ItJ
>5A
y
J^istor|>
or THE
30latHi of Qlntigua,
THE
HISTORY
p/'i
OP' THE
ISLAND OF ANTIGUA,
ONE OF THE LEEWAIIJ) CAMHHKES IN THE WEST INDIES,
EEOM THE EIRST SI7ri LKMKNT. IN 16;J5 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY
KMJ
YERE LANG FORT) OLIVER,'
iM.It.C.S. EN(i.; I,.U.C!.l'. 1,0ND.
^yolumr i.
T.ONDON:
MITCHELL AND IlLUniES, I 10 WAliDOUli STIilOKT, W.
1891.
.0
^^
• • • . ••' • ,
•• •• • • ', «
• "^ • « • • «
• -ft •;;
xfH
• 724
. 01 ^fi'
j^reface-
T^HE various Papers and Pedigrees comprised in these two Volumes have been gradually
accumulated during the last seven years. Having commenced by collecting information
about my own family, which was formerly settled at Antigua, I was soon led to make notes
of many others connected by marriage, and finally to compile the Pedigrees of all those
formerly resident there. I then visited the Island, and during my stay from December 1888
to March 1st, 1889, made copious extracts from the parish registers and local records, besides
copying all the monumental inscriptions in the various churchyards and plantation burial-
grounds. Here I gratefully record my thanks to Sir William Frederick Haynes-Smith, the
Governor of the Leeward Islands; to Captain I. C. Maling, then Acting-Secretary; to
Mr. Octavius Humphrys, the Registrar of Wills and Deeds ; to the various Rectors ; and to
my kind friends Messrs. Thomas Dickson Foote, John Foote, Arthur Shand, Oliver Nugent,
John Jarvis, and others.
The information thus acquired on the Island was subsequently largely augmented by a
search through the Colonial Papers at the Public Record Office, Mrs. Vernona T. C. Smith
materially assisting by making extracts for me from the Close Rolls ; and my thanks are
also due to Mr. Chaloner Smith, the head of the Literary Search Department at Somerset
House, for his uniform courtesy and help.
In regard to the Historical Introduction which follows, I have endeavoured to give as
much original information as possible ; most of it is in a very crude and condensed state,
but I have purposely avoided putting forward my personal opinions, deeming it better for
each reader to form his own. As to the Pedigrees, I must point out that some of them are
unreliable, owing to the absence of sufficient proof, but I shall be very glad to receive corrections
and additions. The first Volume has taken the Publishers over two years to print, but the
remaining one will be probably completed next year.
VERE LANGFORD OLIVER.
Whitmoee Lodge, Sunninghill, Berks.
December 1894.
TJiis Editio)i has heeii limited to 150 copies,
of which this is No. 4: J
ilist of Seorlis Consulttti,
The following Works on tlie West Indies are in the Author's possession, and he has extracted from
them eveiything of importance bearing- on the History of Antigua : —
Histoire Naturelle et Morale des lies Antilles de I'Amerique, [by Charles de Rochefort]. 4to. Rotterdam, 1658.
Histoire Generale des Antilles, by le pere du Tertre. 4 vols. 4to. Paris, 1667 — 71.
A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes, by Richard Ligon. Small fo. Second edition, London, 1673.
The Original Lists of Emigrants to the American Plantations 1600 — 1700, by John Camden Hotten. Large paper
royal 4to. London, 1874.
A Collection of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers from 1650 — 89, by Joseph Besse. 2 vols, small fo.
London, 1753.
A Copy of the Articles Exhibited by Mr. Freeman to the House of Commons against Col. Codrington. 8vo. 1702.
History of Col. Parke's Administrations, by George French, and an Answer, etc. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1717.
Nouveau Voyage aux Isles de I'Amerique, by le pere Labat. 2 vols, large 4to. The Hague, 1724.
Acts of xVssembly Passed in the Island of Barbadoes from 1648 to 1718. Fo. London, 1732.
Acts of Assembly Passed in the Charibbee Leeward Islands from 1690 to 1730. Small fo. London, 1734.
Acts of Assembly Passed in the Island of St. Christopher from 1711 to 1735. Fo. London, 1739. '
Acts of Assembly Passed in the Island of Nevis from 1664 to 1739. Fo. Loudon, 1740.
The British Empire in America, [by John Oldmixon]. 2 vols. Svo. Second edition, London, 1741.
Caribbeana. 2 vols. 4to. London, 1741.
Memoirs of the Firsc Settlement of the Island of Barbados and other the Carribbee Islands. 12mo. First edition,
London, 1743.
A Natural History of Nevis and the rest of the English Leeward Charibee Islands in America, by Rev. William Smith.
8vo. Cambridge, 1745.
The Natural History of Barbados, by the Rev. GriflBth Hughes, A.M., with a List of Subscribers. • Small fo. London, 1750.
The Memorials of the English and French Commissaries concerning St. Lucia. 4to. London, 1755.
Description geographique des Isles Antilles possedees par les Anglois, by S. Bellin. Small 4to. Paris, 1758.
Au account of the Expedition to the "West Indies against Martinico with the reduction of Guadelupe and other the
Leeward Islands subject to the French King 1759, by Capt. Richard Gardiner. 4to. Third edition, Bir-
mingham, 1762.
An Account of the European Settlements in America. 2 vols. Svo. London, 1765.
The substance of the Evidence on the Petition presented by the West India Planters and Merchants to the Hon. House of
Commons, 16 March 1775. Svo, pp. 47. London.
The West India Atlas .... together with an Historical Account, by Thomas JeflTerys. Royal fo. London, 1775.
MS. A Tour through part of the West Indies, containing a particular Description of the Climate, Cultivation, and several
of the Natural Productions of the Island of Tobago, and other Settlements in that quarter of the world. In a
Series of 12 Letters to a Friend. Small fo., pp. 255. 18 January 1780 to 1 July 1782.
The Crisis of the Sugar Colonies. Svo, pp. 38. London, 1785.
Letters to a Young Planter, or Observations on the Management of a Sugar Plantation. 8vo. London, 1785.
Proceedings of a General Court-Martial on Captain Robert Hedges of the 67th Regiment : held at the Court-House,
St. John's, Antigua, from Monday the 30th of .lanuary to Monday the 13th of March 1786. Royal Svo.
Antigua: St. John's ; Printed by James Hargrove, on the Parade, 1786.
A Narrative of the Official Conduct of Valentine Morris, Esq., Governor of St. Vincent, by himself. Svo. London, 1787.
History of the Settlements and Trade of the Europeans in the East and West Indies, by the Abbe Raynal. Translated
by J. 0. Justamond, F.R.S. 8 vols. Svo. London, 1788.
A Brief Account of the Island of Antigua 1786 — 88, by John LufFman. Crown Svo. Second edition, London, 1789.
A Treatise on Planting, by Joshua Peterkin, Planter, second edition, with List of Subscribers in Antigua, etc. pp. 104
and iv. St. Christopher's : Printed by Edward Luth R. Low, Cayou Street, Basseterre, 1790;
The Case of the Sugar Colonies. Svo, pp. 97. London, 1792.
A Vindication of the Use of Sugar, the Produce of the West India Islands. Svo, pp. 24. Second edition, London, 1792.
A Plain Man's Thoughts on the present Price of Sugar, [by James Tobin of .Nevis]. 8vo, pp. 22. London, 1792.
An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies in the year 1794, by the Rev. Cooper Williams, A.M. Large paper
royal fo. London, 1796.
An Historical Survey of the Island of Saint Domingo, tog-ether with an Account of the Maroon Negroes in the Island of
Jamaica ; and a History of the War in the West Indies in 1793 and 1794, by Bryan Edwards, Esq. Also a Tour
through the several Islands of Barbadoes, St. Vincent, Antigua, Tobago, and Grenada, in the years 1791 and 1792,
by Sir William Young, Bart. 4to. London, 1801.
A Tour through the British West Indies in 1S02 and 1803, by Daniel McKinnen, Esq. Crown Svo. London, 1804.
The History of the Discovery and Settlement to the present time of North and South America and of the West Indies, by
William Mavor, LL.D. Royal 24mo. London, 1804.
iv LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED,
The Laws of tlie Island of Antigua, consisting of the Acts of the Leewanl Islands from KiOO to 1798, and those of
Antigua from 1GG8 to 1804. 2 vols. 4to. London, 1805.
The West India Common-Place Book, by Sir William Young, Bart., F.R.S., M.P. -Ito. London, 1807.
An Inquiry into the State of the British West Indies, by Joseph Lowe, Esq. 8?o. London, 1807.
Outline of a Plan for the Better Cultivation, Security, and Defence of the British West Indies, by Capt. Layman, R.N.
8vo. London, 1807.
Suggestions arising from the Abolition of the African Slave Trade for supplying the demands of the West India Colonies
with Agricultural Labourers, by Robert Townsend Farquhar, Esq. 8vo. London, 1807.
A History of the West Indies .... with an Account of the Wesleyan Missions .... by Thomas Coke, LL.D. 3 vols. 8vo.
Liverpool, 1808.
The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British West Indies, by Bryan Edwards, Esq., F.R.S., S.A., with a continuation
to the present time. 5 vols. 8vo, and 4to atlas. London, 1819.
A Voyage in the West Indies, by John Augustus Waller, Surgeon R.N. 8vo. London, 1820.
Ten Views in the Island of Antigua, in which are represented the Process of Sugar Making, from drawings made by
William Clark. 18i inches by 13 inches. London, 1823.
MS. Reports relating to Mr. Gordon's Estates in the West Indies 1824, illustrated with maps and water-colour views.
Royal fo.
Six Months in the West Indies in 1825, by Henry Nelson Coleridge, M.A. Royal 24mo. Second edition, crown 8vo, 1826.
Third edition, London, 1832.
Chronological History of the West Indies, by Capt. Thomas Southey, R.N. 3 vols. 8vo. London, 1827.
An Historical and Descriptive Account of Antigua, illustrated by numerous coloured engravings, by J. Johnson. 23 inches
by 18i inches. London, 1830.
Four Years' Residence in the West Indies, 1826—29. 8vo. Third edition, London, 1833.
The West India Sketch Book. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1834.
Charges delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Barbados and the Leeward Islands, by the Right Rev. William Hart
Coleridge, D.D., Bishop. 8vo. London, 1835.
The West Indies in 1837, being the journal of a visit to Antigua .... by Joseph Sturge and Thomas Harvey. 8vo.
London, 1838.
Extracts from Papers relative to the West Indies. Printed by Order of the House of Commons 1839. Medium 8vo.
London, 1840.
Antigua and the Antiguans, [by Mrs. Lanaghan]. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1844.
The Sugar Planters' Manual, by W. J. Evans, M.D. 8vo. London, 1847.
The Antigua Almanac. 12mo. 1852.
The West Indies before and since Slave Emancipation, by John Davy, M.D., F.R.S. 8vo. London, 1854.
A Treatise on the West Indian Incumbered Estates Acts, by Reginald John Cust, Esq. 12mo. Second edition, London,
1865.
Monumental Inscriptions of the British West Indies, by Capt. J. H. Jjawrence-Archer. 4to. London, 1875.
A Young Squire of the 17th Century, from the papers (a.d. 1676 — 86) of Christopher Jeaffreson, by John Cordy
Jeaflfreson. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1878.
Down the Islands, a Voyage to the Caribbees, by William Agnew Paton. Medium 8vo. London, 1888.
The West Indies, by C. Washington Eves, C.M.G. Crown 8vo. Second edition, 1891.
iltst oi illustrations.
TO FACE PAGE
Map of the Leeward Islands ......... Frontispiece
Map of Antigua, 1787 ........... v
English Harbour and Freemans Bay in the Island of Antigua, 1818 ..... xviii
Portrait of Daniel Parke, Captain-General and Governor of the Leeward Islands, 1706 — 1710 . . Ixxv
View of the Entrance of English Harbour, Antigua, 1818 ....... cviii
English Harbour from Freemans Bay ......... cviii
View of St. John's Harbour in Antigua, 1752 ........ clx
Portrait of Christopher Codrington, Captain-General and Governor of the Leeward Islands, 1698 — 1703 . 143
ilmTo
KfJi
'\0.
I
Tea
Su
'4,
%\}^ ^(storp of Q[ntigua>
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The Island of Antigua, one of the Leeward Caribbee
Islands, is situated in the Caribbean Sea, between
61° 4-i' and 61° 58' W. long-itude, and between 17° 2'
and 17° 13' N. latitude; about 60 miles E. of St.
Christopher's, 27 N.E. of Moutserrat, and 40 N. of
Guadaloupe.
In shape it is roughly oval, the greatest length
being about 20 miles E. and W., and the breadth 17
miles N. and S. ; the area has been estimated at 108^
square miles, equivalent to 69,275 acres. The coast
line, about 50 or 60 miles iu extent, is much indented
by creeks and bays, which form many excellent
natural harbours, but of these three only are resorted
to by ships of large burden, viz. : — English Harbour,
on the S. coast, Parham on the N., and St. John's on
the W. It is surrounded on all sides, except the S.,
by islets, rocks, and shoals, which render the naviga-
tion along the coast dangerous, and the entrance to
the harbours intricate. The country is somewhat flat
and swampy to the N.E., undulating elsewhere, and
hilly in the S.W., where the highest elevation in the
Sheckerley Mountains is 1210 feet.
St. John's, the capital, with a population of over
10,000, is the only town of any importance, and
owing to its position at the head of an extensive
harbour, it has become the chief centre for trade and
commerce ; but a sandy bar across the entrance to
the latter, about three miles from the city, prevents
the passage of large ships. On the N. side of the
harbour is a bold rock called Rat Island, formerly
the site of the barracks, but now occupied by the
asylum, access to which is obtained by means of a
narrow stone causeway. Farther W. are the crumb-
ling walls of Fort James ; and on the S. side, dominat-
ing the " Roads," stands the old battery on Goat's
Hill, now converted into a signal station.
The streets, which have been laid out at right
angles to each other, are broad, clean, and airy ; and
the many substantial old houses testify to the former
prosperity of their residents. The principal public
buildings are the Cathedral, erected about 50 years
ago at a cost of £40,000 ; Government House, the
residence of the Governor and Captain-General of
the Federal Colony; the Court House, where the
Legislature and Judges assemble to transact busi-
ness ; the Custom House, Arsenal, Market, Hospital,
Library, etc.
English Harbour, on the S. coast, about 12 miles
by road S.E. of the capital, is almost completely
land locked, occupying as it does the bed of an
extinct crater. The narrow and intricate entrance
was formerly secured by a chain, and commanded by
the battery of Fort Berkeley which mounted 39 guns,
but at the present time a solitary 18-pounder, dated
1805, with the monogram of G. R., alone remains to
attest its former strength. The numerous forts on
the adjacent heights, with barracks for the accom-
modation of a regiment, which were constructed
about 1780 for the protection of H.M. Dockyard,
are now in a ruinous state. During the long wars
of the last century huge fleets were I'efitted and
revictualled here, and our uninterrupted possession
of this impregnable stronghold was a continual
menace to the French. On the N. side, on a gentle
slope, approached by a splendid military road, lies
Clarenc^ House, the official residence of the com-
manding naval officer of the station. To the W.
lie the various buildings comprising the Dockyard,
which are all kept in good repair. A low and
narrow neck of sand, separating English and Fal-
mouth Harbours, leads to Falmouth Town, which is
a small hamlet grouped around its church, and a
place of no trade nor importance. Close at hand, on
the rugged summit of Monks Hill, stands Great
George Fort, which was constructed by the colonists
at a great cost as a shelter for the women and
children iu case of insurrection or invasion ; the
ramparts enclose an ai'ea of 10 acres, which was at
one time occupied by dwelling houses, store houses,
and magazines. Old Road Town in St. Mary's
Parish is likewise an insignificant place lying on a
good bay, where the first English settlers are sup-
posed to have lauded. Bridge Town at Willoughby
Bay exists now but in name. Parham Town in St.
Peter's Parish, once part of the lordship of the
Lords Willoughby of Parham, is a small village
about seven miles by road E. of St. John's, contain-
ing a few good houses close to the church, but its
harbour is not now used for trade.
Geology.* — Antigua presents three distinct for-
mations of the tertiary class, of which the most super-
ficial beds occupy the northern and eastern divisions
* The following- paragraphs have been copied from the Antigua
Almanacs of 1845 and 1S52.
6
Tl
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
of the island. These consist of a calcareous marl
and coarse sandstone, interspersed with masses of a
tolerably compact shell limestone. The monutainons
district, forming the southern and western divisions,
is composed of rocks of the newest floetz trap forma-
tion, as wacke por^jhyry, trap breccia, amygdaloid,
and some spherical masses of basaltic greenstone.
The intermediate district is occupied by a series
of argillaceous strata of varied characters. The
most superficial consists of a loose friable marl of
yellow colour, with olive-brown spots, containing
numerous concretions of a lenticular form. The
next stratum in the series is of a more compact and
homogeneous texture, being a white indurated clay
of a slaty structure, intersected by seams which
divide it into tabular masses. Inferior to this we
find another tabular rock, of a coarser grain than
the last, which, beiiig highly impregnated with green
earth, presents a beautiful sea-green or bluish colour.
The next, and lowest in the series of this formation,
is a stratum of liver-brown colour and conglomerate
character, having imbedded in it masses of different
species of the trap family. All these strata dip at a
considerable angle to the N. and N.E., and extend
across the island from the Ridge to the neighbour-
hood of St. John's. The order of stratitication is
somewhat disturbed by the irruption of a large mass
of the trap family at Drew's Hill. This spot is
worthy of a more minute examination, for it contains
the only marks of I'ecent volcanic action that have
as yet been discovered in this island. Streams of
lava, some more compact, others vesicular, are found
at the base of the hill, bearing the impression of the
leaves of dicotyledonous plants ; among which may
be recognized those of the Ficus pertusa, and a species
of Melastoma.
These three formations do not pass impercep-
tibly into each other, but are divided by well-
marked natural boundaries. The southern limit of the
calcareous district is formed by a zone of lowland, ex-
tending from Willoughby Bay on the S.E. to Dicken-
son's Bay on the N.W., which, at no very distant
period, appears to have been submerged by a narrow
firth, dividing the island into two, like the Riviere Sale
of Guadaloupe. The claystone is divided from the
trap formation by the Body Ponds and the stream
which issues from them, running towards the N.W.
through a beautifully luxuriant plain. The surface
of each district presents also peculiar features. The
calcareous is exceedingly broken and undulated,
consisting of a series of round-backed hills of no
great elevation, covered with a light arid soil. The
summits of these hills are overgrown with wild sage
{Lantana involucrata), among which the loblolly
{Pisonia suhcordata), Croton halsamiferum, Bauwoljia
nitida, and other shrubs are interspersed. The
sides of the hills and intervening valleys are highly
cultivated, and produce a rapid growth when duly
favoured with rain. The claystone formation pre-
sents a precipitous escarpment towards the S. and
S.W., and a gentle declivity in the opposite direction.
This is the most barren district in the island, con-
sidering that it is everywhere accessible to the im-
plements of husbandry. The district occupied by
the trap formation consists of mountains, some of
which rise with conical summits to the height of
800 or 1000 feet, others of the sam.e elevation are
more rounded and less precipitous, affording a
good soil for the sugar-cane even on their tops.
They are intersected by beautifully romantic valleys,
and the abrupt sides of the mountains are clothed
with the verdant foliage of a great variety of herbs
and trees and twining shrubs.
Mineral Contents. — Calcareous spar, agates,
chalcedony, quartz, and jasper of various colours,
are met with abundantly in both the stratified
formations. The upper strata of the clay, and the
alluvial district between it and the marl, contain
extensive beds of stratified chert, which, in the
more upland jjarts of this district is broken into
angular blocks of considerable size and strewed over
the surface of the land, affording an additional
cause of its bad agricultural character. The whole
of this formation is highly impregnated with the
oxides of iron, and the granular magnetic iron ore,
or iron sand, may be collected in abundance, espe-
cially after a shower, when it accumulates in the
courses of the temporary streams which the rain
occasions. Suljjhate of barytes is found at Drew's
Hill, under an insulated mass of wacke porphyry.
Oeganio Remains.— The organic fossils of the
calcareous strata consist of a great variety of marine
exuviffi, analogous to those which at present inhabit
the surrounding seas, as astrese, meandrinse, tubi-
porse, echinus, pectan, cardium, strombus, cerithium,
scalaria, ostrea, etc. Many of the polyj)iferous re-
mains are seen in a state of beautiful preservation,
although they have undergone a thorough con-
version of their substance, the calcareous matter of
the fossil being entirely replaced by an infiltration
of chalcedony. Of the higher animals no remains
have been discovered as yet, except one or two
sharks' teeth not much inferior in size to those
found in Malta.
The chert contains a prodigious quantity of casts,
apparently of the genus Melania, and some of the
entire shells adhere to its exterior surface in beautiful
relief, shewing evidently that this mineral has been
deposited from the waters which overflowed this dis-
trict. Associated with the chert, we find great
quantities of silicious petrifactions of the stems of
palms and dicotyledonous trees : these take a beau-
tiful polish, and are much sought after for the
cabinet of the curious. No organic remains have
been found in the trap, and few minerals, except
those which are common to these rocks.
Springs, Rivers, etc. — There are few springs in
the island, and no stream that deserves the name of
a river; but there are several creeks, whose oozy
waters maintain the growth of impenetrable thickets
of the different species of mangrove, as Rhigophera
mangle, Avicennia tomentosa, and Laguncularia race-
mosa.
Climate. — In Antigua the weight and tempera-
TOPOGRAPHY.
vu
ture of the atmosphere vary but little throughout
the year. The mean temperature is 78°, the maxi-
mum 87° and minimum 66° ; the mean dew point
70°. The usual height of the barometer is 30 inches,
but occasionally it rises to 30-15, and sometimes
falls as low as 29-3. The average fall of rain is 45
inches* during the year. From A.pril to August
the fanning trade-wind holds its steady course, in-
fusing health and vigour into every living creature.
During the next three months the electrical equili-
brium is often disturbed, the wind is more variable
both in force and direction; the clouds collect in
volumes, and torrents of rain fill the ponds and
cisterns, on which the inhabitants def)end for a
supply of water. This is the season at which hurri-
canes occur. On these occasions the barometer has
fallen from '5 inch to 1'86 inch below its ordinary
height. From December to April the wind becomes
more northerly, and produces frequently a sensation
of cold much greater than what is indicated
by the thermometer, but in the cloudless moonlight
nights at this period of the year even the mercury
falls now and then to 66° of Fahrenheit.
Zoology. — With the exception of rabbits, two or
three species of bats, and rats and mice, there are
no wild animals of the class Mammalia in Antigua.
The domestic animals are horses, mules, oxen, hogs,
goats, and a short-haired hornless breed of sheep,
the flesh of which is highly esteemed. Domestic
fowls, geese, turkeys, guinea-birds, and ducks are
abundant. Cranes, pelicans, wild ducks, owls, hawks,
kites, quails, and ground-doves ; plovers, sand-
pipers, and other migratory birds, which visit the
island for a short time in autumn ; humming-birds,
and one or two species of Pici nearly complete the
catalogue of wild birds. Of the order Passeres
scarcelj' an individual occurs, so that Antigua can-
not boast of the melody of her groves. In tropical
countries the ear is not the avenue of pleasurable
sensations. In the splendour of day Nature presents
to the eye her gorgeous attire in all the stillness of
a panorama, and when night has veiled the scene
in darkness the croaking of frogs and the shrill
note of the gryllides produce a noise painfully
discordant, but of which, fortunately, its unvaried
sameness soon renders the ear almost insensible. The
coast is well supplied with turtle and the fish pecu-
liar to these regions, and which, with the exception
of the yellow-billed sprat, conger eel, and horse-eyed
cavally, are seldom possessed of the poisonous quali-
ties with which they are frequently impregnated in
these seas.
Vegetable Kingdom. — Sugar is the staple com-
modity of the island, and consequently the cultiva-
tion of the sugar-cane is the chief business of the
agriculturist ; but various articles of provisions, such
as maize, guinea-corn, yams, sweet potatoes, eddoes,
arrowroot, cassada, and a great variety of legnminoiis
plants are also raised, together with pumpkins,
squashes, okro, and other esculent vegetables. Of
* For the 18 years, 1870—1887, the average rainfall was 51
inches.
fruit a great variety may be enumerated, but little
care is taken in their culture, such as gnavas, soiir
soj), sweet sop, custard apples, papaws, plantains,
bananas, cocoanuts, bread fruit, jack fruit, cashew-
nuts, granadillas, water-melons, prickly pear, moun-
tain pear, avocado pear, mango, hog plums, Java
plums, Barbados cherries, Surinam cherries, I'ose
apples, and several other species of Eugenia ; grapes,
tamarinds, pomegranates, sapadillas, Otaheite goose-
berries {Gica disticha), and Barbados gooseberries.
Antigim is still celebrated for pine-apples ; and the
different species of the citron genus were once pro-
duced here in great perfection, but they ai-e now
almost totally destroyed by the blight. The prin-
cipal trees are red and white cedars {Cedrela odo-
■rata, Bignonia leucoxylon), mahogany, logwood,
manchineel, mangrove trees, white wood {Bucida
huceras), broad-leaved terminalia or wild almond
tree, and tamarind. Guinea-grass is extensively
cultivated, and together with an indigenous species,
the Cent-per-Cent {Panicum colonum), and the tops
of the sugar-cane, it constitutes the principal green
food of the stable. In moist clayey soils the nut-
grass [Gyperus hydra) is a troublesome weed ; but
the great pest of the planters is the devil's grass
{Cynodon dactylon), which, though by all accounts
biit of recent introduction, is now extensively dif-
fused, and has resisted every method of eradicating
it hitherto practised.
Of the indigenous botany of the Antilles, there is
yet much to be discovered ; and it is rather dis-
creditable to the parent state, that for the little that
is known we are indebted to the zeal of private
individuals, chiefly industrious foreigners. The vol-
canic islands, jjossessing a more humid soil and
temperate climate than the lowlands of marine origin,
present a flora more numerous in species and luxu-
riant in growth. There the orchidese, ferns, and
lycopodiacea are more abundant. Each island in
the groui>, however, affords a locality to some par-
ticular species which is unknown to the others,
though the same general botanical features pervade
the whole. Of the truly indigenous plants found
in Antigua, 401 species have been accurately de-
termined. (The late Dr. Nicholas Nugent, an emi-
nent geologist and botanist, was probably responsible
for the above-quoted articles.)
RAINFALL 1846—1852.
Taken at the '^ Ridge." (Davy's 'West Ikdies,' p. 384.)
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
18.52.
Jan.
2-77
2-92
1-57
3^75
•81
Feb.
1-50
1-30
1-95
6-38
2-85
Mar.
1-72
1-
2-60
2-25
•40
April
■57
2-92
•85
•43
2-75
May
•86
1-17
•53
•25
5^43
4^36
June
1-92
1-37
1-99
2-64
8^84
July
8-31
2-33
2-91
3-68
753
1-81
2^85
Aug.
8-69
6-38
4-
4^26
7^52
7-31
6^24
Sep.
3-29
1-91
5-47
V?,7
3-78
1-23
5^09
Oct.
2-46
3-98
7-49
2^96
1-31
3-99
•88
Nov.
9-17
6-25
4-69
•31
1^82
434
Dec.
13-47
2*42
1-79
3-30
3^24
5-67
4^28
Total
36^51
24^16
33^13
51^23
32^ 10
TIU
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dee.
Total
RAINFALL
1870-
-1878.
RAINFALL 18
79—1888.
Recorded
BY THE Librarian at St. John's.
Recorded bt the Librarian at St.
John's.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
4-60
3-47
1^64
4-05
1-95
2-50
4-01
2-08
3-57
Jan.
3-63
11-09
2-77
2-52
3-75
2-83
2-59
269
316
3-01
•84
1-49
•68
1-17
1-79
2-83
1-58
4-06
1-51
Feb.
5-75
2-83
2-71
191
4-18
2-69
1-59
2^50
2-76
2-14
2-85
3-05
1-68
4-22
1-50
3-52
4-64
-44
3-99
Mar.
1-81
2-13
-66
•57
2-27
3-39
1^47
r67
1-32
2^02
•79
4-20
1-04
1-11
2-46
1-24
4-39
8-45
2-53
April
5-47
6-94
4-13
V37
4-64
2-39
2-25
4^45
•54
4-15
1-64
3^30
1-52
1-83
3-10
1-48
9-44
2-64
11-20
May
11-39
9-46
8-01
l-U
6-76
4-72
V57
2^25
3-84
1-84
2^13
1-81
2-22
i-.so
1-85
2-99
5-89
6-58
2-29
June
6-90
4-46
10-65
2-60
5-08
3-75
2-04
3^83
7-90
5-57
5-83
293
5-77
1-75
3-33
3-06
4-53
3-69
7-95
July
5-96
10-28
5-23
4-46
3-63
7-32
3^31
4^57
4-43
7-19
6^82
2-52
2-96
4-63
6-98
4-71
3-36
2-24
6-65
Aug.
12-15
3-96
8-70
5^45
6-19
2-44
9-85
5^68
611
7-46
2-55
4^01
11-86
5-84
7-87
3-16
4-32
3-99
9-82
Sep.
2-78
3-74
4-79
5^52
3-13
7-37
263
9-18
7-32
4-72
4-35
3-40
5-87
6-62
4-49
6^11
2-76
6-90
5-90
Oct.
8-66
3-72
12^65
7^45
10-70
5-93
9^87
4^33
6-31
6^09
3^04
1^97
4-60
1-92
3-68
ro8
2-11
6-35
5-39
Nov.
7-71
4-84
5-25
3-22
10-12
6-05
9^28
4-20
4-55
4-31
2^28
2-82
4-54
5-52
2-43
7-49
1-96
4-16
1-88
Dec.
4-22
3-36
130
6-15
8-69
4-71
4^70
2-79
1-65
37-82
34-97
44-.S8
37-05
40^37
40-17
48-99
51-58
62-68
Total
76-43
66-81
66^85
42-66
69-14
53-59 51-15
4814
49-89
CHAPTER II.
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE LEEWAED ISLANDS, 1623-1635.
The first discovery of Antigua dates from 1493,
when Columbus, on his second voyage, is supposed
to have passed this island, and to have named it
after a church in Seville, " Santa Maria de la
Antigua."*
It was next visited in 1520 by a party of
Spaniards under the Licentiate Don Antonio Ser-
rano, who had received Letters Patent from his royal
master authorizing him to colonize this and other
islands, which orders were never carried out.
The actual settlement of the island, however, did
not take jilace until about 1632, when Sir Thomas
Warner, the founder of the English colonies in the
Leeward Islands, despatched a party of settlers from
St. Christopher's.
But before proceeding with the history of Antigua
proper, it wiU be necessary to give an account of the
settlement of the parent colony — St. Christopher's.
Thomas Warner, the younger son of a Suffolk
squire, of ancient lineage, having entered the Army
at an early age, and attained the rank of Captain in
the King's Body Guard, accompanied Captain Roger
North, brother of Lord North, to Surinam, and there
met a ' Captain Thomas Painton, an experienced
navigator, who suggested St. Christopher's as a very
suitable island on which to plant a colony.
Acting ou his friend's advice, Warner returned
home in 1620, and having been fitted out by
Mr. Ralph Merifield, a London merchant, embarked
on board a vessel bound to Virginia, and arrived
eventually at St. Christopher's on the 28th of
January 1623-4, with fifteen men :t William Tasted,
John Rhodes, Robert Bims, Mr. Benifield, Sergeant
Jones, Mr. Ware, William Ryle, Rowland Grascocke,
Mr. Bonde, Mi-. Langley, Mr. Weaver, Edward
Warner (the captain's son). Sergeant Aplou, one
sailor, and a cook. Soiithey states that they found
three Frenchmen, who tried to set the Indians upon
the English, but at last they all became friends,
* In the early records the name -svas usually spelt Antego,
later Antegoa or Antigoa ; pronounced " Autega " at the present time.
t The names of these original settlers are given by Southey,
vol. i., p. 252, but Rochefort, Oldmixon, and Bryan Edwards omit
them.
lived a month with the Indians, built a fort and a
house, and planted fruits and tobacco. By Septem-
ber they had a crop of tobacco, which was destroyed
by a hurricane upon the 19th of that month. Row-
land Grascocke stated : " That all that while they
lived upon cassado bread, potatoes, plantanes, pines,
turtles, guanes, and fish plenty ; for drink they had
nicknobby."* Another ship must have shortly
followed, for James Astry in his sworn deposition
(read on 2 August ] 660 at a meeting of the Privy
Council Committee) related, "how in Jan. 1624 he
and about 23 English planted in S' Christopher's
without any authority but their own, and shortly
after other Englishmen did the same."
On the 18th of March 1624 the ship " Hopewell,"
fitted out by Ralph Merifield, and commanded by
Captain John Jeaffreson (also a Suffolk man), ari'ived
with three men passengers and some trade for the
Indians. Captain Warner then seems to have re-
turned in her to England with a second crop of
tobacco ; and soon after his arrival obtained from the
King a commission, dated 13 September 1625, which
recites : " The discovery of St. Christopher's alias
Merwar's Hope, Mevis, Barbadoes, and Monserate, by
Thomas Warner, who, set forth & supplied by Ralph
Merrifield, hath also began a plantation & colony of
those islands, until then inhabited only by savages &
not under the government of any Christian prince or
state ; taking the said islands & inhabitants under
the royal protection, & granting Thomas Warner the
custody as the King's Lieutenant, with full power to
make orders, articles, & ordinances, to trade freely
for all manner of commodities, & to send over people
to strengthen the plantation. In the event of
Thomas Warner's decease, John JeafPreson, if he be
still living, is appointed Lieutenant, & when the
office becomes void by death, the English subjects
resident there are empowered to elect a new
Lieutenant."
* Rochefort wrote in 1658 that the usual drink of the Caribs
was called •' Maby," which was made of potatoes boiled with water.
Lygon, in 1673, calls it "Mobbie," and likened it to Rhenish ■wine
in the must, but short of it in the strength of the spirit and fine-
ness of the taste.
SETTLEMENT OE THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
IX
In tlie meanwhile complications and difficulties
were arising in the infant colony, for during
Warner's absence a French pinnace, under the com-
mand of Monsieur De Nombe, arrived at St. Christo-
pher's.* Pierre Belain, Sieur D'Esnambuc (called
De Nombe by Grascock), a French gentleman of the
ancient house of Vauderop, had sailed from Dieppe
in a brigantine with forty men, and after being dis-
abled in fight with a Spanish galleon arrived at St.
Christopher's to refit, the same day that Warner
returned from England with recruits. The French
privateersmen are stated to have then combined with
the English, and attacked the Caribs, whom they
severely defeated, at the cost of about 100 whites,
some of whom died in four hours from the poisoned
arrows, and having rid themselves of these trouble-
some savages, Warner and D'Esnambuc returned to
their respective countries. The above event probably
took place some time in 1626. On the 3rd of May
1626 Ralph Merrifield presented his petition to the
Privy Council, stating that : " Having set foi-th two
ships, under the command of Capt' Warner and
Smith, to the new plantation in the Caribbee Islands,
on their passage to the Downs they made prize of a
small vessel of Dunkirk, which, being a good sailer,
they intended to take with them, but Sir Henry
Palmer required Capt. Warner to clear her in the
Admiralty. Prays that she may go the voyage, &
that Warner may answer for her on his return. On
the same day passed an Order in Council for the
restoration of the above to Capt' Warner & Smith."
(' Domestic Correspondence,' Car. I., vol. 26 ; see
' Colonial Calendar,' p. 328.)
At the same time that Warner was collecting
supplies for his colony, D'Esnambuc, his whilom ally
but future enemy, was not idle, and it was doubtless
through his representations that the French West
India Company was founded on 30 October 1626 by
that far-seeing statesman. Cardinal Richelieu, who
granted commissions to Captains D'Esnambuc and
Du Roissey ; the former of whom sailed from Havre
in the ship the " Catholique " of 250 tons, and
joining the latter in the " Cardinale " with 70, and
the " Victoire " with 140 men, dropped anchor ofp
Sandy Point, St. Chi-istopher's, on the 8th of May
1627. The Frenchmen, who had suffered severely,
for on the " Cardinale " but 16 were alive out of 70,
took up their quarters at Capsterre. On the 13th of
the same month the three leaders, D'Esnambuc, Du
Roissey, and Warner, signed the first treaty for the
partition of the island between the two nations,
which runs as follows : — ■
Anno 1627. Articlesf made betweene y^ gentlmen
Gov'iio'rs Captaine Warner & Captaiue Denumbuke, &
Cap. Du Roissey, for j^ maiataining of their Commis-
sions received from j^ King of England & y<= King of
France.
Imp'is. Seeing y' y« English & y« French have together
conquered y^ Island of S' Christopher in y« West Indies &
* See Southey, vol. i., p. 253, quotinc; from the narrative of Gras-
cocke, Simons, and Burjjh, who were among the first colonists.
f These treaties are to be seen at the British Museum, Egertou
MS. 2395.
y' their Kings have given them Commissions for y^ same
place ; they shall remaine Govern'rs of this Island, each of
them ill their severall plantation, according to their agree-
ment.
All J" Englishmen y' are Ujion y'- said Island shall live
under y'^ authoritie & com'aiid of y' King of England & his
Leiutenant Governour ; & likewise y^ french-mea, under
their King, & y« Governours made by hitn.
Noe shipping y' shall come to y'^ saide Island shall sell
their merchandize w'*" out leave of j' said Governours Cap.
Warner, & Cap. Denumbuke, and Cap. Du Roissey : If it
be an English ship, y"^ Govern' of y= English shall set a
price itpon his merchandize. And if it be a freuch-ship y^
french Govern'rs shall doe so likewise : But if here come
any Flemmish ship y<= Governours shall conclude together, &
set a price upon his merchandize.
The Governours shall not entertaine any men or slaves
of either partie, in their habitations, before they have given
warning one to y'' other.
If any Indians shall be seene upon y'' said Island hee y'
first discovereth them shall send word of it pr'sently to y^
other nation.
If any Spaniards shall at any time invade y<= said Island,
hee y' first discovereth them shall pr'sently send word to j"
Gov'rnour or Governours of y^ other nation & they shall
send forces immediately to aide them against y" Spaniards,
y' they may not be suffered to land there.
If there be any quarrelling or fighting betweene any of
y'' Enghsh and y^ french, they shall be judged by y*
governours ; & after judgment passed upon them they shall
be sent each of them to their owne plantations to be
punished.
If there shall be any warrs betweene England & France
y^ Governours shall give warning thereof one to y'' other.*
And allthough there be warrs betweene England &
France yet y^ English shall not make warre against y^
french, nor y^ french against ye English upon y'= said
Island, unlesse they have speciall order for it from their
King.
