The Strange Path of the Trelawny Maroons

Almost from the moment African slaves were taken to Jamaica, they started escaping into the mountains of the island's interior. The Jamaican Maroons held off the British, but the Maroons of Trelawny Town would be given a unique path. The History Guy recalls the story of escaped slaves and warriors whose unique culture and history still affects societies on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #Jamaica

[@purebloodkjb]

As a Jamaican living in Jamaica this was the last thing i expected to wake up and see. I cant thank you enough for this, the international history of maroons was almost totallly new to me and a welcome reminder that my home also has a rich and diverse history that needs to be remembered.

[@paulthomasmiller1842]

My wife and I were married in Negril. A local said that it made us officially Jamaican. I like to believe it's true.

[@purebloodkjb]

@@paulthomasmiller1842 congrats on the nuptials, keep on coming back so we can make it official!

[@rubberneck2855]

I wouldn't have thought to research Jamaica and this is fascinating. Your history is interesting.

[@forresttucker168]

Was pleasantly surprised myself.

[@purebloodkjb]

@bert smith cloudy/rainy still hot/humid as balls

[@Tinhat47]

Fun fact: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s dad, Rocky Johnson, was Canadian and a descendant of the Black Loyalists of Nova Scotia.

[@Ron-zr6se]

Jamaica, wonderful people and wonderful food with a history that deserves to be remembered.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Good music, great pot, fantastic rum

[@whaniak]

I'm a descendant of those maroons and thanks for sharing our history with the rest of the world

[@rabbi120348]

Trelawny Maroons in Nova Scotia -- origins of Jamaican bobsled team.

[@lesliecas2695]

Ha! It was DESTINY!

[@anthonyhargis6855]

LOL

[@yolakin8210]

John Candy trained them well.

[@nicholaswjamrock]

lol

[@allanlank]

Cool Runnings.

[@leehaseley2164]

Stunningly interesting, History Guy! What a gem of previously unheard of history. Thank you so much for your efforts.

[@porschetech72901]

was not unheard of in our "old school" history class before the "dumbing down" of our youth.... they used to teach this info before it was deemed not necessary by those whom still to this day must ignore or change history to promote hate and discontent.... (black lives matter comes to mind pretty much immediately).... sorry im not racist look it up dont be a sheep ans hate for no reason

[@meemo32086]

Don't bring politics to his channel

[@jairomole229]

Grady Turner so after watching this particular video, the comment that seemed to you most appropriate to leave is one essentially implying that black people are the ones promoting hate & discontent. You racists really are something else 🙄

[@leehaseley2164]

@@porschetech72901 why did you feel the need to bring your smack-talk to my comment? Please, in the future, if you feel the unbearable need to spread negativity, do it in your own comment, and not as a reply to the comment of others. I hope your today was much better than your yesterday.

[@MrApplepieeye]

@@porschetech72901 ..ql

[@nicolebell3973]

My ancestors! Thanks History Guy. Jamaican history is awesome !!

[@boogsybrooks]

Why does he have them damn near naked though?

[@williamharris8367]

This topic is well-known to those people who have studied Nova Scotia history (the dozen or so of us... 🙄), but I think that it is great you are bringing it to a much larger audience! Please consider covering more Canadian topics.

[@portecrayon4083]

Truth is stranger than fiction. Another great video.

[@jonathanjordahl5345]

Fascinating. How a group could so bravely persist in fighting for their independence across time, against a great empire and across a great ocean - what, three times? This, indeed, deserves to be remembered.

[@kajh151]

We were taught that the Africans who were left in Jamaica were the warriors and the docile ones were left in the eastern Caribbean, 😂

[@jacquelinechristensen9231]

What a convoluted history. Had never heard of this. Thank you for sharing

[@PhantomLover007]

Very awesome story. The twist and turns that the maroons had to go through and the fact that there is still a community of them in Jamaica is very astounding. Thank you once again THG for another great bit of history.

[@pkz420]

I love that "s.s.minnow" is so iconic, that even the kids, too young to have seen the reruns, don't need an explanation.

[@xaenon]

My nieces did. So I broke out my GILLIGAN'S ISLAND DVD box set for them.

