Hampden was owned by Archibald
Sterling in the late 18th century, and is one of the 9 remaining
sugar factories on the island. It processes cane from its own 3500
acres and from surrounding small farmers and is famous for its high
ester rum, all of which is exported to Europe.The great house
located immediately beside the factory was built byStirling in 1779
and straddles the border between St James and Trelawny. It was
originally a functional stone and mortar dwelling and the ground
floor was used as a rum store until the early 1900s when
remodelling created spacious verandas and a graceful profile.
Beside the greathouse driveway a tiny graveyard commemorates former
proprietors and their families. The inscription on the tomb of John
Stirling, who died in 1793 aged 25, attests to his many virtues and
the affection of his brother Archibald.
In 1823,Archibald Sterling he and his friend William Stehert, also a Scotsman and who owned nearby Dundee Estate, invited the Scottish Missionary Society to carry out missionary work in the area.
| Sterling gave land on the Hampden Estate for the construction of a church and he and Stehert put up half the cost of building it. Now known as the Hampden United Church, it was previously known as Scots' Church and Hampden Presbyterian Church |  |
| Rev George Blythe was sent in 1824 to erect the church which was apparently dedicated in 1827. |  |
The interior of the church has various
plaques, including one that  was erected by the Congregation to
commemorate the total extinction of slavery on the 1st August,
1938. |
 The stained-glass window on
the right of the photo was presented in memory of George
MacFarquharson, second lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery, who
was killed in action in France on May 3, 1917 during World War
1.I am not sure of the exact relationship to the Estate owners. |
|
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ISABELLA [NEE EDGAR] WIDOW OF WILIAM J. DONALD-HILL BORN 14TH DECEMBER 1864 AT FORRES, SCOTLAND DIED 4TH JUNE 1956 -------- 'IN PASTURES GREEN HE LEADETH ME THE QUIET WATERS BY!' |
Among the graves in the churchyard are those for
William and Isabella Donald-Hill who owned Windsor from 1892 until 1947, hence our special
interest as present owners. |
We value your comments and feedback: please e-mail us.
