• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
William Knibb Memorial High School 1961

Early, Hidden History of the William Knibb Memorial High School

May 8, 2016
Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

March 19, 2020
HandJ sidebar banner green yellow

Vacancy for Gym Instructor/Trainer at H&J Fitness 4 Life

February 10, 2020
accident - braco - white car

Two Killed in Car-Truck Collision on Braco Main Road (Video)

December 22, 2019
crime-scene-blue-light-1675687_1280

Man Killed, Woman in Custody After Stabbing Incident in Martha Brae Bar

December 20, 2019
boxing in falmouth jamaica - shakeema mullings

Professional Boxing Comes to Falmouth, Trelawny for the First Time this Friday, December 20

December 18, 2019
ogh medicinal marijuana farm ground breaking

Organic Growth Holdings Medicinal Hemp Farm in Trelawny officially begins planting

December 13, 2019
murder-rate-in-trelawny-st-james

Double murder rocks quiet South Trelawny community

November 26, 2019
marriott al amaterra all-inclusive trelawny 1280

Marriott International to Build All-Inclusive Resort in Trelawny

November 25, 2019
Yahjam web services 8 cornwall street falmouth trelawny jamaica

Yahjam Web Services, Now Open in Falmouth: Trelawny’s First Digital Agency Offers a New Way of Attracting Customers

November 24, 2019
arrested

After 3 years, St Ann man charged with murder, wounding with intent

September 25, 2019
Government Reports A Steady Recovery In Sweet Yam Production In Trelawny

Government Reports A Steady Recovery In Sweet Yam Production In Trelawny

September 25, 2019
March on Gordon House for Cockpit Country

Over 200 March on Gordon House in Support of the Cockpit Country

September 19, 2019
  • Accident
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Travel
Monday, January 18, 2021
Falmouth News
  • Development
    H10_CORALSPRINGS_-10

    Ocean Coral Spring, Jamaica’s Newest All-Inclusive Resort Opens in Trelawny November, 2019

    police stations to be refurbished - roc

    Clark’s Town Police Station Among 14 Police Stations To Be Renovated Under Project ROC

    Compound 77 cornwall street falmouth trelawny jamaica

    Compound in Falmouth to be Rebuilt Under HOPE Housing Project

    Falmouth drop-in centre for the homeless and indigent almost ready

    Falmouth drop-in centre for the homeless and indigent almost ready

    trelawny traffic light installation

    Historic Installation of Trelawny’s First Traffic Lights Has Begun

    MP Victor Wright Lashes Out At Poor Management of Trelawny’s Development

    Trending Tags

    • Crime
      crime-scene-blue-light-1675687_1280

      Man Killed, Woman in Custody After Stabbing Incident in Martha Brae Bar

      arrested

      After 3 years, St Ann man charged with murder, wounding with intent

      black man in handcuff 2

      Falmouth escapee on murder charge is now back in custody

      Prisoner on murder charge escapes police custody in Falmouth

      Prisoner on murder charge escapes police custody in Falmouth

      Walther PPK .380

      Illegal Gun Seizure in Deeside, Trelawny Results in Arrest of Man and Teenage Girl

      police-murder-862341_1280

      Man of unsound mind who was recently suspected of sex crime, shot dead in Race Course

      Trending Tags

      • Sports
        boxing in falmouth jamaica - shakeema mullings

        Professional Boxing Comes to Falmouth, Trelawny for the First Time this Friday, December 20

        william knibb vs cedric titus

        William Knibb Defeat Cedric Titus 1-0 to Remain Unbeaten Zone C Leaders in DaCosta Cup

