St. Mary, Jamaica
| Saint Mary | |
|---|---|
| Parish | |
 Saint Mary in Jamaica |
|
| Country | Jamaica |
| County | Middlesex |
| Capital | Port Maria |
| Major towns |
Highgate, Jamaica, Oracabessa, Richmond, Jamaica, Annotto Bay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 610 km2 (240 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 10 |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 114,227 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (480/sq mi) |
Saint Mary is a parish located in the northeast section of Jamaica. With a population of 114,227 it is one of Jamaica's smallest parishes, located in the county of Middlesex. Its chief town and capital is Port Maria, located on the coast. It is also the birthplace of established dancehall reggae artists, such as Capleton, Lady Saw, Ninja Man, Sizzla and Tanya Stephens. Other notable residents of St. Mary parish include bestselling author Colin Simpson, who is the great-great grandson of noted slavery abolitionist James Phillippo, famed Jamaican writer and community activist Erna Brodber, and acclaimed music producer Chris Blackwell who is credited with "discovering" Bob Marley.
There are a few traces of Taíno/Arawak presence in the parish. Saint Mary was also one of the first sections of the island to be occupied by the Spaniards. Puerto Santa Maria was the second town the Spaniards built on the island. In 1655, after the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish, the north coastal town of Santa Maria became known as Port Maria.
One of St. Mary’s most famous early residents was Sir Henry Morgan, who had a home on the hill overlooking Port Maria. The property offered a commanding view of the St. Mary harbour and provided Morgan with a strategic vantage point and featured a secret escape tunnel to Port Maria. Morgan’s home was later purchased by Sir Noël Coward and is located beside Fort Haldane.
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