1823 slave rebellion in the colony of Demerara-Essequibo (Guyana)
Demerara rebellion of 1823
Slaves force the retreat of European soldiers led by Lt Brady.
Date
18–20 August 1823
Location
Demerara-Essequibo (Guyana)
Caused by
Poor treatment, (mistaken) belief that Parliament had emancipated the slaves
Goals
Emancipation
Methods
Largely non-violent
Resulted in
Suppression
Parties
Rebel slaves
British Empire Demerara-Essequibo Plantocracy
Lead figures
Quamina † Jack Gladstone (POW)
John Murray
Number
9,000 - 15,000 enslaved men and women
Casualties and losses
200 to 500 killed in the revolt 27 executed
Minimal losses
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The Demerara rebellion of 1823 was an uprising involving between 9,000 and 12,000 enslaved people that took place in the British colony of Demerara-Essequibo in what is now Guyana. The exact number of how many took part in the uprising is a matter of debate.[1] The rebellion, which began on 18 August 1823 and lasted for two days. Their goal was full emancipation. The uprising was triggered by a widespread but mistaken belief that Parliament had passed a law that abolished slavery and that this was being withheld by the colonial rulers. Instigated chiefly by Jack Gladstone, an enslaved man from the "Success" plantation, the rebellion also involved his father, Quamina, and other senior members of their church group. Its English pastor, John Smith, was implicated.
The largely non-violent rebellion[2] was brutally crushed by the colonists under governor John Murray. They killed many slaves: estimates of the toll from fighting range from 200 to 500 men and women. After the insurrection was put down, the government sentenced another 45 men to death, and 27 were executed. The executed slaves' bodies were displayed in public for months afterwards as a deterrent to others. Jack may have been deported to the island of Saint Lucia after the uprising. John Smith, who had been sentenced to death and was awaiting news of his appeal against a death sentence, died in jail.
News of Smith's death strengthened the abolitionist movement in Britain. In Georgetown, Guyana a main street was named after Quamina. In 2023 the National Portrait Gallery in London featured a picture of Jack Gladstone and the enslaved woman Amba in its exhibition in London.
^Harding 2022, p. 280.
^Harding 2022, p. 94.
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