On Sunday, September 7, 2014, The St. Ann/St. Mary Chapter, along with visitors from other chapters, visited Rockfield House, Seville Great House and the Seville Excavation site.
Rockfield House
A few members of the GSHJ in front of the Rockfield House
Rockfield House is the home of Jamaican artist, Judy Ann MacMillan. Located high on top of a mountain in Higgin Town, St. Ann, the house offers stunning panoramic views of the countryside. Judy Ann MacMillan gave us free run of the home and the members delighted in every charming nook and cranny. Our host then treated us to an array of mouth-watering snacks topped off by an incredible lychee and coconut water drink.
 | Background The house was built in the 1700s and has always been a family home. Prior to it being an artist's residence, it was owned by Charles Sylvester Cotter who was a passionate, amateur archaeologist. Cotter was instrumental in excavating the nearby Taino settlement in the 1950s. As an expert, amateur archaeologist he also unearthed relics from the Seville area, including exquisitely carved stones from the Abbey Church (Church of the Peter Matyr of Anghiera). |
Seville Estate/Museum
| Seville, or Sevilla La Nueva was founded in 1509 and the first capital of Jamaica. It is where Christopher Columbus had been marooned with his unseaworthy ships for one year. The grand city that was planned was abandoned 25 years later and the capital moved to St Jago de la Vega (now Spanish Town). Seville was a sugar estate/factory and has well preserved relics and artifacts from the Taino, Spanish, British and African communities in Jamaica. The Georgian Society members were given a wonderful tour by a knowledgeable tour guide who took us from the beginnings of Jamaica through post-emancipation Jamaica. |  Our guide pointing out a depiction of the Taino settlement |
Seville Excavation Site
After enjoying lunch on the expansive veranda at Seville, the tour continued across the street to the Seville excavation site. On this final leg of the tour, former president of the Georgian Society and archaeologist, Ivor Connelly took over.
He pointed out the first settlement in Jamaica by the Spanish in 1508, which was a fort that included the governor's house, a well and cistern as well as a water wheel. Off in the distance, an artisan's shop was discovered fairly recently by an archaelogy team.
In this artisan's shop, many artifacts from the Abbey Church were found and are now housed in the museum.
He pointed out the first settlement in Jamaica by the Spanish in 1508, which was a fort that included the governor's house, a well and cistern as well as a water wheel. Off in the distance, an artisan's shop was discovered fairly recently by an archaelogy team.
In this artisan's shop, many artifacts from the Abbey Church were found and are now housed in the museum.
Written by Lena Rose. Photos by Lena Rose and Jane Rosen