        Joe James’ never got dying wish to see family, including famous son David James

        Joe James’ never got dying wish to see family, including famous son David James

        Knibb vs Holland

        William Knibb Defeat Holland High in DaCosta Cup Derby

        Village-Seba-2008-Apr-27_-17

        Weak leadership hurting football in western Jamaica by Adrian Frater

        Jamaica wins 2019 LATAM Cup ice hockey

        Jamaica wins Ice Hockey’s 2019 Amerigol LATAM Cup

        Trending Tags

        • Port
          Oasis of the Seas maiden voyage to Falmouth 2011

          Falmouth worst hit as Jamaica’s cruise passenger numbers plunge this summer

          MP Victor Wright Lashes Out At Poor Management of Trelawny’s Development

          Sheona Muschett - Mark Hylton 1600

          Port Authority commits to Trelawny health sector with donation to Friends of Falmouth Hospital

          cocaine-drugs-908533_1600

          St. Lucian caught attempting to board ship in Falmouth with one pound of cocaine

          Falmouth Port Craft Vending

          Falmouth Artisan Village construction to begin soon for completion end of 2018

          Cruise ship visitors leaving Falmouth Pier

          TPDCo Implements Measures to Prevent Tourist Harassment in Falmouth and Beyond

          Trending Tags

          • Attractions
            Martha Brae Rafts destroyed

            Martha Brae River Rafting fleet almost completely destroyed

            Falmouth Port Craft Vending

            Falmouth Artisan Village construction to begin soon for completion end of 2018

            Jamaica Culinary Tours and Pepper’s Jerk Center Featured on The Daily Meal

            Jamaica Culinary Tours and Pepper’s Jerk Center Featured on The Daily Meal

            Peppers Jerk Center - Clint Rennie

            Pepper’s Jerk Center in Falmouth is Refurbishing and Expanding for the Future

            Allure of the Seas in Falmouth Port

            Jamaican living in Canada to construct Culture Market in Trelawny – construction begins this month

            Paintball Jamaica hit

            Video: Paintballing like a pro at Paintball Jamaica near Falmouth Trelawny

            Trending Tags

            • Classifieds
              • Place Your Ad
            No Result
            View All Result
            Falmouth News
            No Result
            View All Result
            Home Falmouth Jamaica Education

            Early, Hidden History of the William Knibb Memorial High School

            May 8, 2016
            in Education, History
            8 min read
            2
            William Knibb Memorial High School 1961

            William Knibb Memorial High School (1961)

            36
            SHARES
            1k
            VIEWS
            Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
            William Knibb Memorial High School 1961
            William Knibb Memorial High School (1961)

            The following was curated from Jamaica-History.com & Vintage Jamaica page via Falmouth Vintage Jamaica. This is an interesting history of William Knibb Memorial High School, which shows that the history of the school dates way back before 1961, the year it is actually recognized as being founded.

            The school seems to have began in the 1870’s or earlier, and was first known as the Misses Knibb Boarding School. It was run by female descendants of the famous slavery abolitionist, William Knibb, for whom the school is now named.

            fitness 4life vacancy thumbnail

            RelatedPosts

            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

            March 19, 2020
            Karl Samuda speaking in parliament

            Cedric Titus and Albert Town High Schools Among Four To Be Removed From Shift System This School Year

            September 11, 2019

            The school is now located at Carib Road in Martha Brae, after having moved from the old Baptist manse on Market Street, Falmouth for the 1976-1977 school year. Many of us as old students thought the school history began at Market Street, Falmouth, but history says otherwise.

            Early History of William Knibb Memorial High

            Miss Knibb’s School, Falmouth
            Miss Knibb’s Young Ladies’ Seminary, 22 Cornwall Street

            Interest in this school was roused by reference to a school being closed when two Black girls were admitted, and other parents withdrew their children, possibly in the 1870s. I have not been able to locate any contemporary, or early, accounts of this situation. The reference below, apparently based on information provided by Miss May Jeffrey Smith, is the most reliable I have found; I would be grateful for any earlier references. It is clear from references I have found, that, whatever problems existed in the ’70s, the school survived and presumably continued to operate at least into the 1890s, when Cicely Knibb Allen, nee Fray, born in 1888, was educated there.
            HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF TRELAWNY

            by Daniel L. Ogilvie
            We are indebted to Miss May Jeffrey Smith, B. A., J. P., for the following notes . . .
            . . . the prejudice prevailing at that time which strongly objected to a black or darkly coloured girl being educated with those of fairer complexion – a prejudice now happily passed away.

