Thomas Paslow, June, 1797:
“A MAN WHO WILL NOT DEFEND HIS COUNTRY IS NOT ENTITLED TO REAP THE BENEFIT THEREOF.”
Before there was the Paslow Parking lot there was the Paslow building. The location was named after Bayman named Thomas Paslow. The Paslow building was a Colonial style concrete three-story structure which was built in the 1920’s. The building was originally a store and was one of the country’s most central and historic buildings. After fire destroyed all of the buildings that housed the previous Post Offices, the building became the new Post Office on the ground floor in the 1940’s. Later on, the Belize City Municipal Court was placed on the second floor and the Magistrate and Revenues Courts on the third. Ironically, like so many of the City’s historic buildings, Paslow was eventually destroyed by fire on September 29, 2002.
Who was Thomas Paslow?
Thomas Paslow was born in Ireland and arrived in Belize Town in 1785 at the age of 26. He married a colored lady by the name of Clarissa Carter. There are no records to show if Thomas and Calrissa had any children of their own.
You could say Thomas Paslow was both famous and infamous. He was infamous for the way he treated his slaves. A 1791 court case did not record any statements or specifics apart from the fact that he was tried for ill-treating and mutilating certain negroes based on information given by one Houston Maxwell. The court had ordered that Houston Maxwell and Kenny Piper appear in court to be examined, but Houston did not attend and was charged for gross contempt of court. Paslow was found guilty of mutilating the two men and fined ten pounds.
On the other hand, Thomas Paslow became famous for his stance during the days leading up to the battle of St. Georges Caye on September 10, 1798. He was very adamant that the settlers should remain and defend the settlement. The debate came to a head on June 1, 1797, at the largest Public Meeting ever held in the settlement up to that time. Almost immediately, a group of men in Belize Town said the best solution was to evacuate the settlement and go to the Mosquito Shore. Another group said the best solution was to prepare for war and defend Belize. That vote did not completely quell the movement for evacuation, but its proponents could not get enough support to bring the question before the Public Meeting a second time, thanks in part to the spirited written objections of Thomas Paslow. In a letter to the Public Meeting he thundered, “A MAN WHO WILL NOT DEFEND HIS COUNTRY IS NOT ENTITLED TO REAP THE BENEFIT THEREOF.”
Thomas Paslow paid out of his own finances for the erection of cannons on his lot on the north side of Belize along the river near to the present swing bridge (Paslow Plaza is believed to be the location). The fort, one of the three that were in the town itself, was called Wexford. He also fitted his schooner and offered it for use during the battle. September 6th, 1798, The Tickler, the Mermaid and Thomas Paslow’s gun flat departed Belize Harbour in the morning to take up positions at St. George’s Caye.
Thomas Paslow died on 11th February 1825 at the of age 66 and his gravestone states that he was living in the settlement for 40 years. His wife Clarissa Carter died 3rd May, 1838, at the age of 71.