Archbishop Justin Welby Reveals Ancestral Links to Slave Ownership in Jamaica

 

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has disclosed that his ancestor owned enslaved people on a plantation in Jamaica and was compensated by the British government following the abolition of slavery. In a personal statement, Welby emphasized his dedication to confronting the lasting effects of transatlantic slavery.

The archbishop, who leads the global Anglican Church, recently discovered his ancestral ties through his late biological father, Sir Anthony Montague Browne, who served as a private secretary to Winston Churchill. Welby learned in 2016 that he was conceived during a brief affair between his mother and Browne, and that the man he believed to be his father, Gavin Welby, was not his biological parent. He never had a relationship with Browne, who passed away in 2013.

According to Welby’s statement, Browne was the great-great-grandson of Sir James Fergusson, the fourth Baronet of Kilkerran, who owned enslaved people on the Rozelle plantation in St Thomas, Jamaica. Fergusson received a portion of a £20 million compensation package from the British government for the loss of “property” after the abolition of slavery. The Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery states that the Rozelle plantation employed approximately 200 enslaved individuals at its peak, with the Fergusson family sharing £3,591 in compensation in 1836—equivalent to over £3 million today.

Welby confirmed that he did not receive any compensation from Browne during his lifetime or from his estate after his death. As a prominent figure, Welby has been active in acknowledging the Church of England's historical connections to transatlantic slavery. A report released last year highlighted that part of the church’s £9 billion endowment fund traces its origins to Queen Anne’s Bounty, a financial scheme established in 1704 based on profits from slavery.

In response to this legacy, the Church of England has committed £100 million to address the impacts of enslavement, with plans to increase this amount to £1 billion through contributions from co-investors. Welby reiterated the church's commitment to a comprehensive research program, stating that archives hold valuable insights into the past.

He expressed regret over the delayed discovery of his relationship with Sir Anthony, noting that he was fortunate to meet his half-sister and her son. The truth about his biological father emerged after Welby took a DNA test, which indicated a 99.98% probability of being Browne’s son. His mother, Jane, who passed away last year, described the revelation as an "almost unbelievable shock."

Sir Adam Fergusson, the 10th baronet, acknowledged the family’s painful history, stating that the archbishop's connection to the family was surprising and served as a reminder of the widespread legacy of slavery. Other descendants, such as Alex Renton, have taken steps to contribute to repair initiatives in Britain and the Caribbean after learning about their family’s past.

In his statement, Welby reflected on his trip to Jamaica in July, where he received an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies and offered an apology to Jamaicans for the church’s role in the enslavement of their ancestors. He expressed deep remorse, stating, “We sinned against your ancestors. I would give anything that that can be reversed, but it cannot.”

This revelation comes as calls for reparatory justice grow, particularly in light of UK Labour leader Keir Starmer's upcoming trip to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, raising questions about whether reparations will be addressed.