[@xaenon]

@ArmchairWarrior I'm sorry, but your comment made me snicker. I get the gist of what you're saying, and I agree.... BUUTTTT...... I have to admit, I've never ONCE heard 'being cultured' associated with GILLIGAN'S ISLAND. Quite the opposite, in fact. But you pulled it off anyway. Thank you, this provided a badly-needed laugh.

[@pkz420]

@ArmchairWarrior Gilligan's Island.. cultured.. I have to laugh, because as ridiculous as that sounds, you're not wrong.

[@roadie3124]

Dawn Wells, Mary Ann in Gilligan's Island, died a few days ago (23/12/2020). Very sad.

[@fillerup948]

"The passengers and crew of the S.S. Minnow were marooned" Best line ever.

[@Smilindog50]

Wonderful information! We've visited the Maroon settlement in Jamaica several times. So nice to hear the history of these wonderful folks. Thanks!

[@roz57]

All I can say is WOW, you really bring history to life! This is what should be taught in public schools.

[@tenhirankei]

The Looney Tunes character Bugs Bunny's favorite epithet is "what a maroon!"

[@jameskerlin6081]

First thing that came to mind when I saw the title .

[@michaelmanning5379]

Yeah, I kept hearing Bugs say that. He's mispronouncing "moron", though.

[@biggiebaby3541]

@@michaelmanning5379 Hey, look everyone... It's "THAT" guy....

[@steveqhanson6835]

@@biggiebaby3541 He's that guy clarifying a point about history in a history discussion. You're That Guy who comes off as .. well a little bit less than.

[@LeftToWrite006]

@@michaelmanning5379 I don't think he was mispronouncing "moron". Back when Bugs was made, society was a lot more open in its bigotry.

[@mariobarrientos2226]

I'm currently going through a Latinamerican history class and we're talking about the Maroons all over the continent and my search led me to you. thank you for your video lesson. Well appreciated mate.

[@Eotarc]

I don't remember hearing any of this information during my history classes. A few of the dates I remember but this story was never told to me. Thank you for this.

[@stenbak88]

Your intros are truly awesome professor keep on keepin on

[@mollybell5779]

Fascinating! I don't know how you are able to come up with such detail, but thank you so much for your work documenting so many topics of forgotten history. I find your work important as well as entertaining, and I thank you for the education. You are the best! ❤️

[@kdlkdl5173]

Up top history guy fi report dis pan yuh program nuff respect mon

[@jennaolbermann7663]

Wow! This is such an important and complex story. Thank you for sharing a piece of history which may have been forgotten.

[@MrLoobu]

I feel that, Id love to give up on Canadian winters too.

[@MrLoobu]

Deal bro, I'll buy some land and we can swap citizenship. Oh fuck right Im not allowed to do anything anymore.

[@MrLoobu]

@tfs2O3 Granted that level of humidity is very oppressive too, but in a way I can deal with more so than our winters. It gets very hot here in the summers now where I am on the east coast, 30-38 most days between june and August, but it drops pretty well at night below 20 and the humidity is never that bad nor sustained. Even in these hot summer days I love sitting in my car on break with full cooks uniform on having a coffee, I dont even sweat. In contrast, by november the cold and the wind come suddenly and you never see above freezing for like 6 months most years, or its warmer but you get buried under literally 15 feet of snow ( hopefully not all at once). I get terribly depressed and the cold sets my bones shivering for months.

[@Chief2Moon]

MrLoobu I'm from Ohio, I like Canada, but much less in the winter...I'm cut out for tropical climates, I REALLY liked Jamaica the 3 times I've been there.

[@norcanexs.g.llc.4625]

Were I live in south-western Canada we had a bit of snow about three times last winter, its to warm the snow never stayed more then a week, lawns stay green Christmas.

[@jsnmad]

It's really sad that our own people have totally forgotten this, including the leaders. But it is good that their history is still preserved to validate the 1738 Treaty. I'm sure the successors of the Maroons can find persons like this man to substantiate their claims against the Jamaican Government.

[@KCFreitag]

What an enriching, ironic, enlightening episode! This is worthy of making a "mockumentary" type movie, as the outcomes are so improbable!

