Caribbean Plantations

John Wilhelm prevailed in his quest to acquire plantations. Six estates were acquired by Rowntree in Dominica in 1898 and four in Jamaica in 1899. Most of these were former slave plantations. In 1904 it was estimated that the workforce on all these estates were 9 white managers, 343 black labourers (likely descendants of slaves) and 100 East Indian labourers (likely as part of the indentured servitude system). Evidence of the contracts used on Rowntree and Co’s estates is yet to be seen so it is unknown if indenture was used. The plantations were not successful due to lack of profits; adverse weather; restriction of cocoa imports during the First World War and also to the early death of John Wilhelm. The Jamaican estates were all sold by 1918. although it was 1934 before those in Dominica were finally disposed of. It does seem remarkable to us today that Joseph’s strong opposition to slavery expressed in his 1904 Memorandum setting up the Rowntree trusts and John Wilhelm’s writings and views on social justice do not seem to have extended to consideration of the circumstances of those producing the raw materials. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Joseph was opposed to this venture?