Joseph Ketley

Who was Joseph Ketley?

The Rev. Joseph Ketley was a mid-nineteenth century Congregational missionary and abolitionist in Guyana, the former British colony of British Guiana which was known as Demerara and Essequibo at the time when his mission was established. The Dutch colonies of Berbice‚ Demerara and Essequibo were ceded to the British in 1814‚ and incorporated into a single colony in 1831. Guyana became independent in 1966.

In the 1830s and 40s Joseph Ketley worked towards the abolition of slavery and promoted Christian teaching amongst the African population and the native Indian tribes of the Essequibo River. He was a resident of George Town, Demerara. On 12 July 1840 he attended the Anti-Slavery Convention in London.

In the early nineteenth century, missionary work in Demerara was fiercely opposed by many of the estate owners. They sought to prevent missionaries from advancing the education of slaves or native Indians. Gradually, however the mission schools were established to develop reading and writing skills.

Lacking the support of estate owners, missionaries were often in a dangerous position. The earlier missionary, Rev.