Partage made (betweene y"' governours Cap. Warner, Cap.
Denumbuke, & Captain Du Roissey) of y'= Island of St.
Christopher in j" name of their Kings by j'' vertue of
their Commissions. Aprill 28, 1627.
Impr'is. Of y<= baster for Cap. Warner : From y= river
w'"" is halfe way betweene M. Shambauts plantation & Mer-
ward to y^ Sandie point.
Of y^ baster for Cap. Denumbuke & Cap. Du Roissey :
From ye foresaid river to y= salt ponds Eastward.
Of Capies ter for Cap. Warner : From y= West side of y=
river at Christopher's tow to Cans. Pipholet.f
Of Capies ter for Cap. Denumbuke & Cap. du Roissey :
From y^ East side of y' river at Christopher's towne to y^
salt ponds ; & from Cans. Pipholet to y« sandie point.
Besides this partage made of y= Island The Island shall
be free for any of them, to hunt to fish ; The salt ponds
allso, y^ rivers, y'= seas, y^ roades, y" mines & wood of value
(if any shall be found) shall be common betweene y^ English
& y^ french.
These articles are made & agreed upon betweene y'=
gov'rn'rs Cap. Warner, Cap. Denumbuke, & Cap. Du Roissey:
And they have promised, protested, & sworne, that they
will maintaine y" said Island, & uphould each other, during
y'= pleasure of their Kings, y'= King of England & y' King
of France.
Moreover y'= gov'rn'rs have promised and bound them-
selves to give notice unto their Kings y= King of England
* In margin — This article and all form Articles agreed uppon
were confirmed and (hlanli) in the Engl, and fre. last Articles m.ade
about 3 montlis before the Isl. was surprised by the french.
t In the French copy this is called " la Case du Pistolet."
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
& y' King of France of the articles, & partage of }■•= said
Island to know their M'''== pleasures.
Endorsed : — '■ 1627. The first agreem' of Partage of y^
Island betwixt y« English & french." It is fnrther en-
dorsed in French, but the writing is very indistinct, though
some of the witnesses' names can be read.
On 13 May 1627 the following treaty was signed,
a copy of which was annexed to the treaty of 15 July
1637 and re-confii-med : —
Anno 1627. Articles agreed upon by Ca])' Warner, M'
Desnambucq and M"' Du Roissy to be maintained
according to y' Commands they have from the Kings
of france and England, by virtue of their Commissions
first.
Since the french and English have togeather Conquered
the Island of S' Christophers from the Indians, And that
the Kings of france and England have allowed it, and given
them their Commissions, the one and the others shall
remayne Goveruours Each in their quarter (for y« said
Kings).* And according to Separation made betweene
them and shall y^ one and the others beare the quallity of
Oovernours Each in their quarter. All the french which
shall be in the Island shall not depend from any but the
king of france and the goveruours preposed by his Ma*-".
And the English from the King of England and the
Goveruours preposed.f Noe shipp shall come to trafficq in
y" Island but by permition of the sayd Governour. If he
be English the English Governour shall give the orders and
prises for y^ marchandizes. If he be french, the french
Governor shall give the ord"' & prises aisoe to j' sayd
marchandizes. If he be Dutch they shall both togeatlier
give their permition. The sayd Goveruours shall detayne
any men or slaves in their plantations that shall not belong
to them But shall keepe them till such tyme as they shall
have given Each other Notice of y« sayd men or slaves.
If any Cource to be had against the Indians, Each shall Con-
tribute of men, boates and Armes to their power. If the
Spanyards should land in the Island, Each shall be bound
to find the most powerfull helpe that can be, to y'= Landing
place and shall helpe Each other with all their power. If
there happen any difierance quarrells or fighteings betweene
Each others men, the delinquents shall be judged by the
french and English and after that sent Each in his quarter
for Execution of y= sentence. If there happen warr in
Europe twixt the English and french, Yett shall not the
s"! Goveruours warr with Each other Except Expressly Com-
manded thereto by their Prince, In which Case, they shall
be obliged to give Each other Notice before they committ
any act of hostility.
Separations of the Island of S' Christophers made betweene
Cap' Warner, M' De Nambucq, and M"' Du Roissy, ffor
and in behalfe of y^ Kings of france and England,
according and Conformably to their Commissions of y"
Eighth Day of May One thousand six hundred twenty
and seaven.
ffirst fifor Basseterre the Limitts of Cap* Warner in said
behalfe shall Extend from the river which make the midway
from y<= plantation of Meronard and that form'ly made by
M'' Chantail, to Sandy pointe Southward, at the foote of
Samuells Garden. And for Cap* De Nambucq and M'' Du
Roissy in sayd behalfe, their part shall be from the sayd
River which makes Separation of the sayd plantations East-
ward to J" salt panns. And for Capesterre, Cap* Warners
part in sayd behalfe shall be from the syde of the river of
* " For y= said Kings," in mergen in y« originall.
f (Y« English from y' King of England & their Governours
preposed) Interlined in the Originall.
S' Christopher's house. Westward to the house of Pifolet.
And that part of Cap* Du Roissy and De Nambucq in y*
sayd behalf shall be from the other side of S' Christopher's
house, Eastward to the Saltpanns, And Westward from the
house of Pifolet to Sandy pointe. Moreover what sepera-
tions soever be made hereabove, Its und'stood that fowleing
or hunting, fishing, the saltpauns. Rivers, the 'sea roades,
mines, wood for dye and of vallew If any be, and Wayes
shall be Common betweene the English and french and that
they shall make use of them in Common. Which articles
and seperations, the sayd M'' Warner, M"" De Nambucq and
M'' Du Roissy, Have promised, sworne and protested upon
the holy Evangelists to follow maintaine and keepe, with
the good Likeings of y"^ king of france and of the King of
England. And the sayd S" on each part shall be bound
and obliged to give Notice of them to their sayd Ma*y*'
that thereupon the rattification will and Consent of their
Ma*^". And further the 8'= Warner, De Nambucq and Du
Roissy in behalfe of their sayd Ma*-''" and Company Doe
oblige themselves to fortifye and furnish the sayd Island of
S' Christophers with all their power, Against the striveings,
Landeings and Incursions of their publicq Ennemies and
others, who would give them any disturbance and hinder
them in y^ sayd possession. Done in the Island of S'
Christophers this thirteenth Day of May One thousand six
hundred twenty and seaven. In p'sence of M'' Cately
Minister of Gods word for the Company of sayd M'' Warner
Phillip Salmon Interpretter, Anthony Hilton, James Ostry,
John Golbin sarjeant of y' Company, And M''* fHamare,
Lefebure, Chambault, Le Bruil, La Barre and Picot ffor the
Company of y" french Occidentall Indies. Signed De
Belin, Thomas Warner, Urbain Du Roissy, Le febure,
Chambault Tontain, forat, Du Bruil, La Barrediel, Valle-
mont, Anthony Hilton, Picot, James Austin, and by
Colhnge, by Each their hand with florish. (For the
French copy of this see ' Du Tertre,' vol. i., pp. 17-20.)
The p'sent Coppy hath beene Compared with its
Originall in paper Presented by M'' Generall Warner in his
house, and remitted againe in his hands, which Coppie of
sayd Originall, hath beene read and againe read, and beene
found Conforme thereto, Comprehending therein the words
which are in the first page (for the sayd Kings) and
Interlined : the English from the King of England and of
the Govern'^ preposed, Done in the studdy of y" said M""
Warner Generall as above and in his p'sence, and in p'sence
of M' De Boitiere Judge Civill and Criminell in y'= sayd
Island And Gentilz Commissary Generall of our Lords of y^
Company the 15"" July 1637.
P. Boitiere.
Thojias Warner. Gentilz.
Endorsed : — " Papers received from the Lorde W™ Wil-
loughby 24 Novemb. 1671 concerning S* Christophers to be
returned if my Lorde come back into Englande else to be
kept by.
H. Slingsby."
Shoi-tly after this occurrence, on July the 2nd
foUowiuo- the Earl of Carlisle obtained from
Charles I. a grant of all the Caribbees, including
St. Christopher's, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia,
Barbados, Mittalanea, Dominico, Marigalante, De-
seada, Todosantes, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat,
Eedeudo, Barbuda, Nevis, Statia, St. Bartholomew,
St. Martin, AnguiUa, Sembrera, Enegada, and other
islands, before found out to his gi-eat cost, and
brought to a large and copious colony of English, to
SETTLEMENT OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
XI
be hereafter named " The Carlisle or the Islands of
Carlisle Province," reserving a yearly rent of j6100,
and a white horse vrhen the king, his heirs and suc-
cessors, shall come into these parts. (Colonial Entry
Book, vol. v., pp. 1 — 12.) An earlier patent in Latin
vras issued to him on the 2nd of June, and in this,
the original grant, the names Barbidas and Barbado
both appeared.*
The Earl, who was a great spendthrift, and much
in debt to some of the merchants interested in
"Warner's venture at St. Christojjher's, was prompted
by them to obtain the above grant as a means of
payment. The names of these merchant adventurers
were : —
Maemaduke Rawdon. Robert Swinneeton.
William Peekin. Henry Wheatlet.
Alexander Banistee. John Chaeles.
Robert Wheatlet. John Jaeeingdon.
Bdmonu Foestee.
Early in 1628 the colony of St. Christopher's had
increased so rapidly in strength and numbers that
Warner was enabled to send a party to settle the
adjoining Island of Mevis or Nevis, which was only
distant about two leagues. Southey also relates, that
Littleton, a planter of St. Christopher's, obtained
from the Earl of Carlisle a grant of the Island of Bar-
bouthos or Barbuda, lying a few leagues north of
Antigua, and there settled.
On 29 September 1628 Sir Robert Killigrew
wrote to James, Earl of Carlisle, informing him " that
things concerning St. Christopher's are in the same
state, save a letter come to the hands of Tom Davis,
speaks of a desire a Governor of the West Indies has
to siipplant the Earl."
D'Esnambuc having informed Cardinal Richelieu
of the desperate state to which the French colony
was reduced, the Company despatched De Cusack in
Juue 1629 with six sail of the line, two pinnaces, and
an armed merchantman, with 300 colonists and
ample stores. On their arrival De Cusack, finding
the English hostile, plundered ten of their merchant-
men lying in the Roads, compelled his opponents to
retire within their proper boundaries, and on 5
August 1629 ratified a fresh treaty with Edward
Warner, Governor of St. Christo^jher's (during his
father's absence), by which the former ones of 5 Sep-
tember and 8 November 1628 were cancelled, and the
first one of 13 May 1627 confirmed. Sir Thomas
Warner, who was knighted at Hamilton Court on 21
September, came to terms with the Earl of Carlisle,
and on 29 September obtained from him the following
Commission : —
Original Commission for Sir Thomas Warner to be Governor
of St. Kitts. Dated 29 September 1629.
1629. James Lord Hay, Baron of Sawley, Viscount
Doncaster, Earle of Carlisle, Knight of the most noble
Order of the Garter, Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and
one of the Lords of y= most Hono""!^ Privye Couneill of his
most Excellent Ma">= Charles of England, Scotland, France
p. 51.
* See ' The Cavaliers and Roundheads,' by N. Darnell Davis,
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith &ca. To all
persons unto whome these presents shall come, or apper-
taine. Greeting and peace, in our Lord Everlasting.
aSiijcrcaS S'- Thomas Warner Kn' descended Lineally
of the worthy and ancient family of the Warners in the
Counties of Suffolk and Essex hath heretofore with the
Adventure of his person Life and Estate by Travaile and
frequentation for many yeares in several! parts of the West
Indies, discovered, and taken special observations and know-
ledge of divers Islands towards or neer the Continent of
America commonly knowne by the name of the Caribee
Islands, not being in the Occupation or under the Goverm'
of any Christian Prince or State but eyther wholy vacant or
uninhabited only by savage people wanting as well Orders
and Lawes of humane Civilitie as under-standiug and
religious Advocation of their Creator. And Whereas the
said S'' Thomas Warner haveiug taken actuall possession of
all the said Caribee Islands in the name, and for y'= proper
use of his Late Ma''" of blessed memorie and the Crowne of
England. And with the Generall consent, Affection, and
ratification of y"= Natives of the Island of S' Christopher
al's S* Christovall one of the said Caribee Islands, begun a
Plantac'on upon the said Island directing his Studies and
endeavours wholly unto Piety and y" publique of which his
good service, his most Excellent Ma'''= was pleased to take
so eflfectuall notice as hee vouchsafed not only to take into
his Royall protection the person and proceeding of the said
S'' Thomas Warner concerning the right seizure and tytle
of all the said Islands, butt by his Letters Pattents under
the Great Seale of England and during his Ma"*^^ most
Gracious pleasure Committed also unto him the sole Cus-
todie Command and Government of all his liveing and
Loyall subjects eyther then or afterwards to come and be
upon the said Island of S' Christopher or any other of the
said Islands. By w'^'' his Ma"'=' favour the said S"' Thomas
Warner takeing further Encouragement erected severall
forts (the Chief whereof scituate between the two only
Rivers of that Island where they fall Southward into y"
Sea from his Ma"'=' most Gracious name he called Charles
fort) & divers times Enlarged the number and strength of
his Colonie and planted provisions as well of necessarie use
and subsistence for themselves as for gaine and Trafficque
with others whereby he did not only laye the foundation of
a lasting and happye plantation upon that Island, But by
his Example and action stirred up others of his Ma""^' active
subjects to the like Plantations, and undertakeing as well
upon some other of the said Caribee Islands or elsewhere
whicli hithertoe have prospered well, and dayly doe encrease
with assurance of much advanceing his Ma"'=' Soveraignity
and power in those parts and with it the true Religion,
Lawes, Civihty, Navigation & Trade of this Kingdome of
England for the Eternall Glorie and Comfort of the same.
Whereas also it hath pleased his most Gracious Ma''= before
named by Letters Pattents under the Great Seale of Eng-
land to Give Grant and Confirme unto mee the said Earle of
Carlile and my Heirs and assignes for ever the foresaid
Island of S' Christopher al's S' Christovall, and all the said
Caribee Islands and other Islands whatsoever lyeing be-
tween the degrees of Tenne and Twenty from the Equi-
noctiall Lyne, towards the North in Latitude and the de-
grees of three hundred and fifteen and of three hundred
and twentye and Seaven of Longitude Meridian distance
throughout all the said Latitude, with power (amongst
others) to Create officers, make Lawes, Erect Courts, and
doe all things for the safety and Good Government of his
Ma''"'* Subjects and advanceing any other plantation upon
the said Island and Islands as more at Large appeareth by
the said Letters Pattents, Proclaimed, and with all possible
alacritye and obedience acknowledged by the said S'
Thomas AVarner and the planters restant upon the said
Island Whereby it may appeare, with how much Loyaltie,
xu
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Wisdome and Zeale uuto Christian Knowledge and piety as
well as humanitye Courage and Industrie the said S"'
Thomas Warner hatb already proceeded in these his Enter-
prizes, and for them deserved of the publiquc.
In Consideration whereof as likewise in regard of his
Especial! affection, and respect upon all occasions towards
myself and owne particular besides the Confidence I have of
his Continuance faithfully to employ the best of his abilities
for the perfecting and finall Establishing of the Colonies
and Plantations so happily begun, I, James Earle of Car-
lisle as aforesaid by virtue of his Ma"«= said Letters Patt''
doe hereby appoint depute Constitute and finally Confirme
and Establish the said S' Thomas Warner (in the absence
of myself and my Deare son James Lord Viscount Don-
caster) sole Governor and Commander during his Naturall
Life of all the said Island of S* Christopher al's ....
(British Museum, Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 15.)
About the end of October 1629 an unwelcome
visitor next appeared on tlie scene in the person of
Don Frederick de Toledo, who arrived off St. Christo-
pher's on his way to Brazil, with 35 large galleons
and 1-i armed merchantmen. In passing Nevis he
had seized three or four English vessels, and another
was run on shore by her crew under the French
battery at St. Kitts. In the evening the Spanish
fleet anchored near the fort, and the Admiral, after
he had saluted it with five blank shot, sent a boat
ashore with a flag of truce. M. Du Roissey answered
the salute by firing three shot at the boat, and sent
for help to M. D'Esnambue, who commanded at
Capsterre, and to Captain "Warner, General of the
English. The former sent him 100 or 120 men,
under the leadershij) of M. Du Parqvret, his nephew,
but the English marched over 700 or 800 sti-ong,
and with this reinforcement M. Du Roissey worked
all night, throwing up an intrenchment along the
shoi-e.
At 8 A.M. next morning the Spaniards, under the
command of an Italian engineer, landed within two
musket-shots of the intrenchment, which they imme-
diately began to approach by traverses. M. Du
Parquet then made a sortie at the head of his com-
pany, and himself killed the Italian officer, but being
deserted by his cowardly countrymen, fell mortally
wounded. M. Du Roissey, panic-stricken at his loss,
embarked with some of his officers, and escaped to
Capsterre ; the rest fled in all directions, throwing
away their muskets.
At Capsterre M. D'Esnambue attempted in vain
to rally the fugitives. Du Roissey called a council
of war, at which it was determined to abandon
the island, and to settle at Antigua, and that
M. D'Esnambue was to be killed if he withheld his
consent. The whole French colony, therefore, num-
bering about 400 men, embarked in two vessels, then
in the Road of Capsterre, commanded by Captains
Rose and Liot.
The English, seeing that the Spaniards were in
possession of the French quarter, ofi'ered to quit
the island provided they were furnished with the
requisite shipping, and Don Frederick assenting, as
many as possible were sent on board the four vessels
which had been captured at Nevis, and sailed for
England ; the remainder promising to leave at the
first opportunity. Don Frederick, threatening that
he would give no quarter to any he should find there
on his return, removed 8 French cannon, and pro-
ceeded on his voyage to Bi'azil.
The French, who had sailed off without provisions,
were soon reduced to one glass of water and the
weight of a musket-ball of biscuit per day, and in
this state they were for three weeks ; and then, in-
stead of Antigua, made the island of St. Martin.
Parched withthii'st, and seeing no springs nor rivers,
they dug holes in the sand for water ; brackish though
it was, some of them died from drinking to excess.
In this situation, M. Du Roissey prevailed upon the
officer's to abandon the rest, and make Captain Rose
carry them to France, where, upon his arrival,
Cardinal de Richelieu immediately ordered him to
the Bastile. The poor inhabitants thought all the
officers had abandoned them ; but the next morning
they saw Captain Liot's vessel, which, having gone in
search of provisions, had run on a sand-bank off the
island ; from this vessel M. D'Esnambue landed, and
called a council of war, at which they again resolved
to proceed to Antigua; so he embarked with 150 men
in Captain Liot's vessel, leaving the rest at St.
Martin's, Anguilla, and St. Bartholomew's, with a
promise that he would send for them from Antigua.
D'Enambuc fell in with Captain Giron, one of M. De
Cusac's squadron at Antigua, with whom he examined
that island, but finding it unhealthy and marshy, he
determined to proceed to Montserrat. From Mont-
serrat, Caj)tain Giron went to reconnoitre St. Christo-
pher's, and see what had become of the English ;
these, upon the departure of Don Frederick, had
determined not to quit the island, and now sent- ofi" a
boat to Captain Giron to forbid his landing. This
was quite sufficient reason to Captain Giron for him
to commence hostilities ; he therefore attacked two
merchant vessels that were in the Road, who sur-
rendered after being disabled ; with these prizes he
went to a third and larger vessel, which surrendered
without any resistance. He now sent her to St.
Martin's, Anguilla, and St. Bartholomew's, to bring
back the remainder of the French to St. Christopher's.
D'Esnambue also came from MontseiTat with his
followers, and the whole of them, about 350 well-
armed men, arrived at St. Kitts, where they took up
their old quarters, after an absence of three months.
('Du Tertre,' vol. i., pp. 28-36, and Eochefort.) In
this year there were about 30 sail of English, Fi-ench,
and Dutch ships at St. Christopher's, and all the
Indians were driven out of that island.
Captain Richard Plumleigh wrote on 7 March
1630 to Lord Carlisle, that he met at Cadiz, George
Donne, Lieutenant Hay, and five or six others,
hostages for the ships lent by Don Frederick de
Toledo, for transportation of the pdanters upon the
islands belonging to Carlisle, and promised that he
would solicit his Lordship to hasten their delivery.
He found them in great want, and relieved them
both with advice and money. A Spanish shij^ had
apparently already arrived at Portsmouth with
SETTLEMENT OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
xui
refugees from St. Christopher's. (' Colonial Cal./
p. 108.)
Du Tertre relates that at this period they traffiqued
in tobacco, cotton, roucou (a red dye), and pimento,
but that the manufacture of sugar, indigo, and
ginger was not understood.
Owing to the disastei-s entailed by the Spanish
invasion ; the neglect of the West Indian Company ;
and the overbearing power of the English ; M. D'Es-
nambuc decided early in 1630 to abandon the colony,
so all the French worked hard to raise a large crop
of tobacco, to take with them to Europe, many of
them destroying their plantations of mandioc and
yams. Six months later they changed their mind,
but the want of provisions now caused a famine,
which was, however, relieved by the timely arrival of
a Zealander. The French are stated to have num-
bered but 360 men, whilst the English had increased
to 6000. On 15 November a treatv of peace was
signed between England and Spain.
The following pajjer graphically sets forth the
condition of the planters at this period, but the
writer in saying that they were " constreyned to eat
fruit," the natural food of the tropics, rather
leads one to think that their hardships were not
very severe : —
To the right Hno"'^ the Lords & others of his Ma"
most Hno'''° Privy Councell.
4 Feb. 1630-1. The most humble Petic'on of the
Planters & Adventurers to the Carribbee Islands.
Shewing :
That the distressed Planters, and their Servaunts his
Ma'' most dutifull, & loving Subjects now uppon the sayd
Islands are at present in very great distresse, & want of
Victualls ; Many of them not having eaten one Morsell of
Bread at least one monthe before divers people of good
Creditt (who lately arrived here in England) departed
thence ; But are Constre3'ned to feed on Land Crabbs &
other unholsome provisions, & fruite, w"^'' the sayd Islands
this winter Season affoard.
ffor p'vention whereof, some of yo"' p'tic" have allready
provided a small quantity of Victualls to be sent to the sayd
Islands ; Some part whereof is allready on Boord, & more
ready to be shipped, to save the lives of his Ma'^ sayd Sub-
jects ; But that the petic'^ are hindered by the officers of
his Ma'" Customes in as they Cannot proceed ; Allthough
their Shipps lye here at great expence.
May it therefore please yo'' good Lqpp^ in tender
Co'siderac'on hereof to give Order to the severall officers
of his Ma'° Customes, and porte, to permitt, & suffer yo"'
petic" to transport a reasonable proportion of Victualls
unto the sayd Caribbee Islands (uppon sufficient Cauc'on
given to deliver the same there only) for the p'sent supplye
of the foresayd distressed Inhabitants his Ma'' Subjects
there. That they may but subsist with Lyvelyhood untill
the provisions by them planted shall be gathered ; w'eh are
hoped to be such, & so plentifull, that they shall never here-
after have occasion to entreate Supplye from this Kingdome
or any other place.
And yo'' Petio" as most bound, shall ever pray for yo''
LoPP' increase of all bono"'' & happiness.
(America and West Indies, Leeward Islands,
No. 552, 1721—1749.)
By some oversight the above petition has been
bound up with papers of a very much later date.
The two following minute and interesting narra-
tives have been transcribed from a copy existing in
the British Museum (Egerton MS. 2395) :—
Relation of the first Settlem' of S' X'phers & Nevis by
John Hilton Storekeeper and chief Gunner of Nevis.
Ap. 29'h, 1675. I
How came S' Xp'hers first to be Settled ?
By a Genti of Lond. one Cap' Thomas Warner who was
a good Souldier & a man of extraordinary agillety of bodie
of a good witt & one who was truly honucst & freindly to
all men who having made a trading voyage for y^ Amma-
sones, att his returne came by j'' Careeby Islands, where he
became acquainted w"' severall Indian Kings inhab'ting
these Islands amongst y« rest w"" one King Tegreman King
of S' Xp'hs ; he well veiwing y<= Island thought it would be
a very convenient place for y|= planting of tobaccoes, w'=''
then was a rich com'odetie, being arrived att Lond. made
some of his freinds acquainted hearwith who in hopes of
great benefitt became p'f' w'" him, & did disburse theire
monies towards y<^ setting forth a shipp, & men for y«
designe of tobaccoes, w*^"" was in y"^ yeare of o' Lord 1623 :
& being arrived at S' Xp'hs w'l" divers gentl' & others he
brought w"! him w"" licence of King Tegreeman, they did
settle themselves betwixt y" two rivers neare to y" Kings
house, where he did live & began to build theire houses, &
alsoe a fort of pallesadoes w'* flanckers & loope holes for
theire defence. The King veiwing theire workes, did aske
w' theire loopeholes and flanckers were for And they told
him it was made y' they might looke after those fowles they
bad about theire houses, but how y« King understood it I
knowe not, but w"* in Sometime after y" King was minded to
cutt y" off.
How came Capt. Warner to know their designe ?
By an old Indian woman y' did often fi'eq' amongst y=
english, who it seemes they had used courteously, soe y' she
had taken a great aflfeocon to y".
How did she make it knowne ?
She came to Capt. Warner, & told him y^ King & y«
rest had made theire drinking as it is theire custome to
make a drinking 3 or 4 dayes, & to be drnncke before they
goe upon theire designes ; And y' y* King did intend to
kill y'" all. And y' he should gett into his Cannoes and
begoun.
What did Capt. Warner when he understood this from
y" woman ?
Like a wise man & a good souldier he tooke y" advan-
tage of theire being druncke & fell upon y"" by night, & did
kill & slay a great many of y"" : amongst j<^ rest they slew
King Tegreeman in his ham'accoe runing him w"* their
rapiers through y« ham'acco & into the body ; & others gott
into there cannoes, & soe gott iuto other Islands amongst
theire neighbouring Indians & friends.
But I have heard it related how theire was a little
english boy in ye ham'accoe w"" y" King when he was
Slaine, how came he not to be Slaine ?
This little boy was one whome Capt. Warner had
brought over w"' him, & y^ King had taken a great
affecc'on to him, & would have him to lie in y« ham'acco
w'" him, & was Saved by y'= m'cie of god, for they had for-
gott y^ boy.
There was a french man y' did live among y" Indians
when Captain Warner did settle how came he theire ?
In form' times both dutch and fi-ench, used to rove
amonge y" Spaniards in men of warr & a french Shipp by
Storme being cast away, this man being then a boy or young
man by p'vidence gott ashoare, & did live amongst ye
Indians, went naked & did goe to warr w'" y"", but when
Capt. Warner did beat y" Indians off, he came & lived
amongst y= english & did live a long time amongst y"" : but
c
XIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
a qiiarrell falling out betwixt him and an English man, he
slow y" english man & soe fled to y'^ french, where he is still
living, his name being Peter Cuttey.
The english having made themselves masters of y'
Island how came y' french to have halfe y^ Island ?
A french shipp touching theire. And Capt. Warner
knowing y' those w'='' did escape would looke revenge
for his ovvne Safeguard being but weake in men, gave way
to y" french to settle, & to have halfe y^ Island if they
would settle, y' Co'mand' of the french was called
Men" de Numbec.
Did y"^ Indians attempt it ?
Yee & did come w"" a great power of men, and fell upon
y= french where they were settled att Baeketerre Slue div"
of y" french, And y' rest of y= french gott to y"^ fort they
had made. And amongst y= rest the Slew one fryer, cutt off
his menb", & thrust y" into his mouth & pitched him into
a, well they had made & besett y« fort.
How gott they of y' was in y' fort ?
There was by accedent an english lad, w'^'" came upon
some busines to y" french being in y" fort tould y" y' if
they would lett him have two pistolls, & lett him out of y«
fort ho would goe & informe y^ english, w"^'' they did lett
him have, & hoe p'senting his pistolls made the Indians
give way, y" woods being neere gott into y"' & soe to y°
english & tould y™ w' passed & y' english sent aide to y'
french by land, & alsoe sent a Shipp w"^"" lay then in y"
roade & so beate y" Indians of y' Island y" Second time.
In what manner did they devide y'^ land ?
Both being increased in men did cutt a path round y°
Island y' then was thought habitable land & found it to be
32 miles, Soe y"^ english had 8 miles to leward & ye french
had 8 miles to leward, & alsoe ye english had 8 miles to
windward & ye french had 8 miles to windward, as for y«
Savanna, y" Salt ponds & y grounds therto adjoyning
was thought to be desart lands, And therefore was for
to bee as a com'on betwixt y= two nacc'ons, as alsoe Brim-
stone hill.
How was Nevis first Settled ?
There was a certaine young man named Anthony Hilton
borne & brought up in the Bishop pricke of Durliam, who
teing imployed by y" m'chants of Barstable in y' west
countrey for a voyage to Virginia, passing by S' Xp'hs as
they knew no other way came aslioare & waited on y«
governo' Capt. Thomas Warner, & other gentl'. And soe
p'ceeding on his voyage for Virginia, made his voyage, &
eoe returning for england, put ashoare in Ireland, And
having some discourse w"' one Capt. Vallett & other gentl'
of Ireland, & finding by y'' discourse of y"= said Hilton, y' it
might prove p'ffitable f(}r y" to settle a plantac'on att
Xp'hs to make tobaccoes, w*^" y« s* Hilton thought to ije a
bettor place then Virginia ; where upon they were desirows
y" s"! Hilton would und'take y« voyage for them, w<='' as it
seemes he consented too, & he returning for Barstalile, gave
uj) his Accompts of y" voyage & discharged himselfo of his
imi)loye ; And soe returning for Ireland againe, where he
was accordingly sett forth by those gent' w"* shipp & men,
<& all thinges necessary for y« voyage, soe by Gods goodncs
arrived at S' Xp'hs : And w"" licence from Capt. Warner he
did .settle upon y" windward side of y« Island, being y= first
y' did settle y' side of y" Island.
What did happen to him by settling there ?
Where he & others having cleaned ground built houses,
& followed planting ; It came to pass y' y^ Indians betimes
in y= morning came upon y™ & did fire theire houses &
slue divers of his men, ho w"' some others of his hou.sehold
makeing their escape into the woods, gott to y<= leward to y<=
rest of y english, where he did settle another plantac'on &
w* y"= comi)anie he had, made w' tobaccoes he could, & w^*"
yi tobaccoes made his returne for Ireland & from tlionce to
England, being accompanied w"' some gentl' plant" of S'
Xp'hs to theire desired port Lond. & having sold theire
tobaccoes for 20' p "' they resolved to settle Nevis Island,
by meanes of one M'' Tiio. Littleton, m'chant, who sett them
forth w"" all things necessary ; having a com'ission from y^
Earle of Carlile to settle Barbados or any other not habited
Island And in theire voyage from y^ Downes landed att y"
Barbados w"^*" they did not like, nor of Antegoa nor Mount-
serratt, They came downe to Nevis y= 22"' of .July 1628 W^''
Island they thought fittest for theire Settlement being next
Xp'hs, from whence they might be better Supplied.
What did fall out in ye interim att S' Xp'hs & Nevis?
Great alterac'ons, att governo" Warners going for eng-
land, he did leave his Sonn Capt. Edw"" Warner his deputy
& because he was young in yeares, & as yett not en sighted
in governm', to assist him he left one M' Asten, who had
bin an Inns Co't gentl' to much knowing in y' lawes for y'=
poore plant".
Why what did he ?
The governo' of Nevis going downe for S' Xp'hs to see
his plantac'on & freinds, there had some words passed be-
twixt M"' Asten as it seemes v/'^^ were not Cordiall.
M'' Asten had enticed by faire p'missea one of governo'
Hiltons Servants who belonged to his plantac'on att S'
Xp'hs to kill liim as he lay to Sleepe, w"^'' if he did, he was
to have his plantac'on & w' he had att S' Xp'hs.
Did he seeke to attempt it ?
Yee & came by night as bee was asleepe w"" a keene
knife in his hands to p'forme this bloudy murder ; who
standing over him, & heaving up his hand to give y<' fattall
blowe god p' vented him Soe y' he had noe power to Strike
being p'plext hereatt he went out ruminating w"" Selfe w'
might be y'^ cause, made a Second & a third assault but
could not, upon w''' being amazed, he ran from his master to
M' Asten for p'tecc'on.
How came governo' Hilton to know this ?
It is an old saying y' murder cannot be longe hid, but
will out, for by some good freind governo' Hilton had
notice of it.
What did governo' then ?
Hee made it known to his freinds he had upon y' Islands,
w'*" those y* came w"' him, who abhorring Such acc'ons
came to assist him, in so much he had gott a considerable
p'tie not much inferiour to theires.
What did they then ?
Both sides Stood upon theire gards & took prission".
Had young Warner any hand in this murder ?
Noe I dare be bold to Say he had not, for he was not of
y' disposic'on for he was alwayos of a loving affable tend'
disposic'on ; & I have heard him Say he did not knowe
of it.
What did governo' Hilton after this ?
He sought his owne Security, & to abate y'^ pride of
others, haveing councelled togeather they knowing there was
a great tobaccoe house y' stood to windward of Capt.
Warners dwelling house, soe neare y' by firing y"^ tobaccoe
house it must needs fire y'' dwelling house, therefore they
resolved & appointed y' night to gett over y' gutt neare unto
y= house & so w"" fire arrowes from y^ side of y'= wood to
fire y^ tobaccoe house, & so to fall in upon y™ & try their
fort amies. This was p'vented by God's p'vidence, for y'
night appointed to doe theire exploite y' very day before,
there came in a great English Shipp to anchor in y« roade,
& y^ governo' of Nevis seeing it, gott into his boate to rowe
aboard, but M' Asten p'ceiving it, com'anded y" gunner to
Sinke y^ boace if possibly, upon which y= gunner made a
Shott w'"^ fell soe neare where y'' governo' of Nevis satt, y'
it dashed y« water upon y™ into y^ boate, & soe did glance
over theire heads, & did no more hurt, And Soe they gott
aboard, made theire case knowne unto y" Capt. who by his
meanes did quallefie theire furies for y' time And governo'
Hilton made his returne for Nevis.
SETTLEMENT OE THE LEEWAED ISLANDS.
XV
What was y^ cause IP Asten did seeke after his ruine ?
It was supposed, y* thinking y' if governo' Hilton wore
sent into another world then hee made noe question but to
bring both Islands to bend to his bowe.
Now y^ two Islands being in a peacable Condic'on And
governo' Tiio. Warner in england honoured w"' y'^ title of
Knighthood w' did followe ?
It might be supposed, 8' Tho. Warner having informed
my Lord of Carlile of the tumult was likely to arise heare,
my Lord did send out a Shipp, Capt. Halle Com'and' w"'
foure Com'iss" to Settle heare, & to displace Governo'
Antho Hilton, & to put into his place Geo. Hayes my Lords
Kinsman, as y'' may better und'stand by w' followes.
Did y" Shipp called y'' Carlile p'ceed on hir vo^'age ?
Yee, and did touch att Barbados, where y^ gentl'
com'iss" went ashoare, where they were curteously ent'tained,
& in requitall of theire curtesie, y" com'iss" invited y«
governo' and Some others to goe aboard & eate a dish of
Krettchett brewe as they called it, but indeed it fell
out to be treacherous brewes, they not thinking of any
harme did goe, who was no .Sooner aboard but they tooke
y™ prission".
What happened after they tooke y" governo' of Barbados
prission' ?
They were plotting how to betray y« governo' of Nevis
w'^'' they thought would prove difficult.
How did they contrive their plott ?
They thought it their best way to send downe a boate
before y" w"" L'ers of Complaint for their easier proceeding
to put y™ into security w* they did but by that meanes
their plott was discovered.
How?
There was a gentl' y' came over w"" us att y<^ first
settling named Jacob Lake, who had a brother a minisf
who came passeng' in y' shipp, & und'standing of theire
plott, as of sending y" boate before y^ wrights to his
brother Jac Tjake of theire plott, & how they had betrayed
y' governo' of Barbados, & privately deliv" it to a seaman
one y* was to come in y= boate, the boate arriving at Nevis
the l'ers delivered, M'' Jacob Lake Shooes it to y' governo'.
What did y^ governo' then ?
Called his councill, & all y' Inhabit's togeather, & con-
sulted w' was best to doe ; And it agreed upon, y' he
should provide himselfe of things necessarie, & soe to goe
for england to renue his Com'iss", for they found some de-
fects therin, & to put in his deputy, one y' was resolute &
they would all stand to him & not accept of any alterac'on
of governm' till they heard from their governo' from
england, this concluded upon, a small vessell a west
countrey man lying in y^ roade, y' governo' did shipp him-
selfe having taken leave sett sayle, & att y^ turning about
pellican point, they mett my Lords Shipp & y« Com'iss"
who haled y", & they made answeare they were a west
countrey man lay heare to take in tobaccoes, & y'' tobaccoes
was not yet ready, Soe they were going to y'' windward
Islands to turne turtle Soe they lett y" pass and came to
anchor in y^ roade, Soe we beate o'"' droms, gott o'"' people
togeather, & att theire coming ashoare we did honour''''^
ent'taine y™ w"' a stronge gard, & brought y"" into y^ fort
to o'"' governo" house, where we did feast y™ w"" wine &
good victualls, they inquired for o'' Capt. Hilton, & we
told y"" he was on his voyage for england in y" shipp they
mett att pellican point, upon w''' they looked one upon y^
oth'' but said nothing, wee passing C times w"" discourse
till it was towards night, then wee told y" wee had und'stood
for w'- they came for, And as for Geo. Hayes wee should
desire him to goe aboard, for y' rest if they would stay
ashoare they should be welcome, for Geo. Hayes he should
come no more ashoare here but upon perill, neither would
we heare any thinge y' might tend to y^ alterac'on of
governm', till we heard from o'' governo', soe wee garded y™
aboard againe y' night. Now all being in peace & quietnes
under o' Deputy governo' Capt. William Vallett, who going
aboard w"> Capt. Halle to be merry in comes y" Spanish
Armado about pellican point, w='' fort fired att y™ And took
w' shipps could not run for it, but Some escaped throwe y«
narrowcs, my Lords Shipp cutt his cables & ran downe to
S' Xp'hs & theire ran their Shippe aground, Capt. Halle
getting ashoare w"' o' Deputy governo'.
What did you then upon y'' Island in this case ?
Wee had but one great gune, W^'' we had placed pellican
point, & wee shott soe long' as wee had either bullett or
powd'' & brought one of theire shipps upon the carreene to
stopp hir leakes wee had so battered hir.
This was not all ?
