons rum.

By 1835, in the wake of the passage of the Emancipation Bill, production witnessed a rapid decline on Quebec Estate. The overseer, William Hall, reported that the estate produced 177 hogsheads, 3 barrels of sugar and only 64 puncheons rum. By 1839, a year after full freedom was achieved by the formerly enslaved, production at Quebec further declined. The estate produced 115 hogsheads sugar and 31 puncheons rum; the overseer at the time was Richard Burke.

In the 1840s, production increased but productivity was not as high as the pre-emancipation period. For example, in 1847 under overseer Henry Prendergast, Quebec produced 170 hogsheads of sugar and 89 puncheons of rum. In 1851, production was recorded as 223 hogsheads and 136 puncheons rum. Henry Prendergast remained overseer of the estate.

By 1881, Quebec Estate underwent mechanisation in sugar production. The Handbook of Jamaica of that year described the sugar mill as steam and the process of manufacture as centrifugal and wetzel pan. Of the 1,790 acres of land, 222 acres was dedicated to sugar cane cultivation and 1,568 acres comprised grass, woodland and ruinate. The recorded owner was the Hon. Geo Solomon and the estate attorney was the Hon. H Westmoreland. By 1882 however, ownership was transferred to A. L. DaCosta, with the person in charge being R Simmonds. For that year, the estate produced 165 hogsheads of sugar and 100 puncheons rum. The estate also recorded for that particular year, the monthly average of free Indian labourers employed to the estate was 30.

The nature of cultivation was changed on Quebec Estate by 1900.The Handbook of Jamaica recorded that in 1900, 30 acres of land was dedicated of coconut cultivation while 155 acres was in banana. The owner at the time was Harriet D. Simmonds and the owner’s attorney was R. P. Simmonds. By 1918, Quebec became a grazing pen and 463 acres of land was used as grass and common, other acreage comprised 1,273. The number of cattle on Quebec at that time was 245.

The List of Properties of Fifty Acres and Upwards revealed that by 1920, the estate was once again in cultivation. Land was used to cultivate banana and cocoa, and a section continued to be used for grazing. At this time the property was still in the hands of Harriet D. Simmonds. By 1938 ownership was transferred to Percy Lindo. Banana and cocoa were in cultivation and the estate then comprised 1592 acres. The Lindo’s daughter, Blanch, married. This couple became the parents of Chris Blackwell, the founder, and executive director of Island Records Company.

In 1990, Quebec was opened as an attraction. The great house was restored and modified to provide two conference styled rooms for meetings, seminars and conventions. One of the factory houses was converted into an entertainment area which featured a band stand, and a massive dance area. This operation was eventually discontinued.

Inherent Features

Planter’s House (Great House)

This structure boasts basic Georgian features, such as symmetry and a central portico. The portico adjoins a wide verandah adorned with cast iron fretwork and balustrade, which goes along the periphery of this area. The original sash windows were replaced by casement windows. The doors are solid raised panel doors.

The interior of the building is cladded mostly with timber and a very beautiful crystal chandelier is suspended from the ceiling of each main area (i.e. Living and Dining Rooms).Atop the building are three (3) rows of hip roofs.

The Sugar Factory Buildings

These structures are constructed of brick which appear to have been rendered with cement or lime mortar. The Boiling House has a hip roof, sash windows and a barn type entrance door. The Mill House has a gable type roof, supported by metal columns and beams with random/infrequent infill walls made of brick.

Identity – National, Regional and Local

The Quebec Estate buildings are among the oldest structures in the area and represent important contributions to the cultural landscape of the area. The plans of the present owners to operate a museum at this site, could add to the familiarity of the structure and make it a symbol for the area as a whole.

Integrity/Sustainability

There have been some alterations to the original interior design of the Planter’s House but the exterior still possesses much of the original features thus maintaining it architectural integrity. The other estate buildings though somewhat deteriorated are structurally sound and occupy their original site.