The Right Excellent George William Gordon was born some time around the year 1820 in Kingston, his exact date of birth is unknown. He was the 'illegitimate' son to a slave woman and her white master, Joseph Gordon.

Joseph Gordon came to Jamaica as an attorney for a number of absentee-owned sugar estates. He later bought several properties for himself which includes: St. Andrew, parts of Kingston and Cherry Gardens. Joseph also became a member of the House of Asssembly and Custos of St. Andrew. Even though Gordon did not grow up with his mother, he expressed that he loved her dearly and that she was kind to him.

Education and Religious Beliefs

With a little help from his father, Gordon was self-educated and taught himself to read, write, and perform simple accounting. At the age of ten, Gordon was allowed to go and live with his godfather, James Daly of Black River. Within a year, due to Gordon's ability to learn quickly, he began working in Daly's business.

George William Gordon was about eighteen years old when slavery had ended. By this time, he was seen as an intelligent, handsome, popular, and had a natural gift for public speaking. He had a keen interest in politics and religion, and these interest remained with with throughout his life. He was deeply concerned about religion. Gordon was brought up as an Anglican, and while still connected with this group, he went on to join the Presbyterians, and later the Baptists. Despite his attempts to search for the right religious connection, he never seemed to have found satisfaction, and later began to make plans of stating his own church.

Gordon carried out his plan for starting an independent Baptist church. He built a chapel in Kingston. He often preached in it, helped to set up other chapels in other parts of the country, appointed and ordained deacons (even though he did not take the title of 'Reverend'). Among his ordained deacons was Paul Bogle of Stony Gut, St. Thomas.

George William Gordon Legacy

George William Gordon has left an indelible mark in the history of the Jamaican people by representing the working class and supporting their crave for equal rights and justice. Thus in 1965 (100 years after his death) he was named a National Hero of Jamaica.

In memory of Gordon, Gordon house was built as the place of meeting for the Jamaican Parliament.

Futher on, in 1969, Jamaica had began to decimalize its currency, and George William Gordon appeared on the ten dollar note. Today, the ten dollar note is no longer in circulation, however, Gordon still appears on the ten dollar coin.

George William Gordon's Family Members:

• Joseph Gordon (1790*–1867) - Father
• Ann Rattray (1792*– before 1865) - Mother
• Mary Ann Gordon - Sister
• Margaret Gordon - Sister
• Janet Isabella Gordon - Sister
• John Gordon - Sister
• Jane Gordon - Sister
• Ann Gordon - Sister