The Barrett Family
Hersey Barrett was not only famous because of his extensive land holdings in Jamaica, but also because he was the uncle of the famous poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning -- her father was Edward Barrett.
Edward Barrett's income exceeded 60,000 pounds a year. When he returned to England--with his brother Samuel and his sister Pinkie--a cousin, Richard Barrett stayed on, becoming entrenched into Jamaican life. He became Speaker of the House of Assembly, Custos of St. James and eventually a judge.
The Great House
Greenwood Great House Today
Today, the house is owned by Bob and Anne Betton (a Jamaican/New Zealand couple) who have since 1975 spent considerable time restoring the house to its former grandeur. The great house is regarded as one of the finest museums in Jamaica that exemplifies the grandeur of 18th Century Jamaican life, as lived by the settlers/slave owners. Congratulations must go to the Bettons for their untiring efforts to collect, preserve, and maintain the house. The house is open for guided tours. |