Jewish Cemetery

The cemetery was built in c. 1670s and covers 200’ x 75’. It is one of the oldest established cemeteries in Nevis. Its earliest grave dates to 1679 and the latest 1768. Hebrew, Portuguese and English texts are evident on the stones.

19 recognizable gravestones on lot encircled by block wall, 17 bear inscriptions majority being Portuguese. Most elaborate: Bathsheba Abundiente August 8, 1684. It is a relic of Jewish community about ¼ of Charlestown’s population pre 1700.

First grave of Ester Maraché Feb. 20. 1679. Last burial of Jacob Vas Mendes 1768. In 1688, Jewish (Spanish-Portuguese) population built Synagogue and the first Jews were traders in 1650; first record of settlement in 1678. In 1724 Charlestown boasted a population of 300 whites and ¼ (75) were Jews with 6 households (1707/1708 census Stern 1971:22 and Terrell & Hill 1994:6). The low population of Jews is due to the epidemics of 1689-1690, French raid in 1706 and/or the 1772 Hurricane.