[@deborah7398]

Thanks for the video. As always a home run! Please do a video about the journey of the Cajun people from Eastern Canada to south Louisiana in the 1700's. I'm sure lots of people are unaware of the great contributions of the Cajun and Creole cultures of south Louisiana. Thank you.

[@barbarabroeske1061]

John Eldridge Acadians = Cajuns.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

My relatives on the French Huguenot side. They remained in Savannah while a larger group migrated to New Orleans.

[@josephinehibbert27]

Thanks for this. I found it to be quite interesting and amusing. Fabulous story teller you are.

[@eronackerman565]

Fantastic summary. Clear and concise overview of a fascinating aspect of Jamaican history. Thanks for posting!

[@nicholaswjamrock]

Thank you for high lighting a part of the history of Jamaica and bringing it to the attention of the world. One love form a long time subscriber

[@grahamrankin4725]

When I was in Jamaca in 1970, i saw a map of the island with a portion in the mountains labeled " You No Come We No See", we were told that is where the Maroons still lived.

[@adewdew6019]

wow that sounds like nigeria pidgin english You know come we no see wow

[@surinfarmwest6645]

Very well presented, this is an amazing piece of history with a twist.

[@jray5363]

This is one of those that remind me how little I know about history. And THANK YOU for helping to rectify that situation!

[@grovefolk]

Great episode! Your subject matter always wins the day.

[@braidwooddesignstudio5536]

Thank you for this fascinating history lesson. Very appropriate to remember today.

[@jamesdolph437]

love your new introductions ... keep up the good work Mr. History Guy

[@JOYOUSONEX]

Great story. Watching your presentations is akin to opening a history book of unknown facts. Thank you so much.

[@dtocs8252]

Really appreciated this episode, a story very much untold or in need of amplifying. Learnt alot and inspired to delve deeper. Would love to hear an episode on Gwenllian.

[@Jmac1962]

another great video. Thank you. Also, really enjoying all the new intros. Quality stuff.

[@philipmarlowe5035]

Another light shined on an obscure piece of history ...well done!

[@Natashasuzanne1]

By far one of the most interesting stories and such a passionate presentations! I too would love to see a movie about this.

[@sholinwright6621]

That is absolutely stunningly interesting. Can’t wait for the movie.

[@joeyshofner639]

I love stuff like this too.

[@lawsonone6015]

I hope to see the history as a movie too. :)

[@jussayinmipeece1069]

there are FOUR separate and distinct Maroon communities in Jamaica and the Trelawny Maroons are , interesting as this is, among the lesser ones.Browns Town Maroon, Maroon Town Maroons and Acumpung Maroons have even more interesting histories. I am a St Thomas maroon, one of the least known maroon settlements in Jamaica. Fun Fact. Percival James Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica is a Trelawny Maroon and cousin to my grandfather. I agree. I have even written a mininscript (fact based fiction) and often fantasize about how great such a movie would be.

[@djrbaker1]

Here in Brazil we still have those communities to this day, specially in the Amazon area. They're called "Quilombos"

[@jacknelson8601]

I'm getting addicted to this guy.........good stuff! Keep it up.

[@tanablackstana-kahtaurus5091]

Love the tune you speak in i can listen all day great job

[@sharonelaine5419]

Wow. You always bring such interesting history

[@stevehennessey6790]

Always interesting and informative! Please do an episode on George Edward "Rube" Waddell. Another fascinating life that deserves to be remembered. Thank you.

[@MrTurbogreg6969]

Thank you again for another excellently informative video.

[@squillz8310]

This was a fascinating video. Great work as always!

[@tbrown2214]

Amazing as always. Thank you.

[@captbad9313]

Another gem of history and knowledge, thank you so much.

[@gongills]

Thank you for taking me back to secondary school.

[@B1970T]

My God: This was awesome. You are such a gifted story teller. Thank you!

[@markjmaxwell9819]

Glad you are still around mate... 👍

[@bufordhighwater9872]

Have you done an episode about the Garrison Dam, Lake Sakakawea, and/or the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara? The histories of the Garrison Dam and those tribes definitely deserve to be remembered.