■ Noe o'"' Servants proved treacherous, run' away from us
& Swined aboard & told y" where we hid o''' provissions, & in
w' case o'"' Island Stood in. Capt. Jacob Lake gott a com-
panie of men togeather to go to y= old windward to fortifie
himselfe & carry p'vissions along w"' him, but it was in
value his Souldiers ran' away from him, & did thowe away
theire p'vissions y'= most of y'" being servants cryed out
Lib'tyjoyfuU Lib'ty. John Hilton Anth" Hiltons brother
considering wee were cutt of from o''' p'vissions, o Servants
revolting, gott a boate & tooke alonge w"' him a younge
man who had his Spanish language p'fect, <fc soe w"* a flagg
of truce did goe aboard to speake w"" y^ generall Don
flfrederigo De ToUedo to Demand w' was his intents for this
place, who Com'ing to Speake w"' him found him a most
noble & courteous gentl' ; discoursing w"' him concerning y*
affaires of y"= Islands, told us he did not delight in bloudsheed,
Soe wee would yeilde his masters interest to him, w"*" wee had
usurped noe Man should wronge us, or take y'' life of any &
if wee wanted Shipping to transport o''' men he would
furnish us, giving hostages for y^^ returne of y^ said
Shipping ; soe he y"* said Hilton requested y' said Generall
to goe ashoare to informe y' Islanders of his most noble
proffers, & y*^ next day he would come aboard & informe his
Excellencie w' y= Islanders would conclude on, & soe took
leave of his Excellencie for y' time, returning to y" Shoare
to see w' y" Island" would conclude on.
What did he when he came ashoare ?
Geather togeather all y" Gentl' & others he could gett to-
geather & did declare unto y™ w' the Spanish Generall had
told him, desiring y" to consult upon it, y' hee might
returne & give y= Generall an answeare, upon w*^'' they
all consulted to deliver up y' Island upon those con-
dic'ons propounded by his Excellencie ; Soe he returned
^th yt answeare, the Generall seeming very joyfull thereatt,
saying he was very glad he had brought it to passe w'l'out
bloudshead for said he yu are not able to w^'staml my
forces, & for y' purpose I am come to cleer y'' Islands, &
now in respect y" have yielded to myproposic'ons whosoever
doth either man or woman wronge Shall die for it, giving
ord" to his Comand" to y' effect, using John Hilton w""
great respect, promising him sliipping should be appointed
for y^ Kings Subjects transporte who was willing to goe, &
who would Serve y<= King of Spaine willingly, should be
entertained into his Service & y' Hilton Should See y«
Shipping furnisht to be furnished w'" w' was necessary for
y'' voyage, & if any turbulent p'son should offor to w"'stand
Hilton & bee refractorie, upon complainte to his Excellencie
hee would doe Justice upon him according to his desarts ;
this past ; many of y'' Spanish Comand" came ashoare w""
Hilton, did goe to o'"' houses, eate & drinke with us,
recreating themselves, not doing violence to any man, Soe
att night returned to theire Shipps after many freindly
complements.
Did not they goe for S' Xp'hs ?
Yes having brought to pass w' form'ly is declared, sett
sayle for S' Xp'hs, coming theire they found my Lords Shipp
run' aground, & hailed hir of for y^^ King of Spaines use.
XVI
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
When they came to S' Xp'hs what was done there ?
The S' Xp'hs men und'standing w' had passed at Nevis,
yeilded upon y'= same condic'ons Nevis had done, The
Spanish Armado laid there till y'= Shipping was made ready
for y'= transport of y"^ English, & shipped aboard such as
would for England y"= rest upon y'= Spanish Shipps, Yet for
all y* there were divers y' tooke y^ woods & were not mist.
What did y"* Spaniards then ?
They made choise of theire hostages, sett sayle, & soe
departed from the Islands w=^ made an end of all o'"' former
related contraversies, dispersing of us soe, y' wee never all
mett togeather againe.
What was y'= names of y« hostages taken by y« Spaniards ?
The names of y'' hostages y*^ Spaniards made choise
of was —
ffor S' Xp'hs Island.
Serj' Maj'' Donn of Lond.
Cap' Geo. Hayes y' Lord of Carlile Coz.
Capt. John Stonne of Lond.
Capt. Chappell of Ireland.
Capt. W"" Digby of Lond.
ffor Nevis Island.
Capt. John Coolie of Lond.
Capt. John Husbands a Yoresheireman.
Robert Merreton of London.
John Hilton borne in y= Bishop pricke of Durham.
What yeare was it y<^ Spaniards tooke these Islands ?
Wee had bene Settled upon Nevis one yeare and halfe
when y^ Spaniards came, Soe by estimac'on it must be in y^
yeare 1G.30 or 1631.
What became of y'^ french when this did happen to y" ?
As I have bene informed, some gott boats and gott upon
Islands not Inhabited & there stayed till y^ Spaniards was
gone & came downe againe to there settlem".
Did y^ Spaniard make any great inquiry after them ?
Noe, It is to be supposed it was in fav'' to their religion,
as by y'' circumstances happened since may appeare, for y"
english being beat from of y'= Tartodus by y" Spaniard, &
likewise from S' Cruze y'^ french did p'sently Settle y", &
y' Spaniards have not in many yeares y* they have possesst
y'" any way mollested y" w'^'' argues it must be as aforesaid
y*^ cause.
How were these Islands resettled ?
Sir Tho. Warner being gone for england & likewise
Capt. Anthony Hilton governo' of Nevis, both being in
Lond. when newes came y"' Spaniards had taken y'' Islands
of w* they were governo", renewed theire Comissions gott
more men & came over againe to resettle y" Islands.
S'' Tho. Warner att S' Xp'hs found divers men, some y' had
taken y'= woods, others y"* shipping y' were to carry y" hence,
had returned, & put such men as was willing ashoare upon
theire Islands againe, Soe y' they made a considerable com-
paine for y^ resettling of S' Xp'hs : And as for Capt. Anth"
Hilton when he came for Nevis found likewise a consider-
able compaine amongst w'^'' there was one M"' James Russell,
whome j" people y' was there had made choise of for their
governo' & betwixt whom & Capt. Hilton there was some dif-
ference for y' night att Hiltons first coming there about theire
governm' ; but y"^ next morning it was soe agreed upon y'
Capt. Anth" Hilton should be governo'. M'' Tho. Little-
ton, y^ m'chaut before spoken, y' was att all j'' cost &
charges of settling Nevis att first, being by y' meanes fallen
behindhand in his estate & hearing y" Island begann againe
to be well settled came over to see w' he could get amongst,
now at his arrival att Nevis, Capt. Anthony Hilton, w""
others there being most if not all D" to him, Capt. Hilton
considering his great losses he had had about y« settling
y' Island, did resigne to him y" governm', and did goe to
settle Tartodus.
M'' Thomas Littleton being governo' of Nevis w' did
happen then ?
The hostages afore Spoken of was gott out of prisson
where they had endured much missery for y^ Space of five
yeares & better one of y" named Jo. Hilton brother to Capt.
Antb° Hilton gone for Tartodus, to settle, came in a great
Shipp from Midleborough, w'^'' did wholly belonge to my
Heare Rueboroe & was honnest w"' y^ Com'and Soe long as
he remained aboard bound for Tartodus, & touching att
Nevis did go ashoare to p'sent his Service to governo'
Littleton & to see some of his freinds & acquaintance there,
coming to y" governo" house y'' governo' p'tending greate
freindshipp to him, & did invite him to stay dinner, but
being att dinner, y'' governo' had cora'anded a gard of mus-
ketteers come in w'^ their amies ready to p'sent upon him,
telling him he was his prissio' : w' s'd Hilton, noe sooner
out of one imprissonm' but into another, I beseech you tell
me y" cause, I will said y" governo', yo'"' brother is dead, &
yu are going there to possess w' he hath, & now I have
yu here, I will be satisfied for w' yo''' brother owes me,
Hilton made answer, I am more Sorry to hear my
bi'other is dead then feare w' yo can do to me, am I to
pay my brothers debts, do I owe yu any thinge, upon w*^''
M'' Procter was called for to oversee y« books where Hilton
was found D"" for six hooes ; Hilton putt his liand in his
pockett & drew out a handfull of dollers, pay yo' Selfe said
he, with y' M"' Luke Stoakes did desire y'= governo' to
Speake w"' him, Soe going into another roome had some
discourse togeather ; The governo' coming out discharged
him of his imprissonm' : Hilton being inwardly vext, made
Shooe to y"^ contrary, but after many cupps Hilton p'tending
greate freindshipp to y" Invited y" aboard to be merry,
they consenting did goe aboard, Hilton making y™ welcome
w"i good wine & victualls & gunning. Seeing his opp'tunity
stept out & toidd y'= Skipp'' how they had donn by him
ashoare, well s'd y" Skipp' Speake but y'-' word & I will Sett
y" ashoare att Hispaniola amonge y' Cow killers ; noe s'd
Hilton not Soe, but I will fright y"' : let there bee a dozen
musketteers ready in y" gun'roome w"" their matches
lighted & when yu heare me give a hem & stampe come into
y^ Cabin & soe to y"= gallere, & soe clap to each mans
breast a muskett, to y« governo" first ; w'^'' being p'formed,
now said Hilton y« are my prission", & I will make
y" knowe sorrowe & soe well as I have donn, called for irons,
tould y" he would sett y" ashoare amonge y" Cow killers,
w"^'' one Capt. Sparrowe began to resist, shoot y'= dogg
through s'd Hilton, and throwe him out y= gallere (oh) s'd
y'= governo'"' save o'"' lives & doe what y'' will, being more a
merchant then a Souldier, was mightely affrighted, soe y'
Hilton thought he would have p'sently died, soe Hilton
fearing y' he would have died aboard called for a boate, &
bid y" turne ye knaves ashoare, who were not worthe the
Trouble he should bee att with them, Soe sett y™ ashoare.
Sett Sayle & soe p'ceeded on for Tartodus.
What did Littleton after ?
Being in hopes to p'cure some of Hiltons estate did
followe John Hilton but did die by y'' way, so Hilton did
never See him more.
Who did Littleton leave his Deputy when he went off ?
As I have bene informed he left M' Luke Stoakes his
Deputy.
Now you have given me this foregoing relac'on, tell me
what governo" have bene upon Nevis since y^ first Settling
as yu are an old Standard ?
As near as I can I will, first — Governo' Anth" Hilton,
who settled it in y« yeare 1628 : y' 22"" of July, going for
England, left Capt. Will. Vallett his Deputy, Vallett fled
when the Si^aniards came. M'' James Russell, chosen
governo' by ye people left after the Spaniards departure
from Nevis ; Capt. Antho. Hilton returned againe with
Comission, & was governo'' againe, after did goe to settle
SETTLEMENT OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
xvu
Tartodiis, & resigned his governm* to y"^ m'chant M"' Tho.
Littleton, Littleton going for Tartodus left M' Luke
Stoakes his Deputy, Littleton dying upon y= voyage
S"^ Thomas put in Stoakes his place, Capt. Thomas Spar-
rowe, after came Maj'' Hunckes, next him Capt. Jenings,
after him .Tonkin LTjoyde, after him left by LLoyde parson
John Meakeni, after him put in by S"' Tho. Warner Capt.
John Kettleby after him Capt. Jacob Lake, after Lake's
death Governo' Luke Stoakes, then CoUonel James Russell,
then Collonell Randall Russell ; his brother.
What Generalls have bene here in y' Leward Islands ?
S"" Thomas Warner first.
Generall S' Charles Wheeler.
Generall William Stapleton.
The following account was presented to their
Lordships in 1675, having been drawn up and
signed by the principal inhabitants and planters of
St. Christopher's : —
St Xp'hs land. Aprill 29"> 1675.
Narrative of the first settiem* of S* Xp'rs.
How was y" Island of S' Xp'hs first Inhab'ted by y*'
English & by the fifrench, & how it was shared betweene
both nations?
The Island of S' Xp'hs was first settled by y^ worthy &
renowned Capt. Thomas Warner (afterwards Knighted by
King Charles y' first) with seaventeene other p'sons Gentl'
adventur" w**" him in y= yeare 1623, who when they came
to Settle found a french man upon itt amongst y" Indians
& went naked as they did named Peter Cotty putt on
Shoare out of a Shipp for recovery of his health, in a Short
time after came a ft'ench Gentl' with a certaine number of
french men w"" him named Mon" De Numbec betwixt
whom & S'' Thomas Warner y^ Island was devided & one
halfe for the English & y|= other halfe for y« french from
white flag bay being j^ westerly p'te & friggett Bay being
y Easterly p'te of y^ Island j^ midle of both which sides
fell to y" English nac'ons lott w"^"" said Settlejs Continued in
peace & good amitie, untill y« yeare 1629 theire being cer-
taine Articles made betweene y^ said governo" to assist one
y"^ other against any enemy y' should oppose or invade y"",
all w''' above declarac'on y<^ declarants affirm & y' they have
from time to time received from Coll' John Bedingfeilde
some time governo' of y« said Island for y"= English nac'on,
& y" aforesaid Peter Cotte of y^ french nac'on, y" aforesaid
Coir Bedingfeild, being one of y= first seaventeene English
Settlers ; & in y' yeare 1629 one of y^ s'd declarants by
name Leiu' Coll' William ffreeman now here resident came
to this Island S' Xp'hs ; from Lond. in y^ good Shipp
called y'^ Carlisle Com'and' in cheife Capt. Henry Hawly &
one Geo. Deinnis master, & j" s'd declarant further Sheweth
y' after a moneth or there abouts came a powerfull fleete of
Spaniards of about 37 Sailes who surprized & tooke most of
o' Shipping & came to an anchor at Shambers roade in y«
french quarf" & y" next landed most p'te of theire forces,
S"' Thomas Warner beinge then in England, had left his
Bonn Edward Warner to be his deputie governo' who ac-
cording to Articles caused all his able men to be drawne up
in armes, & com'anded them to march to Basseterre to
assist ye french, who being theire ready in armes to resist
their enemy desii-ed to have y" van w<^'' was granted y™, y=
Capt. or Com'and' of the said Company leading on
Couragiously upon y« enemy, It was his fortune to be y*
first shott & died, y" Company seeing him fall fled p'sently
away to sandy point as fast as they could throwing away
their armes along y"^ way as they went, & y^ English re-
treated in order to theire owne quarf' ; The next day
following were Gentl' Com'ission"'^ sent from y" English
on board to treat of peace & ye treaty was concluded y' y''
english were all to goe of y^ Island & were to surrend' up
ye Island, Artillery armes, Am'unic'on & all merchandize,
only excepting all sorts of apparell linin & woollen, & y"=
Spaniards to furnish y"" shipping for y<= transporte of their
people for England.
There was att y' time a privateere of ffrance named
Geeroon, w'" two or three Shipps, who tooke on board his
Vessells all y« french y' were upon y« Island att Sandy point
& carried y" away from y" Island untill y= Shipping were all
gone. There was one of y^ eighteene of y first english
Settlers named Morris Gardner who fled into y^ woods, w""
severall others & stayed upon y^ Island untill as well y"
Spanish Shipps as those y' were to transport y'' english were
all gone, after w'" those y' fled into ye woods assembled
togeather, & made choise of said Gardner to be theire
governo'"' in a short time aftere y" said Geroon returned
to y" Island w"" his shipping & all y'= men he had
carried off & by a wilde forceably lauded y™ againe.
Before y' prission"'^ gott home for england, S'' Thomas
Warner returned againe & Settled y" Island in y« yeare
1630 y' aforesaid Leiu' Collonell ffreeman returned again &
did continue an Inhab't upon y^ Island from y' time till
y^ fatall yeare 1666 in all w"^'' time y' two nac'ons continued
in good Ametie. And in the yeare 163- [J/o/J there was
a Settlement made by one of y'' english att y<= great salt
pan, by name William Sum'ers, but their being noe water
to be had w"" out much labour & toyle y" Settlers left ye s'd
land & went to y' Tartoodes to Settle there ; In y^ time of
Coir Clement Everards governm' the great Salt pan was
devided betwixt y^ english & y'= french, but noe parting of
any of said land betwixt frigott bay & S' Xp'hs point to
this day.
In testimonie whereof wee have hereunto Subscribed o''
names being thereunto Called this 29"' April 1675.
William ffreeman.
John Estridge.
Eob't Cave. Charles Morris.
John Wilkinson. John Versill.
John Allen. William Plumer.
Gilbert Loxley. John Baylet.
Rob't Clarke. Sampson Maneringe.
PHiLLiPP Lambert. Edward Parker.
XVIU
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
CHAPTER III.
SETTLEMENT OF ANTIGUA, 1635—1650.
It has beeu stated by all West Indian historians
that Sir Thomas Warner despatched some families
to settle Antigua in 1632, under the command of his
son, Captain Edward Warner, who has been already
mentioned as the Deputy-Governor of St. Christo-
pher's. Sir Thomas also occupied Montserrat, chiefly
with Irish and Papists
That there was an ever-increasing flow of emi-
gration westward is proved by the instructions,
dated 30 July 1634, from the Company of Providence
Island, to Joseph Collins, chief pilot and com-
mander of the " Long Eobert " of London, bound
thither : " To sail at the beginning of Augiist
direct for the Caribbees, and there discharge pas-
sengers." ('Colonial Calendar,' p. 189.) Maurice
Thompson, Edward Thompson, and George Snelling
likewise petitioned the Privy Council that having
hired the " Discovery " and " Sampson " for a
voyage to the Caribbee Islands, they prayed for
licence to transport 500 dozen of shoes, 200 muskets,
and 200 swords for the use and defence of those
plantations. [Ibid., p. 195.)
Though, as already stated, Antigua was supposed
to have been settled in 1632, it was probably
not ofl&cially administered till the year 1635, for in
a petition presented in 1685 by Alexander Polling-
ton to the Council it is recited that :
" Henry Huncks Gov of Antigua by a Com" fi'om the
Earl of Carhle did by his patent da. 10 Sep. 1638 in the
4'* year of that Colony grant to Kowl'' Tompson Esq. a
parceil of land at y" Body 240 paces wide & 1^ miles long
& on the following day granted a warr' for its survey.
400 acres were measured out & the s'' Row. Tompson
settled the lands & by his will dated 20 Dec. 1641 devised
them to his only s. & h. Edw^ Tompson," etc
Scarcely any records remain having any reference
to the infant colony during the next few years of its
existence, probably on account of its small popu-
lation and insignificance. Such papers as have been
found are here given chronologically.
The following early list of settlers was bound
up with papers of a very much later date : —
1636. To the righ hono''''^ the Lords Com'ssioners for
the Admiralty of England.
The humble petic'on of Charles Kilburne W of the good
shipp the Mary of London.
Sheweth,
That yo'' pet' was imployed in his Ma'» Service the Last
expedic'on to Sea wherein he honestly and faithfully be-
haved himselfe And being now bound in the said Shipp for
a Plantac'on in the Carribbe Islands in the West Indies
with 36 men whose names are expressed in a schedule
annexed. Yo'' pet" humble suite therefore is, That your
bono" will be pleased to give some order or direc'on
whereby bee and his said Company may be free from being
pressed into his Ma" Service in this p'sent flHeete.
And hee as in duty ever bound shall daily pray for yo''
hono".
The names of the M' and Company in the \_torii here]
of London, now bound for the Caribbee Islands.
Charles Kilburne, M^
John Wells. Edward EUett.
John Lumley. James Slinke.
George Helborne. John Johnns.
Robert More. Thomas Puffet.
Richard Throssle. Symon Bridoman.
Peter Jonson. Robert Lofto.
William Snell. George fTalle.
Charles Unthawk. George Lindsey.
Nicholas Bitterley. Richarde Willes.
John Simes. William Wade.
Christopher Applely. Robert Bamiarde.
John Loder. Peter Pope.
James Buoher. -Roger RycrofFte.
Phillip Hymes. Robert Miles.
Peter Harris. Steven Harlanole.
Thomas Clare. Robert Saule.
Thomas Hale. David Kempe.
Nathaniell Hale. Thomas Sherley.
Endorsed :—" April 1636 M' Charles Kilburne's pet."
(America and West Indies, Leeward Islands,
No. 552, 1721—1749.)
1636. S' Christopher's. Sep. 10. Capt. Sir Thos.
Warner, Governor of S' Christopher's, to Sec.
Windebank.
Having but lately arrived, is yet unsettled, & pestered
with many controversies of the planters, which have slept
for his coming. The " Plough," one of the two ships
which he provided for his voyage, and in which were £4000
of his own adventure, is in all men's judgment lost, with
about 150 persons, the better part of the victuals, apparel,
& ammunition, intended for his new designs. In his own
ship there was great sickness and mortality, not 20 out of
200 escaped, about 40 having died, some near to him in
blood, and many of especial quality & use. Had intended
to have " placed a colony upon Metalina," under command
of his son-in-law, and for that purpose touched at Barbadoes
(inhabited with about 6000 English) to raise the necessary
volunteers. Could have had 500 able men provided with
arms and victuals had not Capt. Hen. Ilawley, the Governor,
opposed him, whose conduct Warner stigmatizes as obstinate
& rebellious, & contrasts it with that of the Governors of
" the other islands," where he found a willing reception and
due respect.
1636. Petition of Capt. Anth. Brisket, Gov. of Montserrat,
to the King.
Was made Gov. by Jas., Earl of Carlisle, & has very
lately obtained another commission from the now Earl.
Has come to England to carry more planters & necessaries
thither, where he is erecting a church of stone & brick.
Prays for letters to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, to be ad-
mitted a contractor for tobacco at the same rate as Capt.
Warner & others. (' Colonial Calendar,' p. 240.)
The sale of negros and Indians for life was
authorized in 1636; hitherto all the slaves on the
plantations had consisted solely of Indians, and these
were rapidly dying out.
,V:^':^^/^'•'
Sht-rUy /fcig.Ai^r
SETTLEMENT OE ANTIGUA.
XIX
1686. Henry, Earl of Marlborough presented his
petition to the King, & stated that in consideration of his
father, then Lord High Treasurer, who had taken extra-
ordinary care for planting the Caribbees, releasing unto the
late Earl of Carlisle his interest in a grant of those islands,
a rent charge of £300 per annum, to be issuing out of
S' Christophers, Nevis, and Montserrat, was conveyed to
the petitioners father, himself, and afterwards renewed to
petitioners son. Although a great revenue has been
received from thence, the annuity is more than eight
years in arrears, and he is informed that he cannot
recover, because those islands are not within the jurisdiction
of any of the Kings Courts. Prays that the matter may
be referred to the Privy Council, and that all parties
interested may be ordered to attend for his satisfaction.
(' Colonial Calendar.')
The omission of Antigua from the above petition
leads one to suppose that it had been settled much
later than the three other islands, and Montserrat,
■which has been considered by all writers to have
been settled with Antigua in 1632, was probably in-
habited by whites as early as 1628.
1637. ? April. The King to [the feoffees of Jas. late
Earl of Carlisle].
It has been noticed that the inhabitants of S' Christo-
pher's, Barbadoes, & the other Caribbee Islands have mostly
planted tobacco, to the neglect of cotton, wools, and other
useful commodities which they had begun, & of corn &
grain sufficient for the support of those plantations, which
compels them to receive supplies from the Dutch & other
strangers. Instructions to be sent to the several governors
concerning the growth of their tobacco & the prohibition of
trade in those islands with strangers.
1638. July. James, Earl of Marlborough, His Majesty's
Ward, petitions the King reciting the petition of his father,
Henry, Earl of Marlborough, & complains that his annuity
is eleven years in arrears, & his estate in no. way able to
support his dignity. Prays that the present Earl of Car-
lisle may be commanded to satisfy the petitioner, & in
case he refuse or delay to do so, that the King will grant
letters to the Governors of S' Kitts, Nevis, & Montserrat to
permit the petitioner to seize goods there for satisfaction of
his arrears. (' Colonial Calendar,' pp. 246 and 281.)
1639. March. The King to the Governor, Council,
Planters, & Inhabitants of the Caribbee Islands, or
province of Carlisle.
The late Earl of Carlisle, with great industry and ex-
pense, having settled S' Christophers, Barbadoes, Nevis,
Montserrat, and Antigua, and the present Earl intending
wdth all convenient speed to plant divers other of the
Caribbee Islands within his patent, and from those already
planted with " such store and numbers of people " to take
sufficient numbers as may begin their plantations, which
otherwise may be possessed by strangers ; they are in-
structed to do their uttermost to oppose any who may
attempt to allure the inhabitants from those islands,
whereby the Earl will be disabled of sufficient people to
plant the residue ; and Lord Carlisle having made choice of
Serj. -Major Hen. Huncks to be Governor of Barbadoes,
they are strictly enjoined to yield respect and obedience to
him. {Ibid., p. 291.)
Major Huncks tried to assert his authority at
Barbados, but owing to the violent opposition of
Henry Hawley, the Governor he was deputed to super-
sede, he retired to' Antigua, where he seems to have
acted as Governor, for he signed various patents for
land there during 1638 and 1639.
1639. ?May. Petition of "James, Earl of Carlisle, Sir
James Hay, and Archibald Hay, trustees for the late
Earl, to the Privy Council.
" Are informed by Sir Thomas Warner, Governor of
S' Christophers and Lieut.-General of the Caribbees, that
there is a great scarcity of ammunition in those islands,
for want of which about 20,000 pla'nters are in great
danger, not only by the Spaniards and French, but of being
devoured by the natives, can'ibals. S' Christophers is
half planted with French, who receive large supplies, which
increases their power and number, and they insult the English,
and set forth colonies in other islands within Lord Carlisle's
grant, which if not speedily prevented, the benefit of £12,000
per annum at least in duties from that island will be lost.
" Through the restraint on tobacco the poor planters
are debarred from free trade, and unable to furnish them-
selves with necessaries, much less to buy ammunition."
" Pray for leave to purchase 20 lasts of powder at the
price paid by the King, for their encouragement to preserve
the islands they have gained and to plant others."
A Warrant was accordingly issued on the 28th of the
same month to the Officers of Ordnance to deliver to the
Earl of Carlisle, Sir James Hay, and Archibald Hay,
trustees for the late Earl, the proportion of powder re-
quested in the above petition, upon paying the usual price
of 18rf. per lb. (' Colonial Calendai*,' p. 295.)
On 26 May 1639 Governors de Poincy and
Warner signed a decree ordering the destruction of
all tobacco plants, and forbidding the planting of it
for 18 months. This was done because the European
market was glutted, and the price had become un-
remunerative, so much so that it is probable that
the planters now turned their attention to the
growth of the sugar-cane. (Du Tertre, vol. i., p. 143.)
1640. A Dutchman from Brazil is stated to have
taught the Barbadians the manufacture of sugar.
The English at Antigua were attacked by the
Caribs, who killed fifty of them, and carried off the
Governor's lady, then great with child, her two
children, and three other women. At this time the
inhabitants of Antigua consisted of about thirty
families. (Southey.)
1640. June 23. The King's commissioners at Barba-
does say that they have recalled Major Hunks from Antigua,
who was very welcome to the people, & is settled in the
government. ('Colonial Calendar,' p. 313.)
It is probable that Captain Rowland Thompson
succeeded Major Henry Huncks as Governor of An-
tigua. He received a grant of 400 acres on 10 Sep.
1638, and his will was dated 20 Dec. 1641.
1643. Nov. 24. Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Mont-
gomery, Edward, Earl of Manchester, William, Viscount
Say and Sele, Philip, Lord Wharton, John, Lord Roberts,
Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir Arthur Hesilrig, Sir Harry Vane,
junior. Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, John Pym, Oliver Cromwell,
Dennis Bond, Miles Corbet, Cornelius Holland, Samuel
Vassal!, John Rolies, and William Spurstowe, nominated by
Parliament Commissioners for Plantations, appoint Sir
Thos. Warner, resident in the island of St. Christopher,
Governor and Lieut.-General of the Caribbee Islands,
under Robert, Earl of Warwick, Governor-in-Chief of all
the Plantations in America. (' Colonial Calendar.')
1644. A Captain Henry Ashton,* as Deputy-
* Governor Ashton left a son Henry Ashton who was killed by
the Indians when the French devastated Montserrat in IGGi;, also a
daughter Henrietta, who became the wife of Governor Philip Warner.
XX
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Governor of Antigua, signed land patents in 1644,
1645, 1647, and 1649. He is probably identical
witli the Colonel Henry Asliton who was in Dec.
1639 appointed one of the Royal Commissioners to
go out to Barbados and settle the dispute between
Governors Hawley and Huncks. According to
Governor Keynell's letter of 1656, Ashton had de-
clared for the King, and he was jjrobably compelled
by Sir George Ayscue to resign the Government, the
Roundhead Keynell being appointed in his place.
1646. James, Earl of Carlile, son and heir of the first
grantee, by Indenture of lease, and for a valuable considera-
tion, demised to the Lord Willoughby* of Parham all the
* Francis, fifth Lord Willoughby of Parham, was second son of
the third Lord, and succeeded his elder brother, who died young.
Of his early life little is known. On the breaking out of the Civil
War he sided with the Commons. In the Parliamentary Army
List of 1642 his name occurs as Colonel of one of the seventy -five
troops of sixty horse each under the command of the Earl of Bedford.
In March 1643 he and Sir John Meldram, with 5000 men, besieged
Newark, where their forces were hemmed in by Prince Rupert,
and forced to capitulate with the loss of all their ammunition.
He took the town of Gainsborough July 16, 1643, getting " great
store of ammunition and armes in the towne, a good part of the Earl
of Kingston's treasures ; one writes, more gold than his red beaver
hat will hold" ('The Kingdom's Weekly Intelligencer,' 18 — -25 July
1643). Whitelook says : -'That the Lord Willoughby kept the town
afterwards against the Earl of Newcastle's forces, till overpowered
with numbers he was forced to surrender it on honourable con-
ditions." On 7 Aug. 1647 his name appeared as one of the seven
peers who were accused by Parliament of high treason to them-
selves. Having retired to Holland with some eight revolted men
of war, he made his peace with the King, and was appointed Vice-
Admiral by the Duke of York in June 1648. He subsequently went
Charibbee Islands for the term of twenty-one years from
the feast of St. Michael 1646 (Feb. 17, 1646-7) on trust to
pay one moiety of all the rents and profits to the creditors
of the said James, Earl of Carlile, the other moiety to be
retained for the use of the said Lord Willoughby, and
the last-named was further constituted Lieut. -Greneral of all
the said Islands. (' Colonial Calendar.')
The ship " Nonsuch," Captain Middleton, Master,
arrived at Antigua in 1647, which gave the name to
Nonsuch Harbour, where he anchored. This was
one of three vessels fitted out from England by
Colonel Thomas Moddiford, who had intended
settling here, but having been driven by bad
weather to Barbados, he purchased an estate there.
1648. On 10 March died, the noble and much
lamented. General Sir Thomas Warner,* Kn',
L* General of y'^ Carribee Islands, and Governor of
y<= Island of S' Christopher. He was buried in the
Old Road Church on that island, where his tomb may
still be seen.
to Barbados, where he was well received, and established the royal
authority in the West Indies. (For an account and portrait of him
see ' A Survey of England's Champions,' 1647, p. 51.)
* Christopher Jeaffreson thus alludes to some valuable laws of
his, probably not now in existence: "1683, March 27. It is well
you have made an end with unreasonable Mr. Rogers ; but I doubt
you have forgotten to demand my books which I left in his cus-
tody ; the one, a Collection of the old Lawes and Orders made in
the Islands in Sir Thomas Warner's tyme ; the other, some Memo-
randa of my father's concerning the first settlement of the island
(S' Christopher's)."
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE ARRIVAL OF LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE RESTORATION, 1650—1660.
On the 29th of April 1650 Francis, Lord Willough-
by of Parham, arrived at Barbados ; proclaimed
Charles II. at all the islands of his government ; and,
by the royal instructions, commissioned Major-
General Sir Sydenham Poyntz to be Governor over
the Leeward Islands. It was probably at this time
that his Lordship took up a large tract of land in
Antigua, which he named Parham, after his ancestral
castle in Suffolk. "Willoughby Bay" and "My
Lord's Pond " also remain to remind us of him. Lord
Willoiaghby was the first to order Assemblies on
each island ; before his arrival there were no popular
representatives elected by the freeholders, but each
Governor conducted affairs with the advice only of
his Council. There were at Barbados at this period
many thousand Royalists, disbanded Cavaliers of all
ranks, who had sought an asylum there, and the
loyalty displayed by them in proclaiming the " man
Charles " as their lawful sovereign greatly exas-
perated Parliament, so much so, that on 29 August a
warrant was issued by order of the Council of State
to stay all ships bound to Barbados, and on 10 Sep-
tember the embargo was extended to the Caribbees,
Bermudas, and Virginia. On 8 October an Act was
passed prohibiting all trade and commerce with
" the Barbadoes, Virginia, Bermudas, and Antegoa,
because of their rebellion against the Commonwealth
of England ;" and preparations were made for the
despatch of a fleet to reduce the West Indies.
That this Act was not effectual in subduing
the Royalists, may be seen by the tenour of
the Declaration published on 11 June 1651 by the :
" Lord Lieut.-General, the Council & Assembly of Barba-
does, set forth for the satisfaction of all the inhabitants of
that island : Conceive it necessary to acquaint them with
the proceedings of those disafiected persons gone hence, and
of their resolutions to defend themselves against the slavery
intended to be imposed upon them. Assure them that the
Council of State of England have resolved to force a
Governour upon them, as also a garrison of 1200 men in
arms, to be maintained by the Island ; and that they
must, ' as they have most wickedly done, renounce their
allegiance to the King.' Are firmly resolved never to
permit His Majesty's undoubted right to Barbadoes to
be questioned, and look upon all persons bringing pro-
positions to that purpose as professed enemies to the welfare
of them all." ('Colonial Calendar.')
FROM ARRIVAL OF LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE RESTORATION, xxi
On 5 Aiigiist 1651 Sir George Ayscue sailed from
Plymouth with, a squadron consisting of the —
" Raijihow "
"Success"
"Ruth"
" Brazil," Mgate
Men. Guns.
Sir George Aiscue 280 52
Edw. Witheridg 90 30
Edw. Thomson 80 30
Tho. Heath 70 24
100
36
150
36
90
SO
860
238
"Increase " of London Tho. Varvell
"Amity" Mich. Pack
" Malaga Merchant " Henry CoUins
and having on boai-d Daniel Searl, who, together
with Sir G. Ayscue and Ca^jtain Pack, had been ap-
pointed Commissioners for the reduction of the
West Indies. The fleet proceeded to the Tagus in
search of Prince Rupert, touched at Caj)e de
Verd Islands, and arrived on 16 October at Car-
lisle Bay, where a landing was effected, but for
some weeks there was nothing but desultory
skirmishing, serious fighting being out of the
question, as Captain Pack wrote, " That through
continual extremity of rains the soldiers could
scarce keep a match lighted." On 3 January
1651-2 Colonel Thomas Modyford, with his regi-
ment, deserted Lord Willoughby and declared
for the Parliament ; and this defection, together
with the news of the Battle of Worcester,
having considerably disheartened the Royalists, his
Lordship on 9 Januai-y nominated Sir Richard
Pearce, Charles Pym, Colonel Thomas Ellice, and
Sergeant-Ma j or William Byam as Royalist Com-
missioners, with full powers to treat for peace ;
but his still unbroken power and great resources
enabled him to dictate very favourable Articles,
which were signed on 12 January to the- following
effect :*
The Government to remain as now established. All
Acts not repugnant to the Laws of England, & made
previous to 1038, to be in force ; those conceruing the
present differences to be repealed, as also all Acts against
any of the inhabitants, & a general Act of Indemnity to be
passed by Parliament.
The people of the Island to be restored to their
rights in England, Scotland, & Ireland. Every port,
etc., under the Parliament to be open to Barbadoes
for free trade as ever. No customs to be paid for
three years, for commodities of the island imported or
exported.
All persons to be restored to their sequestred estates.
Goods taken by the fleet to be restored.
Lord Willoughby's planting of Surinam not to be
hindered, & his lawful right to the rest of his islands
preserved.
The ships to be allowed 10 days to wood and water, and
thpn.::ci'pt"<.,i;y to depart. These articles to be confirmed
by Parlia*.
\
The ^ terms were agreed to by the Com-
missionei" both sides, and the Island was duly
surrendei
* For fitails of the proceedings at Barbados the reader
may consuie ' Colonial Calendar ' and Mr. Darnell Dayis'
interesting j ' The Cavaliers and Roundheads of Barbados,
16.50— 1G52.)
Lord Willoughby obtained very favourable treat-
ment for himself, which is shewn by : —
The 16 Article agreed and concluded upon the sur-
render of the Barbadoes and afterwards confinned by
Parliament {in hec verba), vizt., That the lord Willoughby
of Parham have all his lands reuts or estates what-
soever reall and p'sonall in England without any ffyne
or composicion paid, restored to him or his assignes free
from all incumbrances layd on the same by the Parliam'
of England or any of them authorized since the tyme
of its first seizure or sequestracon. And that w' settlem'
the lord Willoughby of Parham hath made at Sarranam
and any other hee shall make or any part of the Maine
of Guiana shalbe by him enjoyed and kept without any
disturbance either of himselfe or those that shall accom-
pany him thither and that hee have free lib'tie to bring
Servants from any Port in England or Ireland and
that his plantation at Antigua accordinge to the bounds
allready layd out be reserved to him, and what estate
soever of right doth belonge unto the Lord Willoughby of
Parham in this Island of Barbados to bee to him intirely
p'served.
On 29 March 1652 Sir G. Ayscue left with the
fleet, Daniel Searl remaining behind as Governor of
Barbados.
There is no good account of what took place at
Antigua, but Oldmixon writes that :—
To M"- Rich,* the 2'' English Governor of S' Christo-
pher's, succeeded M'' Everard, who continued in the Govern-
ment several Years ; and by what we can understand, was
in that Office when the Rump usurped the supreme power
in England. The Leeward-Islands refusing to acknowledge
their Sovereignty, King Charles the II. appointed Major-
General Poyntz to be Governor, and he was in possession of
S' Christopher's when Sir George Ayscue arrived at Bar-
bados and reduced that Island : After which he sailed to
Nevis and S' Christopher's ; but Major-General Poyntz not
being strong enough to defend him.self against the Power
Sir George brought with him withdrew before his Arrival,
and ship'd himself for Virginia, the only Retreat for
Cavaliers. (Vol. ii., p. 280.)
We read, in an old Historian, that Major-General
Pointz, w'ho was made Governor of the Leeward Islands by
the Parliament (sic), sail'd from S' Christopher's to Virginia.
{Ibid, vol. i., p. 376.)
