in Jamaica
|
S. Powell Thompson's name first appeared at the very end of 1870, and he soon became a prominent lecturer in Kingston, Spanish Town and the West of the island.
as a lecturer
Daily Gleaner, December 28, 1870
We have been requested to announce that Mr. S. Powell Thomson, a black gentleman, of British Guiana, will Lecture this evening, at Wolmer's Girls' School, on British Guiana.
as a lecturer
Daily Gleaner, December 28, 1870
We have been requested to announce that Mr. S. Powell Thomson, a black gentleman, of British Guiana, will Lecture this evening, at Wolmer's Girls' School, on British Guiana.
Thompson's first lecture was twice postponed!
The Gleaner gave Powell Thomson's first, doubly postponed, lecture a fairly enthusiastic promo, but I have so far failed to find any account of the lecture in the paper.
Daily Gleaner, January 11, 1871
MR. W. POWELL THOMPSON, will lecture to-night at Wolmer's Girls' School, on a subject of high attraction, and we do expect the literary community will give him the audience which he appears to merit. There can be no doubt that the republic of letters must be anxious to test the ability of this bold Stranger; and we undertake to say that he has rather succeeded in gaining our good opinion of his literary abilities. In Saint Thomas he succeeded, according to the Tidende, in attracting large audiences of the intelligent among the community. Should he not do equally the same in Kingston? Fiat lux from any direction it might proceed.
The advance notice of the lecture on the same topic in Spanish Town certainly suggests that the speaker had made a good impression with the lecture in Kingston.
Daily Gleaner, February 6, 1871
We have been requested to state that Mr. S. Powell Thompson will lecture at the Court House in Spanish Town this evening, on "Man's Moral Obligation to Man,'' which was so generally applauded when delivered in this City, and to intimate also that several of the elite of the Town have promised to be present. There is so very ittle desire on the part of the literary portion of our community to encourage the higher order of intellect, that the public will not be surprised at the announcement that the admissions will be free, but a collection will be taken up after the discourse. None but educated minds will attend, even though the doors be thrown wide open!
Daily Gleaner, January 11, 1871
MR. W. POWELL THOMPSON, will lecture to-night at Wolmer's Girls' School, on a subject of high attraction, and we do expect the literary community will give him the audience which he appears to merit. There can be no doubt that the republic of letters must be anxious to test the ability of this bold Stranger; and we undertake to say that he has rather succeeded in gaining our good opinion of his literary abilities. In Saint Thomas he succeeded, according to the Tidende, in attracting large audiences of the intelligent among the community. Should he not do equally the same in Kingston? Fiat lux from any direction it might proceed.
The advance notice of the lecture on the same topic in Spanish Town certainly suggests that the speaker had made a good impression with the lecture in Kingston.
Daily Gleaner, February 6, 1871
We have been requested to state that Mr. S. Powell Thompson will lecture at the Court House in Spanish Town this evening, on "Man's Moral Obligation to Man,'' which was so generally applauded when delivered in this City, and to intimate also that several of the elite of the Town have promised to be present. There is so very ittle desire on the part of the literary portion of our community to encourage the higher order of intellect, that the public will not be surprised at the announcement that the admissions will be free, but a collection will be taken up after the discourse. None but educated minds will attend, even though the doors be thrown wide open!
Daily Gleaner, February 23, 1871
We have been requested by Mr. S. Powell Thomson to state that his Lecture on British Guiana will be delivered on Monday next, at the Girls' Department of Wolmer's School.
Daily Gleaner, March 13, 1871
WE have been requested to state that Mr. S. Powell Thomson will Lecture this evening at Wolmer's on the Confederation Scheme of Sir Benjamin Pine, by which the whole of the West Indian Islands are proposed to be Confederated.
We have been requested by Mr. S. Powell Thomson to state that his Lecture on British Guiana will be delivered on Monday next, at the Girls' Department of Wolmer's School.
Daily Gleaner, March 13, 1871
WE have been requested to state that Mr. S. Powell Thomson will Lecture this evening at Wolmer's on the Confederation Scheme of Sir Benjamin Pine, by which the whole of the West Indian Islands are proposed to be Confederated.
Daily Gleaner, March 13, 1871
AMONG the Commissioners from San Domingo, [who had just arrived in Kingston] is Mr. Frederick Douglass, the colored orator and political agitator who accompanies the Commission as Secretary. Mr. Douglass, as our readers are well aware, bears the
reputation being the foremost colored politician of his time in America, and has occupied numerous platforms and addressed large assemblages in perilous times, even long before the Dred Scott decision or Uncle Tom's Cabin appeared in aid of the cause which Mr. Douglass has so energetically espoused, at the imminent risk of his personal safety.
