1. May 9, 1817. Missioner James Coultart and his wife arrived in Jamaica.
2. May, 1823. Fowell Buxton stood up in the House of Commons and introduced a resolution “that the state of slavery is repugnant to the principles of the British constitution, and of the Christian religion; and that it ought to be gradually abolished throughout the British colonies, with as much expedition as may be found consistent with a due regard to the well-being of the parties concerned.”
3. May 31, 1822. Joshua Tinson and his family arrived in Jamaica.
4. May 1, 1827. Amended Consolidated Slave Laws enacted.
5. May 23, 1832. Sam Sharpe executed.
6. May 14, 1833. Mr. Secretary Stanley rose to his feet in the House of Commons and led the house in an impassioned argument for the need to finally answer the issue of slavery and emancipation, and demanded that the Commons interfere and act now, because, "the happiness of the descendants of those for whom I now propose to legislate—that generations yet unborn are to be affected for good or for evil by the course which this House may think proper to adopt."
7. May 1865. Governor Eyre sounded the death knell on the Ethiopian Baptist Society when he reported to the Colonial Office that they were to be blamed for the increasing agitation amongst the African majority, who were responsible for the mischief done amongst an ignorant and easily led population, whilst professing to be their friends and teachers.