1790: The population of Kingston, Jamaica, was estimated at 23,500, making it one of the most significant urban centers in the Atlantic world.

1790: The population of Kingston, Jamaica, was estimated at 23,500, making it one of the most significant urban centers in the Atlantic world. In comparison, Philadelphia held 28,522 residents and New York had 49,401, illustrating Kingston’s relative scale. As a major port, the city served as a vital hub for the regional exchange of people, commodities, and information. The high density of free and enslaved people of color in Kingston made it a focal point for the dissemination of revolutionary rumors. This urban environment provided the “masterless” with unique opportunities for mobility and organization.