- The name of Frederick Douglass in America is like that of Edward Jordan, (of blessed memory) in Jamaica; both these men have lived to behold the triumph of Right over Might, and both have been recognised by their respective Governments as worthy of patronage.
Frederick Douglass has special claims upon the "people" of Jamaica; and we welcome him in the name of that people - embracing the vast intelligence and wealth of the island - on his arrival among us.
Daily Gleaner, March 15, 1871
MR. THOMPSON repaired to Wolmer's School on Monday night, to deliver his lecture on Confederation. The audience, including some of the most intelligent people of Kingston, requested Mr. Thompson to postpone the lecture and to invite Mr. Frederick Douglass, the great American Orator, to to take the chair. Mr. Thompson recognising women's rights thought he would not accede to the request without consulting the ladies present. The proposal was then put to the audience, and the resolution that Mr. Frederick Douglass should be invited to preside at the Lecture was carried among the ladies as among the gentlemen, without a single dissenting voice.
Daily Gleaner, March 17, 1871
MR. S. POWELL THOMPSON delivered his postponed lecture on Wednesday evening at Wolmer's Girls' School. After apologizing for the absence of Mr. Frederick Douglass, whom the audience on the previous occasion had invited to become Chairman, Mr. Thompson proceeded with his discourse, which was very interesting.
AMONG the Commissioners from San Domingo, [who had just arrived in Kingston] is Mr. Frederick Douglass, the colored orator and political agitator who accompanies the Commission as Secretary. Mr. Douglass, as our readers are well aware, bears the
reputation being the foremost colored politician of his time in America, and has occupied numerous platforms and addressed large assemblages in perilous times, even long before the Dred Scott decision or Uncle Tom's Cabin appeared in aid of the cause which Mr. Douglass has so energetically espoused, at the imminent risk of his personal safety.
- The name of Frederick Douglass in America is like that of Edward Jordan, (of blessed memory) in Jamaica; both these men have lived to behold the triumph of Right over Might, and both have been recognised by their respective Governments as worthy of patronage.
Frederick Douglass has special claims upon the "people" of Jamaica; and we welcome him in the name of that people - embracing the vast intelligence and wealth of the island - on his arrival among us.
Daily Gleaner, March 15, 1871
MR. THOMPSON repaired to Wolmer's School on Monday night, to deliver his lecture on Confederation. The audience, including some of the most intelligent people of Kingston, requested Mr. Thompson to postpone the lecture and to invite Mr. Frederick Douglass, the great American Orator, to to take the chair. Mr. Thompson recognising women's rights thought he would not accede to the request without consulting the ladies present. The proposal was then put to the audience, and the resolution that Mr. Frederick Douglass should be invited to preside at the Lecture was carried among the ladies as among the gentlemen, without a single dissenting voice.
Daily Gleaner, March 17, 1871
MR. S. POWELL THOMPSON delivered his postponed lecture on Wednesday evening at Wolmer's Girls' School. After apologizing for the absence of Mr. Frederick Douglass, whom the audience on the previous occasion had invited to become Chairman, Mr. Thompson proceeded with his discourse, which was very interesting.
Daily Gleaner, May 27, 1871
On the nights of the 22nd and 23rd instant, Mr. S. PowelI Thompson delivered two lectures in the Court House at Chapelton to very respectable audiences. His description of his native land, "British Guiana," was glowing and interesting in the highest degree, and his argument proving Man's Moral Obligations to man shewed him to be a lecturer of no mean order. He leaves here shortly for Manchester, and it is to be hoped that the inhabitants of that enlightened parish will avail themselves of the opportunity of listening to the lectures of a gentleman, who, though of pure African descent, has fully shown that high intellectual attainments cannot be predicated of any particular race of men, but is within the reach of any person who uses the means necessary for the due cultivation of his mental powers - [COMMUNICATED.]
On the nights of the 22nd and 23rd instant, Mr. S. PowelI Thompson delivered two lectures in the Court House at Chapelton to very respectable audiences. His description of his native land, "British Guiana," was glowing and interesting in the highest degree, and his argument proving Man's Moral Obligations to man shewed him to be a lecturer of no mean order. He leaves here shortly for Manchester, and it is to be hoped that the inhabitants of that enlightened parish will avail themselves of the opportunity of listening to the lectures of a gentleman, who, though of pure African descent, has fully shown that high intellectual attainments cannot be predicated of any particular race of men, but is within the reach of any person who uses the means necessary for the due cultivation of his mental powers - [COMMUNICATED.]
