55 Beeston Street: The Saga of a Jamaican Family

TV Series

Concept: Roots Meets Downton Abbey in Jamaica

Genre: Period Piece, Romantic, Drama

Format: 3 Seasons (Pilot plus Seven 1-hour episodes per season)

The story which, begins in 1811, traces the evolution of the Thornley family over 6 generations. It is inspired by real people and real events.

It's just 3 years after the Slave Trade was abolished in the British Empire, ushering in an unprecedented period of societal and social transformation leading up to Emancipation.

(On March 25, 1807, the British parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which came into effect on January 1, 1808.)

Captain Thomas Thornley, the 2X great-grandfather of Irish writer Bram Stoker (who wrote Dracula), is exasperated by his 2 youngest sons.

23-year-old Richard and 18-year-old Ralph are spending too many nights getting inebriated at the Angel Pub in Derbyshire.

Captain Thomas Thornley makes the tough decision to send Richard and Ralph to work as bookkeepers on the Chesterfield Estate in Vere, Jamaica.

Ralph is seasick for most of the voyage and it takes a toll on his health.

As their ship sails into Port Royal Harbour, Richard and Ralph are captivated by their first glimpse of Jamaica against the breathtaking backdrop of the beautiful Blue Mountains. It's a welcome contrast to the gloomy, overcast skies they left behind in England.

The horse-drawn cart that transports Richard and Ralph from the ship to the estate passes cascading waterfalls, lush scenery, panoramic views, and gushing rivers. Richard is convinced that he has arrived in paradise.

The cart turns and travels along the long road, lined with giant coconut trees leading into the estate.

When they pass Eliza Wall, a stunning, 25-year-old mixed-race woman, gracefully balancing a container of water on her head, Richard is smitten.

Over the next few months, Eliza shows up throughout the day to bring water, meals, and snacks to the bookkeepers who are supervising the slaves cutting sugar cane in the fields. A bond develops between them.

Richard's fantasy turns into a nightmare. He is unprepared for the brutal realities of living in a society where the economy is fueled by slavery. It's a rude awakening.

Richard faces a huge obstacle. Eliza has been enslaved on Chesterfield since birth. Eliza can't leave unless he secures her freedom and Richard does not have the resources to do this.

The overseer insists that Richard discipline a runaway slave by whipping. Busha (the overseer) declares:

"It's time you boys learn you are not in England."

The experience traumatizes Richard to the core.

Eliza finds him seated on the ground in a secluded area on the banks of the Rio Minho. He is sobbing violently, shivering, and rocking back and forth. Eliza wraps her arms around him and comforts him.

Witnessing and participating in the brutal treatment of the enslaved people disturbs Richard.

He writes to his father, tells him of his angst and informs him that Ralph's health is deteriorating.

As they gaze in disbelief across the churchyard in which Ralph has just been buried, Eliza tells Richard that he is soon to become a father.

With Eliza's love and support, Richard heals.

Unfortunately, his youthful indiscretions ruin any chance of the couple finding happiness together.

By the end of the pilot, Richard breaks Eliza's heart when he confesses that he has fathered a child with another woman, a ravishing, free quadroon woman named Mary Ann Roach.

Before Mary Ann's father dies, he appoints Richard as the executor for his estate. There is a substantial legacy for Richard but it comes at a cost.

Richard breaks the news to Eliza that Mary Ann Roach will be joining him at the new estate where he has started working in Clarendon.

As executor, he also has the responsibility for 2 house slaves until Mary Ann's brother is of age.

Richard is eventually able to keep his promise and secure freedom from Eliza and their son, Richard, but he pays dearly for it.

Richard is gradually transformed by his time in Jamaica. He comes to regret some of his decisions, the people he has hurt, and the person he is becoming.

His shot at redemption does pay off for Eliza, their son, and their descendants.

Richard leaves enough money in his will so that his grandsons are able to apprentice and learn trades (blacksmith, tailor, mechanical engineer).

His son, who was born in slavery, is able to move the family to a fashionable residence in Kingston at 55 Beeston Street.

This period piece traces the evolution of Richard's family revealing the impact of his decisions for generations to come.

While some of his descendants repeated their English ancestor's errors in judgment, future generations benefit from the leg up Richard gave them.

It's a story of heartache but, ultimately, success.

From England and Ireland to Jamaica the family branches out to Panama and Cuba, the USA and Canada, and back to England.

Richard and Eliza spawned generations of tailors, blacksmiths, a minister, engineers, teachers, doctors, actors, musicians, and writers.

Richard's decisions, ultimately, shaped their destiny.