Quamina

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Quamina Gladstone (c. 1778 – 16 September 1823) was a enslaved carpenter in Demerara, now part of Guyana. He was born in Africa, likely among the Akan people in what is today Ghana, and was sold into slavery as a child. His mother died on a plantation in 1817.

Quamina became a respected deacon and leader in the slave community. He learned to read and write, was baptized in 1808, and earned the trust of both slaves and some of the plantation owners. He had several partners but lived for about 20 years with Peggy, a free woman. Peggy fell ill in 1822 and died, while Quamina continued to work hard.

He supported his son Jack Gladstone, who wanted freedom for enslaved people. Quamina also heard rumors that Britain might emancipate slaves and urged calm, telling fellow slaves not to rebel and to seek peaceful change.

In 1823 the Demerara slave rebellion began. Quamina was arrested just before it started but was released by fellow slaves as the revolt unfolded. He did not take up arms and tried to prevent violence.

After the rebellion began, Jack led many slaves in the fight. Quamina remained at large until 16 September 1823, when he was fatally shot by British soldiers at Chateau Margo. His body was hung in front of the Success plantation.

The rebellion caused many deaths and led to harsh punishments, but it drew attention to the cruelty of slavery and helped push toward abolition. Quamina is remembered as a national hero in Guyana. After independence, Georgetown renamed Murray Street to Quamina Street, and a street in the village of Beterverwagting is named for him. A monument stands at Quamina and Carmichael Streets, and his image appears in a mural at the GBTI building in Georgetown.