            This prejudice was manifested a few years earlier, when a well established school conducted by the Misses Knibb (descendants of the famous William Knibb) in Falmouth, was entirely broken up, because they admitted as pupils the daughters of two native Ministers, the one a Baptist and the other a Presbyterian, both of whom are recognized and respected gentlemen. As the ladies refused to dismiss these girls simply on the ground of their colour, the other girls were withdrawn and these ladies had to suffer some privation on account of their heroic attempt to stem the current of race antipathy then prevailing.

            TRELAWNY AND PUBLIC ADVERTISER
            Published in Falmouth, Jamaica

            THURSDAY JULY 15, 1875
            THE MISSES KNIBB
            Will re-open their school (D.V.)
            on Wednesday 21st July.

            Jamaican Historical Society Bulletin – Volume 8, No. 8, Dec 1982
            page 190

            THE MISSES KNIBB BOARDING SCHOOL, FALMOUTH

            The following extract is from a letter written in 1971 to the then President of the Georgian Society, Geoffrey Pinto, by the late Mrs Cicely Knibb Allen, of New Orleans, USA. A copy has been given to the St Andrew Memory Bank Auxilliary Group, who thought it might be of interest to the readers of the J.H.S. Bulletin.

            [Cicely Knibb Fray, later Allen, born 1888, was a great-grand-daughter of William Knibb. She died in 1979.]

            “As you may, or not, know, there were three Knibb brothers who came out to Jamaica from Kettering, England, as teachers of slaves. First came Thomas, but he soon died from the fever (yellow fever, I suspect). Then came William Knibb and his wife, Mary, they were our ancestors. Then came Edward Knibb who was the father of Mary (Polly) Knibb and Lillie Knibb.

            William Knibb Memorial High 1961 smallThese two estimable ladies were an institution in Falmouth as they were both very tall. Cousin Polly was the older and therefore “ran” things . She was a very large woman who wore black velvet bonnets with parrot’s feathers on them and when the bonnet was tied under that chin we students could look at the way it was tied and know how to adjust our behavior to it.

            Cousin Lillie was slender and willowy and I liked to watch her walk. There were about twenty boarders and that many day students, children of bushes or estate managers, store keepers, preachers, etc. (I was one of the last!) and we lived entirely by clock and rule.

            The menu was the same, by that I mean that on Sunday we always had cold corned beef, cold yam or other vegetable, a hunk of dry bread, water, and for dessert there would be cooked prunes one week and apple sauce the next week. The fire was never lighted in the kitchen on Sunday!! Breakfast was at 11:00 o’clock was always codfish, rice or yam, cho-chos etc. and for dinner, mutton, fish, beef, vegetables and fruit.

            We rose at 6:00 am, went down to prayers, a bit of bread, calico tea (half milk, half water) and fruit; then out in the flag stoned yard to study, by which I mean walking up and down and around the flower beds with a book in hand, usually the “Blue Back” Speller. If we were found slouching in our walk we were given a backboard to wear and we kept on walking.

            Day students arrived at 8:30 am, so into the huge room under the second story we went, where long tables and backless benches awaited us. Slates and slate pencils were brought out and work began.
            When recitation time came we were lined up in front of Cousin Lillie to recite portions of the Bible (what I learned there I’ve never forgotten and am thankful for my Bible knowledge), then spelling, history, geography, arithmetic, French, Latin, and music (piano) were taught by Cousin Polly, whose classes went upstairs to her.

            She was also the business manager and did the ordering of food, linens, etc. When we stood to recite we placed the palms of our hands on our shoulders, we couldn’t pass off anything on her even if she was totally deaf for she could “lip read”. If we erred in any way we were sent to stand in the corner with a book on our head, every time the book fell off meant five more minutes. On Saturdays we put a book on our heads if we erred in any way and walked up and down for ten minutes.