1652. June 3. Daniel Searle GoV of Barbados to the
Council of State. News of 5 or 6 saile of ship making for
Barbadoes " believed to be Prince Rupert's fleet. "f Lord
Willoughby having been ordered to quit the island, left on
27 March last for Surinam, but returned yesterday for pro-
visions, which were granted ; he had been ordered that day
to withdraw, and goes to Antigua, and so for England.
(' Colonial Calendar,' p. 380.)
The Assembly of Barbados, contrary to the
tenour of the Articles of Peace, passed an Act
banishing several prominent Royalists; and among
them Major William Byam, who retired to Lord
Willoughby's colony at Surinam, of which place he
* The Hon. Roland Rich signed a treaty with De Poincy on 18
Ootoljer 1649, and Colonel Clement Everard was Deputy-Grovernor
in 1654 by Cromwell's commission.
f Prince Rupert, with a squadron of six ships, had seised some
vessels in the River Gambia in March 1652-3; appeared off Mout-
aerrat about the end of June 1653 ; and after reiitting- in October at
the Virgin Islands returned to Europe. The capture of a few
unimportant prizes was the only result of his somewhat piratical
cruise.
d
XXll
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
was chosen Governor in 1654, but after the treaty of
Breda in 1667 he is stated to have removed to
Antigua, where he died circa 1670.
The author of ' The Troubles of the Barbados '
states that Colonel Humphry Walroud and his
younger brother Edward Walrond, a lawyer of the
Temple (both at Barbados in 1653), obtained the
banishment of Colonel Guy Molesworth, and " This
Act so plausibly performed, gave them encourage-
ment to move further, and to procure the office of
Treasurer and Master of the Magazines, and Capt.
of the Platforms, to be put into the hands of Serj.
Major William Byam, a Soldier of Fortune, and one
very fit for their turn."
1652. Aug. 20. Orders of the Council of State.
Liberty to be given to Henry Hazard & Kobert Immans of
the City of Bristol, merchants, to carry 200 Irishmen
from any port in Ireland to the Caribbee Islands, and to
Eobert Lewelliu of London, merchant, to have 300 men.
(' Colonial Calendar,' p. 387.)
1053. Feb. 4. Petition of Edward Eltonhead for
licence to send a French or Hamburgh ship to the island
of Antigua for supplying a plantation of his there. {Ibid.,
p. 399.)
Francis, Lord Willoughby, petitioned his High-
ness the Protector about 1653 for a patent for his
lands, referred to the Articles on the surrender of
Barbados, and stated that : —
The Lord Willoughby of Parham did in the yeare 1650
sett forth one Ship and a small vessell in w'^'' twenty
p'sons were transported and furnished to make discovery of
the Maine of Guiana.
Upon the retorne of which Shipp accordinge to advice
hee did fitt a frygott of twenty-guns w"' two other vessells
to attend upon that Service and in them did send 100 men
■with all nianer of p'visions to make a Settleni' upon the
River of Serrenam.
After which hee did at severall tymes and upon severall
Vessells send Men, provisions, armes, and Ammunition.
And in further p'secucon thereof did in the yeare 1652
take a voyage thither himselfe in p'son and with him
carryed an adicion of strength soe that hee left well settled
there 300 p'sons all Englisli well fortifyed and furnished
■with canon, Armes, ammunition and other necessaryes all
which was done at his sole proper Cost and Charges to the
e.xpence of many thowsand pounds.
1654. Feb. 7. Captain Gregory Butler to the protector.
May it please your highness,
Tyme will not permitt me to give you such an account
of your afiaires heer as I thought to have doun. The com-
missioners this evening have resolved to send myselfe with
3 ships for the Leeward Islands, to raise such force as may
conduce most for your highnes service. We have according
to your commands laid an embargo upon all ships heer, and
seised upon 8 Dutch shipps we found here. The islanders
here much desire commerce with strangers, our English
merchants trafiquing to those parts being generally great
extortioners. I humbly represent to your highnes the
necessity of allowing forreigne commerse, which can be
noe way prejudicial!, imposing upon them double custom to
be paid in our English plantations in these parts. As yett
our London shipps are not arrived with our store. We
are now ready to sett saile ; wheirforee being in haste
I humbly beg your highnes pardon for not returning
soe full an account as I intended. By the nest con-
veyance I shall endeavour to render you as perfect an
account as I can possible. In the meantyme I presume
to style myselfe
Your highnes most humble servant
Gregory Butler.
From aboard the Marston-moore ryding
before the Berbadoes. Feb. 7, 1654.
(Thurloe's 'State Papers,' vol. iii., p. 142.)
1654. M'' Andrew Riccard, etc., to the protector.
May it please your Highness,
In pursuance of your highness's instructions, we have
considered of fitt persons to be commissionated with those
upon the Barbadoes and the other islands ; and do humbly
present their names as foUoweth : —
Edmund Winslow, esquire,
Richard Holdip, esquire,
Captain Edward Blagg, to be
sent from hence.
Commissioners for the Barbadoes:
Col. Searle, governor.
Col. Morrice,
Col. Muddiford,
.... Hawkins, esquire,
Thomas Noel, esquire,
Edward Thomson, esquire,
John Roberts, esquire.
For Nevis :
Luke Stokes, governor, and his Council.
For Christopher's :
Clement Everard, governor, and his council.
For Mountserat :
Roger Osborne, governor, and his council.
For Antigua :
.... Rennell, governor, and his council.
{Ibid., vol. ii., p. 543.)
1054. Ch. Raynell* to the protector.
May it please your Highnes,
Upon the reducement of these parts in that expedition
of Sir George Ascue's imploy, I was by him and the other
commissioners then impowered, commissionated to be
governor and commander in chief of this island Antigua, in
relation and obedience to the commonwealth of England,
which to the best of my endeavours I hope in my instru-
ment I have faithfully performed ; in the progress of which
my imploy, being I have received by several advice, that it
was and is thought meete, and so established by the greate
councell and istate of Ingland, with your highness consent
and acceptation, that the government of our nation and
dominions remayne in yourselfe as lord protector ; a thing
most acceptable to mee, whoe doe most faythfuUy wish your
highnes and the commonwealth wellfare and hapines ; and
in manifestation thereof have cherfully acknowledged and
submitted to all such mandates or expresses, which have
hetherto come in the name of the lord protetii;;;. _ But in
our private cousultation consideringe of w ,nj sperites
amongst us, doupting theyre disafections ha ^ not altered
the titles of our .... or ... . accordinge t, our desii-es
and intentions, lest an ill-effected partie sh(,i(j presume
to take an advantage thereby, in preteudige, as some
have allredy given out, that there were^ :,e powre of
government ; but all as libitinc, untell a jne' commission
* Christopher Keynell's name is often writitenyynell in the
State Papers. I I
PEOM ARRIVAL OF LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE RESTORATION, xxiii
com from your highness, which by that meanes might
indanger the place to a confusion and ruien ; soe render
us uncapable of that service we desire to performs to your
highness and the commonwealth ; the place of itselfe
(if incoragement and small helps weere afforded) beeing
of consiqusnce by reson of the fertellity of the soyle,
and sxossdinge all other settled in these partss in con-
vsnnisnts and safe harbours, I in relation to the premisses,
and my loyalty to your highness and the common-
wsalth, doe prostrate my humble desire at the feete of
your bigness care and justice, soe far to take up the
people and place into your consideration, as to give such
order and directions as may put us not only in a condition
of walking inoffensively, but allsoe as wee may be servisable
to your highness and the commonwealth ; which is the
harty desire of
Your most obedient subject and servant,
Chr. Raynell.
From the island of Antigua, in the partes of
America, August 20, 1G54.
I have presumed heerewithall to present a coppy of the
commission I have acted by, in case your highness please to
Lave it perused. (Thurloe's ' State Papers,' vol. ii., p. 554.)
1G54? Petition of Carsten Carstenson, of Stockholm,
master of the " Stockholm," of Stockholm. Complains of
his goods being seized in Antigua by Governor Kayuell.
(' Colonial Calendar,' p. 420.)
In 1665 all goods and merchandise belonging to
the Dutch in the West Indies were declared confis-
cated by Parliament. This was a severe blow to the
merchants of Holland, who had much capital in-
vested iu the Plantations, their ships monopolising
the carrying trade. The following lists are copied
from Egerton MS. 2395, British Museum. From
two of the items we learn that 1 lb. of sugar was
worth 3 lbs. of tobacco.
Aktigua.
A List of y^ Inhabitants of j" pond Division and Rendez-
vous Bay, y'= Leward Devision, and Crab Vallye, and
Burmudian Vallye, who Confeseth them Selves to
have bene and are Indb' unto y«^ Estates of Garrard
and Jacob Derrick By Bill or Accoump' and what they
are Indebted. As also j" Debts of Severall p'sons
found due uppon y" Booke who hath not appeared
at their Summens before Cap'" Richard Lisle, and
M"^ Tho. firyer Comission'" for y' purpose Appointed.
Taken and Examined at Severall times by y^ said
Lisle, & Fryer from y" S"' of Noverab'"' 1G55 unto y"
first of Decemb'^ 1655 : —
Tobacco
Deb. to
Gar" Derrick
Idem
Idem
Idem
Idem
Garr" & Jacol>
Gov' Kaynell By 12 h'h of wine
by an acco" brought in by
Rob. Heme & D'D upon oath .
Govern' Kaynell deb*'' more
Govern' Kayuell more to severall
p'sells of wine by an acco"
brought in by Rob. Heme and
del''' uppon oath
more Charged upon y'^said Hemes
acco" but to be p'd by Gov'
Kaynell being due from him as
y* s'd Hearn hath deposed
Tho. Wright
James Southwell hath deposed all
deb'^ and Acc"= are Satisfied .
7,700
4,747
13,488
626
287
00,000
Tobacco
Gan-t
Mathew Grimes by L' Bruster
20
Gar' & Jacob
Isaac Holland hath deposed not
Indeb' .
00,000
Gar*
Henry Eliot by his wife Adminis-
tratrix .
170
Michell Culford Confeseth
686
Garr* Derrick
Thomas Armitage Confeseth
744
Idem
Christopher Baldwin by Bill
660
Idem
Clement Alyen confesech .
100
Jacob & Garr'
John Lannet Confeseth
73
Garret
Will' Wilson per Bill
310
Jacob
Will' Warrington Deb.
673
Garret
Will' Ward confeseth
42
Jacob
Will' Morgan confeseth
526
Idem
Sam Irish Confeseth
148
Garret
Hen. Nichole per Bill
1,722
Jacob
John Roberts confeseth
264
Garr' Derrick
Curtise by Bill .
309
Jacob
Francis Kaynell found deb.
42
Garret
Petter Harrise uppon y" Booke
113
.Jacob
Will' Bignall confeseth
640
Garret
Tho. Fryer confeseth to Ballance
7
Idem
Rob. Hearne confeseth
269
Jacob
Rob. Hearne confeseth
566
Idem
Christopher Newsteed confeseth
116
Idem
ffrancis Peatten uppon y"^ Booke
152
Idem
Will' Price uppon y^ Booke
. 1,360
Garret
John Cash by Bill
247
Idem
John Henlock
2
Idem
Richard Nicholles
85
Jacob
Petter Jones Confeseth
244
Idem
Step. Abramson .
519
Garret
Tho. Clurruck confeseth
286
Idem
Rob' Haij
780
Idem
Cap' Tho. Tuck .
1,488
Idem
Madam Ashton by Bill confesetli
one hundred pounds of sugar
300
Idem
Madam Ashton found upon Booke
258
Idem
M' Smithers 83 '" sugar per Bill
Toattall summe
249
41,018
lb.
d.
Govern' Kaynell Indebted to Garr' Derrick
82"> 2= 6'! Sterling Money being the full ap-
praisement of y" Shipp with gunnes tackle
boate oares and Apparell, etc.
82 02 06
A catalog, of what debts are due to Severall people in y<=
afore menc'oned Divisions from Garret & Jacob
Derrick Given in uppon their severall oathes to Cap'"
Rich. Lisle & M'' tho. Fryer Comiss'^^^as afores'd : —
to tho. Wright being reedy to depose
L' tho. Southwell being deposed .
to y'= Relick of Henry Eliot by Bill
to Mark Hall
to L' Gilles Blizard his own ace' M'
Websters being satisfied
to Gover' Kaynell from Jacob Derrick for
house ....
to Mark Brustei- .
to Will' Bradshaw .
to Thorn. Cluruck for table & bedsteed
to Madam Ashton .
to Rob' Smithers ...
to Gidion Bryet
to Madam Ashton .
Totall .
Jegon
a store
Tobacco
2,047
180
2,287
77
3,415
645
68
387
[hlank']
801)
1,127
9,011
659
20,713
XXIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
The names of those p'sons that are indebted for wine de-
livered unto them at Several! times by Robt. Hearne
as he hath given them in unto j'- aforesaid Comiss'"
upon his oath w'^'' s'd wines did belong unto Cap*"
Derrick and was taken out of the Ship called y'
Hope as also what they are indebted : —
Tobacco
Martin Purder ..... 188
Will' Price ..... 54
John Collars ..... 60
Eob' Hay ...... 312
ffrancis Pattean ..... 28
Henry Collowell . . . . .120
Cloyce Harty ..... 84
Owen Griffim ..... 36
John Kearne ..... 24
William fFennij ..... 8
John Cade ..... 180
Able Kayne ..... 52
William Gittings . . . . .126
Totall
1,272
A List of y« Inhabitants in Burmudian Vallye and others
vi^^ are Indebted unto Clans Harty as it hath bein
made appeare to Cap'" Rich. Lisle and W Thomas
Fryer uppon ace' and Examinac'on they being Comis-
sion'" appoynted by Authority for that purpose : —
Tobacco
Tho. Halfehide ..... 379
Rob. Laysey confcseth .... 946
John Mayotts confeseth .... 60
John Camell confeseth .... 32
Alesand' Spettle confeseth . . . 480
Govern' Kaynell confeseth by Rob. Hearn . 7,136
John Fry D'^ confeseth . . . .289
Andrew Curteein per Bill .... 95
William Wilcocks per Wm. Price . . . 130
Maurice Shehaun found Deb' upon ye Book . 257
Cornelus Cornelisoa confeseth . . . 351
Richard Ayres found Deb'"' . . . 210
Totall Summe
10,365
Insula Antigua.
Severall Debts of Cap*" Garrard Derrickson and Jacob
Derrickson by Bill and Accoump* Confest y'= 2 day of
Aprill 165C : —
Tobacco
Tearvy 6 Sham per Bill
Edward Ma . . 11 per Bill .
John Winter per Bill
M"^ Paul Lee per Bill
to Ballence uppon Percivall Innocents Accoump'
Cap'" Stodder per Bill .
More to Peeter Boyer per Bill
Rest to ballauce upon Wm. Walters Bill and
Answered per Cap'° Stodder
Francies Gifford per Bill .
Phihp Flin upon accoump'
Zachary Smith uppon Ace" and ans'red by Rob
Wearner ....
Thomas Bowes is Charged uppon ace" 1251 But
denies it but confeseth some
Thomas Collins per Acc° .
Frances Hudson per Bill .
William Pike uppon Ace" .
more uppon Ace" ....
Petter Dominico uppon Acc°
M' Burkingham upon Ace" suger 220
Thomas Couttenell uppon Acc°
362
80
318
333
318
200
2,000
236
2,250
49
254
1,251
40
360
566
321
116
660
225
John Edwards per Acconmpt
Rob' Jliles by ace" but denies it
one Bill more
Tho Mathewes per Bill
Jn" Walling uppon Balleuc of Acc°
Sam. Wei bourn
L' Palmer .
Robert Trefliiine per Bill
Dannell 6 Criminy per Bill
Hugh Evens per Acco'
Sam. Pile per Bill .
John Andrews per Bill
John Grendrip per Bill
Dearemon Doogon per Bill
Xf' Toiler per Bill
John Partington per Bill
William Tyler per BUI
Rich. Hallet per Bill
Thomas Coate per Bill but confeseth
Hugh Chesword per Bill
William Kenton per Bill
Cap. Turfrey per Acco' but will make it appeare
discharged ....
Total Summe
Tobacco
60
806
313
74
174
115
16
460
370
209
610
349
1,070
919
1,330
180
215
380
33
388
180
327
18,077
The names of such as are indebted either for their own
account & confesed unt. Claus Harty by an Account
brought in by Rob' Hearne the 10"" of Novemb'
1655:—
Cello' Christopher Kaynell by acco' conf
Capt. Richard Lisle Confeseth
Thomas ffryer confeseth
7,136
900
454
8,489
A list of Bills belonging to Claus Harty deliver unto Cap'"
Lisle and M'' tho. ffryer by Rob. Hearne : —
1 Bill of W"' AVilcocks
1 Bill of John Docody
362
468
62
257
1,173
379
793
3,494
1 Bill of John Mayots
1 Bill of Morrise Phalela
1 Bill of Rob' Lacy
1 Bill of M'- Hatfields
1 Bill of William Hopten
2 Notes of M"- Winthorp
1 discharg of Claus Harty
1 Neat of Jn" Boyse
1 Noat of Will' Price
1 Noate of Will' Bangers
North Sound and Popes Head.
A list of Debts due to Cap' Derrick Jacob Derrick and
Claus Harty as are made Appeare by bills Books and
Confession : —
Tobacco
L' Henry Smith Confeseth . , . 1,300
2,888
352
265
586
4,676
115
137
2,924
131
531
1,164
Ensigne Thomas Kelland .
Will fford D'^
Richard Packins Deb'"' per Bill
Edmund Cooper per Bill .
Col' Chamond RumdeU D''
Henry Tanckerd D''
Straphon Martin d'''
John Sellers
Will' y« Scot Alias Bitton .
L= Henry Stote
Major Jacob Withers
15,069
EHOM ARRIVAL OE LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE RESTORATION, xxv
A List of Such people as are Indebted unto Cap'° Garrard
Derrick Jacob and Clans Harty in y« five Islands : —
Tobacco
Will' Willson per Bill . .' . .310
Sargt William Lyne per BiU . . .133
Sargt Major Garden . . . .300
/
743
41,018
20,713
1,272
This is the totall
10,365
sumin' due to
18,077
y" State from
8,489
Antigua besides
3,494
82"' 2' e*.
15,069
743
119,240
1655. Cap' Gregory Butler to the protector.
May itt please your highness,
During my stay at Barbadus, which was but eight
dayes, severall strangers shipps were seized, and an im-
bargoe laid on all vessells. Aboard the Swiftshore a
conferrence was held with collonell Mudeford and coll.
Morrice, the night before I sett sayle for Crestifores ; the
some of it was, what place might bee best attempted, but
indeed nothing concluded before my departure, which was
earely next morning. Coll. Holdet and capt. Blagg were
joined in commission with my selfe to raise men, and seize
all strangers shipps trading with the Leward Islands under
the English governemente. Our first arrivale was at
Antegoe ; whoes governer is Chrestopher Kennell, som-
tyme a capt. in England under the command of the
honourable major generall Skippon. There wee staid but one
night : having proclaymed your highnes, wee departed,
after I had wryte to capt. Fountaine to come and serve
your highnes, judgeing him fitt, whoe formerly was with
capt. Cromwell in the Indes, knoweing him formerly to bee
vallient. I enlured the governer to laye waite for capt.
Campoe Subbatha, formerly Jackson's pillate ; besids with
moneys and promises I gott mr. Wentworth, capt. Crom-
well's mate, whome I placed in the Marstonemore friggett
as piUate.
This Island of Antegoe is much moUested with the
Indyens of Guardelupp, Domineca, and S' Vencent, which
made me uuwilling to entertaine any of the inhabitants
for souldiers, there not being one the island above twelve
hundred men. The place hath very good harbors in it, and
of all the islands formerly possessed by the English, is the
best, haveiug stoore of earth to make saltepeter. The next
is Moncerrate, where with all sevellitye wee were enter-
tained by the governer Osborne. Here wee raised fower
score men, and toke two Dutch shipps and two Dutch
shallups, proclamed your highnes, and see departed for
Meves, where the governer, a most sober, godley, and dis-
crete person, intertained ns nobley, drew his people in
armes, and proclaymed your highnes. The same day wee
listed three hundred men. This gentleman being old was
willing to laye downe his commission, but wee incuredged
him to retaine it.
Hee was much perplexed with some annebaptest.
Of him and another I bought two Indyens of Floreday
shamefully betraid by a private man of warr, and sould in
this island ; the which I left with my man upon the
Island of Gemecoe. In Meves wee staid but two dayes ;
see departed to S' Cristophers, where wee found the greate
ons verey unwiUing, that wee should raise any men, ferring
by that meanes the French might rewing them. The
French were jellius of us, the old fier being unwilling to
rune any hassard in his old agge, knowing his estate in
S' Cristophers to bee better then the faviour of his master
the King of France. The English governer Everrard is
a covetuous and grevious opresser, not earring what will
become of his people, soe hee thrives. Here we raised eight
or nyne hundred men ; and had those quartered, which wee
brought from Neves and Mountsearate. The English
would a faiiie a fanlne out with the* French during our
staying here ; but wee tooke such care, that the ammetye
was renewed,* and the people left in peece. This island
is almost worne out by reason of the multituds that live
upon it. The fleete appearinge, wee shipped our men to
the number of twelve hundred, and departed. (Thurloe's
' State Papers,' vol. iii., p. 574.)
As the conquest of Jamaica by Pen and Venables
was effected with the aid of the settlers from the
West Indian colonies, a brief allusion to that event
may be uiade.
On 18 December 1654 the soldiers were shipped,
and the Rear-Admiral sailed from England next day,
leaving the others to follow. The fleet of thirty sail,
under the command of Admiral William Pen, with
five regiments, amounting to 3000 men, besides
officers, arrived at Barbados on 1 February 1654-5.
Twenty Dutch ships were captured there, and after
refitting, the Admiral sailed on 3 March, taking
with hira a troop of Barbadian horse, besides many
settlers. On 6 April the fleet anchored off St.
Christopher's, and received 1200 volunteers from the
Leeward Islands under Captain Gregory Butler.
There were now 6000 West Indian settlers on
board " that went to plant," besides women and
children. On the 13th the expedition arrived at
St. Domingo or Hispaniola, the conquest of which
was Cromwell's object ; 7000 troops were landed the
following day, but after some desultory fighting for
several days the commanders gave up the enter-
prise, having lost 1700 out of 9700 men landed,
together with six colours. On 3 May 1655 the
fleet sailed, arriving on the 10th at Jamaica, which
island was easily conquered. Each regiment was
assigned a district, and the officers and men received
large grants of laud. It will thus be seen how the
sui'plus population of Barbados and the Leeward
Islands greatly contributed to the successfiil con-
quest and settlement of Jamaica. (Egerton MS.
2395, fo. 60, contains a very good detailed description
of this expedition.)
1655. Nov. 7. Extract of a letter written by Daniel
Searle, Governor of Barbados, to Oliver Cromwell.
The collony of Surranam settled on the maiue of
Guyanna have applied themselfs unto mee with some com-
plaint of theire unsettled condition. Theire governor coll.
Holdip deserteing them retorned for England, and was there
employed for the service of your highnes expedition into
America ; since which time theye have binn and still are with-
out any person authorized in the government amongst them.
Some addresses have likewise binn made unto mee by
mr. Joseph Lee, Benjamin Langhanf (sic), and Richard
Furfey, inhabitants of the island Antegoe, in behalfe of
* A copy of the Articles is g-iven by Du Tertre, vol. i., pp.
447—479.
t Ralph Webster of Antigua, Gent., in his will dated 1.3 April
1G49, referred to his plantation and slaves held in partnership with
Captain Benjamin Langham, and appointed as overseers Captain
Joseph Lee and Mr. Thomas Akehurst.
XXVI
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
themselfs and the people of that collony, concerning some dis-
tractions among them, and the present unsettled and dis-
turbed condition of that collony ; but findeing I have noe
power to take cognizance of anything of that nature without
the boundes of this collony without spetiall order from your
highnes, I have transmitted theire complaints and the state
of the matter in differance betwixt them upon theire
governour's goeing off, which your highnes will hearewith
receve. (Thurloe's ' State Papers,' vol. iv., p. 1.57.)
On 1 1 November Cromwell established tlie Board
of Trade, being a Committee of the Privy Council,
appointed for the special consideration of trade and
the affairs of the plantations.
J. Daniel auditor general to the expedition under Pen &
Venables, to Oliver Cromwell, dated 3rd June 1C55.
"Mrs. Lee, wife of Captain Lee (of Antigua), was
carried away by the Caribs, and kept prisoner 3 years at
Dominica, her husband and many English slaughtered."
('Antigua and the Antiguans,' vol. i., p. 15.)
Extract of a letter from Major Sedgwick & vice-admiral
Goodsoun, to the protector, dated at Jamaica 12
March 1G55-6.
.... We have as much as we could animated our
souldiers to planting ; something they do but not much ;
however to give them good example, we are now making a
common plantation for the fleet, which is undertaken with
chearfulness by the seamen. We have also despatched a
ship, the Hope fly-boat, for New England to fetch masts
and such necessaries as are wanting for the fleet, with
letters to Captain Grookin, promising our best assistance of
shipping, if he give us notice of any considerable number
that desire to be transported hither. She is ordered like-
wise in her return to touch at Barbados and Nevis, with
letters to the governours there to the same effect, and to
desire them to signify so much to all their neighbour plan-
tations, as Montserrat, Antigua, etc. (Thurloe's ' State
Papers,' vol. iv., p. 601.)
1656. Draught of a Commission for Christopher Cannell
to be Gov' of Antego.
Oliver P.
OHver Lord Protector of y>= Common- wealth of England,
Scotland, & Ireland, & y'= dominions thereto belonging. To
all to whom these presents shall come, Greetinge. Know
ye y' we being well assured of j^ faithfuUness, prudence, &
ability of our well-beloved Collonel Christopher Keynell ;
have made, ordeined, constituted, & appointed, & by these
presents doe make, ordeiue, constitute, & appoint him y'
said Christopher Keynell Goveruer of our Island of Antigua
in America ; with y'' Island of Barbado,* & other j'= little
lies thereunto adjoyning, & belonginge : & all our forts,
castles & fortresses, havens, roads & harbours there ;
dureing our pleasure : & to y'' end & purpose we doe by
these presents grant, & comitt unto him y'= said Governour
Keynell, y'^ charge, custody, & government of y|= aforesaid
Islands, & premises, with full power & authority for us, &
in our name, to rule, govern, & order all & singular y'^
person, which now are or hereafter shall be abideing on j"
said IsUmds, & every or any of them accordinge to y'' laws
& customs of England, & such good, just, & reasonable
customes & ordinances, as are or shall be there used &
approved : & all such as shall be found disobedient in y'
premises to chastize, correct & punish accordinge to theire
severall demeritts ; & w"' force, & strong hand to fight
with, kill, slay, represse, & subdue all such persons as in
hostile manner shall attempt to encounter our forces there,
or to possesse & invade our said Islands, or any of them, or
in any wise to impeach our title & possession thereof ; or to
hurt or annoy him y" said Christopher Keynell, or any y''
* Barbuda.
people there beinge ; or others under our protection, & to
y' purpose to receive into his command y^ severall companys
of hors & foot belonginge to y" said Island & them to
trade, lead, exercise & discipline in warr-like manner,
accordinge to his discretion ; & from time to time to make
constitute, & appoint under him fitt & convenient Officers
& ministers of Justice both Civil & Military ; for j" peace &
safety & y" good and peaceable governement of our said
Islands, & people there : & we doe hereby streightly charge
& command all manner of persons w"^"" now are, or shall
hereafter be abideing upon y same Islands, to be obedient,
aidinge & assistiuge of him y*" said Christopher Keynell, as
CoUonell & Governour of our said Islands in all things as
becometh.
And for y' better execution of our service in y'' premises,
& secureinge our interest in j" said Islands, we doe by these
presents give, & grant further power & authority unto him
y^ said Christopher Keynell, to erect, rais, & make such
fortifications in such convenient harbours & places there as
he shall Judge necessary; & for defrayinge & bareing y«
Charges of y^ premises, to tax, & assess y' Inhabitants
there, equally & proportionately accordinge to their severall
degrees & estates.
And further we doe by these presents grant unto him y«
said Christopher Keynell full ])oure & authority from time to
time, & when, & as often as to him shall seem necessary &
expedient to summon courts of Assembly in y" said Island, &
to heare & determine all, & all manner of causes & businesses
there happeninge & to happen, whither Civil or Military, &
from time to time, in case of eminent danger to proceed
against in a summary & expeditious way, & cans execution
to be done upon mutinous & incorrigible persons, disturbers
of y^ publique peace, accordinge to y^ cours of y'= law Mar-
shall : & allsoe by & with y'' consent of his counsell & free-
holders of y" said Islands from time to time & when, & as
often as to him shall seem necessary, to make, & ordeine
such laws constitutions & ordinances not repugnant to y*
Laws of England, as shall be thought meet for y" good
governement of y' said Islands, & inhabitants thereof.
And we doe hereby grant, & confirme unto y'' said
Christopher Keynell, in consideration of his attendants, care
& diligence in service there, all & every such, & y« like ad-
vantages, proffitts, immunitys, customs, priviledges, emolu-
ments whatsoever incident, due, and belonginge to his said
place & office of Collonel & Governour of y"" said Islands : &
for y'^ better encouragement of all such persons as shall desire
to plant themselves in our said Islands, we doe by these
presents further give, & grant unto him y<= said Christopher
Keynell, full powre & authority to sett out, allott, & grant
unto all, & every such person & persons such proportions of
Lands in y'= said Islands as y'= said Christopher Keynell shall
think fit. And lastly we doe by these presents give & grant
unto y'' said Christopher Keynell full powre & authority to
substitute under him, as necessity shall require, one fitt &
discreet person to be his Deputy in his absence, & further to
doe & execute all & every such other act, & acts, as shall or
may tend or conduce to y^ settlinge of our governement there,
& of our said Collony & plantations & inhabitants thereof,
in peace & quietness, & for y" advanceing of trade, & com-
merce & as shall be found there most fit & beneficial for y^^
honour of us & these Nations, & ye good & well-fare of our
people there. And we hereby will & command him y" said
Christopher Keynell dilligently & carefully to intend this
our service & observe, & perform such further instructions
& commands, as he shall ft-om time to time receive from us,
or from us with y<= advice of our Counsell ; in y'' premises
whereof we shall expect a due account : given under our
signett at our pallace of Westminster, y" sixt day of August,
in y" yeare of our Lord ; one thousand six hundred, &
fifty-six.
(Egerton MS. 2395.)
FROM ARRIVAL OE LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE RESTORATION, xsvii
1G56. July 15. Petition of Got. Keyuell to the Council
of State.
At the desire of his Council & all the inhabitants he
undertook a voyage to England at his own charge, to give an
account of the island, which he has performed to the best of
his abilities. Is desirous that the business should be deter-
mined that he may return. His salary not half enough to
defi-ay the charges of housekeeping. Has spent the greatest
part of his estate in the purchase of ammunition, or else the
Island had not been in possession of the English. Has for-
borne to levy upon the inhabitants because of their poverty.
His goods, to the value of nearly £1000, sent from Antigua
to defray his expenses in England, all taken by nunkirkers.
Wishes to go to sea within 14 days. Prays that the premises
may be taken into mature consideration, so that he may
return to his charge, his dearest relation and family.
On the 23'' certain armes & ammunition were ordered by
the Council out of the public stores for defence of the island,
the merchants trading thither to be allowed 300 men out of
Scotland, to be transported to Antigua at their own charge.
1656. May6. Eeport of the Committee of Trade"deliv'd
by his Highness in Council 6 May 1656." The purport of
the above considerations more in detail, with the exception of
foreign trade, recommended by the Committee to be adopted,
as well as that Protestants of what nation soever be en-
couraged to live under the English Government in the Island.
July 1. Govr. Keynell also proposes that: —
If importation of the commodities of the island into Eng-
land, custom free, be not allowed, he proposes that a garrison of
500 soldiers be kept upon the island, or a supply sent of Eng-
lish and Scotch servants, with arms, ammunition, and negroes.
The number left to their Lordships.
Two ships of 200 tons each, provided for the use of the
Colony, may give such encouragement, that the island may be
kept in possession of the Commonwealth, without further
charge.
A continued supply of servants necessary as prisoners
and the like. Course for their transportation.
Endorsed: — "Read 1 July 1656. Ord. to be resumed
Thursday."
This paper was referred on the 3'''' to a committee, to con-
sider of the raising of a fort in Antigua for securing the in-
terest of the commonwealtii, & of such inhabitants as
remain there, & of transplanting the rest to Jamaica.
Another proposal was also presented by Kaynell to Col.
Jones, one of the Council of State, viz. : —
Propositions concerning the customs upon coimnodities &
trade of the island. That it may be supplied with 400 or
500 servants. No able-bodied men to be allowed to leave
until they are in a condition to defend themselves. Twelve
minions would be very useful. Will set out two ships to
sea without any charge to his Highness, if he will bestow
them for the service of the colony. Believes, if these pro-
posals be not speedily granted, that it will be impossible to
retain the island. Some resolutions then necessary, that so
the people may shift for themselves.
1656. April. Gov. Keynell petitions the Committee
for Trade & navigation on behalf of the merchants, inhabi-
tants & traders of Antigua. Prays to be heard about certain
proposals intimating the situation, commodities, benefits, etc.,
of those fruitful islands that speedy resolutions may be taken.
Annexed are :
l''iy. Proposals for the preservation of Antigua from
present ruin and destruction. Situation bigger than Bar-
badoes, with large and secure harbours on all sides : climate
healthy, soil not inferior to any of the Caribbee Islands, and
very productive in tobacco, sugar, indigo, and. cotton.
Great store of saltpetre ; natural salt ponds, plenty of fish
and fowls, and good stock of cattle.
Many plantations have been deserted because Colonel
Henry Ashton declared for the adverse party, and through the
wars between England and Holland commerce has been hin-
dered. Prohibition of foreign trade has pi-evented the arrival
of considerable supplies expected, especially by " the Nor-
weesers " already settled there. No supplies of servants
have of late arrived from England ; number of fighting men
very inconsiderable.
Unless some speedy course is taken to remedy these
evils, the island will be quite deserted, and if it fall into the
possession of an enemy, the utter rnin of all the English
plantations in those parts will be imminent.
2ncii.v_ Considerations upon the above proposals by order
of 16 April 1656, for keeping afoot the island of Antigua.
All arms and ammunition, of which a supply to be sent,
and clothing outward bound, and all commodities imported
for five years to be free of customs.
English servants to be sent over " as prisoners and the
like, if not, Scotch and Irish."
Planters to be encouraged to go on with their plantations ;
those that fail to be disposed of by the Governour to others
who will settle them. The " Norweeses " and other
strangers to be permitted to trade and supply their re-
spective plantations.
John Davies in liis translation of Rochefort's
' History of the Caribby Islands,' the first edition of
which was published in French in 1658, and the
English translation in 1666, gives the following
short account of Antigua: —
The Island of Antego lyes at the Altitude of 16 degrees
and 11 minutes, between the Barbados and the Desviddo.
It is in length about six or seven leagues, the breadth not
the same in all places. The access of it is dangerous for
Shipping, by reason of the rocks which encompass it. It
was conceiv'd heretofore, that it was not to be inhabited,
upon this presumption, that there was no fresh water in it :
but the English, who have planted themselves in it, have
met with some, and have made Ponds and Cisterns, which
might supply that defect. This Island is abundant in Fish,
most sorts of wild Fowl, and in all of tame Cattel. It is
inhabited by seven or eight hundred men.
So large a quantity of tobacco had been grown in
the Leeward Islands that the price had become too
low to make its further cultivation profitable ; sugar-
cane, ginger, and indigo took its place.
A League offensive & defensive concluded between the
English & French in the Charribee I^eeward Islands
ag^' the Indians 1659.
In the Castle of the Lord Generall the Bayliff Deponcij
the King of ffrance his Ijieu" Generall in America, where
were Assembled togeather Colonell Roger Osborne, Govern'
of the Island of Montserrat, and the Captaynes, Captayne
Randall Russell, Captayne Michaell Smith, the Deputyes of
serj' Maior James Russell Governo' of the Island of Nevis,
and the said Governo' Osborne in the behalfe of Colonell
Christopher Kaynell Governo' of Antigua for the English
Nation ; and the Gent. Charles Houel, Lord Governo' of
Guardaloopa and the Zaints, etc., and Robert Houel Knight
as well for his owne p'ticuler part as what concern es the
Heires of the Deceased Gent. Boiserett Lord of the Island of
Marigalanta & Disserada Representing the french Nation,
of which p'sons soe Assembled the said Generall Bayliflf
Depoincij was president.
The Manifould Disorders which hath happened by the
Insolence of the dayly Invasions of the Indians into divers
Islands Inhabited by the said Two Nations Represented es-
pecially by the Indians of S' Vincents and Dominica, the
XXVIU
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
severall Murthers and outrages Executed by them and the
Detention of the people of both nations whose Lives were in
dainger of Ijooseing untill this present time not being able
to suppress their Insolency, much less possible to Adventure
to Declare unto them the Light of the Gospell the principall
Motive of Establishing the CoUonyes in America, because
they allwayes had the Craft & Subbilty to make peace with
one of the Two Nations before they would Enterprize any-
thing against the other, By which meanes they politiquely
did maintaine frieudshipp with one of the said two Nations.
