Tucked away in the cool hills of Westmoreland is a place unlike any other in Jamaica. Seaford Town—better known to locals as “German Town”—stands as a quiet monument to an unusual chapter in the island’s post-slavery history. With its colonial-era architecture, Roman Catholic heritage, and residents with blue eyes and German surnames, Seaford Town tells a story of hardship, adaptation, and cultural fusion that spans nearly two centuries.
An Unlikely Settlement
The founding of Seaford Town began in the wake of slavery’s abolition in 1834. With the emancipation of enslaved Africans, plantation owners feared a collapse of their labour force. Seeking a new solution, the colonial government and private estate owners turned to Europe—hoping that white settlers could fill the gap and serve as “examples” of discipline and productivity for the freed population.
One such landowner was Charles Ellis, 1st Baron Seaford—a pro-slavery British planter and politician who inherited multiple Jamaican estates and owned more than 1,200 enslaved people across six properties. Still reeling from the financial blow of the 1831 Baptist War and the subsequent loss of enslaved labour due to emancipation, Ellis donated 500 acres of his Montpelier estate in Westmoreland for the creation of a European settlement. Thus, Seaford Town was born—named in his honour.
Rough Start in Jamaica
Between 1834 and 1838, approximately 1,200 German immigrants arrived in Jamaica, most hailing from Westphalia and Waldeck in northern Germany. They included disbanded soldiers from light cavalry regiments, small tradesmen, weavers, and artisans—far from the skilled agricultural labour force that plantation owners had hoped for.
In 1835, over 200 of these immigrants were settled in Seaford Town, Westmoreland, on 500 acres of land from Lord Seaford’s 10,000-acre estate. While official records describe the land as a gift to the government, local historian and descendant Delroy Hacker believes it may have been sold and was likely the least fertile part of the estate. The settlers’ start was harsh.
After arriving by ship from Bremen and disembarking in Reading near Montego Bay, many were forced to walk 25 miles through mountainous terrain to reach their new home. Most were unfamiliar with tropical agriculture and didn’t know what, when, or how to plant. Food was scarce, and outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera were devastating. Many did not survive.
Over time, however, the settlers adapted—learning to cultivate bananas, ginger, cocoa, cassava, and coffee. Some eventually saved enough from ginger sales to finance another migration, this time to the United States and Canada.
Struggles and Survival
Seaford Town’s early years were marked by isolation, language barriers, and religious loneliness. Most settlers were Roman Catholic, but there was no priest. In 1839, a young catechist named John Bierbusse made the arduous journey to Kingston to seek help from the Catholic Church. While a priest would eventually be sent, Bierbusse served as lay preacher and schoolmaster in the meantime—holding the fragile community together.
Father Francis Osborne later captured the settlers’ experience poignantly:
“In a strange land, among a strange people, unable to understand, they learned the negro patois and forgot their native German after a generation or so. Their children grew up completely isolated… and lost all contact with Germany.”
A school was established in the early years which taught lessons in German, but the language has since faded. Today, only a few elderly residents remember fragments such as “guten tag” or “auf wiedersehen.” Cultural practices like food and cooking styles have also not survived.
Echoes of Germany
While little German is spoken today in Seaford Town, the remnants of its origins persists. Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion. The Sacred Heart Church, its rectory, and the adjoining convent—built in the 19th century—have all been declared national heritage sites.
There was once a small museum housed at the church compound, displaying relics and historical documents including land grants. That museum is now defunct, and the artefacts are in the care of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, awaiting the construction of a new dedicated museum building. According to reports, plans are in motion, with land and bathroom facilities already donated, including support from the German mission in Jamaica.
The community’s German heritage is also reflected in surnames like Hacker, Eldemire, and Schleifer—some of which have evolved over time. Place names like Manhertz Gap, Bremen Valley, Hessen Castle and Charlottenburg echo those early European
The Garden Party Tradition
In recent decades, Seaford Town has battled an unfair reputation. Past media reports labelled the community as “lost,” with damaging insinuations of poverty and inbreeding. These portrayals hurt community morale and discouraged tourism.
But one tradition that continues to uplift spirits is the annual Garden Party, held every Boxing Day on December 26. This all-day celebration kicks off with children’s activities and transitions into a lively evening party for adults.
Organiser Christopher Hacker—better known as Fada Chris—describes the event as a feast like no other.
“Every kind of food you can think of” is on offer, he says. Whole pigs are roasted, shrimp soup simmers on open flames, and classic Jamaican dishes flow freely. Visitors come from across the island and abroad to take part. Since taking over in 2016, Hacker has worked to keep the tradition alive—and everyone is welcome. It’s a celebration worth marking on your calendar each year.
A Living Chapter of History
Seaford Town remains one of Jamaica’s most unique communities—formed at the intersection of desperation, colonial ambition, and cultural endurance. Though its German language and customs have mostly faded, the legacy lives on in surnames, architecture, religion, and its people.
Fewer than 100 descendants remain in the area today, and with each generation, the number of ancestral residents declines as younger people intermarry or move away. But pride in the village’s story remains strong.
These days, the main attraction is Fada Chris Endz, a vibrant farm and food destination owned and operated by Mr. Hacker. Located right in Seaford Town, it features a full Jamaican menu, seasonal produce (like plantains, ackee, and coconut), and facilities for whole pig roasting—a crowd favourite. It’s a celebration of rural Jamaican life with roots in German heritage.
To book a food experience or visit the farm, call 876-843-3080. Cost varies depending on your request, but it’s well worth the journey into Jamaica’s only German village.
Don’t leave without picking up a bottle of Real Bee Honey—a rich, raw honey made by bees that forage on fruit and lumber trees like mango, etioti apple, and guinep. The result is a naturally fruity, floral flavour that captures the taste of Seaford Town’s hills. For honey orders, contact Ms. Frances Brown at 876-301-1365.
Cover photo image : Seaford Town welcome sign via insidejourneys.com
