On 27 August 1824, John Smith was arrested as a missionary in Demerara, modern-day Guyana.
John, an Englishman, was sent by the London Missionary Society to minister to the slave population in Guyana. Before his journey, he was given strict instructions by the Governor Murray not to teach any of the slaves to read.
John became a counsellor and friend to his congregation and, wanting to teach them through Christian discipleship, he naturally taught them to read.
When certain slaves became aware of the anti-slavery movement happening back in Britain, they grew restless for freedom. Although John advised against it, a revolt was planned. The governor mustered his militia and disarmed the rebellion at the cost of many lives.
Assuming John was a co-conspirator with the slaves, the governor sentenced him to death by hanging. When the London Missionary Society heard of John’s sentence, they petitioned to put the execution to a stop. However, while awaiting his execution, John caught pneumonia and died in a Guyanan jail.
Guilty only of sacrifice and service to the gospel, John Smith was called the Martyr of Demerara by the African workers after his death.