HISTORY LESSON...MAIDSTONE
Contributed by: Ruth Harris, Executive Training Manager, TPDCo
Located in Mandeville, Manchester, Maidstone is widely recognised for its historical value and holds a
rich promise as a heritage-based tourist destination. Originally a 349-acre coffee plantation, Maidstone
was owned by Thomas Frith. Operations ceased on the plantation after Emancipation in 1838. In
1840 the Nazareth Moravian Church, located at Adam’s Valley, bought 341 acres of the estate
and subdivided them into lots of one to 15 acres, establishing a free village for the former slaves.
Points of historical interest include - the church building and cemetery in which
lie the remains of some of the once prominent residents. Additionally, near the
church are the ruins of a slave hospital, a stable and great house-cum- manse.
Nazareth All-Age School is very much part of the story of Maidstone though it has been downgraded to
a primary school due to a dwindling population. The school is in possession of many pieces of important
artefacts from the days of slavery and after.
The museum has a billboard with the names of the first ex-slaves to have been granted plots of land. The
descendants of some of ex-slaves are still residents of Maidstone easily identified by their surnames. Smith
is one of the popular surnames. Garth Smith, a former principal of the all-age school, is s