[@JournalistJim]

WOW, History amazes the hell out of me.

[@Brissaveli]

A very Western Version of our Maroon History

[@yodythewoadie]

@@Brissaveli Can you suggest where we may learn more of another, maybe Eastern perspective? I'm not of Jamaican descent, but the British and Dutch slave trading before the founding of America fascinates me. It seems to hint toward an ancient and systematic oppression with the power to unify the scattered moral compass we see in the majority today.

[@Brissaveli]

@@yodythewoadie ‘Queen Nanny: Legendary Maroon Chieftainess’ is the best one, it’s made by maroons and is from no perspective but the truth! 👍🏾

[@yodythewoadie]

@@Brissaveli thanks brother !

[@Brissaveli]

@@yodythewoadie bless up

[@thebonesaw..4634]

A somewhat similar occurrence of "maroons" took place on the mainland of the United States. The Gullah people of North and South Carolina and parts of Georgia created their own creole culture and language (Geechee, which also serves as another name for the Gullah people), while working the isolated plantations of that region. At the start of the Civil War, they were among the very first Confederate slaves to be freed due to the fact that the area where they lived was one of the first occupied by the Union. Much of the Gullah culture and language survives to this day, although the area where they now live has shrunk drastically to only a very small portion of South Carolina.

[@khbrown8963]

Respect from Charleston #GeecheeGullah

[@libertyman3729]

Almost 900,000 subs. There are a lot of History buffs out here. Thanks history team .

[@bdbailey9225]

Good coverage of HTDTBR on this topical subject, History Guy!

[@chipschannel9494]

Another great episode!

[@erictroxell715]

Amazing story of history!! Thank you sir

[@jwallacehall]

Fantastic story. Thank you

[@kelmore522]

This was all new to me. I’m very thankful to know about this part of history.

[@patrickturner2788]

As a former resident of Illinois your state also. I am also a Jamaican resident and historian so I was amazed you chose this topic. I love your show. I would recommend you read "Jamaica plantership " by Benjamin Mcmahon.

[@leeloxleigh1471]

Extremely interesting and complex. Would be interested in seeing more on this subject, such as those who stayed in Nova Scotia etc. I have now subscribed to your channel. 🇬🇧

[@kenbellchambers4577]

Thanks for this brilliant historical perspective.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you for the history lesson ! Take care , stay safe and healthy wherever you research takes you next ! Doing okay here in Kansas .

[@enricosanti8428]

Thank you, History Guy

[@bassett_green]

I definitely would have guessed the word "Maroon" came from the Spanish "marrón" (brown)

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

The etymology is an interesting discussion. The Spanish word marrón likely derives from the ancient Greek maraon, and is the root of the the word "maroon" as a color. The reason that etymologists contend that cimarrón is the root of the word "Maroon" to refer to fugitive slaves is that the use of the term seems to have been limited to the Americas, and thus likely had a local root.

[@highpath4776]

There was the boat carrying red paint and the boat carrying blue paint, they collided and sank, the survivors were marrooned

[@dwoodman26]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel I always suspected a French root; Mar, or Mer, meaning 'sea', and a link with 'Dragooned', meaning to coerce. Essentially, to be coerced by the sea...?

[@conner_kell5565]

I love your channel. Your research and method of delivery are spot-on. Have you considered doing a video on the earliest years of US military powered flight program. I just finished some family research and found out that my Great Grandfather was one of the first enlisted pilots, trained in 1915. While looking for information on him, I found a shocking lack of KZbin content on pre WW1 aviation in the US from College Station thru to the beginning build up to WW1. Many famous men and machines came from this era. There were many firsts and many brave men died. I think it is history worth being remembered.

[@deanstuart8012]

When I saw the title I thought that it might be about Cornish lifeboats or pirates. Trelawny is a town in Cornwall. Maroons are a type of warning rocket used by lifeboats (or from my time in the Royal Observer Corps to warn of approaching fallout). So you can see my confusion.

[@AutismIsUnstoppable]

The Trelawny family has had a good amount power in Cornwall since 1628. Cornwalls unofficial anthem "The Song of the Western Men" is more commonly known as "Trelawny".