Wherefore to Compas the Salvation of these Idolato" & to
contayne them in a Civill & pollitique way ; It is thought
Necessary to ifavorize the endeavo" that any Eclesiasticall
p'son or p'sons shall from time to time & at all times here-
after take on that behalfe. Upon all which Considderac'ons
the said Assembly haveing Maturely Deliberated doe thinke
fitt, for Grods Glory the Service of their Supreames and the
Quietnes of the Inhabitants of both Nations to make an Of-
fensive and Defencive League & Union amongst themselves
the said English & ifrench Nation as they doe by these
p'sents Confedderate in a firme absolute and Everlasting
League or Union between themselves the said Nations both
Offensive & Defencive against the said Indians & every one
of them, If they or any of them who have concluded a peace
with eyther or both of the said Nations or any other the
Carribee Indians shall offer any violence or practize any
mischiefe against the people of eyther the said Nations, and
in p'ticuler & more especiall manner the Indians of the said
Islands of S' Vincent & Dominica. And ffor the takeing
away of all jealousies & prevention of any JMisconstructions
of the true Intent of the said Assembly; It is Concluded
& Agreed that the said Two Islands S' Vincent & Dominica
shall remaine proprietory unto the Indians Inhabitants
thereof, and that neyther of the p'sons in this p'sent Assem-
bly shall Arme any Souldiers against them in their said
Islands or in Hostile way or otherwise (Dureiug the peace
with the said Indians) compass the Disposession of the said
Indians of their said Land or lay any title or Clayme of
proprietorshipp thereunto. It is further Concluded &
agreed by the said Assembly that for the Maintaynance of
the said League there shalbee the summe of ffourty thousand
pounds of Suger ffrench weiglit putt into the hands of
Anthony Reyersou m'chant at Bastarr within six Monthes
after the Date hereof by the English Nation, And ifourty
thousand pounds of Suger ffrench weight put into the hands
of Samuel Queivy m'chant at Bastarr by the ffrench Nation,
which said Summes shalbee by the said Reyerson & Queivy
disbursed & paid by order & at the Joint appointm" of the
Hon"'' Colonell Roger Osborne Governo' of the Island of
Montserratt on the p'te of the English Nation, and the
Hon'"''^ Lord Charles Houel Governo' of the Island of
Guardaloope on the p'te of the ffrench Nation, ffor the use
of both Nations for the Carrying on & maintayning the
Union. It is further Concluded & Agreed by the Joint con-
sent of the persons of the said Assembly that if it shalbee
thought necessary to wage warr with the said Indians by
Sea or Land to build fforts or entertaine Garrisons for a
time or Longer the said United Nations shall equally
ffurnish Amunition men & victualls, and that the necessity
Requireing the same shalbee adjudged by the p'sons in the
said Assembly or their Successo" in power and Authority,
flurther the said Assembly haveing Judged that this Union
wilbee of small effect were it not . . . .* of knowledge and
understanding amongst them Doe unanimously Nominate
* Here a narrow strip is missinfj from the MS. — V. L. 0.
Elect & Chuse .... Collonel Roger Osborne Governo' of
Montseratt & the Hon^e the said Lord Charles .... the
Island of Guardaloope jointly to undertake & on the behalfe
of both Nations .... Correspondence to manadge & Carry
on the said Designe both in warr & peace according ....
& meaning of this Union & Confedderacy who have Nobly
& Generously Accepted of ... . promise of a CarefuU Im-
provement of their best endeavours therein. It is alsoe
Agreed by the p'sons of the said Assembly that all proffitts
soever that any way .... union shall be to the equall benefitt
& belioofe of both nations, of which there shalbe .... to the
said Governo"'^ Imployed. It is ffurther Agreed to the end
that this p'sent League may not give any occasion to the
peop .... to neglect their Guards that on eyther p'te the
accustomed orders for their safety shall .... bee Continued
to prevent Surprizall. It is alsoe Agreed upon by the As-
sembly that the saide Governo" or whome shall bee ....
shall use their best endeavors to Recover as soone as they
can possible all the Captives .... deteyned prisoners by the
said Indians, and their Ransom shall be paid by those of
.... they shall appertaine by Reason that the peace is not
as yet Generally Conclud .... of both the said Islands.
That this present League & Union may not bee Impeached
by any other not Interrested .... Lawfull to any one of
Eyther of the Nations to Deale or Trade or have any ....
the said two Islands, may not ffish nor hunt tiiere without
the Lycence or p'mission .... said Governo" or Eyther of
them. It is alsoe Concluded that the Governo'^ & In-
habitants of other Islands not here p'sent to this Assembly
may enter into this League if please them within the space
of Six Monthes from the Date hereof in declareing them-
selves & Contriljuting for their p'te & proporc'on ordayned
as aforesaid. And to the end this Union may bee of ever-
dureing Continuance & ffidelity between the said Two
Nations, the said Assembly doth Agree that the p'sons
therein named shall Respectively endeavour y'' confimac'on
thereof from their princes Chiefs or Rulers at Home. That
notwithstanding any warrs Declared there the said Union
may Continue Inviolably for Six Monthes.
Dated the [blank] Rog" Osborne.
Houel. Jas. Ru.ssell.
Le Ch'l' Desales.*
Endorsed : — " Articles betwixt y= Inglish & french w""
the Indians 1659."
(Egerton MS. 2395.)
1659. Jan. The inhabitants of S' Christopher's make
complaints against their Governor Col. Clement Everard
& say that an Expedition against the Caribbee Indians,
mutually agreed upon by the Governors of Nevis, Antigua
and Montserrat, " was lost and ruined " through Gov""
Everard breaking his engagements.
It was enacted by the Commonwealth that " no
goods shall be imported into or exported from the
plantations but in British-built ships, and wholly
owned by British subjects, and navigated by three-
fourths sailors of the same."
By 12 Charles II. for every vessel sailing from
England or Ireland for the plantations, bond for
£1000 had to be given if she were under, and £2000
if over 100 tons. (Southey.)
* Charles de Sales, Chevalier of the Order of St. John of
Jerusalem, Governor-General of the French at St. Christopher's.
FROM RESTOEATION OE CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II. xxix
CHAPTER V.
FROM THE RESTORATION OE CHARLES II. TO THE ABDICATION OF JAMES II.,
1660—1688.
Anno 1660. — The first of the people called Quakers, who
came to reside in this Island was Jonas Langford, who upon
his arrival there on the 14th of the fifth month this year
applied liimself to the Governonr, whose name was Christo-
pher Kayneth (sir), and acquainted him with his intentions
of settling there The Governour treated him kindly and
gave him liberty to live where he saw meet. So he pur-
chased a piece of land and sent for his family. Within a
short time after the Governour was displaced, and Colonel
Robert Carden succeeded him, who committed the said
Jonas Langford to prison for speaking to a priest after he
had ended his preaching, and ordered an Act for banishing
him in case he did so any more.
In September the same year, the said Jonas Langford's
wife came to him, and in November, Justinian Hollyman,
who had been banisht from Nevis for being a Quaker, came
also and settled here. Being now two or three of them,
they began to meet together to wait upon God and worship
him.
The Governour being informed of this, sent for the said
Jonas and Justinian, but after examination, finding no just
occasion against them, he dismissed them with a charge to
come to him again when sent for.
(Besse's ' Sufferings of the Quakers,' vol. ii., p. 370.)
?1660. The Most Himible Proposalls of the Merchants,
Planters & Traders to y« Island of Antigua.
The Island of Antigua is one of the Northermost of all
y^ Careeby Islands, & therefore the fittest Receptacle for all
shipps occupying both too & againe in the Indies uppon
any stress of weather or other extremety whatsoever as
many have & dayly doe find.
It is in Circomference bigger than y« Barbados.
It hath many large convenient & secure Harbours on
all sides Iwth to the Leeward & Windward, two of which
may be secured by one piece of fifortification, y^ least of y™
Capable to containe a very considerable ffleet of shipps of
what burthen soever.
The rest of y'' Careeby Islands yet settled by the
Christians haveing no Harbour at all, have & dayly doe
make use of those Harbours for the Careening & trimming
of theire shipps uppon all occasions where they may have
several! sorts of timber for their use.
It hath a very Healthfull Aire as is reported.
It is likewise y'' best wooded & sufficiently watered y'
with a very small charge there may be sufficient excellent
good water produced in most of y« Harbours for all shipping
that come.
The Boyle is not inferior to any of y'= other Careeby
Islands to produce provisions, Tobacco Sugar Ginger
Indico and for Gotten there is not any of those Islands
Comparable to Antigua.
It hath many large salt ponds which have yealded great
quantities of salt naturally.
It hath store of salt peter of which there hath been
made excellent good powder.
There is good fishing to y<= great releife both of shipping
and Inhabitants & for fibwleing there is none of y« Careeby
Islands comparable to it.
It may employ as many Inhabitants as the Barbados &
the produce of commodityes from thence not inferiour to it
both for quantity & quallity.
At present divers are in a hopefull way uppon y" designe
of sugar Gotten Indico & other Commodityes & all of
them generally well stocked with Cattell that they transport
them from thence to the Barbados & all other English
plantations in those parts.
The not haveing supplyes of any men servants lately
from England, & the goeing off^ of many of our ablest men
in the late expedition downe into the West Indies by dis-
couragement in the ill Government is the occasion that at
present the number of fighting men are very inconsiderable
for makeing good y'' place against our Common Enemy the
merciless Indians.
That whereas through defect of those necessitous
supplyes y*" Island requires it should happen into the
posession of an Enemy (which severall have sought for)
it would prove very prejudiciall if not the utter Ruine of
all the English plantations now settled in these parts & an
obstruction to our further progress into the West Indies
with the utter ruine & undoeing of the present Inhabitants
& the great damage of y'' Merchants who have been ad-
venturers to that Island.
And whereas much hath been granted by Pattent or
otherwise to severall persons & never setled, or for severall
yeares disserted, which are an Inlett to y" Common Enemy
y^ Indians, to y'' spoyling of y'^ present Inhabitants, It is
therefore humbly thought requisite y' those Lands may be
acquitted of all taxes or Governo''^ dues since ye said time
of non improvem', and y" persons owneing them be ordered
to settle theire Lands within 12 moneths or a time prefixed,
or otherwise y'= Governour be impowred to dispose y™ to
such persons as will presently settle.
That whereas y"* late protecto'' for y^ safety & security of
this Important Island did bestow on y« said place severall
Arms & Amunition w'='' haveing unhappely miscarried,
it is humbly desired y* 500 firelocks, 12 demyculverin & 12
sakers with carriages ladles & scuppers & other necessaryes
thereunto belonging & 20 barrells of powder with shott
proportionable & match for the use of j'^ great Gunns Or
what yo"' Hono'' uppon yo"" most prudent consideration shall
please to think fitt may be speedily provided.
(Egerton MS. 2395. No date.)
July 9. The King to Francis, Lord Willoughby, &
the inhabitants of Barbadoes, S' Kitts, Nevis, Moutserrat,.
Antigua, and the several islands of the province of Carliola..
Directing him inscantly to apply himself to undertake the
government of those islands.
(' Colonial Calendar,' p. 483.)
His Ma'y^ L're in behalf of my Lord Willoughby.
Right trustie & Right wellbeloved And trustie & well
beloved wee greet you well. Whereas wee have observed
and understood that the many revolutions and Disorders
with which it hath pleased God many yeares to punishe our
severall Dominions have had their effects alsoe upon you ;
and that your Peace, and the Duty you testified to our
Royall Person and Government in the yeare 1651 : was dis-
turbed by a fleet sent from England, which besieged our
Island of Barbados, and threatened the good People thereof
with the exti'eamities of warr, if they did not Submitt to the
Powers then lying before them, and to those that sent them ;
and dispossessed the Lord Whilloughby of Parham of his
Go.vernment and right there, which bee exercised by virtue
of Letters Patents graunted to the Earle of Carlile from whick
XXX
THE HISTOUY OF ANTIGUA.
hee derived his Authoritie Wee have now thought fitt out
of our tender wellfare to the good People of our said Island ;
and for its better Governm', Regulation and improvement,
to encourage and require the said Lord Whilloughby, instantly
to apply himself to take care of the Affaires and Government
thereof either by goeing in his own Person or by sending
or appointing such a Governour and giving such Instructions
as to him shall seem meet, and shall bee agreeable to the powers
grannted in the said Letters Patents. And wee streightly
charge and Com'and you, and ererie of you ; that you doe
fourthwith yeild the same readie obedience to him the said
Lord Whilloughby as at any time you have donn (before
these Interruptions) to him, or to the Earles of Carlile, or to
such as have been, by them appointed and empowred.
Given at our Court at Whitehall this 23" dale of June
in the 12"' yeare of our Eeigne.
By his Maties Comand,
Ed. Nicholas.
To our I'ight trustie and right well beloved Francis
Ld Willughby of Parham. And to our trustie and well-
beloved the Inhabitants of our Island of Barbadas, and to
everie of them.
Colonel Joha Buncle as Deputy-Governor signed
patents on March 1661 and 6 February 1662.
Anno 1664. Anne Coleman came to this Island and
had some religious meetings with the aforesaid persons,
■which coming to the ear of Colonel John Bunkly then
Governour, he committed the said Jonas Langford, Anne
Coleman, and Justinian Hollyman to prison, for meeting
together and speaking to the people in their own house.
They were kept confined till Sessions, and then, after
examination, the two men were discharged, but the said
Anne Coleman, not being an inhabitant, was sent back to
prison, there to remain till there was an opportunity of
sending her away, which was done soon after. The said
Governour also committed Henry Graydon, an honest old
man, to prison, for refusing to bear arms, and not going to
the guard. He also caused an Act to be made for banishing
such as should meet together for the exercise of religion,
but before he could put that Act in execution, he was
displaced from his office ; for a remonstrance of his pro-
ceedings being presented to Francis Lord Willoughby of
Parham who was sent over with Commission from the King,
he caused the said Act to be reversed, and permitted the
return of Anne Coleman to the Island, turned Bunkly out,
and restored the former Governour Robert Garden. He
also gave such directions concerning liberty of conscience,
that Friends generally had their meetings in quiet, and
their number was in a few years after considerably in-
creased. (Bcsse's 'Sufferings of the Quakers.')
1665, June 28. John Winthrop, jun., writes :
"The inclosed came this night fro' Boston, and y= tener
of it speakes of y^ taking of 15 ships of y' English fro' y"
Bode at Mevis and Mountserrat. This is all y<= intellegence
■we have about Be Rut' at present . . . .," and in a second letter
of .luly 11, "and co'paring all intelligence besides, and
those y' have lately come fro' Nevis concerning De Ruiter
his fleet, it appeares to them that he is vpon a ranging
voyage." ('Winthrop Papers,' pt. iv., p. 97.)
A relative of the above also wrote the follo^wing
interesting epistle : —
To the Worpii Jn° Winthrop, Esq'', these pi'sent, at New-
England.
June y« 27, 1665.
Honnoured Cozen — The wisdom of God has so ordered
it as to bringe my husband and selfe to this Island here to
live, and through mercy to enjoy the company and comfort
of your deare brother. Truely, Cozen, he is a deare and
tender cozen to me and I have much cause to praise God
for him.* He is a reall Winthrop and truely noble to all,
but much more to my husband and selfe. I am at this
time at his house, but wee live 7 or 8 miles from him. My
husband is agent to Coll. Middleton, and wee live on his
plantation. And truely. Sir, I am not so much in love with
any as to goc much abroad. This house of your brother's
and my cozen's is all the joy 1 have in this place ; not that
I want anything, for I praise God I have no want ; but
they all be a company of sodomites that live here, and
truely. Cozen, I am really my father's daughter and can not
comply with their ill manners. Sir, although it was not
my happynes to see you in England, yet, sweet Cozen,
honnor me so much as to let me kiss your hand once before
I die, and in it you will engage her ever to remaine,
Your truely loving Cozen and faithfull servant,
Margaret Heathcoat
(Margaret Gostlin that was).
My husband presents his love & service to you.
How S' Xp'hs was taken by y" french from my Lord Wil-
loughbyes Deputy-Governo'', and of all ye transaccon
betweene y" english and them.
In y« time of Coll. William Watts, who was my Lord
Willoughbies Deputie-Governor, there was an Article made
betweene both nac'ons : & confirmed w"* y'' oth's formerly
made betweene S'' Thomas Warner & Mon" De Nambucq,
^yciie -(ygj. yt thclr shouW be no acts of hostillity used by
either nac'on ag' y" other, without speciall ord''' had from
theire Severall Princes, and y' if they received any Such
ord''" yett their Should be three times twenty & foure
houres warning given before any hostillity should be used
on either Side, notwithstanding W^"" sd Articles y" french
forces upon y" tenth day of Aprill 1666 fell upon o''
English on y« windward side of this Island at Cayenne,!
& soe wasted, slaughtered & burnt untill they came as farr
as Capistarr, to theire owne french ground, before y" english
offered any violence to y"' : y' day, about noone, o'' enghsh
forces fell upon y" french att y^ house of Mon" De Lespraine
att Sandy point where they were worsted & putt to retreate,
y' next day being y'
of Aprill 1666 they came to
y« Capitulac'on : hereunto annexed by w"'' in y'^ sixth &
seaventh Articles y^ english were to remaine peacably
possessors of theire estates or dispose of them to theire
most advantage contrary to w'^'' Articles these declarants
togeather w"' severall others y^ Inhabit's were constrayned
to sell theire estates att a very lowe price & y' price was
paid to y'° in Merchandize at such rates as y"" buyer was
pleased to sett upon theire Comodeties, And besides theire
was in severall of theire Contracts great Sum'es of Suger &
monies menc'oned by y"" paid w'^'' y« Sellers never agreed
for, nor never Received, by w<^'' indirect meanes togeather
w"" y' p''tenc'ons of their great MeUorac'ons, y= Sellers
could not reimburst y"' before y^ time was elapsed.
(Egertou MS. 2395.)
Matter of fact of injuries received since y<= peace w"' attested
p'bac'ons of y"".
The peace was concluded y'= 21-31 July 1667 a Coppy
whereof did appeare y'= french, and about y'' last of October
following heare did arrive y^ Articles of y<= peace made att
Breda, att w"^'' time there came a Com'and from y^ french
nac'on y^ Inhabit's of this Island com'anding all ye english
Inhabit's then heare residing to keepe theire habitac'ons
from sunnsett to sunn riseing upon perill of theire lives, by
* Samuel Winthrop, youngest son of Governor John Winthrop
the elder, was then a leading: planter in Antigua, and in 1668
Deputy-Governor of that Island.
t For the French account, together with engravings of the various
fights, see Du Tertre, vol. iv.
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xxxi
w"^'' meanes and at w'^'' time from y= latter end of October
aforesaid to j' may following (then my Lord Willoughby
appeared) they did transporte and carry away from ye
English quarters all y^ timber of o'' churches & bells, y^
Cannon belonging to y' forts, & demolished the said forts,
& all y'' timber of other housen and buildings, standing upon
those plantao'ons called by ye freucli y' Kings land, because
they were abandoned some by the proprietors & of others y'
were Slaine in y" Combate w"' many other housen and good
buildings, & Coppers sold for a very small value liesides y^
demolishing many good ludigeo & Suger workes, the
destrucc'on of all y= timber in y^ woods aud mountaines w"'''
hath made y" Inhabit's incapeable of rebuilding, To y= utf
ruine of us y^ poore inhabit's lieare a more particuler narra-
tive of o'' Injuries have remitted to yo"' Lordshipps formerly.
In testimoine whereof wee have hereunto Subscribed o''
names being thereunto Called this 29"' Aprill lfi75.
William ffeeeman.
John Esteidge.
Eob't Cave. Charles Morris.
John Wilkinson. John Versill.
John Allen. William Plumer.
Gilbert Loxley. John Bayly.
Rob't Clarke. Sampson Maneringe.
phillipp Lambert. Edward Parker.
Articles betweene y^ English & flfrench upon S' Xp'hs, made
upon the evasion of y" ffrench, and y'' Surrend'' of y*'
English ye 11-21 Apr. 1666.
j. The result of y'= Councell of warr being p"'seut iu
cheife Mon^"^ Le Chevalier of St. Lawrence assisted w"" y«
principall officers having deliberated upon y" demand w'^'"
y'= english gentl' men have made to come to a treaty have
resolved not to consent therunto in any wise unlesse y^
english gentl' doe acknowledge his thrice Christian Maj''^
for theire Soveraigne & give theire oathes unto him.
2"'"y. They shall have uoe oth. governo'' but y= freuch.
3. They shall Surrend' y"^ forts, artillery, & fire armes.
4. That all vollentiers, vagabonds & loose p'sons shall
be obleiged to departe this Island w"' in y'= time y' shall be
appointed, and Securitie of this treaty they shall send for
hostages Leiu' Coll' Loveraine, Maj'' Crooke, Capt. Cooke,
Capt. Jefl'eries, M'' Herbert, & Leiu' Robt. Clarke to be att
foure a clocke in y' afternoone in the Campe att Sandy
point upon default whereof without any more to be con-
sidered and without remission they shall vigriously proceed.
5. That all english Inhabit's shall continue peacable
possessors of theire goods w"='' wee promise as wee are p'sons
of hono^
6. Moreover it is agreed y' y'' s'd English gentl' may
imbarque y™ selfes & their famillies & moveables & dispose
of theire immoveables whensoever they please in w"^'' move-
ables negroes & beasts are not comp'hended w"^*" they shall
not carry off but may dispose of y"' by sale, upon Condicon
y' y' boates barques & vessells w'^'" shall come to fetch y"°,
shallbe obleiged to come to an anchor directly into ye roade
of backstarr of this Island in w'='' case they shall take an
ord'' from Mon*'' Le Chevalier S' Lawrence of y'' place where
y« s'd English gentl' who have desired to depart would goe.
7. It is furth' agreed by y« s'd M" Le Chevalier S<
Lawrence & by all ye principall officers of y'= s'd English
gentl' y' they who would remaine und'' y" obedience of his
Ma* may live in y'' Lib'ty of theire conscience but not to
have temples or to make any assembly whatsoever or to
com'itt any Act whereby y'' Catholique may be Scandelized,
made y^ day & yeare above written.
M^" Chevalier De S'' Laurence.
Early in May 1666 Lord Willoughby despatched
his nephew Lieut. -General Henry Willoughby with
800 men to reinforce Colonel William Watts at St.
Christopher's. Upon the passage between Guada-
loupe and Antigua they took a French vessel, from
whom they learnt the news of the capture of St.
Kitts by the French, so Willoughby landed his troops
at Nevis and Antigua and sent to his uncle for
further orders.
After the conquest of St. Kitts, the 'French com-
manders promptly set to work to get i-id of the
English inhabitants. Du Tertre states that 8000
whites were compelled to quit the island, the English
portion being sent to Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua,
Jamaica, Virginia, Bermuda, and St. Domingo, and
the Irish to St. Bartholomew, Martinique, and
Guadaloupe. He also relates : " That during all the
month of June 1666 the savages from the two islands
of St. Vincent and Dominica carried on a very ci-uel
war against the English of the Antilles, surprising
them in divers quarters, burning, pillaging, and
killing, without giving any quarter to the men, but
even eating several, carrying away the best looking
women and killing the rest, and committing such
unheard of cruelties and ravages that the English
were in despair. Four or five hundred of those of
St. Vincent, in eleven piraguas, sailed from Mar-
tinique to attack Antigua, but were discovered by
two English vessels who watched them and then
retired to give the alarm. The savages having landed
on that Island were so well received that they beat a
hasty retreat to their canoes, as it was not their
custom to ever rally when they were repulsed."
On 7 July the French heard that two English
frigates of 26 and 40 guns, convoying a fleet of 15
or 16 merchant shijjs with six companies of troops
on board, had arrived at Barbados on the 6th inst.
On the 28th Lord Willoughby embarked with
2000 jiicked men, mostly officers and gentlemen, the
flower of Barbados, and arrived off Martinique on
the 30th, where he hoj)ed to seize shipping for the
volunteers which he intended to collect at the Lee-
ward Islands for the attack of St. Kitts. But here
he was disappointed and only captured one barque,
the others having taken refuge under the batteries.
He left Martinique therefore on the 1st of August,
arriving next day at Guadaloupe.
On the 4th he despatched his Vice-Admiral with
five vessels to the adjoining islands called " The
Saints," where one French vessel of 14 guns was
burnt and another of 18 captured. The same evening,
about 6 P.M., the main fleet was cruising in the
straits between Guadaloupe and The Saints when they
were overtaken by a fearful hurricane. The wind
blew from the N. for six hours, then, after 15
minutes' lull, suddenly veered round to the E.S.E.,
and drove the whole fleet on to the coast of Guada-
loupe, where the shijjs were wrecked and the men
lost. The few vessels in the harbour at The Saints
were either stranded or sunk. Out of the whole
expedition but one vessel of 22 guns arrived dis-
masted at Montserrat, and the " bruslot du Milord"
at Antigua. The 300 English, under the Vice-
Admiral, who had intrenched themselves at The
Saints, capitulated on the 16th of August. On the
XXXll
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
20tli Henry Willoughby arrived there from Antigua
with 300 troops, but was too late to be of any service,
and narrowly escaped capture himself, his small
squadron having to strike to four heavily armed men
of war ; he, however, gained St. Vincent and thence
went to Barbados. The Scotch captain of one of
the Antiguan vessels stated that Lord Willoughby
had 2800 men on his fleet, and had intended taking
2000 fi-om Antigua, 1100 from Nevis, and 300 or
400 from Montserrat; but these figures must have
been greatly exaggerated.
August 21. The Caribbee vessels report that at
Nevis are 500 or 600 men under the command of
Lord Willoughby's kinsman. At Antigua strict
guard is kept for fear of the negros.
(' Colonial Calendar.')
The following relation of the French conquest of
Antigua is an abridged translation from Du Tertre's
' Histoire des Ant. -Isles de I'Amerique,' vol. iv., pp.
141— 164 and 173—194.
On 2 November 1666 the following ships, belong-
ing to the French West India Company, were col-
lected at Martinique for the expedition against the
English Islands : — •
Guns
Le Florissant, Admiral's ship
28
Le Li/s .....
40
La Justice
32
Le Saint Sehastien
26
La Vierge
18
La Bergere .....
8
L' Afriquaine ....
14
106
M. de la Bai-re was Commander-in-Chief, having
with him M. de Clodore, Governor of Martinique,
M. de Lion, Governor of Guadaloupe, M. de Chambre,
the Comjjany's Agent, 130 soldiers of the regiment
of Poitou, under Captain d'Orvillier, and two com-
panies of Colonial infantry. The fleet ari-ived oS"
Antigua on the 4th of November, and cast anchor in
Five Islands Bay. Here there were two batteries
mounting eight and six guns, but owing to the
absence of any parapet, gabion, or embrasure, they
were quicklysilenced. A second fort, a good " demy
Lune de pierre," where the English had a great red,
blue, and white flag displayed, was also rendered un-
tenable, and 180 men were then landed, who spiked
the guns and burnt everything they could in that
quarter. The same night Captain d'Orvillier set out
with 200 men, and guided by a Frenchman called
Baston, who had recently escaped from Antigua,
arrived at daybreak at a stone house where the
Governor and about 200 men were stationed. The
French, under a heavy fire which killed only one
man, attacked the place " comme des Lions furieux j"
most of the English fled, and the Governor with
Colonel Moiik (Monk) and about 30 of his bravest
ofi&cers and men retired inside the house, and after
making a feeble resistance surrendered. D'Orvillier,
after burning the house, returned to the batteries,
■whence they had already removed the guns to the
ships. On the 6th it was agreed that M. de Lion
and M. de Clodore should remain with 240 men to
complete the conquest of the Island, while the other
Governors remained on board. The sam.e day the
trooj)S landed in two bodies, marched to the house
they had previously burnt, and seeing about three-
quarters of a league distant a large stone house on a
hill, defended by a strong and extensive palisade,
the extremities of which terminated at a great wood,
they proceeded thither, and sent a trumpeter to
demand the surrender of its defenders, who also
delivered a letter from Governor Garden to his wife
describing his good treatment. The answer given
was that the inhabitants were resolved to do their
duty. The French party under M. de Lion then
proceeded to attack their opponents who numbered
400, but they were received with such a heavy fire
that they were thrown back in confusion, and their
commander was shot in the leg. M. de Clodore now
arrived on the scene with the other body, and having
rallied his countrymen, succeeded in breaking through
the palisade, and forced back one battalion of the
English, while d'Orvillier and others effected an
entrance into the house, where in the first room they
found Colonel Quests (Guest) seated in his arm-chair,
with a pistol in his hand, surrounded by several brave
English. The Colonel asked for quarter, but received
a pistol shot for answer, and all his companions were
butchered. M. de Clodore, hearing of this cold-
blooded massacre, entered the house, where he found
30 dead bodies in two rooms, and gave quarter to 50
of the survivors. The French losses had been three
ofiicers and 10 or 12 soldiers killed, and 50 or 60
wounded. The officer who was superintending the
removal of the wounded sent word to M. de Clodore
that Colonel Guest was so severely hurt that they
would have much trouble in carrying him, and that
if permission were granted " il le feroit achever."
The Governor did not accede to this request, and the
Colonel died of his wounds at St. Kitts a few clays
later. M. de Clodore did not remain many hours at
the house he had captured, but burnt it, and retii'ed
to the shipping that same night. This mansion and
its surrounding buildings were well built of dressed
stone and roofed with tiles, as were also the mills,
the sugar house, and the storehouses full of sugar
and tobacco. Of the English, 50 or 60 were left
dead, a great number who were wounded escaped,
and 50 were taken prisoners. Colonel Bayart
(Baijer) afterwards related that seeing M. de Clodore
at the head of his soldiers, wearing a large white
scarf, he ordered all his men to aim at him, and that
it was wonderful how he escaped being hit.
The following day the French commanders held
a council, at which it was arranged that a trumj)eter
should be sent to summon the English to surrender
the Island, and if this were not done within twenty-
four hours they threatened " y mettre tout a feu et
a sang," at the same time agreeing amongst them-
selves that if the inhabitants would not submit they
would proceed to St. Kitts. The trumpeter carried
out his instructions, and returned to say that the
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xxxiii
inhabitants would give an answer next day ; accord-
ingly the following evening an English oflScer arrived,
and it was then agreed that deputies shouhl meet
the French next day, Wednesday the 10th of
November, at St. John's Bay, when the following
articles were agreed to and signed : —
Articles et conditions accordees au nom du Roy, par Messieurs
de Clodore Conseiller du Roy en son Conseil Souverain
de risle de la Martinique & Gouverneur d'icelle, & de
Chambre aussi Conseiller du Roy en ses Conseils,
Intendant des troupes de sa Majeste aux Ant.-Isles, &
Agent General de la Compaguie des Indes Occidentales,
ayant plein pouvoir de Monsieur M. Antoiue le Febure
de la Barre, Conseiller du Roy en ses Conseils & son
Lieutenant General tant par mer que par terre en
Amerique, aux OlBciers, & habitans de I'lsle d'Antigoa ;
represeutez par Jean Bonche Colonel, Sebastien Bayart,
Lieutenant Colonel, Joseph Lee, Samuel Vvinthrop
Capitaine, Phil. Vvaernard aussi Capitaine, & Jacques
HoUiaday ; ayant des Officiers, Commandeurs &
habitans pour I'effet des presentes, pouvoir, par Acte
du trente Octobre stil Anglois, revenant au nostre, au
dixieme Novembre present mois 1666.
I. Que les Officiers & Habitans remettront de bonne foy
dans deux jours entre les mains dudit sieur de la Barre &
des troupes Franpoises de sa Majeste, tous les forts, bateries,
redoutes & maisons fortes servans a la defense de I'lsle
d'Antigoa, ensemble leurs canons, armes & munitions, si
aucuns y a.
II. Que les Officiers & soldats estant dans I'lsle, ponrront
y demeurer si bon leur semble comme engagez ou haliitans,
aux conditions cy-apres, & ceux qui s'en voudront retirer, il
leur sera permis ; a I'efiet de quoy ils seront embarquez dans
les vaisseaux du Roy & conduits en France pour se retirer
oil bon leur semblera, le tout aux frais de sa Majeste, & en
consideration de leur pauvrete, & remettront toutes les armes
ainsi que lesdits habitans.
III. Que lesdits Officiers & habitans seront tenus de
prester serment de fidelite au Roy, entre les mains de celuy
qui sera a ce commis ; & moyennant ce, jouiront eux &
leurs heritiersde leurs biens en toute liberte, & des privileges
& exemptions dont ils out cy-devant joiiy, & seront reputez
Eegnicoles & Originaires Fran9ois.
IT. Que les Commandeurs, Officiers & Habitans
reconnoistront pour leurs Seigneurs, la Compaguie des Indes
Occidentales Franpoise, & conformement a I'Edit du mois
de May mil six cent soixante quatre.
V. Que ceux d'entre lesdits Habitans qui voudront se
retirer, soit en Angleterre ou ailleurs, excepte a Nieve, le
pourront faire, & toutes fois & quantes dans I'espace de six
mois, emporter le provenu de leurs habitations, dont il leur
sera libre de faire la vente : sinon pourront laisser le soin
de I'admenament ou de la vente a personnes chargees de leurs
procurations, qui auront preste le serment a sa Majeste.
VI. Que les Officiers & habitans auront toute liberte de
conscience en I'estendue de toute I'lsle, ou ils pourront
bastir deux ou trois Temples ; excepte au quartier ou sera
cy-apres destine lelogement du Gouverneur pour sa Majeste.
VII. Que I'exercise de la Religion Catholique Apostolique
& Romaine sera libre en toute I'etendue de cette Isle, a
I'eflfet de quoy seront basties des Eglises & Chapelles, au
n ombre qui sera juge k propos pour desservir ; dans lesquelles
seront cstablis des Prestres ou Religieux suffisamment.
VIII. Que les Officiers & Habitans qui demeureront sous
i'obeissance de sa Majeste seront par elle maintenus envers
& contre tous, mesme centre les Sauvages & centre les Indiens.
IX. Que lesdits habitans qui se voudront retirer en
Angleterre ou ailleurs, ainsi qu'il est porte au cinquieme
article ne seront tenus de prester serment a sa Majeste ;
mais seront obligez de ne faire aucunes pratiques, ni avoir
aucunes correspondances avec ceux de leur Nation, au
prejudice du service de sa Majeste ; ni ne pourront prendre
les armes contre elle, a peine d'estre traites comme criminels
de leze Majeste : & s'il paroissoit aucuns enuemis du Roy
pour insulter cette Isle, ou autrement, seront tenus de
demeurer pour lors dans leurs maisons a peine d'estre traite
comme ennemis.
X. Que ceux d'entre lesdits Officiers & Habitans qui
presteront le serment de fidelite a sa Majeste, leur seront
rendus leurs armes.
XI. Pourront lesdits Officiers & Habitans faire commerce
avec les Isles Francoises, les Fraugois veuants de I'Europe,
Hollandois, & autres alliez de sa Majeste, qui seront tenus
payer les droits d'entree & de sortie deiis a la Compaguie
des Indes Occidentales. Ne seront tenus lesdits Officiers &
Habitans paj'cr aucuns droits des marchandises qu'ils feront
venir d'Europe pour leur usage particulier.
[There is no twelfth clause, the numbering being wrong
in the original.]
XIII. La Barboude estaut uue des dependantes de I'lsle
d'Antigoa, la moitie est laissee aux habitans dudit Antigoa,
qui presterout serment de fidelite a sa Majeste, pour y fuire
telles nourritures & habitations que bon leur semblera : bien
entendu que leurs habitations leur demeureront, feront i)artie
de la moitie.
XIV. Que les biens des abseus de I'lsle seront acquis &
confisquez au profit des Seigneurs de la Compaguie, suivant
qu'il leur est accorde par le Roy, excepte pour le Colonel
Milleton, & la plantation des marchands ; a la charge que
ceux qui feront radmenagement desdits biens, seront tenus
prester serment de fidelite dans huit mois, sinon ledit temps
passe, seront tenus de vendre leurs biens, & d'en tirer le
provenu, & en attendant seront tenus d'avoir en chacune
plantation, deux ou trois Francois pour Officiers, ouvriers
ou engagez.
XV. Que si le Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Fitche qui est
presentement a Nieve vent conserver sa plantation en ladite
Isle d'Antigoa & y venir demeurer, il le pourra faire huit
jours apres que I'avis luy en sera donne, a condition de se
rendre a Saint Christophle dans le mesme temps, oii il
prestera le serment de fidelite k sa Majeste. Pour donner
lequel avis, Monsieur de Chambre Intendant fournira une
barque pour aller a Nieve aux depens & risque dudit Fische.
XVI. Ne seront tenus lesdits Habitans & Officiers de
prendre les armes contre sa Majeste Britanuique, pendant
la presante guerre seulement, mais s'il se presente aucuns
vaisseaux & troupes dudit Seigneur Roy, pour s'emparer de
risle d'Antigoa, ou autrement ils seront tenus de demeurer
en leur maison.
XVII. Les Commandeurs, Officiers & Habitans seront
tenus payer pendant deux ans, outre les droits ordinaires & ac-
coutumez dans ladite Isle, dix pour cent de toutes les
marchandises qui se fabriqueront ; suretantmoins desquelies,
sera presentement paye cent mille livres de sucre poids
Anglois, ou la valeur en marchandise du pays, bonnes &
loyales, & cent autre milles livres dans le mois de Mars
prochain : pour asseuronce dusquels derniers cent milles
livres seulement, & jusqu' a payement entier d'iceux, ledit
sieur Colonel Boncley demeurera hostage ; lesquelles deux
cent mille 1. de sucre seront precomptez & deduites sur les
dix pour cent pendant les deux annees egalement : & en
consideration de dix pour cent accordes, ne seront lesdits
Habitans tenus de faire guet, ni garde, ni fournir aux
fortifications ; si ce n'est quelques dix journees de negres
en tout pour y servir.
XVIII. Que le Colonel Garden Gouverneur pour sa
Majeste Britanuique prisonnier de guerre, sera rendu, lequel
joiiyra en liberte de ses biens, a la charge aussi de prester
serment de fidelite a sa Majeste ; & que ci ceux de sa
Nation se presentent pour insulter I'lsle d'Antigoa, il se
remettra es mains du Commandant pour le Roy ; & s'il
XXXIV
THE HISTOllY OF ANTIGUA.
estoit pris de sadite Nation, il ne pourra porter les armes
contre le service de sa Majeste dii-ectemeut ou indirecte-
ment.
XIX. Que si aucuns des Gouverueurs ou autre personnes
demarque, FrauQois, estoient pris prisomiiers des ennemis
durant la presente guerre, le sieur Colonel Garden sera
oblige de la faire rendre sans raufon, sinon se remettra
prisonnier comme il est preseutemeut.
XX. Que tons autres prisonniers seront reudus, lesquels
jouiront en liberte de tons leurs biens, a la charge qu'ils
preteront serment de fidelite a sa Majeste, & ne pourront
prendre les armes contre son service pendant la presente
guerre, directement ou indirectement quand mesme ils
Bortiroient.
XXI. Que la maison qui sera trouvee la plus fortifiee de
risle, sera jusqu' a nouvel ordre destinee pour le Gouverneur
& sa garnison ; neantmoins sans pouvoir en oster la propriete
au possesseur non plus que les terres : & quant aux autres
maisons, dont il est cy devant fait mention, il en sera de
mesme, a la charge que les fortifications y seront demolies
s'il y en a.
Fait & atteste double en I'lsle de saint Jean en Antigoa,
le dixieme de Novcmbre mil six cent soixante six, & le
dernier d'Octobre stil Anglois, mil six cent soixante-six.
On the 14tb of November, two days after the
signing of the Articles of Capitulation, Colonel
Boncley (Buncle) was sent by the dej^uties to notify
the French commanders that 300 soldiers who had
arrived from Barbados prevented them from executing
the treaty. Next day M. de la Barre released Colonel
Garden, in order that he might use his influence in
persuading the people to submit, and tell them that
if they did not do so they need expect no quarter.
