Rose Hall Great House: Reflections on a Tortured Past

Rose Hall Great House is one of the most visited attractions in Jamaica. Built in 1770 by John Palmer and completely restored by the Rollins family in the 1960s, the wooden floors creak and walls whisper stories of a tortured and painful past.

The legend of Annie Palmer is known throughout the world. She was called the White Witch of Rose Hall by the slaves that she tormented for many years.

Her parents were from England; ultimately moving to Haiti where they both died of yellow fever leaving young Annie to be cared for by her Haitian nanny, a master of the dark voodoo arts. Annie Palmer eventually moved to Jamaica louring John Palmer into her web becoming his child bride at the age of 17.

Annie had many slave lovers, the most noted was Takoo. She married three times killing each of her husbands with poison, stabbing and ultimately the third husband, by strangulation.

Relics of Annie's evil and relentless torture of the plantation workers remain in the Rose Hall Great House.

Takoo ultimately managed to get his revenge killing Annie (according to the legend of the White Witch). As with most legends, it is difficult to know which parts are true.

Touring the Rose Hall Great House allows us to reflect on the tortured past of slavery and the brutality associated with this unfortunate global practice.

In Jamaica, emancipation was granted and slavery abolished in 1834 and independence from the colonial control of England was achieved in 1962.

A visit to Rose Hall Great House is more than just a recounting of the tale of Annie Palmer. The relics of this plantation home highlight the resilience of a proud and strong people.