Edward Jordon facts for kids

Edward Jordon (1800-1869) was a very important person in Jamaica. He fought for equal rights for people who were free but had ancestors who were enslaved. These people were often called "free people of color."

Edward Jordon's Early Life

Edward Jordon was born in Jamaica on December 6, 1800. His father, also named Edward, was from Barbados, and his mother, Grace, was a Jamaican black woman.

Edward Jordon worked as a clerk for a merchant named James Brydon in Kingston. However, Mr. Brydon ended Jordon's job. He did this because he didn't like that Jordon was getting more involved in the fight for equal rights. Jordon wrote back, saying he was sad his political views caused them to part ways.

Fighting for Equal Rights

Early Efforts for Equality

In 1823, free people of color in Jamaica asked the Jamaican Assembly (like a local government) to lift unfair rules. They wanted to be allowed to speak in court, but the Assembly said no.

The government tried to stop the movement by sending away its leaders, Louis Celeste Lecesne and John Escoffery. But young Edward Jordon joined the movement. He became part of the Kingston Coloured Committee in May 1823.

Starting The Watchman Newspaper

Jordon wanted to start a newspaper but didn't have enough money. So, he and another leader, Robert Osborn (Jamaica), opened a bookshop.

In 1828, after their bookshop did well, Jordon and Osborn started their own newspaper called The Watchman. Most newspapers at the time shared the views of white plantation owners. But The Watchman focused on issues important to free people of color in Jamaica. It also connected with groups in England that were fighting for human rights and against slavery, like the Anti-Slavery Society.

Achieving Voting Rights

In 1827, another leader, Richard Hill (Jamaica), sent a request to the British Parliament. By 1830, Jordon and his friends sent another request to the Jamaican Assembly. This time, there was enough pressure. Free people of color were finally given the right to vote and run for public office.

Arrest and The Morning Journal

The Baptist War and Jordon's Arrest

In late 1831, an enslaved man named Samuel Sharpe led a large slave rebellion. This event became known as the Baptist War. The government stopped the revolt very harshly. They also used this chance to crack down on anyone who disagreed with them.

The Watchman newspaper printed an article that called for freedom for enslaved people. Because of this, Edward Jordon was arrested. He was accused of trying to cause a rebellion against the government.

After the Arrest

Jordon was found not guilty of the charge, but he still had to spend six months in prison.

After slavery was ended, Jordon changed The Watchman newspaper into The Morning Journal.

Edward Jordon's Political Career

Slavery Ends and Jordon Enters Politics

The fight against slavery that The Watchman supported finally succeeded. The British Parliament passed a law to end slavery in 1833. This law started on August 1, 1834. It created a system called "Apprenticeship," which some people felt was still too much like slavery.

In 1835, Jordon was elected to the Assembly, representing Kingston. He became a leader of a group called the Kings House Party, or Coloured Party. This group was against the powerful plantation owners. Jordon and his party successfully stopped attempts to make it harder for black and colored voters to vote.

Important Roles in Government

Jordon represented Kingston for 30 years, from 1835 to 1865. In 1852, he was chosen to be part of the Legislative Council, which gave advice to the governor.

In 1854, Edward Jordon made history. He was the first person of color to be elected mayor of Kingston. He held this important job for 14 years. From 1861 to 1864, Jordon was also the first non-white person to become the speaker of the Assembly.

In 1864, Jordon was given the job of receiver general, which managed government money. A year later, he became the island secretary, a top administrative role.

Changes After the Morant Bay Rebellion

In 1865, the Morant Bay Rebellion happened. The governor, Edward John Eyre, used this event to convince the Assembly to get rid of itself. This ended the growing power of people of color in elected politics. The old rule of keeping non-white people out of public office was brought back. Jordon strongly opposed these unfair changes.

Death and Legacy

Edward Jordon passed away in 1869. In 1875, a statue was put up in his honor in what is now St. William Grant Park in Kingston. This statue reminds people of his important work.

The National Library of Jamaica has also made a video about Edward Jordon's life story.