            Each afternoon after school, and before dinner we went upstairs, washed up, changed to street clothes and off we wet for a walk. Hat, gloves, walking two by two, in line, not a word to be said while walking through Falmouth, but when we reached the beach, the dock, or Martha Brae river we could break ranks and go where we wanted. Cousin Lillie and one other long suffering teacher went along.

            Home again, dinner and study around a huge table at the head of the stair until 9:00 pm when to bed we went.

            On Sundays we were marched to the Presbyterian Kirk (the picture is in your book) where Cousin Polly played the organ. In those days the pews were a square box affair with a door, so some of the congregation sat with their back to the preacher! Once I went to sleep during the 1½ hour sermon, so Cousin Polly reached over from where she was sitting, and using the crooked handle of her umbrella around my neck brought me to my feet where I stood for the rest of the sermon droned on by the estimable though dry Scottish domino. Cousin Polly was not above telling Mr Marwick the minister that she disagreed with what he said and she did it “right there and then”!!

            No two women had bigger hearts than they, for they were always helping someone out. In those days Delgado’s store was the Emporium, and Mr Delgado could, and would put them in touch with need.
            At the time I thought life was terrible, but this rigid training has meant much to me in later life, so that now at 82 I am grateful for my stern upbringing.

            Not only were we taught manners and the three R’s we also had lessons in quiet sleeping and I was one who got the training. It was rugged.

            [Miss Lillie Knibb died in 1913, and Miss Polly Knibb in 1914.]
            THE JAMAICA WITNESS
            Edited by Dr. Robb, Kingston. Subscriptions and Advertisements for 1882 are to be paid to the Rev. Wm. Murray, Falmouth. Subscription is 2/6 per annum, post free.

             

            Monday, January 1, 1883
            REOPENING OF SCHOOL
            The Misses Knibb, Kettering, Falmouth, will reopen the School, conducted by them (D.V.) on Wednesday, January the 24th, and all Pupils are requested to assemble on that day.

            Two authoritative sources provide further details about the school:

            Orange Valley, and Other Poems
            Tom Redcam, 1951

            Prior to going to Kingston Tom MacDermot was a pupil at the excellent school conducted for many years in Falmouth by the Misses Knibb. It was a girl’s school but a limited number of junior boys were admitted. Among these, incidentally, was the late Editor of the “Gleaner”, Mr. Herbert G. deLisser, then quite a small boy.

            At the Misses Knibb, in addition to what he owed to the two heads of the establishment, he remembered specially the teaching of *Miss Annie Fray, a grand daughter of the famous William Knibb.

            *Annie Fray was a grand-daughter of Rev William Knibb, daughter of Rev Ellis Fray, snr,and was the first teacher at the school which became Westwood, of which May Jeffrey Smith was a later headmistress. Annie Fray died in 1920.

            Six Great Jamaicans: biographical sketches
            W. Adolphe Roberts, 1952

            The younger Herbert George de Lisser [born 1878] began his education in Falmouth; as a small boy he was entered at the school kept by the Misses Knibb, while T. H. MacDermot, eight years his senior, was still a pupil there. Then he was taken to Kingston and placed in the Collegiate School under the famous teacher William Morrison.

             

            CURATED from Jamaica-History.com & Vintage Jamaica page via Falmouth Vintage Jamaica.