[@theuglybiker]

And then there's Bugs Bunny: WHAT A MAROON!!!

[@jeffc6038]

I enjoyed thanks for sharing

[@frannyfranfrancis]

Thank you for sharing my history and heritage!

[@williamhill7312]

Great video, I'm going to watch this one several times because the history is confusing but interesting!

[@514relaxmode]

well covered, thank U!!

[@Silverado138]

❤️ This was a very WOW history lesson for me, thank you

[@reecehaydenmaks]

Wow, that's one of your best tellings of such an intensely interesting group of people. People who not only overcame, but flourished through hell and back. These people endured more awful and wretched heartbreaking & life changing event's than anyone could imagine for ten lifetimes. These amazing people are incredibly indestructible. And definitely worth remembering. Thank You History Guy.

[@MariaColon879]

This was awesome. I had never heard of the Trelawney Maroons. Thank you so much.

[@KiiKiiMC]

Thanks for sharing👧🏾

[@fredwood1490]

WoW!!! I knew nothing about this! Thank you!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Happy afternoon History Guy !

[@465maltbie]

I have to admit, I never heard of this before, thank you for sharing. Charles

[@1962vid]

Wow! Great video.

[@benjaminrees6665]

What an amazing episode. What change they were forced to. What perseverance

[@GrahamRowe]

Interesting video!

[@orbitingeyes2540]

Wow, this is great. I never heard this story before!

[@somethingwolfish1872]

Hello, I'm relatively new to your channel but your videos are always full of amazing stuff. This video is no exception and has me wondering about Irish people being transported as indentured servants or sometimes migrating to Jamaica among other places. Would you consider doing a video about that, or could you recommend some literature about those events? Please and thank you.

[@BoffinGrusky]

Amazing!! Well done!!

[@Stewy-xw9fz]

Great stuff

[@ELCADAROSA]

THC, I've loved all your videos, and even the new, varied intros. But if it is possible to lower the intro volume a bit, that would be appreciated.

[@jackrice2770]

An excellent presentation, as is usual with your work. I have become acquainted with Maroon history while researching my second novel about the Golden Age of Piracy, which is partly set in Port Royal. The history of the Maroons is fascinating and quite complicated, and I congratulate you on selecting this story as an example of that people's history. I would encourage people interested in knowing more to let their fingers do 'the google' and read about this part of Caribbean history. (And yes, you can find the first volume of this story on Amazon. Couldn't resist throwing in a plug.)

[@crazyivan779]

Wow....never ever heard of this. Fascinating!

[@varon52]

Well done. Briant!

[@georgebeckydragan6389]

Speaking of cultural oddities, here's one for you. I'd be interested to hear a special on the Gullah people of the outer islands of southern coastal South Carolina. They still exist today and have their own unique culture.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

.y parents never drove on Hwy.17, the coastal road from Savannah, without stopping for an intricately made seagrass basket and boiled peanuts. Dad spoke Gullah( very unusual)...growing up visiting the Sea Islands every summer. The ladies thought him special and brought their young children( who did not always speak English, but understood perfectly) to meet him. Needless to say, everyone we knew received a basket sooner or later. They are now heirlooms.

[@jonjorstad2061]

Complex story ! Very interesting !

[@goofyiest]

I do enjoy your new intros. Very cool.

[@jerryfox1386]

Wonderful history! And Thumbs Up to the pirate themed opening!

[@lynnmitzy1643]

Letting the ads run. Love your channel 🖐📚

[@stenbak88]

Lynn Mitzy I do that too hahaha if I like the channel I don’t mind watching them

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks for all of you and your wife's.....Excellent research put into these history video....lt is just part of my life now....What is left of it...How is yu'all Cat ??...My Cat she is awesome...!

[@YouGoLearn]

Jamaican maroons came, founded and settled in Freetown Sierra Leone. They formed the Sierra Leonean Creole Ethnic Group. Sierra Leoneans eat Bammy & fried fish, beat the goombay drum and preserved so much more culture they inherited from Jamaica. Sending love to Jamaica from your brethren in Freetown Sierra Leone🇸🇱❤️