The account of his lectures in Chapelton provides the second reference to Powell Thompson's ethnicity. The references are unusual for the time, as there was a great reluctance to mention people's colour or ethnicity, especially among the middle and upper levels of the society. The apparent ease with which Powell Thompson moved into the Jamaican environment raises questions as to the often perceived difficulties confronting upwardly mobile Black men in 19th century Jamaica.
|
Daily Gleaner, May 7, 1873
The only Literary, Scientific, Instructive and Amusing Entertainment of the Day is Mr. Thompson's Elaborate Lecture.
MR. S. POWELL THOMPSON has pleasure in announcing that his promised Lecture takes place on WEDNESDAY EVENING, 7th May, under the patronage of some of the best judges of Literature in the Island, at the United Presbyterian School House, John's Lane, next the Kirk. This is another opportunity Mr Thompson gives the public of Kingston of listening to him. His abilities as a popular lecturer are unquestionable. The admission on this occasion is only One Shilling. Those who can appreciate an intellectual treat, will do well to hear Mr. Thomson for themselves. The criticism of
the Press is solicited.
The only Literary, Scientific, Instructive and Amusing Entertainment of the Day is Mr. Thompson's Elaborate Lecture.
MR. S. POWELL THOMPSON has pleasure in announcing that his promised Lecture takes place on WEDNESDAY EVENING, 7th May, under the patronage of some of the best judges of Literature in the Island, at the United Presbyterian School House, John's Lane, next the Kirk. This is another opportunity Mr Thompson gives the public of Kingston of listening to him. His abilities as a popular lecturer are unquestionable. The admission on this occasion is only One Shilling. Those who can appreciate an intellectual treat, will do well to hear Mr. Thomson for themselves. The criticism of
the Press is solicited.
publication of the lectures
He was also trying to make one of his lectures available as a pamphlet: I have just found a mention of Powell Thompson's lecture on Women's Rights in 1874; unfortunately the essential part of the review is so badly printed as to be illegible. I hope I will be able to find a better copy in one of the libraries that have runs of the Gleaner.
Daily Gleaner, October 9, 1874
We received a copy of a lecture on "Women's Rights" by Mr. S. Powell Thompson, of Demerara, presumably for review. The author says - I should like it to be clearly understood - once for all - that I don't expect that every one who may do me the honor of reading this pamphlet to agree with the views or accept the dogma I have expressed in it. It will be [as unten?] for me to look for such universal concurrence of opinion [ ] expect that I should have known [ ] is on the question of Women's Rights and expressed them in my publication.
As the doctrine of the intellectual equality of the sexes has as yet made little progress in Jamaica - though it has made some - such a deprecation as this may be necessary, but agreeing as does the writer of this with the substance of the sentiments and opinions expressed in the pamphlet, he is content to judge it upon its own merits and without reference to the popularity or unpopularity of of the views therein contained. It is customary in reviewing such a work as this to refer to the difficulties under which it was written, the claims of the writer to public consideration, etc. - in short, to . . .
[rest totally illegible.]
Daily Gleaner, October 9, 1874
We received a copy of a lecture on "Women's Rights" by Mr. S. Powell Thompson, of Demerara, presumably for review. The author says - I should like it to be clearly understood - once for all - that I don't expect that every one who may do me the honor of reading this pamphlet to agree with the views or accept the dogma I have expressed in it. It will be [as unten?] for me to look for such universal concurrence of opinion [ ] expect that I should have known [ ] is on the question of Women's Rights and expressed them in my publication.
As the doctrine of the intellectual equality of the sexes has as yet made little progress in Jamaica - though it has made some - such a deprecation as this may be necessary, but agreeing as does the writer of this with the substance of the sentiments and opinions expressed in the pamphlet, he is content to judge it upon its own merits and without reference to the popularity or unpopularity of of the views therein contained. It is customary in reviewing such a work as this to refer to the difficulties under which it was written, the claims of the writer to public consideration, etc. - in short, to . . .
[rest totally illegible.]
Daily Gleaner, November 13, 1876
We have been requested to state that Mr. Thomson's pamphlet on the "Rights of Women" is in the press, will soon be issued at sixpence per copy. The little work will contain two speeches by Ladies, the one from Miss Matilda Incognito, a barrister, and the other from Miss Stanley, the female Attorney-General. The work will be on sale at this office.
Daily Gleaner, December 18, 1876
WOMEN"S RIGHTS:- A LECTURE DELIVERED IN KlNGSTON, BY S. POWELL THOMSON, OF BRITISH GUIANA [SECOND EDITlON.] KINGSTON, JAMAICA: M. DECORDOVA & CO., PRINTERS, GLEANER OFFICE 1876.