Colonel Boncley was kept as a hostage, and the
French weighed anchor and sailed to St. Kitts, where,
at a council, they determined to compel the An-
tiguaus to execute the treaty, and the various
Governors then separated to collect an overwhelming
force. M. de Clodore i-eturued to Guadaloupe on the
19th of November, where he learnt news which
caused him to alter his plans, for some Englishmen,
who had been captured in a boat ofE St. Lucia,
asserted that a powerful fleet of 48 vessels, including
six large frigates of 50 and 60 guns, was getting
ready at Barbados for an attack on St. Kitts. This
advice having been confirmed, M. de Clodore retained
only 350 men with him, and M. de Lion sent 250,
so that the expedition now only numbered 600 or 700
instead of 1300 ; these were embarqued on eight ships
and three barques, and arrived at Antigua on the
last day of November. Here they found that the
English had received a reinforcement f i"om Barbados,
that Colonel Fitche had been sent from Nevis by
Lieut. -General Henry Willoughby as Governor in
the place of Colonel Garden, and that they numbered
900 effective men. M. de Clodore proceeded to
summon the inhabitants in the following terms : —
COPPIE DE LA SO.MIIATION.
Le sienr de Clodore, Gouverneur pour le Roy de I'lsle
de la Martinique, ayant les ordres de M. de la Barre, Cou-
seiller du Roy en tous ses Conseits, & son Lieutenant
general en toute I'Amerique tant par mer que par terre.
Nous sommons les Officiers, Habitans «& soldats de I'lsle
d' Antigoa, de remettre la dite Isle eutre nos mains, suivaut
le traite & la capitulation faite & arrestee le dixieme du
mois de Novembre passe, signe & ratifie de tous les Officiers
& principaux Habitans de ladite Isle, pour lequel effet ils
ayent a nous remettre (en certe Radc des cinq Isles) dans
Jeudy matin deuxieme du present mois de Decembre, les
armes, canons & munitio's de guerre : a faute de quoy leur
declar'ous qu'ils y seront forcez par la voye des armes, sans
avoir egard audit traite. Enjoignons au Colonel Garden,
Governeur de ladite Isle & aux autres prisonniers qui ont este
remis en liberte sous leur foy, serment & parole, & en exe-
cution dudit traite & capitulation, de se venir remettre
prisonniers : & que tous les deputez qui ont eigne ledit
traite, & ceux qui leur ont donne le pouvoir se rendent aussi
a nostre bord, sinon seront traitez comme gens sans foy, qui
ont manque a leur seing & parole.
Et enfin qu'il soit notoire a un chacun que nous avons
fait la presente Bommation, nous I'avons fait signer en
double par le Colonel Boncley deineure en ostage pres de
nous, par un article dudit traite, dont nous avons envoye
I'un par nostre Trompette, & I'autre garde par devers nous
pour servir & valoir ce que de raison.
Fait au moiiillage des cinq Isles d'Antigoa, le premier
jour de Decembre, mil six cent soixante-six.
(Signe) De Clodore.
I. Boncley.
The following letter was addressed by Mrs. Garden
to the French Governor : —
A M. de la Barre.
Monsieur — Mon mary cette nuit a este enleve d'aupres
de moy par deux Officiers & deux soldats, & ce qu'ils pre-
tendent faire de moy & des miens, jusqu'a present je u'en
S9ay encore rien ; mais en crains qu'il ne nous en arrive mal.
Je vous supplie tres-huniblement, Monsieur, voyant que
moy, les miens, & ma famille est delaissee & abaudonee de
nostre Nation ; qu'il vous plaise nous prendre sous votre pro-
tection, nous qui n'avous leve la main ni le cceur contre
vous ; & moy & les miens, & beaucoup d'autres prierout pour
vostre prosperite, & je preud la hardiesse de me qualifier.
Monsieur,
Vostre, tres-humble & tres-obeissante servants,
Marie Garden.-
2 Novembre, vieux still, 1(366.
The same day her husband addressed M. de
Clodore in these terms : —
Monsieur — J'aurois eu I'honneur de vous aller trouver,
mais j'ay este intercepte par ordre de Monsieur le
Governeur Fiscbe, & il ne m'a pas este permis de sortir.
J'espere, Monsieur, que ne croirez, ni ne jugerez autre
chose de celuy qui prend la liberte de se souscrire.
Vostre tres-obeissant & plus humble serviteur,
Egbert Garden.
Two hours after sending the above letter, Colonel
Garden eluded his guards, delivered himself on board
M. de Clodore's ship, and informed that person that
all the people had taken the oath under the new
Governor Fitche, that they were encamped at Popsede
(Popeshead), were weU armed and fully determined to
fight. M. de Clodore accordingly sailed round to
Popeshead, and next morning received these two
letters : —
Copie de la lettre ecrite a Monsieur de Clodore, par
Messieurs les Colonels & Officiers Anglois d'Antigoa,
le deux Septembre mil six cent soixante-six, vieux
stile, trente-un stile nouveau.
Monsieur— Nous avons receu vos semonces de venir a
bord delivrant en vostre possession nos armes & munitions
FROM RESTOEATION OP CHAELES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xxxv
de guerre, laquelle chose, le changement de nos affaires est
tel depuis vostre depart, qu'il ne voiis la pent pas permettre.
Monsieur le Lieutenant General de nostre Roy ayant envoye
icy le Colonel Daniel Pische pour son Gouverneur, luy a
donne pouvoir sur toute la milice de cette Isle : si-bien,
Monsieur, que nous sonimcs devenus tout-a-fait incapables
de vous donner aucune reponse satisfactoire ; & sur
I'examination des affaires passees, a trouve qu'elles estoient
beaucoup a nostre prejudice ; & en particniier envoyant les
Careibes deux fois sur nous centre I'obligation de vos
Articles, & les loix des Nations, des personnes qui sont
cruels, tout-Si-fait barbares & ignorans de Dieu & de toutes
civilitez : Neanmoins, Monsieur, nous tous supplions suivant
ce que nous avons deja fait, d'en faire vos demandes a
nostredit Gouverneur, qui est uniquement experimente en
matiere de guerre. En attendant nous demeurons.
^ronsieur, Vos tres-hunibles serviteurs,
Bastien Bayard. Samuel Vtintrop.
Philipe Vvaernard. Gilbert Gregorie.
ElCHARD Baraston. Harnet Keinel.
The deputies also sent this letter to Colonel
Boncley : —
Monsieur — Nous avons receu la vostre, a laquelle nous
ne pouvons a present i'aire aucune reponse, sinon qu'il n'est
pas en nostre pouvoir de convenir h vos semonces, ni a
aucunes choses cy-devant faites ; parce que depuis vostre
depart d'icy, est arrive le Colonel Daniel Fische, avec com-
mission de Monsieur le Lieutenant-General pour Gouver-
neur, en vertu d'un mandement du Roy, lequel a este
public : c'est pourquoy ces affaires la sont entierement
demeurees entre les maines dudit Gouverneur, auquel vos
semonces & demandes doivent estre faites, comme estant
seul Commandant de la milice. Nous trouvons que nous
avons receu grand prejudice k la rupture des Articles con-
cernans les Careibes, qui ont deux fois attente sur nous
a, leur maniere accoustumee, qui est cruelle & barbarienne.
Nous serions rejoiiis de vous voir si le souhaittez ; car on
attend icy quinze navires de la Barbade, dont il j en a cinq
de trente pieces de canon chacun, & deux de soixante, &
huit navires marchands de vingt a trente pieces de canon,
avec mil soldats du Roy vestus de casaques rouges, avec
qnantite d'armes : vous presentant vous rendrez service.
Nous demeurons,
Monsieur, Vos asseurez amis et serviteurs,
Bastien Boyer, etc.
Upon receiving these letters, M. de Clodore held
a council with his officers, the results of which
were : —
That as the enemy have made no answer to our summons,
sent three days ago, to fulfil the conditions of the treaty
made with them ; but, on the contrary, they have sent these
letters this morning, in which, after having sought vain
pretences of rupture, they declare they are not willing to
fulfil it, and at the same time they have disposed guard-
houses along the coast, and caused several armed persons to
oppose our landing ; it has been found proper to accept the
rupture they have made of the treaty, and after having fired
a cannon-ball at them, to land, in order to make them
return to their duty, without paying regard to the letters
they have sent. Besides the absence of Monsieur de la
Barre, and the necessity we are in to send back immediately
the island troops to Martinique and Guadaloupe, to oppose
the enemy, who, according to advices received, will soon
arrive there, it is impossible now to keep the Island of
Antigua for the king. It has therefore been thought
proper to land, attack the enemy, and, in case of success,
place the island in such a state that the enemy can draw no
sort of profit from it. Done unanimously between us, the
undersigned, in the harbour of Antigua, the 3rd December
1666.
De Clodore.
Blondel.
HiNSSELIN.
Before the French council broke up, an English
officer brought this letter to M. de Clodore : —
Monsieur — Nous vous avons envoye ce matin telle
reponse que nous pouvions, estant sons le commaudement &
autorite de Monsieur le Gouverneur, an pouvoir duquel
n'estions pas capables de resister ; mais depuis que nous
luy avons fait voir amplement la raison de nostre premier
Traite & nostre refus de rompre, avons tant fait qu'il en est
demeure d'accoi'd, moyennant qu'il y soit compris comme le
reste des habitaiis ; Icdit traite & accord sera ponctuellement
ratifie et effectue en toutes ses particularitez.
Monsieur, Vos tres-humbles serviteurs,
Bastien Bayart. Samuel Baraston.
Philipe Waernard. Jeremie Vvathier.
A Antigoa le vingt-trois Novembre, vieux stile.
But without considering it, M. de Clodore re-
plied : —
Messieurs — J'ay este fort surpris, lorsque j'ay veu que
vous n'avez pas repondu a la sommation que je vous ay
fait faire, & encore davantage lorsque j'ay leu la lettre que
vous m'avez envoyee ce matin, ou vous nous accusez de vous
avoir traite avec rigueur, pour chercher pretexte de rompre
comme vous avez fait, en manquaut a vostre foy & a vostre
parolle. Je descends a terre & vous vais trouver, pour vous
mettre a vostre devoir par la voye des armes: ceux qui les
poseront, aurout de moy bon quartier, & les autres seront
traitez selon la rigueur de la guerre.
Vostre serviteur,
De Clodore.
A la Rade d'Antigoa le 3 Decembre 1667 stile nouveau.
On the French landing, their ojjponents at once
laid down their arms, and Governor Fitche,* hearing
that M. de Clodore was marching towards him, es-
caped in a barque with Colonel Warmer and some
others.
Du 5 de Decembre 1666 stil nouveau.
Acte de serment fait par les Officiers, chefs de famille, <fc
habitans de I'lsle d'Antigoa, assemblez presentement au
camp de la maison du Capitaine Vvintrop, quartier de
Maerson : Entre les mains de Nous sieur de Clodore,
Gouverneur pour le Roy de I'lsle de la Martinique, & com-
mandant les troupes & vaisseaux de sa Majeste, pour la con-
queste de I'lsle d'Antigoa.
Nous Officiers, chefs de famille, & Habitans de I'lsle
d'Antigoa, Jurons & promettons devant Dieu & sur les
saintes Evangiles, de tenir & garder la foy, fidelite &
obeissauce au Roy de France, lequel nous reconnoissons
pour nostre Maistre & Seigneur, sous la seigneurie de
Messieurs de la Compaguie des Indes Occidentales, & de ne
rien attenter, & soutt'rir qu'il ne soit rien attente directe-
ment, ou indirectement, ny prendre jamais les armes centre
* In various articles of complaint presented in 16(59 against the
Willouffhbys, it was stated that after Antigua was retaken from
the French, the Lieut.-General (Henry Willoughby) commissioned
one Colonel Fitz to fight the French there : yet, when they came,
he charged the people, on pain of death, not to fight till he came to
lead them, and then went to his own plantation, fired his own
house, took his negroes into a sloop, and came to Nevis, which was
the occasion of the loss of that island and the persons there.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and West Indies, p. 30.)
XXXVl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
son service, supplians tres-humblemeiit sa Majeste, de ne
vouloir nous obliger a prendre les armes contre le Roy
d'Angleterre, pendant le cours de cette guerre seulement.
Et en consequence du present acte, nous avons approuve
& consenty, approuvons & consentons unaniment, que les
soussignez par nous deputez, ausquels, avons donne pouvoir
verbal de signer ledit acte pour nous, qui validera tout ainsi
que si nous I'avions signe.
Et nous sieur de Clodore declarons au nom de sa
Majeste, que sous son bon plaisir avons accorde ausdits
OfRciers, chefs de fiimilles & habitans, qu'ils ne seront point
co'traints pendant le cours de cette guerre, seulemeot de
porter les armes contre le Roy d'Angleterre. Fait &
aiTeste double entre nous au camp susdit, ledit jour & au
que dessus.
(Signe) De Clodor£, & quatorze des principeaux
de ladite Isle.
After taking the oatlis to the French the colo-
nists, being defenceless, demanded a garrison and
governor, but De Clodor§ being unable to comply
with their request left them 100 guns and the
following :—
Sauve-garde de Monsieur de Clodore aux habitans
d'Antigoa.
Le sieur de Clodore Gouverneur pour le Roy en I'lsle de
la Martinique, sous I'autorite de la Royale Compagnie des
Indes Occidentales, Commandant les troupes & de la flotte
pour la conqueste d'Antigoa.
Nous mettons sous la protection & sauvegarde de sa
Majeste, tons les biens, personnes & families de tous les
Officiers & habitans de I'lsle d'Antigoa, les ayant conquis &
fait prester serment d'estre fidels sujets de sa Majeste tres-
Chrestienne ; & en cette consideration, leur permettons
d'avoir cent armes a feu pour leur defense contre les
Careibes ; defandant a tous cenx sur qui nostre pouvoir
s'estand, & prions tous les alliez de sa Majeste, de ne leur
faire aucun tort: voulant que la presente ordonuauce soit
enregistree au Greffe de cette Isle, pour y avoir recours,
& que foy soit ajoustee aux copies collationnees d'icelle,
pour tous cenx qui les desirerous. En foy de quoy, avons
fait apposer le sceau de nos armes, & signe de nostre main,
contre signe par nostre Secretaire, a ce qu'elle soit plus
authentique.
(Signe) De Clodor^. Et par mondit sieur,
GoNTiER, avec sceau.
The rreuch took away with them all the soldiers,
prisoners of war ; also 500 negi'os, which were all
that the inhabitants could furnish ; all the arms and
cannon, sugar mills, and coppers; and the chattels
and cattle on the confiscated plantations. The 100
soldiers stationed at Colonel Winthrop's pillaged his
house, as did another party that of Colonel Carden ;
and the Island having been well ransacked, as only
French know best how to do, De Clodore set sail for
St. Christopher's.
Another letter, written circa April 1667 by
Captain Samuel WinthrojD, a planter of Antigua, to
his brother John Winthrop, junr., gives the English
version of the French invasion : —
Dears Brother — The diflfereuces in Europa between C
countrymen & y" Dutch gaue y<' French oppertunity of
molesting us here in j'^ Cariba Islands ; & being a people
verry watchfull tooke hold of y* aduantage (wee haueing no
shipping in theis parts) to inuade j^ Island Antigua, w'=''
they beganne vpon y 2.5"' dale of October last, at Fiue
Island harbor. After some small dispute w"' o'' fortes, they
landed their soldiers, & possessed themselues of that place,
burning first Go", & after y* all y* houses in y' diuision.
Next morning they aduanced to Johns Harbor by land,
where y^ Go' w"' a party eucountred them, but were
presently put to flight, & y' Gc w'" some others taken
prisoners in Capt. Mugs house, w"^'' they plundered & burnt
& so retreated. One shallop belonging to y^ London mar-
chants plantac'on bound for Nevis, called at my landing
place, in w''" I sent my wife & children to Neuis, where
they haue remayned euer since. Y'= 27'" daie the French
aduanced agaiue to L' Coll. Bastiaen Bayers, upon Johns
Harbor, being about 600 men. C islanders, not 200, rec*
them. T<^ contention was verry smart for about 4 an hour,
& 0' men w'^stood them verry resoluedly, but, being ouer-
powered w*'' men, were put to flight, many slayne on both
sides, but most on o", tooke many prisoners, plundered y*
house, fired all y' was combustable, & retreated againe.
This was their 3'^ dales woi-ke. 0'' soldiers repayered to my
house, haueing now no other place left for defence, expecting
y enemy y^ next morning. About noone came a trumpet
w"' a summons importing y' if v/^Hn 2 dayes y^ island
should not be surrendered to y'= obedience of y** French
King they would destroy it by fire & sword, & giue no
quarter. Subscribed by Antony Lefebure de la Barre, L*
Generall to y most Christiaen King, both by sea & land, in
y^ West India. When y* officers & cheife of j" island had
deliberated vpon y' matter, they finding themselves not able
to resist y"= French & y"^ cruell Indian who lay burning &
massacaring vpon y* windward while y'' French were to
leward, tooke into considerac'on y' after part of y'' sum'ons,
w''*' promised hansom condic'ons if wee would treat w"'
them. So that way seeming now y* w"^"" necessity compelled,
they commissionated six persons to treat & articulate w""
them. Two dayes were spent in y'' treaty. Y" articles
(though many) were in short but this, y* y^ inhabitants y'
would take an oath of fealty should enjoy all their estates ;
those y' would not should haue liberty for to sell in six
monthes & depart, or to leaue their estates to an agent, y*^
would take y" s'' oath, to manage it for their use ; 200
thousand pounds of sug' to be payed in six monthes, for w'=''
y'^ islanders to be freed from guarding, building fortes, or
takeing up armes against their country men. Whilst theis
things were in action, a party of Barbadian souldiers, in-
flamed w"' wine, impeded y'^ islanders complyance, where-
upon y'= French departed vpon y" i"" of Nouemb'', & left
word y', when they came againe, if j" islanders would stand
to their articles they should have them : in the meantime
they should take up their armes to defend themselves against
y'' Indians. The 23'' daie of Nouemb' y" French fleet came
againe ; vpon whoes appearance one Daniel Fitch, whom y"
L* Generall Henery AVilloughby, had sent up from Neuis to
be go', called y^ people in armes & drew them vp against y'
French ; but seeing them to be stronger than he thought
for, & seeing y' Indians fireing on y<= other side, he ran away
from y^ companyes, gott into a little boat, & made his
escape. When y" soldiers perceiued it, they faced about &
fled also. The French forces, com'anded by Mon" de
Clodore, Gouenno"' of Martinique, remayned still vpon y^
baye, & not knowing o' men were fled, came to some termes
w"" L' Coll. Bayer & my selfe, to this effect, y' if y* islanders
would submitt they should haue good quarter & faire
treatm* ; whereupon wee went after them, & finding some
scattered people lurkeing in y'' waye, not knowing to hide
themselues, acquainted them w*'' what was proposed, & they
to y'' rest, so y' y* next morning most of them layed their
armes in y« path, for y^ French to receiue them. Clodore,
vnderstanding o'' people were fled, marched throng y^
country to my house, where he sett vp his flag on y« top of
my house & incamped round about it. He possest himselfe
of 24 of my slaues (y= rest escaped) & most of y= slaues in
y^ island, destroyed most of my stock, his soldiers plundering
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xxxvii
y" country round about. My coppers & sug'' worke he
medled not w"', nov lired any houses more in y= island except
of those y' runue off y= island. Haueing encamped there
seuen duyes, he imbarqued his soldiers, & vpon y^ 1 of
Decemb'' sett sayle for Guardalupa. One memorable thing
I omitted, w"=" was : when he had conueued most of y°
inhabitants to my house, he told them y' o' liues & estates
were at his mercy : neuertheless such as would take an oath
of fealty to his master should enjoye tlieir estates ; y'' others
he would carry away prisoners of warre to Fraunce. Where-
upon all present, except 4 or 5 of those called Quakers tooke
y'= oath. The Barbadian soldiers he carryed away prisoners
w'l" him. Thus y" French left Antigua. In this sadd
condic'on wee remained ; & y' w* added to C afflictions were
y'= murthers & rapes w"'' y«^ Indians com'itted vpon yinliabi-
tants after y" French departed, haueing, as they said, liberty
80 to doe for fiue days. The G"' of y^ 11"' month came some
Periaguas from Montseratt to my house, from whom I
vnderstood y' y'' French had taken y' island ; w'='' proued
true. Their next design being now ripe for Nenis, it pleased
God to send 8 ships of warre, whereof two were frigotts
vndcr y'' com'and of Cap' Jn" Berry, Admirall, who arriued
at Neuis y" 2.5"' of y' first month, vpon nenes whereof their
ships haue hid themselves among y'^ Windward Islands.
The 5"' instand Cap' Juo. Tliomson & Cap'- Collier came to
Antigua, desireing such as were able to come on board to be
transported to Neuis for to doe y'= King seruice. So y' by
that oppcrtunity I gott a passage to Neuis, where I arriued
4 dales since, finding my wife & children in good health.
A more full relac'on is extant, of w'^'' I haue not a copy, &
therfore I haue giuen thee this bi'euiate, least none of them
sliould come to thy hand & thou not be acquainted w"' Gods
dealing w"' us in theis partes. What wilbe y'= issue wee
know not. Here is great preparac'on against y'= enemy : y"
successe is from y' Lord. If wee preuaile, I haue yet
wherew"' to mainteyn my sonnes at schoole. If not, I hane
desired my friend Wharcon, w"' thy aduise, to put them to
some trade or imploym' as you shall think litt. All tlieis
things are warnings to us to depart hence, for this is not o'
rest ; to secke y* peace w'^'' is not of y"^ world nor can by y^
world be broaken, to line in y' lone w'''' knowes no enmity
but to y'' Serpent, & to be guided by that liglit w"^'' leads
men out of strife & contention into y'= union of y" Spiritt &
y^ bond of true peace. My wife and children remember
their loues to the & my sister, Jno. Gomes hath been verry
friendly to them, & offered them transport, in my absence,
for w* I desire thou wilt giue him thankes.
Dear brother, I heartily salute thee & my kind sister,
w"' all my nephews & neeces, & remayne
Thy affectionate brother,
Samuel Winthrop.
Endorsed by John Winthrop, junr. : — " Capt. Sam.
Winthrop, wherein the relation of taking Antigua by the
French." ('Mass. llist. Colh,' vol. viii., fifth series,
' Winthrop Papers,' pt. iv., p. 255.)
Dec. 18. Car. II. William Lord Willoughby of Par-
ham, brother of Francis Lord Willoughby of Parliam, to be
Governor of the Caribbee Islands for 3 years. ('Signet
Ollice Dockets,' p. 65.)
lu 1677 was presented the Petition of Joan Hall, Widow
& Eelict & Executrix of Coll" Chr. Keynell, late of Antigua
deceased, reciting : that she possessed a plantation called
Bettye's Hope, for 14 years, about the year 1067, & the
French invading Antegoa, she went for safety to Nevis,
leaving 60 negros behind her, all of whom were taken or
killed, & her estate ruined. Later the neighbours made a
garrison of her house & burnt down her sugar works, so
that their security became her ruin. She returned to An-
tegoa in 1668, & repaired her buildings, but it so happened,
that W" L* Willoughby of Parham, then Capt. Gen',
brought with liim one Coll" Codrington, to whom he gave
her plantation, alleging that it was too great a quantity of
land for her. Not yielding Coll" Codrington the anticipated
profits it's now offered for sale. She begs His Maj'^' that
the plantation may be restored to her, & that the rights of
herself & her children may be confirmed. On 9 January
1677-8 their Lordships send a letter to Col. W'" Stapleton
ordering an enquiry. It does not appear how the affair was
settled, probably by a compromise, for Betty's Hope is still
the property of the Codrington family.
Besse in his ' History of the Sufferings of the
Quakers,' thus quaintly alludes to the foregoing
events : —
1666. While they were yet but few, being no more
than four Masters of Families on the Island, namely,
Samuel Winthrop, Justinian HoUyman, William Hill, and
.Jonas Langford, the French came with a Fleet, and took
Possession of the Island, and made one Clodore, a French-
man, Governour of it. He summoning the English In-
habitants together, made them a Speech (Col. Bunkly
interpreting for him) and told them. They were now aU
Prisoners of War, and at his Mercy, nevertheless, all that
would take the Oath of Allegiance to his Master the King
of France, might tarry there and enjoy their estates, but
such as refused must go away Prisoners. This so terrified
the Inhabitants, that considering if they were carried away,,
they must leave their Wives and Children exposed to the
Mercy of the Indians, who were then upon the Island, they
generally submitted, and took an Oath, Not to fight against
the King of France during the then present War, and to
live in Obedience to the French Government. But the
above-mentioned four Quakers boldly refused to take the
said Oath, which the French Governour strongly insisted
on ; but they answered. They could not Swear at all.
Colonel Bunkly was sent to them by the French Governour,
to persuade them to consider the Matter, and represent t&
them the Danger of being carried away from their Families,
which were at that Time none of the least, but they stood
firm, saying, Tiiey could not Swear, what Sufi'ering soever
might follow. At length the French Governour himself
came to them, and said, I believe you are honest Men, and
if you will promise not to fight against the King my Master
during this War, I will take your words. To which one of
them answered. We desire to be rightly understood in this
our Promise, for we can freely promise not to fight against
the King of France, nor for him ; nor indeed against the
King of England, nor for him ; for we can act no more for
the one than the other in Matter of War ; only as the King
of England is our natural Prince, we must own Allegiance
to him. The French Governour being informed what they
said, bade them Hold up their Hands in Testimony of the
Truth of what they said, and so dismist them. But Col.
Bunkly, who had formerly accused the Quakers as disaffected
Persons, proved not himself so faithful as they did ; for he
took the oath to the French King, and yet went afterward
with others to retake Christophers from the French, where
he was sore wounded, and afterwards died in Prison of his
Wounds. It was also observed, that the other Governour,.
Robert Garden, was taken by the Indians, and had his Head
and Hand cut off.
Another letter from Samuel "Winthrop to his
brother, which has been preserved by that family, is
here given : —
Antigua y<^ 27"' daye of Sep"'''-, 1607.
My last vnto thee was in Aprill last, in w'=" I gaue thee
a hint of God's dealings w"' us in this island. Since W^'' y'
L' Generall w'^ about 3000 men made an attempt vpou
/
XXXVIU
THE HISTORY OE A^'TIGUA.
Christo]ihers ; but y'^ Lord fought against them, so y* 300
were slayne & about 400 taken prisoners, whereupon he
desisted from landing any more. Att his returne, he sent
me up liither in Antigua, where I found a people much
distressed by y^ Indians, who (as they themselves related)
were sent by y<= French to destroy y« people, being unarmed,
and they did accordingly kill & carry awaye 18. The 22 of
Aug : wee had a cevere storme. My wife just then arrived
fi'om Nevis w"' [blot] children, & what goods wee saued
from y« French. Their Hues were saued, but y° vessell &
goods lost. I sent by George Paris to Richard Wharton
21 hog. of sug"^ to pay my sonnes debts in New England, of
whoes arriuall I yett hear nothing. It is now all I have left
besides my land & 12 workeing negros, w"' whoes bare
labor I shall not be able to keep my sonnes in New Eng-
land ; nor am I willing, vntill I see y' Lord's pleasure
towards this ])lace, to bring them hither, for if wee haue
neither peace nor victory wee can expect nothing lesse than
destruction after this fleet is gone for England. S'' Jon"
Harman w^'' 7 frigatts did great service in June last at
Martinique, destroyed 23 of their ships & killed many of
their men. Most part of o'' fleet are gone to Sarrenam.
Their return is dayly expected. I haue written my desire
to Richard Wharton y' my sonnes may stay in New England
vntill y" spring, & learn to write & cypher & gaine some
knowledge in accompts ; vnlesse newes of peace come, &
then I care not how soone they come to mee. I meane y"
two eldest ; foi' y" other two I shall strive hard to giuo them
a little learning. I am much streytned, since Richard
Whartons intention for England, whom to gett to take y'=
trouble of my businesse, w'^'' as yett is like to be verry small.
I desire thee to be assistant to mee in this exegent by ad-
uiseing y^ need full, for I am at a great distance from them,
& altogether ignorant what to doe. Great designes are on
foot for y" resetlem' of this island. If y'= Lord blcssc them
I may quickly recouer a possibility to supply my children
well ; if not, they must take their portion w*'' mee in want
as well as in plenty. I shall not trouble thee farther at
present. He is faithfuU y' hath promised : I snbmitt to his
will in all things. Dear brother, I wish thee well, & my
loueing sister, w"" all y"^ children. God in his mercy make
us all obedient to y" trueth, y' liueing in y= lone of it wee
may find a resting place in y" daye of trouble. Farewell.
Thy euer loueing brother,
Samuel "Wixthrop.
1667, June 19. Derrick Peters said that the French
told him tliey had taken Montserrat,* since they took S'
Christophers & Antigua & that young Willoughby with 4
frigots & 10 great merchantmen was before S' Christophers
■& had burnt a Dutch & a French ship there.
('Calendar of Domestic Papers,' p. 211.)
June 29. A Hamburger from Madeira brought letters
from Sir John Harman who had sailed for the Western
Isles with a squadron of 7 ships. The French have
plundered Antigua & other small isles but left no men
there. (//'/(/., p. 244.)
On 21 July the Treaty of Breda was signed
between the English, French, and Dutch, by which it
•was agreed that the Enghsh parts of St. Christopher's,
Antigua, and Montserrat, were to be restored to the
English, with all servants and slaves, and the Eng-
lish were in like manner to give up all islands, etc.,
captured by them.
In Egerton MS. 2395, which is so rich in West
Indian papers, is a document endorsed, " Copie of
M'' Marcher's Proposalls to his Ma"'^ p' separac'on of
* De la Barre captured it the preceding 10 February, the Irish,
as usual, proving traitors.
y= Goverm* of the Leeward Islands 1667. To be heard
at y"* Comm*" Ocf 29"'." It is now given verbatim,
together with the answer : —
1667. Proposalls most humbly offered to his Ma"<= by the
Planters and Merchants concerned in the Island of
Nevis & the other Leward Islands. First : —
That yo'' Ma'"= will be graciously pleased to send over
some Person, as yo'' Ma'^ Leiutenant for the Islands of
Nevis, S' Christophers, Antego, & Mounserat, and that they
may be no longer under the Government of yo"' Ma'' Lieu-
tenant of the Barbathos.
Eeasons.
For that these Islands being in sight of each other, are
able to give speedy Ayd and Assistance to each other upon
all occasions ; And the Barbathos being a hundred Leagues
distant, and many times five or Six Weeks before a Ship can
gaine the Barbathos from the Leward Islands, is rendered
incapable of giveing any sudain reliefe. As allsoe for that
the Councell & Assembly of yo'' Ma*' Lieutenant in the
Barbathos, being Barbatliiaus, their Interest is that these
Islands be no more setled ; for now these Islands are lost,
one pound of their Sugar will be as much worth as two were
before (but yo' Ma*' Customes but halfe as much). And Wee
can prove that severall of the Barbathians have wished these
Islands suuck, declareing it would be the better for them,
for now there was so mnch Sugar made, that it was a micre
drugg.
They have also taken to their own use Tenn Barells of
Powder, and Two Cannon, procured of yo'' Ma'''= for the
Island of Nevis. Yo'' Ma"' was graciously pleased to
Command the Lord AVilloughby to send a good proportion
of the Ammunition to Nevis, that yo'' Ma'y gave him, and
my Lord Willoughby promised Fifty Barells for that Island,
But as appears by the last Letters, kept it all for the use of
the Barbathos, which sufficiently proves the iufluence they
have upon liini.
For Encouragment of Trade.
That yC Ma'? will be pleased to Commissionate Persons
that have Estates in those parts, and not like those late
Governo''' men of no Fortunes, who would take what
Goods they pleased from the Merchants and Factors and
never pay for them & if they refused to let them have their
Goods Imprison them.
And that yC Ma'-^ will declare that you will tnrne out of
Commission any Governour that shall take or suffer any to
take any Merchants Goods without their good likeing.
For Encouragment of Planters.
That yo'" Ma'J will be graciously pleased, That no
Governo'' for the future shall exact auy more allowance from
the People, than what hath been formerly paid to former
Governo'''. And that they shall Rayse no Tax upon the
People but by the usuall ■^vay of Assemblies.
And that yo'' Ma*y will be graciously pleased to send over
a Thousand Souldiers at present with Armes and Amunition
in some of his owne Ships or Prize vessells, the said Ships
being freighted home with sugars will pay their Charge.
The Reason.
For that unless there be soldijers to Plant and keep
Guards, the Indians will perpetually annoy and destroy them,
as they have done formerly, besides the English will appeare
Contemptible to the French who have a firench Regiment
to Countenance them.
And for Encourage of such Souldiers or Servants.
Fourthly. That the Command''' in Cheife have power
to dispose of y* Lands of such as shall not come or send
some Attorney to lay Clayme to their lands, in two years, or
having laid their Clayme, doe not come & settle some reason-
able proportion of Servants upon their Lands in Three
years time.
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xxxix
Reasons.
For that otherwise some men will never settle their
Land, but keep it till land be gvowne scarce, that they may
make advantage by sellin": of it, which hath been the reason
that Antego (though a more Considerable Island than the
Barbathos) hath never been well setled, their haveing been
great propoi'tions of Land taken up by severall Persons &
never setled, so the People liveing at groat distance have
been made a Prey to any that would invade them. The
Indians haveing before the Warr carryed away severall
familyes of Christians into Captivity.
All which is humbly submitted to your Ma''',
Richard Browne.
Concordat cum originali.
Answer from M' Champante, Agent for the Ifi "Willughby,
Governo'' of the Charibee Islands to the Proposalls of
the Planters, Merchants, etc., in Xevis & the Leeward
Islands. To be heard at the Com*'^'' on Tuesday the
29"' of October 1667.
Whereas y' Lor'pps have lieene pleased to Order a Paper
to be delivered unto me. Intituled Proposalls most humbly
offered to his Ma''= by the Planters & Mercli'^ concearned in
the Iseland of Nevis & the other Leeward Iselands
com'anding my attendance this day, I doe here humbly
present what comes within my knowledge & what in soe
shorte a time I could informe niyselfe of in answei' to the
said Proposalls.
1. ffirst, As to the matter of their Eequest, his Ma''«
hath been graciously pleased already to constitute "William
I/' TVillughby of Parham Cap* Gen" & clicife Governor by
Land & vice-Admirall by Sea over all the Iselands, Colonies,
and Plantac'ons in America called the Charibee Iselands —
Of W^i" Nevis, S* Christophers, Antcgoa, & Montserrat are
four, AYith power to appoint a Deputy Governor or Govern''
over all or any of the said Iselands, & them to remove &
chainge at pleasure, Soe that the granting of perticular &
distinct Comission or Com'issions to any Governor or
Govern''* of the Leeward Iselands, otherwise than by the
hand of the said Cap' Gen" will be an infringement or
Diminution of his Lor'ps power, by vertue of his Ma''<'»
Patent, which tis hoped his Ma"' will not consent unto, his
Lor'pp haveing noe way forfeited his Ma''" favour. And
I doe humbly conceive it to be a great mistake in their
apprehending, that these Iselands are under the L''
Willughby as Leiuteu' of Barbados his said Lor'p being
Capt. Gen" of all the said Iselands, & may reside in any of
them at his pleasure ; And whereas it was verbally alloadged,
That Barbados & the said Leeward Iselands, were never
under one Government, it is soe far from a trneth, as that
they were never otherwise since they were owned by the
Crowne of England, The first Patent being granted to the
Earle of Carlisle as Cap' Gen" over all those Iselands, w'^''
power was derived to ffrancis L* Willughby about the year
1646 and confirmed to him by his late Ma"' of blessed
memory. And for the other verball assertion. That the
said Iselands would never owne the said 1/ Willughby as
Cap' Gen". It will easily be made appeare ; That Antegoa
& Montserratt did receive Commissions for their Govern-
ment from his Lor'pp although Nevis & S' Christophers
(complying with the powers of England then in being)
rejected not only his Lor'pp but his Ma"'' Leters sent from
the Isle of Wight.
2. To the first Reason, its humbly offered, That it is noe
way to be doubted, but that the L'' Willughby hath given
sufficient Instructions to the Governors of those Iselands, to
be mutually aiding & assisting to each other ; And it may
occasion much inconveniency, That the said Iselands should
become soe far independent from the Barbados, by causing
perticular animosities betweene them, & a neglect of that
helpe, w"-'' of all the rest is most considerable, & would be
cheerefully affoarded them, if under their care ; And had it
not beene for the extraordinary indeavours & reliefe from
Barbados, wherein they expended at least SOjOOO"" sterling,
besides the severall M'''' shipps, w''' were imprest for that
service, Nevis could in noe wise have withstood the late
force of the ffrench, but had utterly perished & beene lost ;
And should the Government of the said Leeward Iselands
be distinct from Barbados, It would give oportunity to
persons indebted to indeavour. their escape from Iseland to
Iseland, in hopes to meete with shelter & protection, to the
prejudice of Trade & discouragement of the Merchants. In
like manner also will servants & slaves be ready upon every
slight discontent to fly from place to place for their freedome,
to the great distraction of the Planter & disturbance of the
Peace & tranquillity of those Colonies. And as for the
distance of Barbados from the said Iselands, It is well
knowne That advice may be at any time sent from the said
Leeward Iselands to Barbados by Sloopes & other Vessells
in lesse then ten days time, severall having come in four
days, the Norwich fi'iggott in eight, & the late fleete before-
menc'oned from Nevis in eleaven days.
3. As for the second Reason, It is altogether grounded
upon a false foundation, ffor that the Lord Willughby hath
a distinct Councill & Assembly in every one of the Leeward
Iselands, by whom his Lor'p doth governe & make all Lawes
concearning each place. And the Councill and Assembly in
Barbados have neyther jurisdiction over, nor any such
influence upon the said Iselands as they have rashly suggested.
4. As to those two perticulars, viz' The deteiniug of
Powder & two Cannon, 1 humbly conceive it rashness like-
wise in theni upon noe good grounds to misiuforme his
Ma'''^ & your Lor'pps flbr that it will appeare by diverse
Leters to severall considerable Merch'' here. That both
before & since the now L'' Willughby's arrivall at Barbados,
far greater quantities of powder, with store of men, Amies,
& other Ammunition, as also large supplies of Provision have
beene sent from Barliados to Nevis, then is pretended to
have been kept from them, as fir instance the L'' ffrancis
Willughby went thither with a fleete consisting of seaven
sayle in .July l(')6(i some of w'"" were cast away, & the rest
remayned at Xevis for their defence about four months.
