Early 1900s Kingston harbour.
Charles Thompson: A Jamaican Son’s Journey from Christiana to the Promised Workfields of America
Born circa 1892 | Arrived in the U.S. on March 13, 1921 | Final Destination: Baltimore, Maryland
Roots in Christiana, Jamaica
Charles Thompson was born around 1892 in the rural town of Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica — a region known for its cool climate, red soil, and farming economy. Like many Jamaican men of the late 19th and early 20th century, Charles grew up in a colonial society that offered limited opportunities for social advancement.
As a young African-Jamaican male, Charles would have been educated up to a certain level, possibly working the land from an early age or learning a manual trade — likely labor or craftsmanship. His generation inherited the legacy of slavery and colonialism but was part of the first wave daring enough to imagine something more — something across the sea.
Departure and Decision
By 1921, Charles was 29 years old and single. He boarded the S.S. Jamaica at the Port of Kingston, carrying his documents, perhaps a small bag, and something stronger than luggage — hope.
He left from Kingston, but his roots were clear: he hailed from Christiana and was bound for Baltimore, Maryland, by way of New Orleans — a typical port of entry for Caribbean migrants.
Choosing to migrate during this time wasn’t easy. Charles would have needed:
-
A sponsor or contact in America (listed in the original manifest as Geo. Peart from Christiana)
-
Clearance from British colonial authorities
-
Endurance to face racial scrutiny, medical exams, and class-based restrictions
His complexion was listed as “Col’d” (Colored) and his eye color noted as brown — a stark reminder of the racial categorization of the era. Every inch of his body, including his health and skin, was inspected before he was deemed “fit” for American soil.
Arrival and the American Reality
On March 7, 1913, Charles stepped onto U.S. soil in New Orleans, Louisiana — a city rich in Black history but deeply entrenched in Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and limited labor protections for people of color.
From New Orleans, he likely took a train heading northeast toward Baltimore, where many Caribbean immigrants were employed in industries like:
-
Shipbuilding
-
Railroad maintenance
-
Domestic work
-
Factory labor
If Charles had previous experience as a laborer in Jamaica, he may have found work loading ships, digging trenches, or doing skilled handiwork — often with long hours and low pay.
Yet, despite these challenges, Jamaican immigrants like Charles were known for:
-
Hard work
-
Respect for education
-
Community pride
-
Saving money to send home or bring family over
A Man of Quiet Strength
Though the records are sparse, what we do know tells us a lot:
-
He stayed in the U.S. for at least four years.
-
He was unmarried, likely sending money back home to support parents, siblings, or a sweetheart.
-
He had the courage to leave the known for the unknown.
Charles represents thousands of unsung heroes of the Jamaican diaspora — people who sacrificed comfort, culture, and closeness to family in order to build a better life.
Legacy of Grit and Greatness
Charles Thompson’s journey was not glamorous, but it was bold. He was part of the first great migration of Jamaicans to the U.S. — men and women who would eventually help anchor Caribbean communities in cities like Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
Men like Charles laid the foundation for future generations of Caribbean-Americans who would rise in politics, medicine, education, and the arts.
Though we may not have a photo of him or a journal entry in his hand, the manifest and arrival records serve as proof of his existence — and his quiet bravery.
🕊️ In Memory of Charles Thompson and Every Jamaican Who Took the Journey
They left behind mango trees and mountain air to carry bricks, serve tables, dig tunnels, and teach children in America. And though the road was hard, they walked it with pride. We remember them today — not just as immigrants, but as builders of the bridge between Jamaica and the world.
Charles Thompson’s 1913 Voyage: A Journey from Jamaica to America
In early March 1913, a group of Jamaican passengers boarded the steamship S.S. Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, bound for New Orleans, Louisiana. This was a period when many Caribbean natives migrated northward in search of better economic opportunities and a chance at a new life. Among them was a 29-year-old laborer named Charles Thompson, hailing from Christiana, a town in Manchester Parish, Jamaica.
Passenger List: Faces of Hope
The manifest reveals a diverse group of Jamaicans and other West Indians traveling together. The following passengers were recorded on the page with Charles:
-
Clara, age 20 — A nurse from Kingston, Jamaica, traveling to Michigan to meet her uncle Frank Smith.
-
Hilda, age 20 — A dressmaker, also from Kingston.
-
Charles Thompson, age 29 — A laborer from Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica, bound for Baltimore, Maryland.
-
John Stewart, age 49 — A mason, traveling to New York.
-
David M., age 30 — A physical culturist from Panama City, Panama.
-
Charlotte, age 20 — A domestic worker, final destination unknown.
Each person had their own reason for making the journey, but together they represented the hardworking, ambitious class of West Indians determined to carve out a better future.
Charles Thompson: Details from the Manifest
-
Age: 29
-
Race: African
-
Nationality: British (Jamaica was under British rule)
-
Occupation: Laborer
-
Language: English
-
Last Residence: Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica
-
Final Destination: Baltimore, Maryland
-
Paid Passage: Himself
-
Contact in U.S.: George Peart (listed as a reference from Jamaica)
-
Never previously in the U.S.
Crucially, there is no notation in the remarks section of the manifest next to Charles’s name. This indicates he was not detained, questioned, or held for medical inspection upon arrival.
Medical Hold: It Was the Nurse, Not Charles
A common confusion from this manifest is the handwritten note:
“Held on suspicion of beriberi. To examination room 6L – EAD.”
This note actually appears next to Clara’s name, the first passenger listed — a 20-year-old nurse from Kingston. Beriberi is a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, which immigration officials were vigilant about during this time.
However, just below this, a second note clarifies:
“Re-examined Mar 8 – passed.”
This confirms that Clara was held briefly, then cleared for entry into the United States on March 8, 1913, one day after the ship docked.
Arrival in the U.S.
The S.S. Jamaica arrived in New Orleans shortly after departing Kingston on March 7, 1913. From there, the passengers would have boarded trains or riverboats to continue their journey to cities like Baltimore, New York, or Michigan.
Legacy of Charles Thompson
Although Charles’s journey is recorded here, his time in the U.S. may have been brief. Historical and family records confirm he later returned to Jamaica, where he lived a long and meaningful life. He fathered several children, including:
-
Sterling Thompson (1917–2001)
-
Myrtle Thompson (1919–1988)
-
Ralph Thompson (1921–2008)
-
Eulah Zeriffa Thompson (1923–unknown)
-
Sylvester Thompson (d. 2011)
Charles lived to be 106 years old, passing away in Craig Head, Manchester, on April 13, 1988. His story is one of determination, survival, and deep familial roots — emblematic of the Jamaican spirit.
Conclusion
The 1913 manifest of the S.S. Jamaica provides more than just names; it paints a picture of courage and transition. While one passenger — Clara the nurse — was briefly held, she was soon cleared. Charles Thompson made the journey with a clear record and continued to shape his legacy back home in Jamaica. His voyage remains a powerful chapter in the story of Caribbean migration and resilience.
A Short Stay in the United States
Though Charles Thompson arrived in New Orleans on March 7, 1913, records suggest that his time in the United States was relatively brief. His son Vivian Thompson was born in 1911, prior to his departure from Jamaica, and his next child, Hubert Thompson, was born in 1915. Since Hubert was likely born in Jamaica—along with the subsequent children—it is probable that Charles returned home sometime between late 1913 and early 1915. While he may have spent a year or two working in Baltimore, Maryland (his listed destination), there is no evidence that he remained abroad for longer. His return to Jamaica marked the continuation of a long life rooted in family, agriculture, and legacy.
