Highgate House

Parish: St.Catherine

Highgate House is considered to be the oldest structure in the district of Sligoville. The architectural design of the building is Georgian. It is constructed from cut stone and mortar and was originally a two storey building with open verandas on both floors.

Highgate House was built as a summer residence on the country estate called Government Mountain, for the Governor. Sir John Dalling was the first Governor to occupy the house. In 1779, Government Mountain was sold to Charles D'Aquin, a French coffee planter. In 1829, the second Earl of Belmore, Governor of Jamaica between 1829 and 1832, purchased Highgate House from D'Aquin.

Of all the Governors owning Highgate House, it is significant that the one with which the house is most associated is Howe Peter Brown, the Marquis of Sligo. The Marquis implemented the proposed Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. Sligoville, which is the first free village in Jamaica, was named in his honour.

In 1840, the property passed into the hands of Provost Marshall General John O'Sullivan where it remained with the O'Sullivan family until the early twentieth century. The property is presently owned by the Government of Jamaica