In January after. Coll' Willughby sent from Barbados three
considerable shippes wiih provisions & other supplies to
Nevis, when they were in a perishing condic'on for want of
foode. Upon the sixth of March following Coll' Henry
Willughby, being Deputy-Governor of Barbados with the
advice of his Councill there, sent another fleete consisting
of four of his Ma"" Shippes, & six Merchants shippes
whereof the French having some advice, presently fled to
Martinico, & Nevis was thereby releived. Afterwards upon
their returne in April following with 23 sayle of con-
siderable shippes & store of men for the taking of Nevis
(who of themselves were unable to make any resistance)
the said fleete from Barbados ingaged them upon the said
Coast & beat them off ; And the next day after the now
Ifi Willughby's arrival at Barbados, his Lor'p sent a sloope
to Nevis, assuring them that they should suddenly receive
further supplies, w''' hath beene very considerably from time
to time performed accordingly.
5. As to what is proposed for the incouragem' of Trade,
What new Instructions y"' Lor'pps shall please to advise his
Ma"' to send unto the L"" Willughby (if the former do not
reach it) his Lor'ps obedience & compliance thereunto is
not to be doubted, Nor his strict examination of the offences
complained of, neither his inflicting a due punishm' on the
persons for offending upon a just Informac'on & proofe ;
the matter being brought legally before him.
6. And for the incouragem' of Planters his Lor.'p hath
declared, that noe Tax shall be imposed upon them, but what
shall be established by Law & their owne consents.
7. As for the souldiers desiered, If his Ma"' shall think
xl
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
fitt to send them his Lor'p will take care that they be fitly
disposed uf for the preservac'ou of the said Islands, i\nd
observe such orders therein as his Ma''^ shall be pleased to
direct.
I humbly pray, That yo'' Lor'ps will please to examine
whether these Proposalls come from the Body of the
Leeward Iselands, or from particular persons here, who may
seeke some advantage to themselves by occasioning an
alteration of what his Ma"= hath already settled upon
mature deliberation under the Great Scale, ffor it is well
knowne That Coll' Everard (who is now a Pef for the
Government of S' Christophers) did joyne with the
Governor of Nevis in sending men, Armes, etc. from those
Iselands, for the reducing of Antegoa & Montserratt from
their obedience to his late Ma"% utterly rejecting his Ma'""
Leter w"^'' required their allegiences.
Oof 20"' 10 07. Jo. Champante.
In February 1667-8 William, Lord Willoughby,
with a great number of settlers, sailed from Bar-
bados to re-establish the colonies of Antigua and
Montserrat.
TuE Past and Present State of the Leeward
CiiARRiBEB Islands [1668].
When iu y<= year 1066 His Ma*" Declarac'on of Warr ag'
the ffrench came to the said Islands before they had any
knowledge of theirs, Watts Gov'' of S' Christophers more
generous than prudent gave forthwith notice thereof to the
ifrench Inhabiting the said Island, and three dayes time for
submission to him on some hard tearms, which they (being
far inferiour in strength) not able to gett moderate, resolved
to try their fortune by Arms, and at the end of the three
dales fell on with all their force upon the English on the
Windward part of the Island, beat them out of it, & after-
wards forced those of the Leeward to submitt to what they
would grant them whereby becoming Master of the whole
Island sent away most of the English and strengthened
themselves so that during all that Warr it could not be
recovered again, ifrancis L'' Willoughby Cap' Gen" of all
the Charibbee Islands coming down from Barbados w"" a
fleet and force to repair the loss unhappily perisht in a
Hurricane neare Guardaloupa wherein most of y' fleet & men
were lost.
Mons' De la Bard arriving not long after w"" Ships & a
Regim' of Soldiers from ifrance attackt the Island of An-
tigua and three daies assault beating and fireiiig them out
three I )ivisions, forced them to a Capitulac'on on favourable
tearms but not well observed went away and returned again
not long after w"" greater force di-awn from all their Islauds,
made themselves absolute Masters of all the said Islands,
disarming all the Inhabitants taking and carrying away all
their Negros & Horses, and what was of any worth, destroy-
ing their Sugar Works & Cattle left them a naked people,
as they did in the same manner the Island of M'surratt,
some Weeks after, exposing the Inhabitants to the mercy &
cruelty of the barbarous Indians, who accompanied them in
ye taking of both Islands com'itting many Murthers and
Rapes & carrying away some Women and Children into
captivity. The like being designed for Nevis the only
Island then left untaken, for j" Dutch coming fi-om y«
taking of Sur'inam joyn'd w"' ye ffrench all the forces they
could make from all their Windward Islands came before it,
but Sir .John Berry being happily there w"' some ships not
only prevented their design but engaged them so smartly
that they were forced to retreat under S' Christophers.
And though Antigua & M'Surratt soon after S' John
Berries coming into those parts returned again to their
duty and obedience to his Ma"=, yet being disarmed & no
Armes there to supply them with they were but little
serviceable for attempting anything upon the ffrench
Islands for after the fight under Nevis the ffrench never
appeared more in those Seas, during that Warr but flying
to Martinico some were afterwards burnt by S'' John Har-
man y^ rest saved in the huylsak there untill the Peace and
Treaty of Breda whereby che ffrench were to restore S'
Christophers and all the Negroes taken from the English in
those Islands, but to this day not one Negroe hath been
restored .... Antigua & M'Siirratt haveing in some
measure recovered their Losses of the last Warr are now iu
a fine thriving way again .... And for what Strength of
men may be upon the English Islands by the most exact
Computac'on the Numbers may supposed to be As on An-
tigua the most Wiudward & largest of them about 13 or
1400 men being settled somewhat farr asunder about tiie
Islands. M'Sarratt some 1200 men Nevis some 16 or 1700
men S* Christophers some 400 men besides His Ma'''=^ 2
Compi''' of Soldiers. (Egerton MS. 2395.)
At the recovery of Antigua from the French,
William, Lord Willoughby, met the Council and
Assembly* on 11 April 1668 when they proceeded to
pass the earliest Act on record, viz. : —
1668. "An Act for Indemnity, and declaring all old
Titles to Land void and lost, by Reason of the French
King's Conquest, Dated 10"» April 1668." Ou the following
day was passed an "Act for the settling the present Inhabi-
tants in their Lands ;" also one for " Suspending all penal
laws against law abiding dissenters, papists, etc."
On the 13"' April a Register's Office was established for
compulsorily recording every kind of deed connected with
land-tenure.
On I'J May the Colonists passed another law which
caused a great deal of subsequent dissatisfaction viz. " An
Act for the Settlement of the Custom or Duty of Four and
a Half per Cent. :"
Whereas by reason of the late unhappy War which
arose betwixt His Koyal Majesty Charles the Second, King
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, etc. and the Most
Christian Kiug in France, as well as the States General of
the United Netherlands, several of His JIajesty of Great
Britain his Territories on this side the Tropick, became
subject (through Conquest) unto the said French King and
his Subjects, aud amongst others this Island of Antigua
also was so subdued by Monsieur de Labarr Lieutenant
General by Sea and Land to the said French King, being
assisted by the Cannibal Indians, by means whereof all the
Lands within this Island became forfeited unto His Majesty,
etc., as by an Act of this Country, bearing Date the tenth
Day of April last past (reference being thereunto had) may
more at large appear. II. Know j" that for and in Con-
sideration of new Grants and Confirmation of our said
Lands under the Great Seal appointed for Barbadoes, and
the rest of the Caribbee Islands, by liis Excellency William
liord Willoughby of Parham, etc. We do give and grant
to His said Majesty, His Heirs, and Successors for ever,
and most humbly desire Your Excellency to accept these
our Grants, and we do humbly pray Your Excellency that
it may be enacted, and be it enacted by His Excellency
William Lord Willoughby of Parham, Captain General, and
Chief Governor of Barbadoes, and the I'cst of the Caribbee
Islands, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the
Council and Gentlemen of the Assembly, Representatives of
this Island, and by the Authority of the same. That an Im-
post or Custom be, from and after the Publication hereof,
raised upon the Native Commodities of this Island, after
the Proportion, and iu Manner and Form as is hereafter
* This is the first time that the House of Assembly has been
mentioned, and it is probable that it was established by his Lord-
ship about this period.
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xli
set down and appointed (that is to say) upon all Commodi-
ties (if the Growth or Production of this Island that shall
be sliippcd oft" the same, shall be paid to our Sovereign
Lord the King, His Heirs, and Successors for ever, Four
and a Half in Specie for every Five-Score, etc.
1G68. Tlie causes which led to the imposition of
the 4i per cent, duty seem to have differed slightly
in each island. Lord Willoughby, the prim.e mover
in the affair, was anxious to secure a revenue for the
King-, and by using force where necessary, to stamp
out opposition, succeeded in inducing the different
colonies to pass the various Acts of Settlement. The
first island to submit was Barbados on 13 September
1663, when they were told that the new duty was to
be in lieu of " 40 lbs. of cotton per head and other
taxes formerly raised to the Earl which was held
very heavy."
A similar Act passed in Nevis on 28 April 1664,
which recited that the King having purchased all the
proprietary rights of the Earl of Carlisle, the ancient
tax of 20 lbs. of tobacco per pole, considered very
heavy, was to be abolished, and in return for the
grant of the new duty the planters were confirmed
in their holdings.
At Montserrat the Act was passed on 13 April
1668.
On 19 May it was enacted that persons convicted
of swearing should pay 10 lbs. for each oath, and in
defaiilt of payment might be set in the stocks for
three hours ; for drunkenness the fine was to be
50 lbs., and in default four hours in the stocks.
On 15 September a Public Treasury was estab-
lished.
July 0. W™ L"" Willoughby writes to His Majesty's
Council that " The inhabitants earnestly solicited me to
make my sonne Henry their Governor, whom I com-
missioned accordingly." (' Rwindheads and Cavaliers in
Barbados,' p. 180.)
In the Antiguan Records of 1668 and 1669 this
Colonel Henry Willoughby is styled Governor of An-
tega and Berbuda.*
Nevis.
An Account of such Debts as was contracted & paid for His
Ma'y^ service by the Command of y<= R' Hon''''= Henry
Willoughby, L' General, viz' : —
Sag--.
Paid M'' Fran. Sampson for Provisions for the
Ships, Soldiers, S' Xtophers, Antegua, Mont-
serrat & Anguilla people also wounded men,
etc. ...... 112,849
F'^ more for Beefe, Porke, Fish & Mackrel . -4:1,504
* Barbuda is a low coral island, about 15 miles in length,
distant 30 miles N. of Kt. John's. It is so surrounded by reefs and
shoals that most ships approaching it in former days were wrecked.
The island has never been surveyed, but is supposed to be larger
than Antigua, with an area of perhaps 70,000 acres. Great num-
bers of cattle are raised, but no suijar grown. H. N. Coleridge gives
an interesting description of his visit to it in 18'J5, when its popula-
tion consisted of 2 white overseers and 400 slaves. In Oldmixon's
time there were from 1000 to 1200 inhabitants. The Codringtons
held long leases of it from the Crown, but they are no longer in-
terested in it.
Sug'.
P'' ditto per ditto to Sundries . . . 92,390
P'' for Powder, Lead, Firelocks, Shovels, etc. . 35,513
P"" for ditto with Bills & Axes, Beefe, etc. . 38,818
P* for ditto more to sundry persons . . 17,057
P*^ more for Pike heads & fixing Armes . 2,110
P'^ more for Bread, Beere, chese, shovels & lead 18,520
P* towards the hire of the Ships . ' . 72,744
P"* for the Hospital with Medecines & charges
for the sick & wounded men . . 36,900
P'' the Chyrurgions for Wages . . . 42,300
P"! for erecting & mainteineing Fortifications,
Guards & Ammunition for this Island from
the 28"' of April 1664 to the 30"' of Decem-
ber 1667 ..... 310,503
P'^ for bread, butter, beefe, pease & drink more
as by sundry Accompts appeares . . 36,781
857,989
Besides y above Ace' we have been at vast
charges for billating of Soldiers for house-
rent, hospital-charges, boathire, shipping,
& many other things too tedious to insert
here which we canmake appeare amounts to
above sixteene hundred thousand pounds of
(Muscovado) Sugar . . . 1,600,000
2,457,989
In Nevis June
y'' ig'h 1668 @
Ant. Peterson.
Jn» Smith.
Tho. Nicolson.
Sam. Windall.
Waltr. Stmonds,
Speak'.
Jn" Netheway.
W" Howard.
Fran. Franklin. Jn° Cade.
ROB'^ Overton.
At the Court at Whitehall the 4"' of November 1668.
By the Kings most Excellent Ma^"' & the R' hono'''« the
Lords of his Ma'^'^ most llono''''' Privy Councill.
Upon reading this day at the Boord a L're from the
Lord Willoughby of Parham his Ma'y' Governor of the
Charibee Islands of the 11"' of August last, and also two
other L'res from his Lop sent hither by his Son It was
Ordered by his Ma''' in Councill, That it be & it is hereby
referred to the R' hono'''" the Lords Committee of this
Boord for Trade & Plantations to consider of the said L'res,
& make Report thereof with their Opinion upon them to his
Ma'y in Councill. (Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 461.)
1669. Of the Acts passed this year were the
following : —
28 October. " For Public Recompense to the
Masters of Slaves put to Death by Law," a very neces-
sary precaution, for were it not for this, many masters
would have shielded their negros when guilty of
crimes, on this account, that if the law took its
course and their slave were hanged, they would lose
his value.
28 October. " An Act stating Servants Time,
Wages, Provisions, Apparel, etc.," a very salutary
measure to prevent ill-usage and overwork. By
another Act all Masters of Vessels were strictly
required to enter into a bond for £2000 sterling
in the Secretary's Oifice not to carry off a person
without a ticket from the Governor. This was to
prevent persons defrauding their creditors and for
the ends of Justice. These Acts were signed by
Jeremiah Watkins, Speaker, and Francis St. Johns,
Secretary.
xlii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Nov. W" Lord Willoughby of Parham to be continued
as Gov'' of the Caribby Islands. (' Signet Office Dockets,'
p. 278.)
Henry Willougiiby, Lieut.-General and Governor
of Antigua and Barbuda, died this year.
? 1670. Letter from William Byam,* Governor of An-
tigua, to William Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes.
Sent his Excellency the sad news of the death of the Lieu-
tenant-General, & of the manner of the death of James
Willoughby in this island, together with an account of the
state of affairs, & would have written as conveyances pre-
sented, but for advice that his Excelleucy was daily ex-
pected in Barbadoes. Renders humble thanks for his Ex-
cellency's commission for the government of this island &
Barbuda, received 2P* May last ; & that this honour may
not consume his estate, which is low, as the gout does his
body, hopes his Excellency will mind his Majesty that there
may be an establishment for its support, & if not speedily
done the favour intended may prove his ruin.
Tiie French are rampant among these islands, having
two men-of-war of 70 & 40 guns at S' Kitts, & a fi'igate of
14 guns at S'" Cruce, commanded by M. la Barett, & all
these to secure their trade fi'om the Dutch, whom they
handle with severity. Cannot omit one ignoble passage of
the Governor of the Grenadoes. A Dutchman from Guinea
falling in with the island with 200 negi-oes, was invited by
the Governor to trade, & security assured him, but no
sooner were the negroes landed, but the Governor dispatched
a shallop to La Barett, who sent up his Vice-Admiral &
immediately seized poor Hans, suspecting no danger, being
of 24 guns, carried him to S' Kitts, & keeps liim as a prize
till the business be decided in France. Hears iiis Lordship's
choleric enemy, JI. S* Lawrence, is to go iiome, & a new
Governor expected. The proprietor of Guadaloupc, who
sold his right to the Royal Company of France, but are
unable to pay his 20(>,()00 crowns, is returning over.
M. S' Leon continues Governor there ; & M. la Biere of
Martinique. M. De Baas, their general, continues rigid to
them all. Has a friendly correspondence unless in two
passages. One occasioned by a privateer taking a French,
or rather a Spanish, shallop on the main, bringing her to
Nevis ; the French demanded the shallop & justice on him
that took her ; upon which the captain of the privateer was
imprisoned & the French desired to come & prosecute, but
after long imprisonment & none appearing the captain was
enlarged ; on this, or before, an English ship, bound from
Virginia, was seized at Martinique, & thinks is still de-
tained there. The other passage savoured of hostility ; a
French man-of-war sloop, coming off from S* Kitts with a
trading sloop of ours, commanded the English sloop to
strike, which the master refusing to do to any but his own
sovereign's flag, the French fired, wounding the master, who
shortly after died. But though they thus huff it for the
present at sea, on shore the planter lives miserable through
the tyrannical taxations of the R. C. The Dutch are more
fortunate in their trade than in their colonies : if not weary
of Surinam they shortly will be ; they are no planters, sad
souls for suffering any hardship. They have called off their
small colonies at Banrooma and other places to reinforce
Surinam ; but fever & ague, belly-achre & yawes, disable or
destroy them, especially their new comers ; so that many
are returned & more will follow. The Jews seem now
highly dissatisfied with the country ; if those & the
English withdraw it will be but a sad colony. Heard
very lately thence ; Major Bannister was not then arrived ;
most of the English would gladly withdraw could they dis-
entangle themselves of the debts, which the policy of the
* The codicil to his will bears date 7 June 1C70, and was
proved on 3rd January following.
Dutch has noosed them withall. They are still sickly ;
great supplies of negroes & no whites, so that if once the
blacks get a head they will make the colony theirs ; really
believes that will be the end of it. . They expect a new
Governor, the present one, Capt. Lichtenberg, being very
ill ; & 'tis thought will hardly go alive out of the country.
Their colony of Tobago has lately received a great blow by
the invasion of the Island Indians. But they thrive in
their trade, for at Curafoa they vend a vast quantity of
negroes to the Spaniard, & of late 4 ships from Jamaica for
ready pieces of eight carried thence great store. They
intend to settle a mart for negroes at Tortola to engross the
trade of Porto Rico. This advice Finsly brought, who by
his Excellency's order was employed thither to bring off the
English, most of whom were gone, & of the few there none
would come off. The natives of the islands still punctually
observe the articles agreed with his Excellency, often en-
quiring when he will give them a visit. Nevis lately pre-
sented the Governor of Dominica with the liquor they love
to be distributed amongst them, & other acceptable gifts, &
several Indians went witli the sloop to Nevis. Has now
brought his Lordship to Antigua, the island of greatest
consequence, though least spoken of & regarded unless by
his Excellency ; did his Majesty understand its invaluable
convenience for situation & unparalleled harbours, whereby
lying to windward it might be a curb to the French &
Dutch on any breach. Their present condition is sadly de-
plorable, all his Majesty's islands supplied with negroes
except poor Antigua, not but tliat they can have them if
they act as some do, the Dutch would supply them, but they
dare not embrace it ; they languish and decline for want of
hands, & it is his Majesty will feel it in the end ; the
strength of the planters consists in single men, who have
neitl)er servant nor slave. A great drought has rendered the
crops backward & bad, & brought the planters in debt, & if
the rigour of the law be used, they fear a general desertion
of the land, & nothing will stay the planters or increase the
settlement but a free trade or supply of slaves, which, if his
Majesty would connive at for a time, the island were made,
otherwise utterly ruined. Barbuda is thriving, is now
despatching a commission to Captain Campbell, Governor
there. All at Parham are well ; the windmill does ex-
ceedingly well. The canes are very old & bad : 40,000 lb.
has been made of them : none of the new yet ground : Tom
Garret has been overseer there 4 or 5 months : he is careful
& just, & is past his trial & now recovered. The Amity, of
Bristol, bound for Nevis with wines, was taken accidentally
by a Spaniard, near Deseada, which landed the men at
Curasoa. They had positive orders to heave all privateers
overboard. (' Colonial Calendar,' p. 205.)
July. A special Committee of the Privy Council for
the concerns of Trade and the Plantations was formed.
(' Signet Office Dockets,' p. 336.)
Aug. 23. At a meeting of the Council at Parham.
Present : — Capt. Sam' Winthrop, L' Col. Sebastian Bayer,
& Serg* Major Nath' Gierke. — Ordered that Jno. Vernon,
clerk in the Secretary's office, deliver up all the records to
Jno. Parry & Geo. Gowes, appointed clerks to the Council,
on the decease of Capt. Francis S' John, late secretary ; &
that seeing there is no ordained minister on this island,
each justice of the peace may join in matrimony any
persons whose names 3 several weeks have been set to
public view in the secretary's office.
(' Colonial Papers,' vol. xxv., No. 55.)
The following original letter from William, Lord
Willoughby of Parham, is bound up in Egerton MS.
2395 :—
EROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES 11. xliii
Noted. To M'' Povey* conceniing S' X'phers & the
Leew'^ Islands.
S^' — By y'= favor I received from you of yo''= y' 20'" in-
stant w'^" found me last night at S'' John Harpurs at
Swarkston, I shall by this reply make a dubble advantage,
first by retur'ing you my coixliall thankes, & then by giveing
the troble of makeing my apologie to y" president &
councell for my absence & w"' that if you think fit when
you have perus'd these enclosed w'^ my letter to y^ president
first taking Ooppyes of them you may please to acquaint
the Councell w^'' tliem this may be a meanes to enform them
how necessary it is to have correspondence w"" a person soe
fitt for business as yo'self. But if my L'' Arlington be in
towne I desier you will fii-st enform him of the whole matter
& y" passing through yo'' hand may excuse my giveing his
Lp. the troble of a letter w'''' w"> y«^ presentm' of my service
_to his Lp. you know better how to menage than I to direct.
As to y« answer of yo"' letf what concerns my L'^ Carlile I
suppose you judg better then his Lp. at first sight well can.
I tliink Coll. Lynch a very fitt person for w' he is designed
both as to the receiving S' Kitts & y'' other, But as to S'
Kitts w* is yet under my Goverm* it can doe noe harm to
heare w' I can say as to that point if not by way of advise
I have spent my time much amiss if I cannot a little
enforme And when it is delivered there must be a governo''
to take the charge of it & if his Ma"' doth thinke those
Islands worth his care and protection, better encouragem'
then yet those governo" ever had must be established &
then I am confident I can name a person for that Island
very agreeable to the King & Councell & y'is Maior Andrew
Mai or to 8' Tobyas Bridges Kegitn' this you may impart to
my h'^ Arlington if there be occasion, but if it will keep
cold till I come up you may forbeare.
as to y^ Independent resolution they can noe way more
obleige Barbados then by it but out of my duty to his
Ma''<^' service w"' out any regard to any self interest more
then as a planter of Antigua I shall declare my opinion &
give w' reason occurs ag" it but I must allsoe tell that if
his Ma''« will countenance support & supply y^ Leeward
Islands like a prince y' will be the way to becalme Mons' &
then Antigua must of consequence flourish & He make the
Indian princes my neighbours his Ma''<^^ Loyall subjects
despite of Mons"^ & their godly ff"athers. As for Barbados
I doe tell you that they are not well understood at Court by
reason of y" predjudice contracted ag*' them upon some
complaints of y'' Eoyall company for to my knowledge they
are both will and best able to serve his ma""^* interest of any
he hath in y' part of y'' world & this is easily made out if
rightly understood.
w*'' his Ma''''=^ leave & the Councells I tooke this vacation
to looke after my owne disordered afl'aires all waies intending
to return by y'' first of October when I expected to finde his
Mat"'' at Newmarket if Hee or y'' Councell command mee
sooner I shall attend. But S'' John Harpur not being well I
doe rather encline to stay here till Munday sennitt when if
you will give you self the troble & me the favor of yo''
further advise by y'' next post yo' letf will finde me directed
for me at his house at Swarkston to be left at y'= post house
at Darby by w"='' you will oblige.
Yo'' affectionate friend to serve you
Swarkston, Sept' 24"' '70. W. Willoughbt.
I desier you will to M'' Champantee who lives in upper
moore to attend you and confer w"' him before you deliver
my letter to y'' Councell he hath a Scale w"' my amies to
close them.
* Thomas Povey, a former owner of tlie large volume of West
Indian State Papers (Egertou MS. 2395. British Museum), was a
member of the Committee of the Privy Council for Trade and the
Plantations. His brother 'William was Provost Marshal of Bar-
bados, and Richard (perhaps another brother) was Secretary of
Jamaica,
On 22 Sept. the planters & others of S^ Christophers,
Nevis, Antego, & Montserrat petition the King, and state :
that these islands are 100 leagues to the Leeward of Bar-
bados & they wish to have a separate governor. They also
express the hope that the English with the negros, who are
to be removed from Surynam, may be sent to S' Christo-
phers.
This paper bears the signatures of : •
Geo : Gamiei.l. Wm : Sewster. Hen : Bale.
AYm : BuiiT. IL Laurence. Val : Austin.
Geo: Hill. Wm: Baxtar.
On 17 Nov' the Committee for Trade & the Plantations
report favourably thereon to the King (Lord Willoughby
being present), & among other reasons, give this most im-
portant one, viz : — that S' Christophers being 100 leagues
N.W. of Barbados, ships cannot beat up against the preva-
lent trade wind to that Island, in less time than 7 or 8
weeks, so that in war, the Leeward Islands might be lost,
Ijefore help could be forthcoming from Barbados.
It was accordingly decided to erect a separate and dis-
tinct government for the Leeward Islands. This prudent
course would doubtless have been adopted ere this, had it
not been for the opposition displayed by the Lords Wil-
loughby who naturally demurred, on account of the loss of
revenue and prestige to themselves, entailed by the appoint-
ment of another Capt. General in the West Indies.
1670, Feb. 17, (? 1670-1.) The colony of the Soiners Is-
lands was so over peopled & the land all taken up that many
of its inhabitants had gone to S' Lucia, Trinidad, Antigua,
& Jamaica, but the most part of them died.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and the West
Indies, p. 153.)
Jan. 10. The Great Seal of the Caribbee Islands,
which had been left by Lord Willoughby in the custody of
L' Gen' Henry Willoughby, Governor of Antigua, was
forwarded to Barbados on account of the iatter's death.
('Colonial Entry Book,' No. 11, p. 184.)
In a letter of 1670-1 the writer states that Sir Tho.
Warner when Governor lived on a sweet plantation in the
Middle of S' Christophers, which was set out for the
Governorship. Lord AVilloughby purchased it of M'' Philip
Warner who had taken possession of it as heire to S"^
Thomas, but had no right to sell it to his Lordship.
Ordnance stores to the value of £2600 st, were to be
despatched with Sir Chai-les. He also received an order
from the Privy Sealc for £700 st. per annum as salary,
together with a free gift of £400 st. payable out of the
Queens dower & £2778 st. as 1 years pay of 2 foot-com-
panies. Sir Tobias Bridge's Regiment then stationed in
the Charibliee Islands was to be disbanded & sent home, but
those who preferred to stay & settle were to be allotted
lands as follows : — a private 35 acres, a corporal or drummer
50, a serjaut 79, an Ensign 160, a Lieut. 200 & a Capt,
400.
Arrears of the Charibee Islands to .laraaica, for the estates
confiscated & applicable to the benefitt of y' Island.
In the tyme of y" late Warr w"" Holland, such Dutch-
men as resided or traded in y" English Plantations in y^
West India, had their Estates confiscated to y^ use of y=
usurped Power then in England.
These Estates were since ordered by y' Power, to bee
applyed to y" use & releeff'e of Jamaica. In pui-snaiice
whereof, the Prize-Commissioners for y« respective Islands,
remitted y" Accompts (y' are herewith tendred) unto L*
Gen" Brayne then com'anding in chieffe in Jamaica.
xliv
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
The s'' Accompts containe y'^ particulers & totalis of j^
seized Goods, what disburst npou severall occasions & what
remaining in y'^ handes of y<= Commissioners & other p'sons
in those Islands W'^'' though often demanded by y^ s'' Brayne
& his Successor yet had noe other complyance but excuses
& delayes.
The Sumes remaineing due from ye severall Islands are
these viz' : —
lb. Suger. lb. tobacco, lb. Indico. lb. Ginger.
S* Christophers 2,444 89,3G8 550 1286
Nevis 39,064 27,516
Mountserrat 00,000 38,362
Antigua 00,000 119,240
Totall 41,408 = 274,486
550 = 1286
W'' by estimation is sterl. money :
41,408"'' Suger rated at 2'' per lb. is 0345 : 01 : 04
274,486"" tobacco at 2'^ per lb. is . 2287 : 07 : 08
550"" Indico at 18'! per lb. is . 0041 : 05 : 00
1,286"'' Ginger at 1« per lb. is . 0005 : 07 : 00
Besides : 82'" 2' 6'' due in Antigua
in money
02 : 06
2761 : 03 : 06
(No date. ? 1670. Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 468.)
For the details of the Antiguan accotiuts, see
under the year 1G55. In that year lib. of sugar
■was worth 3 lbs. of tobacco, whereas now they are
both quoted at 2d. per lb.
1671, Jan. 17. (? 1670-1.) Minutes of Council. On
demand of Capt. Abraliam Langford, empowered from Lord
Willoughby, for an account of the excise of wines & strong
liquors in the island, & all escheat & prize goods, & of the
fines & mulcts due to the King ; it was answered tljat, the
King never had any excise, nor they any escheated or prize
goods or strong drink on the island. That the return of
the inhabitants was in much poverty, & many must have
perished for want if not relieved, tliat they fined tliose that
deserved fine to the reUef of tiie poor, & can give no account
thereof, but though a small thing it belongs to his Majesty,
& for the future an exact account shall be kept.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and the
West Indies, p. 157.)
1671, Jan. 25. (? IG70-1.) Commission to Sir Chas.
Wheeler, Bart., Captain of a company of foot in our regi-
ment of guards under the command of Col. John Russell,
appointing him Governour-in-Ghief over S' Christopliers,
Nevis, Montserrat, Antego, Barbudo, Anguilla & other the
Leeward Islands, which his Majesty has thought fit to
separate from the Government of Barbadoes. With power
to choose a council of 12 of the principal inhabitants in each
of the said islands, & with the advice of not less than 7 of
them to summon general assemblies & make laws which
shall be in force for 2 years & no longer unless approved by
his Majesty ; to exercise a negative voice, dissolve general
assemblies & use a public seal. To erect courts of judica-
ture, constitute judges, justices & sheriffs, & administer
oaths, provided all establishments be submitted to his
Majesty, to pardon offenders, treason & wilful murder ex-
cepted, in which cases he may grant reprieves for a year till
his Majesty's pleasure be knowu, present to churches, levy
& arm persons, take & kill pyrates, pursue enemies & treat
them according to the law of arms. To prepare articles of
war, agreeable to those in England, for soldiers in pay only,
to erect forts, cities, towns, etc., or demolish them. To erect
Courts of Admii'alty, exercise the office of Vice-Admiral,
grant his Majesty lands under moderate quit rents, also
charters to towns for holding fairs and markets. To
appoint ports & harbours & erect Custom houses. If a
Deputy-Governor die, immediately to certify his ]\Iajesty
thereof & appoint one in his place till his Majesty's pleasure
be known ; & in case he die, the Deputy-Governor of Nevis
shall take on him the Government till his Majesty's pleasure
be known. And his Majesty's commission or letters patent
of 6"" Dec. 1669 to Lord Willoughby as to what concerns
the government of the aforesaid islands are hereby deter-
mined & revoked, but remain in full force as to the Govern-
ment of Barbadoes & the other Caribbee Islands not above
mentioned. ('Calendar of Colonial Papers,' p. 158.)
1671, Jan. 31. (? 1670-1.) Instructions to Sir Clias.
Wheeler, Bart., Governor of the Leeward Islands, in
21 articles.
To repair to Nevis, call together the Council, cause his
commission to be read, administer the oaths, & supply'
vacancies in the Council, taking care they be men of estate
& ability & "not much in debt." Not to augment nor
diminish the number of councillors, nor suspend any mem-
ber without good cause, to be forthwith transmitted to his
Majesty. To send a list of the respective councils, also
copies of laws. Not to displace any judges or other officers
without good cause, or execute by himself or by deputy any
of said offices, or suffer any person to execute more offices
than one by deputy. To regulate salaries, fees, etc. No
man's life, member or freehold to be taken away or harmed,
but by laws agreeable to those of England. The oaths of
allegiance & supremacy to be dispensed with, except to
members & officers of the council, some other way being
found of securing allegiance ; and no man to be molested in
the exercise of his I'eligion, but lie is enjoined to the pro-
fession of the Protestant religion as practised in England.
Drunkenness, debauchery, swearing, & blasphemy to be
discouraged & punished, & none to be admitted to public
trust whose ill-fame may bring scandal thereon. All
planters & Christian servants to be well armed & trained, &
an inventory of arms, ammunition & stores sent to his
Majesty. Also an account of the numbers of masters,
servants & slaves in each of the islands, a yearly account of
the increase or decrease of goods imported or exported, & of
the rates & duties payable in the respective islands, what
profits or revenues arise to his Alajesty & how accounted
for. To give encouragement to merchants, and in par-
ticular to the Royal African Compauy. To give account
from time to time of the wants, defects, products & im-
provements of the respective islands ; and to cause the late
treaty concluded at Madrid y^th July 1670, to be published
within 8 months from the 4§th Oct. 1670, or sooner if he
can agree with the Spanish governors there, & at the same
time to revoke all commissions & letters of reprisal to the
prejudice of the King of Spain or his subjects, & to observe
all articles of the said treaty. To take present order for the
advantage of the islands not herein provided for, provided
he do not declare war without his Majesty's particular com-
mands. In regard S' Christopher's is best seated for
Government, he is recommended to remove thither, as soon
as that part which the English possessed on tlie 1'' Jan.
1665-6, before the late war with France, shall be dehvered
up to him. (' Calender of Colonial Pajjers,' p. 159.)
1671, Feb. 14. (? 1670-1.) Report of the Council for
Plantations to the King, concerning the government of the
Leeward Islands. In pursuance of his Majesty's commands
have prepared a commission & instructions for Sir Chas.
Wheler, Governor of the Ijeeward Island, & transmitted
copies the 2P' Jan. last to Lord Arlington for his Majesty's
approbation. That Sir Chas. may have power to appoint
Deputy Governors in the islands under his command, & for
his better maintenance the £700 per annum arising by the
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xlv
farm of the -tj fier cent, of said islands, together with all
profits heretofore enjoyed by the Governor of Nevis, pro-
vided that when S' Christopher's can contribute towards
maintaining a governor there, the £700 per annum cease ;
that the Master of the Ordnance deliver to Sir Chas. 22
cannon, 1,000 muskets with swords, ammunition, etc., & 2
drawbridges ready framed, the muskets swords and bando-
liers to be paid for by the planters in 2 years, & the cannon
to be returned in case the French restore the 30 pieces they
formerly took from the English there, & that he may also
have a ketch ; that the Treasury, by virtue of some Privy
Seal dormant, may pay him £400 for extraordinary ex-
penses, but not to be drawn into a precedent ; & that Sir
Tobias Bridge's 4 companies of foot now in Nevis, Mont-
serrat, & Antigua be reduced to 2 companies of 80 men
each, besides officers, & settled in S' Christopher's for 1
year, in his Majesty's pay under Sir Chas. Wheeler's com-
mand. ('Colonial Entry Book,' No. xciv., p. 86 ;
see ' Colonial Calendar,' p. 188.)
Feb. 24. Sir Chas. Wheeler instructed to retain Col.
Stapleton the Dep. Gov'' of Montserrat.
March 27. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Resolved,
on receipt of his Excellency's letter from London of the 26""
Nov. 1670, importing his approbation of the way of govern-
ment of the Council after the decease of Col. Byam ; that
the monthly courts be kept by the Justices, & execution
granted as formerly ; that no jury court be held till further
order from his Excellency, but that the Judges issue out
attachments on all judgments ; that in case any person
refuse to pay the levies per acre for the public treasury, the
act be put in execution, & that payments out of the public
treasury be ordered by the President, one of the Council, &
one of the Assembly. (' Colonial Papers,' vol. xxv., No. 55 ;
see ' Colonial Calendar,' p. 188.)
1671. Nevis. William Edmundson* and Thomas
Briggs accompanied with some others from Barbadoes and
Antigua, where they had been labouring in the Ministry of
the Gospel, found themselves inclined to visit also this
Island, came thither in a small Vessel), and cast Anchor
near the Shore ; but a Mai'shal soon came on board with
orders from the Govcrnoiir, that none should come on shore
till he knew whence the Vessel came, and who were in her :
So they were all staid on board till the Governour had In-
formation who they were ; upon which he presently sent an
OflBcer and Soldiers on board, with strict Charge, that none
of them should go on shore, nor any come from shore to
speak with them, on Penalty of a great Fine. But several
of their Friends nevertheless, who dwelt there, went on
Board, where they held a Meeting by Consent of the owner
of the Vessel, Colonel Wenthrop, one of their Persuasion,
who had been Governour of Antigua, and came with them
from thence. The Governour sent for the Master of the
Vessel, who was not a Quaker, and bound him in a Bond of
£1000 Sterling to carry them back to Antigua. While they
lay at Anchor one Colonel Stapleton, who was Governour of
MontseiTat, came on Board, and William Edmundson com-
plained to him, saying. It was very hard Usage, that they
being Englishmen, and coming so far as they had done to
visit their Countrymen, could not be admitted to come
on shore, and refresh themselves, within King Charles'
Dominions, after so long a Voyage. To which the Colonel
answered, that It was true ; but said he, we hear that since
your Coming to the Caribbee-Islands, there are seven Hun-
dred of our Militia turned Quakers and the Quakers will
not fight, and we have Need of Men to fight, being sur-
rounded with Enemies, and that is the very Reason why
* He was a noted Quaker preacher at Barbados in 1675.
Governour Wheeler will not suffer you to come on shore.
Accordingly by Order of the Governour they were carried
back to Antigua, where they were received with Gladness,
and their Testimony accepted by many. (Besse.)
1671. The earliest book containing the Minutes
of the Council of Antigua commences this year, but
no co^Dy of it exists at the Hecord Office in London.
The oi-iginal is kept in the Court House at St. John's.
On .3 April at a meeting of the Council at the house of
Capt. Sam' Winthrope a letter was read from Col. Jas.
Russell the Dep. Gov of Nevis " importing y' y<^ Capt. of
the pleasure boate had at Dominica entertained on board
his Shipp severall Indians of y' Island & at their departure
shott a Gunn at y'^ Periagua, by which means he killed
seaven of y'' s'' Indians, as he himselfe reported. Nor for
y' if the report be true it may proove a breatch of y" pease
a mischiefe to y'= King's subjects in y" Leeward Islands and
a dishonour to our Nation." " It is ordered that a sloope
be forthwith hired, y' shee be victualled to entertain six
soldiers and a Commander, y' foure barrells of Rum & Two
hundred pounds of Tobacco l)e sent in her for a pres' and y'
shee be with all speede despatched to the Island Dominica
to renewe our ft-iendship with them." There had been a
previous meeting of the Council at Major Nath' Clarke's
house, at which were present Cap. Sam' Winthrope, Col.