            Tags: history of Falmouthwilliam knibb
            Share36TweetSend
            Previous Post

            Six Contestants vie for Miss Trelawny Festival Queen on Sunday

            Next Post

            West Indies women host England in ODI Cricket at Trelawny Stadium in October

            Related Posts

            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts
            Art

            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

            by Editor
            March 19, 2020
            Karl Samuda speaking in parliament
            Education

            Cedric Titus and Albert Town High Schools Among Four To Be Removed From Shift System This School Year

            by Editor
            September 11, 2019
            Trelawny man sends 30 students back to school
            Charity

            Clark’s Town Businessman Sends 30 Students Back To School

            by Editor
            September 11, 2019
            Trelawny Girl Excels in CXC: Knox top scholar Peter-Ann Griffiths continues to strive for excellence
            Education

            Trelawny Girl Excels in CXC: Knox top scholar Peter-Ann Griffiths continues to strive for excellence

            by Editor
            August 30, 2019
            Alicia Morgan-William Knibb-principal
            Education

            William Knibb Memorial High School Principal Is Dead

            by Editor
            May 10, 2019
            Next Post
            trelawny-stadium-cricket-match-720

            West Indies women host England in ODI Cricket at Trelawny Stadium in October

            Comments 2

            1. Pingback: Former Village United Striker commits suicide - Falmouth News
            2. Editor says:
              2 years ago

              Happy to see two of my aunts in this picture.

              Reply

            Leave a Reply Cancel reply

            Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

            I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

            HandJ sidebar banner green yellow 336x475

            Most Popular News Today

            • Video: Montego Bay gunmen murder motorist at gas station

              Video: Montego Bay gunmen murder motorist at gas station

              50 shares
              Share 50 Tweet 0
            • [Video] 14 year-old Canadian Shot Dead in Olympic Gardens – Family interviews

              0 shares
              Share 0 Tweet 0
            • The Health Benefits of Guinep

              1 shares
              Share 0 Tweet 0
            • Trelawny communities flooded last week, once again hit by flood waters

              73 shares
              Share 73 Tweet 0
            • Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips says no to mining in Cockpit Country (Video)

              139 shares
              Share 139 Tweet 0
            • Bounty Hall Man Killed at Mother’s Wake

              660 shares
              Share 660 Tweet 0
            • Fire Destroys Long Pond Distillery (Photos and Video)

              156 shares
              Share 156 Tweet 0

            Advertisement

            Most Popular This Month

            • Trending
            • Comments
            • Latest
            westwood high trelawny

            List of Jamaica’s Top 24 Ranked Schools in Academics – Trelawny’s Westwood High Ranked #6

            July 21, 2015
            H10_CORALSPRINGS_-10

            Ocean Coral Spring, Jamaica’s Newest All-Inclusive Resort Opens in Trelawny November, 2019

            September 20, 2019
            sakura express

            New Restaurant Opens In Falmouth Called Sakura Express – The Simple Changes That Are Punishing Other Local Restaurants

            July 5, 2015
            Fatal Accident Salt Marsh Main Road

            Two killed in crash on Salt Marsh Main Road

            February 1, 2018
            car accident in Trelawny

            Two drivers killed in Trelawny motor vehicle crash near Falmouth

            April 15, 2016
            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

            Meet Paulette Reid-Denson, Trelawny’s Queen of the Arts

            March 19, 2020
            HandJ sidebar banner green yellow

            Vacancy for Gym Instructor/Trainer at H&J Fitness 4 Life

            February 10, 2020
            accident - braco - white car

            Two Killed in Car-Truck Collision on Braco Main Road (Video)

            December 22, 2019
            crime-scene-blue-light-1675687_1280

            Man Killed, Woman in Custody After Stabbing Incident in Martha Brae Bar

            December 20, 2019
            boxing in falmouth jamaica - shakeema mullings

            Professional Boxing Comes to Falmouth, Trelawny for the First Time this Friday, December 20

            December 18, 2019

            Follow Us On Facebook

            • About
            • Contact
            • Privacy Policy
            • Privacy Tools

            Copyright © 2019 Falmouth News.

            No Result
            View All Result
            • Development
            • Crime
            • Sports
            • Port
            • Attractions
            • Classifieds
              • Place Your Ad

            Copyright © 2019 Falmouth News.

            Login to your account below

            Forgotten Password?

            Fill the forms bellow to register

            *By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
            All fields are required. Log In

            Retrieve your password

            Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

            Log In
            This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.