Bank of Jamaica 1836

Bank of Jamaica 1 Pound (Uni face Proof) Cir 1840s

ABank of Jamaica 10 Pound (Uni face Proof) Cir 1840s

Bank of Jamaica 50 Pound (Uni face Proof) Cir 1840s

The first attempt at a local bank in Jamaica was known as The Bank of Jamaica (no connection to the modern Bank of Jamaica) was the first commercial bank to operate in Jamaica and was established 1st September, 1836 by merchants in England with business connections in the island. The House of Assembly in Jamaica granted the bank a charter of incorporation but the British Government subsequently disallowed the charter. As the bank had worked up a small business before it learned of the charter cancellation, it continued to operate as a joint stock company under a deed of settlement. This Bank never issued commercial banknotes but specimen/proofs were prepared for such notes but never printed. By 1864 the Bank of Jamaica sound fiscal policy was not enough to keep it afloat as its interest was closely aligned to that of the sugar industry which continued to deteriorate. An offer was accepted by the majority of shareholders and in November 1864 The Bank of Jamaica ceased operation and sold to Colonial Bank which became in 1926 Barclay's Bank.

In 1850 The Bank of Jamaica was located at 15, 16 and 17 Port Royal Street Kingston.

Uni face Specimen/proof 1, 10 and 50 Pound on heavy stock paper and engraved by Perkins, Bacon London.

Private Collection (Barrett) Montreal, Canada

In 1839

Bank establishment Nos. 15, 16 and 17 East Port Royal Street, Kingston

President, Hon. John Mais
Vice-President, John Fowles esq.
Directors, Chas. Mackglashan, Bartholomew I. Williams, William Titley, James Brydon
Manager, James Marshall Esq.
Cashier, Francis G. Mayne
Accountant, Mr. Edward W. Purcell

Branches were located at Montego Bay, Falmouth. Savannah La Mar, Lucea, Port Antonio, Manchester and Spanish Town

In 1857

Bank establishment Nos. 15, 16 and 17 East Port Royal Street, Kingston

President, James Davidson
Vice President, William Alexander Titley
Directors, Hon. Alexander Barclay, John Nethersole, Henry Hutchings, James Derbyshire
Manager, Henry James Stevens
Accountant, William Augustus Hamilton
Cashier, James Dearmer Ford

Agencies in Falmouth and Montego Bay

In 1861

Manager, William A. Titley
Accountant, W.A. Hamilton
Cashier, James D. Ford, Henry Nightingale

Agencies in Falmouth and Montego Bay

In 1865

President, Henry Forbes Colthirst
Vice President, Thomas Francis Roxburgh
Directors, John Samuel Brown, Hon. Louis Mackinnon, Hon. John Salmon, Arnold L. Malabre
Manager, William Alexander Titley
Accountant, Henry Nightingale
Cashier, James Dearmer Ford
Clerks, John Murray, Lionel Hutchings

Agencies in Falmouth and Montego Bay.

Note: In 1864-65 The Colonial Bank is in treaty for the purchase of the goodwill of this Bank.