1794: Observations of the adjacent Jamaican settlements of Falmouth and Martha Brae noted their rapid expansion as centers of sugar and rum production.

1794: Observations of the adjacent Jamaican settlements of Falmouth and Martha Brae noted their rapid expansion as centers of sugar and rum production. Together, they were home to approximately 800 white inhabitants and a numerous population of free people of color. Martha Brae’s application for free port status was seriously considered despite the town’s relatively small size. The growth of these smaller coastal centers provided important outlets for local plantations and connected them to regional trade networks.