PORT MARIA'S 202 YEARS OLD COURT HOUSE

Black History Month 2023 we mark the 202 anniversary of Port Maria Court House.

It is located opposite the Claude Stuart Park and the Port Maria Parish Church. This Georgian Architectural Design was originally built in 1821. Up until 1988 when it was badly damaged by fire, this marvelous Georgian Architectural structure housed Port Maria Courthouse and Port Maria Police Station. In 2000 with the strict guidance of the Urban Development Corporation and Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the 202 year old structure was restored to its former glary. Currently it Port Maria Civic Centre.  

This precious relic was the first public building that was constructed in Port Maria. Prior to this building being built the Parish of St. Mary paid significant amounts of money in rent to operate Port Maria's public offices in private houses. In 1816 the estate of Thomas Manning willed 90 acres of land at Trinity, St. Mary to the impoverished people of St. Mary, Jamaica. Subsequently in 1816 the Justices and Vestrymen used their lawful authority to trade the 90 acres of Trinity land for 54 acres of land in Port Maria. This land was was used to Port Maria's Municipal  buildings.  

In 1844 Jamaica had a population of 377,433 people. Of the 377,433 people, 15,776 were White people, 68,529 were  Coloured people and the remaining 293,128 were Black people. In 1816 although the population of Port Maria would have been several hundred people, recorded history reported only 25 people.

During the 167 years of being Port Maria Courthouse, a plethora of interesting cases were heard in this beautiful Georgian structure. In 1942 one of Jamaica's most interesting cases and the historic trial of Alexander Bustamante on charge of manslaughter. It must be noted that Alexander Bustamante had just being released from being lawfully detained at Up Park Camp in Kingston Jamaica. 

The most interesting aspect of this case is that at a point when the trial was not going well for Alexander Bustamante, his rival politician, Norman Manley intervened as defence counsel for Bustamante and got Bustamante acquitted of the offence. It must be noted that both Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley were leaders of rival political parties--Bustamante led Jamaica Labour Party, and Norman Manley led People's National Party. Also, of significance is the fact that both both men went on to become Jamaica's National Heroes.