The Frome Estate

The year 2008 marks the 70th anniversary of the labour riots which took place across Jamaica in 1938. Between January and June of 1938, there were several outbreaks of disturbances by various factions of the working class, beginning with a strike by cane cutters on the Serge Island Sugar Estate in St. Thomas. Other riots included the general strikes on the Kingston waterfront on May 21st and the strike by street cleaners on May 23rd. There were also other general strikes by dock and transport workers, municipal employees, as well as food and tobacco workers.

However, probably the most memorable of the riots during this period was the one which took place at Frome Estate in Westmoreland between April 29 and May 2, 1938 which resulted in the death of 14 persons and injury to 180 others.
The riots which occurred throughout this period proved to be very significant as they were the catalysts for the improvement of working conditions for the working class. This was achieved through the formation of trade unions and political parties which lobbied for increased workers’ benefits and rights which eventually led to the granting of Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944, which was the right (as opposed to the privilege) of all adults, regardless of class, sex, race, religion, etc., to vote.

For most Jamaicans, Frome Estate is only associated with the labour riots of 1938, however, outside of this, the estate enjoys a very rich history. Frome Estate dates to as far back as the 17th century when it initially belonged to Colonel Christopher Morris, a member of the Oliver Cromwell contingent that came to Jamaica in 1655. The property was passed down through generations, having been owned by Morris’ daughter, Anna, and her husband, Anthony Storer, who later passed it down to their son Thomas Storer. Thomas was the son-in-law of Colonel Guthrie, the officer of the Jamaica Militia who was instrumental in formulating the Peace Treaty with Cudjoe and the Maroons in 1738.
The estate remained the property of the Storer family until shortly after World War I when the demand, and subsequently the price, of sugar quickly declined, resulting in the owners experiencing massive losses.

However, there was a resurgence of the sugar industry in the 1930s as a result of the restoration of preference prices for sugar produced in Jamaica. There was renewed interest in the industry, and the new business prospects attracted the attention of the British sugar firm, Tate and Lyle. The company bought seven small, outdated sugar factories in the parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover, including the old Frome factory. In a consolidation effort, all seven factories were merged and a new central factory built at Frome in 1938, with operations commencing on January 14, 1939. The Frome Central Factory was the most modern sugar factory in the Caribbean at the time of construction, built at an estimated cost of 500,000 pounds sterling. Its capacity was greater than the cane supply which was available to it and, as a result, cultivations were expanded to adequately satisfy the factory’s capacity.

Today, the Frome Sugar Factory and Estate is a Division of the Sugar Company of Jamaica Limited (SCJ), which also has responsibility for the Monymusk and Bernard Lodge Factories. The SCJ was formed in 1993 by a consortium consisting of J. Wray and Nephew Limited, Manufacturers Investments Limited and Booker Tate Limited which had controlling interest in the Company. However, after having undergone a streak of losses, the consortium re-sold the SCJ to the Government of Jamaica at the price of JA $1.00.

The SCJ, through the operations of the Frome Division, continues to be the forerunner in the industry. Despite the several adversities that the factory faces, it continues to implement projects that ensure its sustainability and viability.

References
Bertram, Arnold. “The 1938 Frome labour riots (Part I)”. Jamaica Gleaner. 28 May 2006. 26 May 2008
<http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060528/focus/focus5.html>.
Claypole, Bill and John Robottom. Caribbean Story Book 2.
Dookham, Isaac. Post Emancipation History of the West Indies. Great Britain: Collins Clear-Type Press,
1975.
Drum, Victor, (Comp.). “Frome is best known for its rich history”. May 2008.
Senior, Olive. Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage. St. Andrew: Twin Guinep Publishers Limited, 2003.