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Conversation about the Jamaican insurance documents (1782 – 1783)

The conversation

This conversation centres around an insurance policy and a bill of lading for goods produced by enslaved people being shipped from Jamaica to London. Lloyd’s purchased these documents around 1956.

These two administrative documents of insurance show the financial mechanisms of the slave economy. This conversation with a colleague with ancestors from Jamaica discusses the documents’ significance and the issues raised by understanding the past.

Items in Collection

Read our factsheet

This factsheet provides further information about the Jamaican insurance policy and Bill of Lading which are in the Lloyd’s Collection. 

Please be aware some of the content may contain harmful language which may cause distress.

Listen to the other conversations

Conversation on a letter by Hercules Ross

Conversation on Joseph Marryat’s portrait

Conversation on the Bill of Lading for 100 enslaved people

Conversation on the Clagett & Pratt risk books