Yvonne Williams, postmistress at Chapelton Post Office in Clarendon, goes through a pile of mail. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Postmasters and mistresses in the past had their work cut out for them as Jamaicans joined long queues at post offices to collect mail sent to them by their families abroad.

But with the advent of technology and the infiltration of cellular phones, fewer persons are sending letters and are instead calling or emailing their loved ones.

Yvonne Williams has been a postmistress at Chapelton Post Office in Clarendon for the past 10 years.

"This place would be filled with people at one point in time," Williams told The Gleaner during a visit to the post office recently.

"What we are getting now is mainly bills. From cellular phones come in, people are now calling instead of writing. Even the elderly people have their cellphones."

However, she pointed out that persons still mail postcards and parcels to their loved ones during the festive season.

Williams said she enjoys her job because it gives her the opportunity to meet people from various walks of life.

"It is hectic sometimes, but it's something that I enjoy. I get to know a lot of people in the community and most people greet you with a smile," said Williams.

Reduced staff

When Williams joined the post office in 1999, seven persons were employed there. Today, only five persons are on staff due to a decline in the number of mail that is sent to there.

"Back in the day, we used to have telegram as well but that no longer exists," Williams reminisced.

The postal service today provides a comprehensive service. Persons can pay bills, purchase newspapers, use Internet kiosks, MoneyGram, among other things.

According to the Postal Corporation of Jamaica, during the reign of King Charles II, the governor of Jamaica was instructed to make arrangements for the establishment of a post office in Jamaica. This was because of complaints from early settlers concerning the slow delivery of mail.

On October 31, 1671, Jamaica became the first British colony to have established a post office. The post office was established in the then capital, St Jago De La Vega, or Spanish Town as it is now known.

The Postal Corporation of Jamaica said the main post office was moved from Spanish Town to Harbour Street, Kingston, in 1776. The Jamaican postal service operated as a sub branch of the British Post Office until 1860 when it achieved full managerial and operational autonomy.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com