The Organisation of the Sugar

Plantation 1
FORM 4.3 CARIBBEAN HISTORY MS MODESTE
 Objectives
At the end of this lesson students should be able to:
• Understand the layout of a typical sugar cane plantation: buildings and
grounds.
• Appreciate the daily routine of the enslaved.
• Explain the division of labour on the plantations. Skilled, Praedial (First,
Second, Third Gang ), non praedial (house and domestics)…and…the
European officials.
 Their New Homes
• Once the Africans were enslaved and
sold they were taken to their new
homes, to their new owners called
planters. These men were English
and would make their riches from
slavery for the next century and more.
• The enslaved was “seasoned” or
trained in the way of the plantation.
 Plantation Size
• There were several factors which influenced a plantation:
Landscape-
• The size of the island –larger islands Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad had more space
for larger plantations (240-2000hectares) smaller no more than 120 hectares
• Less mountainous land meant plantations ran in narrow strips from coast
• Land features-Plantations located near rivers reduced transportation costs for
food supplies to the plantation and exporting of sugar. Water also was source of
power supply for windmills
 Main Areas of the Plantation
• Buildings:
Living Quarters:
• Slave Quarters: close to fields, made of thatched roof,
• Great House: luxurious, usually on a hill, brick, verandahs
• Overseers/Bookkeeper Quarters
Other buildings:
Healthcare-Hospital
Factory Yard: Mill, Boiling House, Curing House, Still House
 Main Areas of the Plantation
Other uses of land:
• Canefields*** most important
• Woodland for timber supplies for building all plantation needed.
• Pasture-for the livestock of the estate
• Orchard- for fruit and food supplies
• Subsidiary (Other) crops-ginger, tobacco, corn
1. What are your first impressions of the Plantation?
2. Which occupied the most land?
3. Identify four uses of plantation land apart from cane-fields?
4. Describe 3 ways the Great House was different to the slaves quarters in appearance, looks and
built.
 Division of Labour
• Slaves were divided into:
1. SKILLED/ARTISANS:
2. NON-PRAEDIAL SLAVES
3. PRAEDIAL SLAVES:
a)First Gang/Great
b)Second Gang
c) Third Gang
 Explaining the
Divisions of Labour

• A successful and
profitable plantation
meant there was
efficient labour
organisation. Every
slave had a function
according to ability
and age, less so gender.
 1. Divisions of Labour Explained-(Skilled
Artisans)
SKILLED/ARTISANS: carpenters, masons, wheelwright, factory workers,head
boiler
• These position were often reserved for men.
• Men who were promoted from the First gang got into the skilled field
• Responsible for fixing, construction on plantation.
• Planters could hire their labour out from plantation to plantation. Paid planter a
percentage of their earnings.
• They were versed at their trade and plantation labour .
 2. Divisions of Labour Explained (Non Praedial)

NON PRAEDIAL: maids, cooks, butlers, gardeners

• Domestic and house hold labourers were viewed as most fortunate, away from the field labour and
scorching sun.
• They worked closely with the planter and his family and knew the private affairs, witnessed personal
conversations and the planters true views on many issues.
• Yet they were also viewed as most unfortunate since they were victims of his immediate anger and
frustration and punished frequently.
• Non-praedials was the first to find out important information and pass it on to fellow slaves.
• Planters could be easily harmed and made vulnerable to this group who was in close contact.
• Non praedials could be demoted to praedial (field labourers)
 3.Divisions of Labour Explained
(Praedial)
PRAEDIAL- All field labourers.
First Gang: Strongest men and women, digging, cutting cane.
• Did the most back breaking and monotonous labour.
• Women often outnumbered men since when men were promoted to skilled
labour women took their place. Women were just as able bodied as men.
Second Gang: older slaves, pregnant women. Did same as first but lighter.
Third gang: Elderly and children-Grass gang (older) and pickney gang (younger)-
picking up stones, feeding cattle.
 Whites Employed on Sugar Estates
Apart from the enslaved there were also other Europeans employed on the estate and worked
on behalf of the planter:
• Slave driver- was responsible for daily supervision on horseback or walking. If slaves
were malingering or slowing down they would be startled by the Johnny jumper across
their backs. Much loathed/hated by slaves. This position eventually given to an African
slave who had proven themselves.
• Overseer-Responsible for the delegation of duties on estate and ensured estate was
efficient. The second in command after planter.
• Attorney/Book-keeper-Responsible for all the financial books, balancing the books and
profit projections.
 Daily Schedule
of the Enslaved
• A successful profitable
plantation meant that
there had to be
maximum time
scheduling and the
African enslaved lives
had to be dictated.
 Daily Schedule of the Slave (pg 68)

4 a.m

6am

10am
 Estate Seasons-Crop season and Slack
season
• Crop season-What month was crop time? What was the activity during
crop time?

• Slack season-What was done during slack season? Did the slaves just sit
around and idle?
 QUIZ
• Please revise Chapter 12 and 13 of text for Quiz Wednesday 21st April
2021.
• Simply rereading these slides will not be sufficient
• Please read and revise on the sugar-making process and role of the various
houses of the factory.
• Quiz will be placed on Moodle during your History time slot.