Floral Tribute set for the Bicentennial of the Baptism and Birth of the Right Excellent George William Gordon

The Bicentennial of the baptism and birth of the Right Excellent George William Gordon will be recognised on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. at the National Heroes Park, in a floral tribute to the National Hero.

It was previously believed that George William Gordon was born in 1820, however, research indicates an early birth date.

Genealogist, Donald Lindo who has done extensive research on the National Hero notes that there are numerous references, including Clinton Black’s History of Jamaica, that suggest that Gordon was born about 1820.

“This did not appear practical as he was a landowner in 1836 (when he would have been only aged 16) as a Genealogist I did some personal research and found his baptismal entry in the St. Andrew Baptismal Register (Vol. 3 folio 53) at the Registrar General’s Department and at the Archives in Spanish Town indicating that he was baptised on 27 December 1815 at the age of approximately 3 months,” Lindo said.

The research done by Lindo, points to a number of descendants to include family names such as Rose, Thwaites, Davidson and Munn.

“We are pleased to be celebrating this important milestone in the life of one of our National Heroes George William Gordon. The Ministry of Youth and Culture remains committed to honouring those who fought relentlessly for the freedom we enjoy today,” said Janice Lindsay, Principal Director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

She also used the opportunity to thank Lindo and other researches who have contributed to the compilation of historical documentations over the years.

George William Gordon who was instrumental in the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865 was conferred with the Order of the National Hero in 1969.