Thomas Burchell

Thomas Burchell (1799–1846) was a leading Baptist missionary and slavery abolitionist in Montego Bay, Jamaica in the early nineteenth century. He was among an early group of missionaries who went out from London in response to a request from African Baptists on the island. He established churches and schools to aid the slaves. Burchell is credited with the concept of Free Villages and encouraging their development by Baptist colleagues such as William Knibb, as well as by other denominations. Anticipating abolition of slavery, he helped raise funds in Great Britain to acquire land for freedmen after they were emancipated, and to develop Free Villages.

Burchell established the Burchell Baptist Church, where he was assisted by deacon and preacher Samuel Sharpe. Active in organizing a strike of workers that resulted in the Baptist War (1831-1832), Sharpe was executed by the government in May 1832. Burchell had evaded such retaliation, but returned to Jamaica to continue as a missionary after conditions had calmed down. He continued to preach to people all over his parish, and to set up schools and churches. He died in London of the fever, when he had a relapse after returning for a short visit.

Burchell initially trained to go into cloth manufacturing in Nailsworth. While there, he was influenced by the Shortwood Baptist Church and determined to prepare as a missionary. He attended Bristol Academy for more education. Before leaving England, he married Hester Crocker (née Lusty). Burchell was 23 when they traveled to Jamaica for him to begin work as a Baptist missionary. In the early 1820s, missionaries were instructed by their society to stay out of issues related to the institution of slavery.

Burial Burchell is buried at the non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, London. In 1992 his great-grandchildren erected a memorial at his gravesite.