Port Morant is a historic town located in Saint Thomas Parish, on the southeastern coast of Jamaica. It played a prominent role during the early years of European settlement, emerging as one of the island’s chief ports. The town was particularly known for its export of bananas and its production of rum, both of which were key industries that contributed significantly to the local economy.
Following the English conquest of Jamaica in 1655, General Luke Stokes, accompanied by 1,600 settlers from Nevis, arrived in 1656 and established a settlement near Port Morant. This marked the beginning of the town’s development as a crucial hub for trade and agriculture in the region. Over the centuries, Port Morant continued to grow, benefiting from its strategic location and its involvement in the island’s sugar and agricultural industries. The legacy of its early European settlement is still visible in the town’s cultural and historical landscape today.
