The traditional story of the introduction of the horseless carriage/motor car/automobile into Jamaica is much what is set out in the editorial in the Gleaner on January 29, 1906.
The account given here puts the first sight of a 'horseless carriage' into the final year of the 19th century, but there seem to be accounts which place that significant event several years earlier.
One of the most interesting figures in the early story of the motor car, Sir Evelyn Ellis, was a big landowner in Jamaica in the 1890s. He had inherited the family properties of Montpelier and Shettlewood in St James, and was turning them from sugar production to the production of cattle and tobacco. He also established the Montpelier Hotel as an upscale venue for visitors to Jamaica.
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In England Sir Evelyn was a leading figure in the promotion of the new form of locomotion for individuals, the 'horseless carriage', or motor car, and was on the board of the Daimler company that was set up in the U.K. He was also famous for the long-distance drive he had undertaken in a Panhard-Levassour in the summer of 1895, introducing the British to the potential of the new form of transport, if the restrictive laws then in effect were removed (or ignored!)
The Jamaican press followed the activities of Sir Evelyn with considerable interest:
The Jamaican press followed the activities of Sir Evelyn with considerable interest:
Daily Gleaner, August 21, 1895
Horseless carriages are likely soon to be seen in the streets of many a Colonial town, a London Syndicate having secured the patent rights for the United Kingdom and the Colonies of the Panhard and Levaasor barouche which is driven by petroleum. At present such vehicles cannot be driven through the streets of London unless a man precedes them waving a red flag. A very simple act of Parliament could, of course, rectify this and the syndicate will have an opportunity of showing what it can do. Two of the directors tried one of the machines the other day between London and Datchet, arriving at the last-named place in five hears and a half. |
Daily Gleaner, September 3, 1896
THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE. Some time ago we mentioned that the Hon. Evelyn Ellis had made a tour on the continent in his daimler motor carriage. We have since received a detailed account of his journey, which we think will be of interest to our readers especially in view of the fact that Mr. Ellis will probably very soon bring out to Jamaica one of these horseless carriages. He has, we understand, caused special observations to be made on the Jamaica roads with a view of manufacturing a machine specially suited to the high gradients which are common here in the interior. The tour we refer to took place in February last and Mr. Ellis had for his object the traversing of the Alpes Maritimes and the country generally lying between Marseilles and the Italian frontier. |
Daily Gleaner, September 3, 1896 continued:
. . . . There has sprung up a demand in the colonies for the vehicles, especially in those colonies where horse-kind are not well suited to the purpose of conveyance, or where the expense of their upkeep is considerable. There can be no doubt that when they come generally into vogue they will to a large extent be substituted in tropical countries for the horse and mule. In a few years therefore it is possible that instead of being at the mercy of "the horse the boy and the buggy" we will be under the silence influence of the Autocar. |
The 'horseless carriage' was indeed introduced into Jamaica before the end of the century, but not, it seems, by Evelyn Ellis, but by an unknown and very elusive individual - Henry Walker, engineer. The earliest reference to Walker and his role that I have found so far appeared early in 1895:
Horseless Age: The Automobile Trade Magazine, Volume 1, 1895
'Henry Walker, a mechanical engineer, of Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies, has a steam carriage, which he built for his own use.'
Walker, apparently, gave as the main reason for the need for such a horseless carriage the unreliability of servants in Jamaica.!
'Henry Walker, a mechanical engineer, of Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies, has a steam carriage, which he built for his own use.'
Walker, apparently, gave as the main reason for the need for such a horseless carriage the unreliability of servants in Jamaica.!
I have found no local reference so far to this unique vehicle in Kingston; it may not have appeared very different from the steam traction vehicles already fairly familiar on Jamaican roads.
In November 1895 the Gleaner devoted an editorial to a response to a letter about 'The Horseless Carriage' from 'H.W.P.' "H.W.P.' was interested in importing a Daimler carriage, to replace the horse - 'The annoyance caused by servants, delays and other nuisances would be surmounted.' This explanation mirrored Walker's problem with servants in Jamaica, and makes me wonder if there was any link between H[enry] W[alker] and H. W. P. The Gleaner's editorial is a reasonable summary of the reasons for wanting 'horseless carriages' in the island.
In 1897 Henry Walker imported his motor car from London:
In May and June of 1898 there were auction sales of Henry Walker's effects; the technological possessions are especially interesting -
2 barometers; electrical batteries; a type writing machine; 4 guns; a microscope; a magic lantern and slides; a roller organ; and finally the motor car.
2 barometers; electrical batteries; a type writing machine; 4 guns; a microscope; a magic lantern and slides; a roller organ; and finally the motor car.
I have found no references to the purchaser of the motor car, but two items in the Gleaner suggest the possibility that Walker's vehicle had been acquired by the well-known dental surgeon, Dr John A. Carpenter. There had certainly been at least one 'horseless carriage' in Jamaica in the late 1890s, but any impact of the new form of transport had been non-existent.
Daily Gleaner, February 2, 1899
It is stated that there is a likelihood of several of the latest type of motor cars being put on the roads of Jamaica soon. In England a marked feature of the opening of the New Year has been the increased attention bestowed upon the question of strengthening and enlarging the British motor industry.
So back to Lorenzo Dow Baker and those who followed him!
It is stated that there is a likelihood of several of the latest type of motor cars being put on the roads of Jamaica soon. In England a marked feature of the opening of the New Year has been the increased attention bestowed upon the question of strengthening and enlarging the British motor industry.
So back to Lorenzo Dow Baker and those who followed him!
#Note about Henry Walker:
There is very little information on Walker's life in Jamaica. He was born in England in the 1830s, and probably came to Jamaica in the late 1860s. He was married to a Jamaican, Agnes Sarah McKen, who died in 1900. The couple lived at 'Agincourt' in Shortwood, and had at least four children. One of their daughters, Helena Maude, married Robert A. Marley, who was the uncle, on his father's side, of Bob Marley.
It would certainly be interesting to know more about Henry Walker!
There is very little information on Walker's life in Jamaica. He was born in England in the 1830s, and probably came to Jamaica in the late 1860s. He was married to a Jamaican, Agnes Sarah McKen, who died in 1900. The couple lived at 'Agincourt' in Shortwood, and had at least four children. One of their daughters, Helena Maude, married Robert A. Marley, who was the uncle, on his father's side, of Bob Marley.
It would certainly be interesting to know more about Henry Walker!