Hibbert migrated to Kingston in 1734, at a time when Jamaica was becoming the wealthiest of the British Caribbean islands and the largest single destination of African slaves.

In the early 1750s, he formed a partnership with Nathaniel Sprigg to serve as factors for slaves, purchasing them off the ships from Africa and reselling them to planters and others in Jamaica.

[2] Charity Harry was described as Hibbert's housekeeper and a "free mulatto," meaning she was not enslaved and had mixed European and African ancestry.

Upon Hibbert's death the house was passed to his heir and nephew and not to his daughter Jane or long time consort Charity.

[2] In 1814 the house was sold to the War Office of the West Indies Regiment to serve as its headquarters, and as the residence for the General of the army that was garrisoned there.

The building has survived social, political and structural changes as well as the forces of nature to become a truly national historic treasure, worthy of preservation.