This is a little brochure from the pen of a gentleman, well-known in Kingston as a reporter of the city press, and now connected with the Gleaner. The subject by is a tough one; but the lecturer has brought tough arguments to bear on it, proceeding from no less tough an instrument than a woman's tongue. In the course of a very chequered life, and in the pursuit of a profession followed by Mr. Thomson himself, it has been our lot - alas! an unhappy one - not only to be compelled to listen to, but actually to report, at least the substance of many speeches delivered by women of the strong-minded fraternity, such as Ernestine L. Rose, Lucretia Mott, and others of that kind, whose attacks not only on the Christian religion, but on abstract morality itself, were of the nature of rank poison - not to speak of the vile utterances of certain old women in breeches associated with them. In Mr. Thomson's humorous sketch of the forensic speech of Miss Matild Incognito, the Female Barrister, however, there is nothing to shock the reader's sense of propriety, either in respect to his religion or his morality. The learned feminine Counsel is supposed to be retained in the defence of Mary Paynter, for the murder of her infant child by suffocating it in its birth, and the arguments used with the view of securing the acquittal of the prisoner are such as are consistent with what is known as "Ladies Logic." But for the arguments themselves, and the peculiar sort of eloquence employed, together with the female Attorney-General's reply, we refer our readers to the brochure itself.
We have been requested to state that Mr. Thomson's pamphlet on the "Rights of Women" is in the press, will soon be issued at sixpence per copy. The little work will contain two speeches by Ladies, the one from Miss Matilda Incognito, a barrister, and the other from Miss Stanley, the female Attorney-General. The work will be on sale at this office.
Daily Gleaner, December 18, 1876
WOMEN"S RIGHTS:- A LECTURE DELIVERED IN KlNGSTON, BY S. POWELL THOMSON, OF BRITISH GUIANA [SECOND EDITlON.] KINGSTON, JAMAICA: M. DECORDOVA & CO., PRINTERS, GLEANER OFFICE 1876.
This is a little brochure from the pen of a gentleman, well-known in Kingston as a reporter of the city press, and now connected with the Gleaner. The subject by is a tough one; but the lecturer has brought tough arguments to bear on it, proceeding from no less tough an instrument than a woman's tongue. In the course of a very chequered life, and in the pursuit of a profession followed by Mr. Thomson himself, it has been our lot - alas! an unhappy one - not only to be compelled to listen to, but actually to report, at least the substance of many speeches delivered by women of the strong-minded fraternity, such as Ernestine L. Rose, Lucretia Mott, and others of that kind, whose attacks not only on the Christian religion, but on abstract morality itself, were of the nature of rank poison - not to speak of the vile utterances of certain old women in breeches associated with them. In Mr. Thomson's humorous sketch of the forensic speech of Miss Matild Incognito, the Female Barrister, however, there is nothing to shock the reader's sense of propriety, either in respect to his religion or his morality. The learned feminine Counsel is supposed to be retained in the defence of Mary Paynter, for the murder of her infant child by suffocating it in its birth, and the arguments used with the view of securing the acquittal of the prisoner are such as are consistent with what is known as "Ladies Logic." But for the arguments themselves, and the peculiar sort of eloquence employed, together with the female Attorney-General's reply, we refer our readers to the brochure itself.
The advertisement for the Women's Rights pamphlet in November 1880 is the last
reference I have found so far to Powell Thompson's lectures in Jamaica.
It is not clear when this lecture had been given; the pamphlet is listed thus officially -
"Bibliographia jamaicensis; a list of Jamaica books and pamphlets, magazine articles, newspapers, and maps, most of which are in the library of the Institute of Jamaica" 1902
863 - Women's Rights: a lecture delivered in Kingston by S. Powell Thomson (of British Guiana). 2nd ed. Kingston, 1870 [ actually the date was 1876]
The topic needs to be followed up, since it would be of considerable interest to know what a Black man said on the topic of women's rights in 1870s Jamaica.
reference I have found so far to Powell Thompson's lectures in Jamaica.
It is not clear when this lecture had been given; the pamphlet is listed thus officially -
"Bibliographia jamaicensis; a list of Jamaica books and pamphlets, magazine articles, newspapers, and maps, most of which are in the library of the Institute of Jamaica" 1902
863 - Women's Rights: a lecture delivered in Kingston by S. Powell Thomson (of British Guiana). 2nd ed. Kingston, 1870 [ actually the date was 1876]
The topic needs to be followed up, since it would be of considerable interest to know what a Black man said on the topic of women's rights in 1870s Jamaica.