We will all agree that Jamaica has a rich history, rife with action-packed events and interesting characters. This article will be discussing a character spoken of in Jamaican history archives but little is known about him. We will attempt to give as much information as sources will allow into the life of Three Finger Jack.
We know him as Three Finger Jack but his real name was Jack Mansong. It is said that his origins can be traced to the lushly green country of Gambia in West Africa. It is believed that Jack was enslaved at a plantation in St. Mary, but managed to escape and became the leader of a group of maroons who terrorised the white colonists in the hilly parish of St. Thomas (called St. Thomas in the East in colonial times).
Three Fingers
Mansong was described as a very tall man, standing almost 7 feet tall. He was a large man. He was called "Three Finger Jack" after losing two (2) of his fingers in a fierce battle between himself and another maroon called Quashie.
The Legend
Between 1780 and 1781 (when he was killed), Mansong struck fear in the heart of his enemies. He appeared to be invincible and was believed to be a master at practicing the dark magical art of obeah. It is also said that he was a sort of a robin hood, robbing the male occupants of carriages, but leaving the women and children alone. In fact, written on a monument erected in his honor are these words about him:
"Strong, brave, skilled with machete or musket, his bold exploits were equalled only by his chivalry. He loved his country and his people. He was said to have never harmed a woman or child."
The monument was erected in 1978 by the Jamaica National Trust Commission and was replaced with a similar marker by the National Heritage Trust in 1985. It can be found on the main road leading to St. Thomas in the vicinity of Bull Bay, below the hills where he once had his hideout.
His Death
There was a price on his head. The colonial powers wanted him dead for the price of £300. Quashie, his arch enemy was credited with taking his life. He wanted the bounty for himself. It was an ambush. Jack was alone and unarmed, when Quashie and six other men appeared. Jack could only draw for the closest thing that was on hand, which was a machete. He was shot three times. Seriously wounded, Monsong jumped over a precipice. Quashie not wanting to be cheated, jumped in after him and the two engaged in a mortal battle. Jack fought bravely but weakened by his injuries was eventually overcome and killed by Quashie.
Quashie, in a final act of malice, cut off Jack's head, stuck it onto a pole, and he and his men marched proudly first to Morant Bay then to Spanish Town to collect the reward money.
In spite of this Three Finger Jack will always be remembered as a fierce warrior. A man who lived on his own terms and refused to be have his self determination taken from him.
References
- Jamaicans. "How much do you know about three finger jack." Published 2016. Jamaicans.com. https://jamaicans.com/much-know-three-finger-jack/
- Serju, Christopher. "The legend of Jack Mansong." The Jamaica Gleaner. Published June 4, 2011. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110604/lead/lead5.html
Comments
Post a Comment