THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVING REGARD to the fact that I recently declared myself as a "product" of Half-way Tree, I feel a certain obligation to respond to Mr. Vernal Bankersingh's question which appeared in The Gleaner of July 25, "What is the origin of the name Half-way Tree?"
There may be differing versions surrounding the origin of that name, but I can only report what was told to me.
I learnt that there was a large tree on the Hope Road side of the square with spreading branches which provided a welcome break in the journey for market people travelling from Papine and beyond on their way to Kingston. That tree was regarded as the half-way point of their journey and there they would refresh themselves for the remainder of the journey into town. The tree then came to be known as the half-way point into the city.
Apparently what we now know as the Seymour Lands had not yet been opened up to provide the Old Hope Road, so the donkey and mule travellers had to use the long route into the city. The half-way tree was therefore a very welcome spot.
There are those who believe that there was once a tree which somehow was cut in half, but I like and do believe my version of Half-way Tree.
I am, etc.,
ELSIE SAYLE
Kingston 6