Phil. Warner, L' Col. Bastian Baijer & Serj* Major Nath'
Gierke when a letter was read from the Gov^ dated at
London 26 Nov. 1670 after the death of Col. Byam. On 3
Ap. Serj' Major Nath' Clarke & Lieut. Paul Lee were paid
3000 lbs. of tobacco for mending & fixing y Court House
at Falmouth & L' Col. Bastian Bayer 1500 lbs for the
Court House at S' Johns. Jonas Lankford was also paid
245 lbs. for attending to Jacob Tearne (?) & family.
Two persons for each Division were also chosen to take
care for the relief of the poor viz. : —
For
Maj'' Rich. Burraston & L'
AVm. Proctor . . . Falmouth & Rendesvouz Bay.
Jn° Parry & Ensign Fra.
Gifford .... Willoughby Bay.
Cap. Leavens & Serj*- Dan'
Pello .... South part of Nonsuch.
Cap. Eyres & Wm. Fullam . North side of Nonsuch.
Maj'' Gierke & M'' Jn" Vernon North Sound.
Cap. Rowl<i Williams & Cap.
Jn° Cade .... Road & Leeward.
Cap. Harvy Keynell & Ed-
mund Hull . . . S' Johns.
L' Jn" Fry & M' Geo.
Hawkins .... Barmudian Valley & New.
M'' Rise Morgon & Wm.
Hemmings . . . Five Islands &
Wm. Hill & Jn" Skelton . Dickinsons Bay.
L' Wm. Thomas & Ensign
Pet. AVillcock . . . Popeshead Landing place.
L' Tho. Parker & Ensign
Roger Seldon . . . New North Sound.
On 12 April the Hon. Cap. Sam' Winthrope is mentioned
as the President of the Council, who that day met at Madam
Byam's house.
On 18 April Rich. Belcher & L* Paul Lee were chosen
joint Treasurers.
May 15. Sir Chas. Wheeler the new Gov'' is shortly
expected, but he appears not to have arrived till later, as he
wrote home from Nevis ^\ July to their lordships & pre-
sided for the first time at Antigua on 18 July, when he ad-
xlvi
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
ministered the oatlis of allegiance to all the members of the
Council viz. : —
Col. Pliilip Warner, President.
L'-Col. Nathi Clerk. Serj'-Maj-- Rowld Williams.
Cap. Rich. Eyres. L* W"' Thomas.
Cap. Jn" Cade. Ju" Parry.
June 7. Barbadoes. Sir Tho. Lynch L' Gov of Jamaica
to Sec. Lord Arlington.
Wrote from Madeira, whence they sailed about 1^' May,
& arrived here but on Wednesday last. Sir Ch. Wheeler &
the Welcome sailing heavily. Found 40 or .50 great ships
in port to load home sugar, & a small ketch of the King's,
the Eaglet, that was to wait on Lord Willoughby's planta-
tion at Antigua, but since those islands have been lopped
from his government, she is ordered hither .... Nobody
here thinks of S' Kitts or the Leeward Isles, but judges it
oleum et opera perdere to endeavour their settlement;
yesterday had an address from some principals of Antigua
about their coming to Jamaica .... Col. Christopher Cod-
rington, my Lord's deputy, being of a debonaire, liberal
humour, a native, & a planter, they have been kind to,
giving him, in the 2J years he has commanded, 3 or
400,000 lbs. of sugar.
('Colonial Papers,' vol. xxvi.. No. 71 ; see
' Colonial Calendar,' p. 223.)
June 1 .5. Nevis. Sir Tho. Lynch L' Gov'' of Jamaica, to
Sec. Lord Arlington.
Stood in with Dominica on their way to caress the chief
Lidian Governor, Warner, that he might continue his
friendship to the English, but he was not on the coast, &
they passed on to Montserrat, where were 7 or 8 vessels.
Governor Stapleton was gone to Nevis to marry Lt.-Col.
Russell's daughter. The masters told them most of the
produce of that island & Antigua was carried to Statia by
the Dutch, & that last year they fetched thence in sloops
near 400,000 lbs. tobacco.. Montserrat better peopled tinxn
ever, having 3 or 400 that belong to S- Christopher's. An-
tigua has some, but most intend thence for .Jamaica, finding
it impossible to settle that island. Hears there are near
3,500 men in all these islands. Arrived at Nevis on Sunday
last, & ne.xt day Sir Chas. (Wheeler) & his lady were lodged
at a house Gov. Russell prepared for them ....
(' Colonial Papers,' vol. xxvi., No. 73 ; see ' Colonial
Calendar,' America and West Indies, p. 227.)
Sept. 13. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Present —
Col. Philip Warner GoV^. L' Col. Nath. Gierke, Maj^
Row. Williams, Capts. Rich* Ayres, Paul Lee, Jno. Cade,
& W™ Thomas & Jno. Parry. The Governor's Com-
mission from his Excellency Sir Chas. Wheeler read ; Jno.
Parry & Capt. Renatus Ennis, sworn Sec. & Prov. Marshall ;
commissions for gentlemen of the Council to be .Justices of
the Peace. Ordered, that the churches of Falmouth & S'
John's be speedily set forward ; that the Monthly Courts,
a Court of Chancery, the General Sessions of the Peace, &
the Courts of Common Pleas, be held as formerly ; that a
special Court be held & a jury empannelled in behalf of the
King on the first Tuesday in Jan. next at the town of Fal-
mouth, to try the titles & forfeitures of land not settled,
according to the Act, & that a strong prison be built at
Falmouth at the public charge.
(' Colonial Papers,' vol. xxv.. No. 55 ; see ' Colonial
Calendar,' America and West Indies, p. 257.)
Dec. 9. Answer of Sir Chas. Wheler, Gov'' of the Leeward
Islands, to the inquiries of the Council for Foreign
Plantations.
In every island under his Government there is a Council,
which he will complete to 12. Assemblies are called as the
Governor sees occa.sion. The courts of judicature are-
monthly courts or quarterly sessions, the former held by the
justice of the peace of the division (always one of the
Council) ; with 2 of the Assembly assistants, for all suits
under the value of 1000 lbs. of sugar ; if they exceed that,
appeal is to the sessions, where are heard all criminal causes
& matters touching the Crown ; the Governor (or next in
rank) is Judge, Chancellor & Bishop, with all the Council
on the Bench, & the Assembly beneath. Council & Assembly
sit bare ; the Council speak, the Assembly when the
Governor calls on any of them, as is usual in merchants
business, most of them having been merchants ; but judg-
ment is given only by the . Governor. The manner of
proceeding is cheap & short ; 2 days are appointed for en-
tering actions, of which all men take notice, & plaintiff &
defendant are asked whether they will abide the judgment
of the court or have a jury empannelled. After judgment
follows an execution, mentioning first the person's ready
sugar, next his grindable canes, then his person, & if after
6 months' imprisonment the debt be not satisfied, his estate
to be sold at an outcry. The Office of High Sheriff in
England bears the name of the Provost Marshal.
The executive power is wholly in himself & his L*
Governors & subordinate oftiuurs in ecclesiastical, civil &
military affairs. Antigua has a regiment of 900 Eoglish in
8 companies, under Col. Philip Warner, L' Gov'', son to Sir
Tho. Warner, who settled all those islands for the King &
sent out a colony for Barbadoes ; there is no troop of horse,
but a very good & numerous breed of horses ; the English
male children under 12 are lod.
One or two platforms in Antigua, 6 or 8 pieces of bad
cannon there & at Montserrat. The commodities are sugar
chiefly ; tobacco in great quantity in Antigua, so much
indigo & cotton that he hopes his Majesty will favour them
in the prohibition of Cyprus cotton & East Inula Indigo.
Saltpetre might be made in abundance in Autlgua & possibly
elsewhere. No river or harbour in all his Government but
in Antigua & therefore he is abandoned by all shipping
about the hurricane season. There may be 40 parishes in
his Government, to supply which he found one drunken
orthodox priest, one drunken sectary priest, & one drunken
parson who had no orders. About 40 ships come yearly
chiefly from Bristol. Nevis is the most considerable of
these islands, Antigua & Montserrat sending their freight
there in shallops. Hopes the King will think of Antigua ;
'tis as large as Barbadoes & the best land in the West
Indies ; Falmouth & English Harbours, divided only by a
neck of land, which may be cut through with inconsiderable
charge, & are so land locked as to be out of danger of
hurricanes. The Dover Castle which Col. Strode lets to the
King for the use of Sir Chas. Wheler's Government, suffered
no harm, tho' the hurricane was as violent as ever was
known which should persuade the improvement of English
Harbour & settling that quarter of the island. Has already
moved that the Royal Company may bring negroes ; at
least 4000 are wanted, for by negroes only can that island
be planted till it be cleared of wood for more health for the
English.
(' Colonial Papers,' vol. xxvli., No. 52 ; see ' Colonial
Calendar,' America and West Indies, p. 287.)
On 10 Februaiy 1671-2 was issued a commission
to Lieut.-Colouel William Stapleton as Captain-
General, vice Sir Charles Wheeler recalled.
Cap' Samuel Winthrop writing from Antigua 23 2^ mo.
1672 to his brother says: "I suppose thou hast heard y'
last yeare one S'' Charles Wheeler by some meanes procured
a com'ission for to be generall over theis leward Cariba
Islands. His actions here have so displeased y^ King that
they are disowned by pulilique proclamac'on, to his great
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. xlvii
dishonor. Y'^ Lord Willoughby is comeing againe, a man of
a much better temper. By his last letter to me I suppose
he may now be at sea."
1672. Lord Willoughby was still in England the
early part of 1672, making j^reparations for going
out to his government at Barbados, which had now
been severed from the Leeward Islands. He sends
his —
Proposalls concerning the "West Indies Apr. 8, 1672.
That 10 great Gunns 1000 firelocks 1000 swords be sent
with Amunition, and other apparel suitable for the use of
Antego and Moiitserratt.
"The Englisli & French ships are to sail out together
on account of the Dutch AVar. A 5"' rate frigate should be
stationed at the Leeward Islands & another at Barbados."
He wrote again on 3 Jnly from Portsmouth about
his new commission, and arrived, after a voyage of
11 weeks, at Barbados on 13 October 1672. Petitions
for £3000 a year for necessaries, and states that his
late son Henry, whom he made Lieut. -General for
life of the Leeward Islands, served four or five years
and spent £5000 st. in His Majesty's service but
never received a penny.
Sir Charles Wheeler, the superseded Governor,
having returned home, was present at their Lord-
ships' meeting on 29 November 1672, when he pro-
ceeded to give his account of affairs on the 7th and
10th November previous, and stated : —
That at S' Christophers there were 2 Companies of Foot
& 200 of English, Irish & Dutch as also 120 Frenchmen
mean fellows wlio had taken the oath to our King. At
Mevis was the whole strength of the Leeward Islands, 1200
musketeers & GO horse. At Montserrat 800, all Irish &
" men of no great courage & discipline." " That in Antego
though there might bee, 6 or 800 English yett they are
generally very meaue and live much scattered there being
no security at all for tb.em upon the arrival of any Enemy.
That the Land & Harbours are good but no part thereof
fortified." The French have at S' Christophers 1500
musketteers & 200 horse.
It appears that Sir Charles Wheeler had been
unsuccessful in obtaining the rendition of St.
Christopher's, and it may have been on this account
that he incurred the king's displeasure. By the
Treaty of Breda, dated 21-31 July 1667, that part of
St. Christopher's which the English possessed on
1 January 1665, before the late war, was to be
restored to them. Accordingly on 13 February
1667-8 His Majesty commissioned William, Lord
Willoughby of Parham (his Captain-General),
Colonel Lewis Morrice, Colonel Robert Hooper,
Lieut. -Colonel Symon Lambert, his deputies to
receive back the island. His lordship i-eceived the
dispatch at Montserrat on 26 April 1668 and at once
returned to Nevis, and sent Colonel Drake and
Lieut. -Colon el Stapleton on the following day to the
Chevalier de St. Laurence the French Governor of
St. Christopher's. The Chevalier, fencing the
question, rephed that he could do nothing in the
absence of De la Barre, the Lieut. -General, who was
then at Guadaloupe. The French kept on promising.
shifting, and delaying the carrying out of the Treaty,
so much so that Lord Willoughby's patience being
exhausted, he, on 2 May 1668, made his public pro-
test, in the presence of Lieut. -Colonel Stapleton
and Captain Philip Payne, by Francis Sampson his
Secretary. The French were in the meanwhile
spoiling the houses and lands, and carrying off
timber, mills, and negros. On 3-13 May 1668 Lord
Willoughby sent to Monsieur de la Barre, and
received his answer dated 8-18 May 1668 from
Guadaloupe. On 15-25 May the latter also made
his protest to Colonel Russell, Deputy-Governor of
Nevis, and claimed 600,000 lbs. for the dyet of
prisoners, also large sums for various improvements
effected on the English plantations. It was finally
evident that the two Chief Governors could not come
to terms, the French absolutely refusing to give up
the island. Sir Charles Wheeler seems to have been
as unsuccessful in the negotiations as his lordship
had been, so he and De la Barre referi-ed their
articles, dated 23 November and 3 December 1671,
to their respective kings for their decision. After
a good deal of diplomatic correspondence between
St. James and Versailles, Louis XIV. sent out
peremptory orders to his Governor to carry out the
Treaty.
By a printed Proclamation, issued from the
African House in Throgmorton Street on 28
December, the African Company* offered to deliver
slaves at Nevis, for the Leeward Islands, at the price
of £16 st. per head ; for which they would accept
payment at the rate of 4s. for a piece of eight, and
£17 St. for 2400 lbs.
Acts, signed by Philip Warner, Deputy-Governor,
and Samuel Irish, Sjjeaker, were passed on 14
August for recompensing masters for the value of
all slaves killed or maimed in the service of the
country, and for confirming all marriages solemnized
by any J. P.
Persons going a crabbing by torchlight or smoking
pipes near sugar canes were to be fined 1000 lbs.
Land crabbs were considered a delicacy by some
people.
In March Charles 11. declared war against the
United Provinces. One of the clauses in the declara-
tion recites that the Dutch had violated the Treaty
of Breda, by preventing the withdrawal of the Eng-
lish colonists from Surinam, and imprisoning one of
them, Major Banister. This was perfectly true, the
Dutch certainly opposed the departure of the settlers,
on the plea that many of them were in debt ; but
they no doubt cast a covetous eye on the goods and
possessions of the English, whose estates had to be
sold at any price they would fetch. On 6 April
Louis also declared war against Holland. William,
Lord Willoughby, was at this time in England pre-
paring for his departure to Barbados.
* The African Company having surrendered their Charter to the
Crown, a fourth Company was incorporated, with the title of Royal
African Company; their capital, £110,0011, was raised by subscrip-
tion in nine months. The King and the Duke of York were among
the subscribera.
xlviii
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
Men able to
bear arms.
Negroe
There were ia :
S' Christophers .
49G
352
Nevis
1411
1739
Montserat .
1175
523
Antigua
—
570
AnguilJa .
500
—
(Southey.)
Jan. 11. (? 1671-2.) Minutes of the Council of An-
tigua. Ordered, that no complaint be tried at the monthly
courts for any sum exceeding 500 lbs. of sugar or tobacco.
That the firing of 2 guns at night & 3 in the day be an
alarum, ujion which all persons from 12 to GO years of age
are, on a penalty of a grievous fine, to repair with their
arms well fixed, & at least a dozen shot of powder & ball to
the places appointed, & there remain till dismissed by a field
officer of the regiment. No persons to remove out of his
company, without certificate from their Captain, on penalty
of forfeiting 100 lb. of tobacco. Rules and orders to be
observed for the despatch of suits in the Court of Chancery.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and West
Indies, p. 315.)
May 25. W" Stapleton's commission as Cap' Gen' was
read at Nevis, also Sir Chas. Wheeler's revocation, which
were both issued on 20 Dec. 1071.
May 27. Col. W. Staplecon, Gov'' to the Council for
Plantations.
The Cai-ibbee Indians have lately broken the peace made
with Lord Willoughby, having killed 2 & left for dead 2
more of his Majesty's subjects in Antigua, where .SO of them
are in the woods.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and West
Indies, p. 3C4.)
July 17. Gov. Stapleton to the Council for Trade &
Foreign Plantations :
Antigua & Montserrat lost 1300 negros taken away by
the French in 1660. In Antigua there is a regiment of foot
& 2 troops of horse militia. The commodities are sugar,
indigo, tobacco, cotton, wool & ginger ; most of the islands
destitute of timber, Antigua only excepted. No salt-
petre but in the Savanna of Antigua & that hardly worth
the carriage home. Two rivulets. 4 harbours. No slaves
from the Royal Company have been ))rought these 7 years ;
to Montserrat & Antigua have been brought 300 by licensed
ships. No ministers nor schoolmasters except at Nevis.
Encloses Account of the Island of Antigua.
Col. Philip Warner, Dep. Governor.
Council.
Naty Clarke, L'-Col. to a regiment of foot.
Rowland Williams, Serjeant- Major.
Rich'i Ayers, .John Cade & W"" Thomas,
Captains of companies of foot.
Capt. Paul Lee, " L' to my own company."
John Parry, Secretary.
40,000 acres of land by estimation, 10.52 armed men,
570 slaves, 10 barrels of gunpowder, 8 guns & loO horse.
July 30. Minutes of the Council.
Ordered, that one fort be built in Falmouth Harbour,
if leasable, & the other in S' John's Harbour ; that 1 negro
out of every 8 throughout the island be appointed to work
thereon ; & that all said negroes be ready at the said forts
on the first Monday in Sept. nest, each with an axe & a
bill ; that an under overseer be hired for each of the forts,
& that any person refusing or neglecting to send his propor-
tion of slaves be committed to gaol till he give security to
answer such contempt at the next general sessions.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and West Indies, p. 397.)
Dec. 10. Gov' Stapleton to the Council for Plantations.
Came yesterday from Antigua. Has caused 2 small
forts to be erected on little islands in S' John's & Falmouth
Harbours, tho' they want great guns & ammunition, which
places, if well fortified, will be of great consequence &
safety to English ships.
All the rest of the islands have but open roads.
Dec. 14. Sir Chas. Wheler's account of the present state
of the Leeward Islands.
On Antigua are about 800 English ; found a Quaker
President of the Council, who refusing the oaths of allegiance
& supremacy, he commissioned Col. Warner, Governor, a
worthy gentleman, son to Sir Thos. Warner, to whose in-
dustry is owing all the Plantations of Barbadoes & the Lee-
ward Islands. Cannot see how this island can be defended,
even from incursions of the savages, by reason of its great-
ness & many places of easy landing, till it be more peopled,
foi', by the extent & richness of the soil it may contain
20,000 planters besides their slaves. Has been made to
believe there are 2 harbours, Falmouth & English, so land-
locked as to be out of danger of the hurricanes, and that
his Majesty's third rate ships may ride well ; yet there is no
trusting the King's fleet there, for the Dover Castle yacht
went ashore in a storm in Sei)t. 1071, but the two harbours,
separated only by a neck of land, may be cut through with
inconsiderable charge, & very probably a harbour made there.
Anteffua.
State of the Leeward Islands 1672.
Two files of men in pay — a file in Falmouth fort
& another in S' Johns.
A troope of 33 men.
A Reg' of 770 men divided into Ten Companies.
Three Platforms called Forts one at S' .Johns
Harb"', Falmouth Harb'', Carlisle Road. Guns
sixteen.
20,000 not manurable.
70,000 land in part manured.
50,000 land lying waste.
3,000 Akers in it little
Islands Adjunct.
Five Townes. S' Johns &
28 miles in length.
20 in breadth.
120,000 Akers.
10,000 manurable.
Blacks.
Estates.
Ships
Sloops.
Duties
Export.
Import.
Six places of Trade.
Falmouth.
Six Precincts, One Church, Ten divisions.
Two Rivulets, four Harb" S' Johns, five Islands,
Falmouth & English Harb'^ 13 good Bayes,
Creekes & Inletts.
They give from 3500 to 40o0i'» sugar or 20''' &
22"' sterl. per Bills of Exchange.
The Planters Personall Estates consist in Negroes,
Horses, Cattle, Coppers, Stills, Cases, Mills and
other Utensils.
The Reall Estates in lands etc. and what ever is
affixed to y'' freehold.
Value of Estates £07,000.
Trading to & from The Leeward Islands are 100
from 15 to 200 tons.
24.
of 4-|- p'' cent, upon goods of the growth of the
Country.
And the duty imposed upon Ships not bound for
England.
200"^^ Sug'' per pipe upon Madera Wines, Spanish
& Portugall and 50"'' Sug"' per HHd. on french
Wines, which is applyed to y'= maintaining of
Forts, etc.
The 4i per cent, applyed to y^ Excheq''.
EEOM RESTOPtATION OF CHAELES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II. xlix
Religion. The Protestant is piibliquely professed and em-
braced by y*' Maj' part. In Nevis & Antigua
ab' 60 Qualiers. Tlie Protestant Relig. is as 8
to one in Gen''.
Mem''"' The Ministers do not take care to catechize.
Churches. 2.
(Egerton MS. 239.5, fo. 525.)
The State of the Leeward Islands by S'' Chas. Wheeler.
Antego. Had (! or 800 Eng. meane people & scattered.
The laud unfortified though It & y"^ Harl/ be
very good.
A Reg' of foot & two troops of horse Militia.
40,000 Acres of Land. 1052 armed men. 100
horse. 570 Negroes.
An Extract of Points relating to the Defence Trade &
Security of the Leew'' Islands.
Harlour. S'' C. Wheeler, in his account of the Leew'' Islands
14 Dec. 72 does represent that Antego has
Falmouth Haven and the English Haven so
Antego. contiguous that the Neck of laud between them
may be cutt through and make a Good Harb'
against Hurricanes. As the King of france has
done at Martinico at GO, 000 livres E.\pence.
Coll. Byam to the L-i Willoughby B. F. p. &
does declare Autigoa to be of the greatest con-
sequence of any for its situation & harbors
wliereby lying to Windward it may be a Curb
to the french & Dutch if care be taken for its
subsistence.
Leeivi S"" C. Wheeler for y'= safety of y^ L'' Isl. desired a
Islands. Power to call a Generall Assembly of all y^
Islands into one.
M'' Gorge in his Paper read in Councill 17 March
1G72 does propose for the snpply of sugar
Plantac'ons that the Scotch may be permitted
a free Trade thither. And to goe & settle on
those Plantac'ons.
Gunns And of Great Guns for y'' Forts C'olJ. Stapleton
Antego. has erected at S' Johns Harb'' & Falmouth
Harb'' w<^'' will secure all y'^ Shipping of y'=
Leew'' Islands.
{Ibid, fo. 531.)
1673. The following- Memorial was recorded in
1673 in the Council Book at St. Johns : —
To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty.
The Humble Petition of the Representatives of his Ma'ties
Islands S' Christophers, Nevis, Mouutserrat & Antigua
Most humbly Sheweth
How that we yo'^ Ma'ties Petisouers together w"" the
rest of yC Ma'ties faithfull and Loyall Subjects Residing in
these Remote Terretories of y'' Ma'ties Dominions, and
newly breathing from under y'' many hard and grinding
pressures of "^^ late warr, and by Gods Speciall blessing upon
our Second endeavours and the freedom of trade w"" our
native Country have obtained to some reasonable competency
of a comfortable Subsistance, and some probable hopes of
being Serviceable to yo' Ma'tie in Sending some good
quantity of loaden Shipps to our native Country w*^'" by
Gods blessing we did y° last yeare to -^^ number of one
hundred Sayle w'^'' blooming hopes of the like Continuance
■was soon blasted this present yeare for wante of Shippes to
transport Comodities as formerly w'' we cannot reasonably
impute to any other cause but to y'= timourness of the Mer-
chants to adventure their Ships in these dangerous times of
warr w"' out Some provision made for theire safety and
defence, many of them haveing been this yeare Surprized by
y"^ Dutch Privateers which l)y reason of yo'' Ma'ties Ships
lying at y= Barbados dare not to lye there, but were driven
down hither where they may accomplish theire ends w"i
more freedome and safety ; for the prevension whereof if
it may please yo'' gracious Ma'tie for these Eusueiug yeares
to Spare us a small frigott or two to convoy y^ Merchantmen
Safe to us, and to Secure the Coast from such picking men
of warr as (Jommonly lies in waite of Surprise them, it
would not raise our heartes to an high pitcl) of thaukfullness
to yo"' Ma'tie but we doubt not alsoe but that yo'' Ma'tie will
receive y' fruites of our industrious endeavours in yo'' Juste
and due revenue. May it farther please yo'' Gracious Ma'tie
to accept our Humble request for yo'' Gracious assistance for
the future populas'on of these Islands, w"^" doe consist of
more unsettled land by many degress than is yet settled, w'^''
is that yo'' Ma'tie would Graciously please to give all due
encouragement to all Merchants for bringing over what
white people may be well spared from yo'' Ma'ties more im-
portant Service whereby we may be more enabled to Stand
in the ballance w"' our powerfull neighbours who are yearely
supplyed w"' four or five good Ships of warr to their greate
Safety and encouragement. And Especially that yo'' Ma'tie
haveing Comissionated many noble and worthy p'sons for y<=
sujDply of these partes w"' Negroes from Affrica whose
assistance hitherto hath been but little in y respect of y«
great quantity of unselled land, That yo'' Ma'tie would
graciously pleased to lay your injunction of them to sende
some considerable quantity thereof to these Islands, for
whose good paym': and honest entertainm' : wee are ready
to engage our Estates and foi'tunes, and doubt not thereby
to be in such a Capacity to render ourselves as serviceable
and bonefidee to yo'' JIa'ties Service & Revenue as any otiier
of these fruitfull Islands.
May it further yo'' Most gracious Ma'tie to accept our
humble & harty thanks for yo'' Gracious acceptance of us
into yo' Ma'ties protection by y" act of y"^ Lord Francis
Willoughby, intituled y" act of foure and a halfe p'' Cent y\"=^
we humbly request to be continued in the full and due tenor
thereof and that y'= Seale in y^ Said act mens'oued being loste
by our former Generall may be reneued to his Ex'cie our
present Generall W'" Stapleton whose worth and good in yo''
Ma'ties alFayres here com'ands our .... humbly to Suppli-
cate for his continuance ; But that high and signal clemency
of yo'' Laited Ma'tie w'''' raiseth our harts to an altitude is
that yo'' Ma'tie hath left yo'' Gracious profer of farmeing
that impost w'^*' we cannot but acknowledge to proceed from
yo'' Ma'ties superlative Grace.
Wee humbly Supplicate yo'' Ma'tie to lend a favourable
eare to our agant who hath received full and plenory
Instructions from us to attend yo'' Ma'ties Comissioners on
that behalfe whose actings therein in our behalfes Shall
inviolably lye upon us, for the just and due p'formance
thereof.
Nath. Clerke. Sam. Irish.
John Estridge. Theod. Loyerawne.
Walter Symonds. Jn° Nbthway.
Anth° Hodges. Jn" Bramley.
In December, John Atkins, Thomas Darlow, Henry
Graydon, and Edward Martin (Quakers), were commanded
by Capt. Jeremiah Watkins to the Place appointed for
Alarms, but because they refused to bear Arms, he caused
them to be sent to Prison, and detained there nine Days.
(Besse's ' Sufferings of the Quakers.')
On 11 April Sir W'" Stapleton drew the attention of the
merchants to the fact, that he required bond to be taken
from all vessels trading with England.
By Stat. 25 Car. II. c. 7. " If any ship or vessel shall
come to any of his Majesty's plantations to ship any sugars,
tobacco, etc., and bond shall not be first given to bring the
1
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
•same to England, there shall be answered to the King
several duties before lading thereof, and under such penalties
as for nonpayment or defrauding the King of his customs in
England." (Southey.)
April 26. Sir James Russell wrote : that Capt. Ashton,
in his government of Antigua, for reasons known to himself,
did make a law that all lands & negroes should be inheri-
tance. It happened after that some ships came & put off
their negroes at days prefixed, the time was expired & the
merchants expected payment, but the planters failed, they
sued for their goods or to have their negroes again, which
■would not be granted, being an Act for inheritance, but they
should be extended & put to hire for so much a year, so that
the merchant in 7 years could not get his principal, which
brought such an odium on that island that none during his
time would trade there any more, & proved the ruin of that
island.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and West
Indies, p. 484.)
1674, March 30.
The Humble adress of the Governor and Councill of Antigua
to his Excellency William Stapleton Capt" Generall
and Governor in Chiefe in and over all his Ma'ties
Leeward Carriby Islands.
May it please yo'' Excellency
Wee have this day Consulted and Considered of his
Mat'ies Gratious order and declaration dated at White Hall
the tenth day of May 1672, by which certaine Clauses and
provision in Several! acts of Parli'ment made ag' the
tradeing with forreigners and imploying of foreign Shipps
and wholely Suspended, and doe humbly conceive that it
may be Lawfull for and will be benificiall to the people of
this Island that Paulus Jolinson a Subject of the Kingdome
of Sweden be admitted to come hither with his Siiipp and
the Same to load giving Security to unload in this King-
dome of England or Wales, and that He so doing can be
noe way prejudiciall to his Ma'tie nor any his Ma'ties leige
people but rather of advantage in regard the goods that will
be loadcn on the s'd Ship will otherwise in all likely hood
perish for that our English Shipps that trade here cannot
well carry the production of what they bring. Wherefore we
humbly Offer the premises to yo"' Excellencys consideration
to do therein, as to yo'' better Judgem' shall Seeme meete,
and Siiall not attempt the doeing anything in the premises
untill we shall receive yo'' Excellencyes comand or per-
■mission but waite your Excellencies pleasure. Antigua 30'"
March 1G74.
Phillip Warner. Paul Lee. John Cade.
Eow. Williams. Nath. Clerke. John Parry.
Jere. Watkins. Richard Ayres.
(Minute Book, St. John's.)
Colonel Philip Warner, who succeeded Captain
Samuel Winthrop as Deputy-Governor of the island,
■was about to depart for England on his private
affairs, as the following letter shews : —
Nevis the 16th of July 1674.
S' — T have yours — the within Subscriptions of y^
Counsill concerning Coll. Fits his Estate to which I have
not mucli to Say but what you have, I judge, received
before, along with a permitt, y« 15"" of this instant for feare
of Miscarriage, I send the inclosed, dated y|= le'" altho the
permitt bee but for 8 Months, yet my Letter allows of
twelve Months if need bee, if that does not come to your
hand because the Vessell wherein Cap*- Fitcli and others are
gone up in hath touched at Montserratt I doe by this Letter
permitt you a twelve months absence & M' Towes but 8
months it is better thus for me & you than to allow more in
the Lettpasse.
I doe authorize you to nominate & appoint Major Row-
land Williams my deputy in your absence as President of
y^ Counsil their & Commander of the Militia, I would not
be the occasion of your Stay in y" Stopping the Boate no
Longer than I write these Lines, I am now from Hog
Valley so I can say nothing fro' thence. You are to give
Major Williams a Coppie of those Instructions I formerly
gave you, there are 30 od Dutchmen of Warr at Martinico,
it is said they have Landed at j'^ Cul de Sac, if so negroes
may be cheap.
I am S'' your verie affectionate kinsman & Serv*
W" Stapleton.
His intended departure must have been post-
poned, as he did not sail till after 30 April 1675.
1674-5. Col. Stapleton wrote from Nevis 8 Feb. 167|
that the Indians attacked Antigua last X'mas so he em-
powered his Dep. Gov'' Col. Philip Warner with 6 small
companies of foot to proceed to Dominico to punish the
savages. Warner was successful, killed 80 Indians &
carried off their Periagoes & canons : his reputed brother
Indian Warner, the reputed natural son of Sir Tho. Warner
fell amongst his fellow Heathens, who tho he had an English
Com" yet was a great villain & took a French Com". He
further writes on 17 Mar. 1674-5 & asks for the soldiers pay.
On the 19th Feb. a treaty of peace was signed at
Westminster between Chai'les II. and the Low
Countries, and Surinam was ceded to the Dutch in
exchange for the province of New York.
Among some papers of 1686 is a list of the
" Council & Assembly 7 May 1674 when Henderson
was banished," viz. : —
Maj"^ Tho. Mallett, Speaker.
Cap' Roger Jones.
SP Hen. Meyer.
M'- Jac. Hill.
M>- Rich. Abrahall.
L' Jn" Campbell.
Ensigne Jn" Brittaine.
M'' Nath. Monk.
M"" Jonas Watts.
L' Wm. Proctor.
(Colonial
M' Rob' Hughes.
Cap' OI)ed. Bradshaw.
M' W"' Wainwright.
M'' Jn" Moone.
M' Jn° Bacon.
M"- Jn» Ward.
M^ Tho. Beck.
M'' Wm. Pines.
IP Arch. Cochran.
Leeward Islands, No. 50.)
All the above are evidently members of the
Assembly, so that the list of the Council is not given.
June 3. Petition of Ferdinando Gorges, agent for Col.
Wm. Stapleton, Governor of the Leeward Islands. That
his Majesty has allowed Col. Stapleton £700 per annum as
Governor, & established 2 companies of foot in S' Christo-
pher's, & that their pay should be £2,778 per annum, none
of which has been paid since the 10th June 1671, by means
whereof the soldiers are in great want of clothes & all other
necessaries. (' Colonial Calendar,' America and West
Indies, p. 589.)
Nov. 23. Robert Jones at Guadaloupe to [J/rtwA-]
M. Bovine, of S' Christophers : told him yesterday of a
design the Indians have against Antigua, " this full of the
moon." They told him that what they did last at Antigua
was only to make an inspection, & they were resolved to do
more mischief there yet. Fourteen days since M. Bovine
had occasion to hire a periago of Indians on Grandterre,
but they said they could not stay because they must go with
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II.
the rest of tho periagoes, to the number of 20, to war
against Antigua, & desired him to spare them some arms &
ammunition, & what purchase they took he should share ;
which he denied them ; he also not long since saw them at
their houses at Grandterre making ready & poisoning their
arrows, & says they are Warner's Indians, as M. de Baas
has 20 of the other side of the Island Indians in prison in i
Martinico for abuse offered to that Island. The rogue that 1
does all this has been a slave on Antigua, & will never give
over till he has them in keeping that kept him. He speaks
good English, & has at Dominica an English boy taken
when they were last at Antigua.
(' Colonial Calendar,' America and
West Indies, p. 624.)
1675. Early in this year the Council of Trade
for Foreign Plantations was abolished and their
duties were for the future perfoi'med by a Committee
of the Privy Council.*
Captain Ferdinando Gorges, agent for Colonel
William Stapleton, petitioned that neither the
Governor's salary of £700 nor the £2778 for the two
companies of foot had been paid since June 1671.
This memorial was read on 17 June, and the Com-
mittee shortly after repiorted to his Majesty "that
the two companies ai-e reduced from 80 each to 49
& 54 respectively, that they have received no pay
for 3 years, & that £4556 st. is now due to them."
The Committee evidently lacked funds, for even the
proceeds of Sir Charles Wheeler's estate in St.
Christopher's, which had been sequestered and sold,
was stated to have been devoted some time back to
the wants of the half-starved and ragged troops.
Another of Stapleton's letters, bearing date 30
April 1675, was read, in which he stated, " Two of
my Dep. Gov" are going home the one Col. Philij)
Warner of Antigua for his own occasions & my
brother Dep. Gov'' of Montserrat for his health."
It was agreed by their lordships that the inscription
of the seal to be made for the Leeward Islands be as
followeth : —
On the one side :
CAROLVS SECVNDVS
DEI GRATIA MAGN^ BRITANIiE
FRANCIS HIBERNI^ &c. REX.
On the other side :
SIGILLVM INSVLARVM
SANCTI CHRISTOPHORI, MONTSERRAT,
ANTEGOA, NEVIS ETC :
Daniel Greatbach sent in his petition for pay for
himself and the officers and soldiers stationed at St.
Christopher's. Such reminders were usually shelved
during the reigns of Charles 11. and James II., and
it was not until the arrival of William III. that
colonial finances were put on a proper footing.
From a statement made this year, it seems that
Antigua had 40,000 acres, 1052 armed men, 100
horse, and 570 negros ; and the total for all the Lee-
ward Islands was 96,988 acres, 3583 men able to
bear arms, 3679 anned men, 230 horse, and 3184
* Colonial affairs at this time were grossly mismanaged. The
king pocketed the proceeds of the 4 J per cent, duty, and allowed
the troops and various Government officials to starve, though this
revenue was ample for the purpose.
negros. Nevis alone had a few ministers and
schools, the other islands none. The ships from
England and JN^ew England amounted to about 100
sail yearly, all under 200 tons burthen. Sugar,
indigo, cotton, wool, tobacco, and ginger formed the
staple products.
On 16 Sep. it was ordered by public Act that in
addition to Falmouth and St. John's, which hitherto
had been the only towns allowed for the landing and
sale of merchandise, four other places were appointed
to erect towns in and for trade and traffick, viz..
Bridge Town in Willoughby Bay, Carlile Road, Par-
ham landing place in North Sound, and Bermudian
Valley.
In October the said John Atkins, Henry Graydou, And
Thomas Darlow, were forced from their own Houses by one
John Brittain (an Ensign to the aforesaid Capt. Watkins)
with a File of Soldiers, and Committed Prisoners to the
Guard four Days. (Besse's ' Sufferings of the Quakers.')
William, Lord Willoughby died at Barbados in
1674, and. was succeeded by Sir Jonathan Atkins,
who, prompted perhaps by jealousy and sour temper,
wrote home to Mr. Secretary Coventry, and stated
positively that Colonel Warner (then on leave in
England) had taken an expedition to Dominica
(which was included in the writer's government)
without asking his leave, and there invited his (the
said Warner's) brother and party on board to a treat,
made them drunk with rum, and then massacred
them all. He enclosed the sworn deposition of
William Hamlin, who stated that he was commander
of the sloop " Bettie " of Antigua, aged 23, and that
last December (1674) he was pressed by a warrant
from Colonel Philip Warner to go to Nevis with
letters, and later on his return took 34 men to
Dominica in company with two ships ; 300 men in
all went, and met there Thomas* alia>< Indian Warner,
who with 30 Indians offered to help them against
the Indians living to Windward, so eight periaguas
with 30 more Indians accompanied them thither,
where four of the said Windward savages were slain
and 30 killed besides. Colonel Warner afterwards
invited the said Indian Warner and 60 or 70 Indians,
men, women, and children, to a treat, and having
made them all drunk, killed them nearly all.
" That this Deponent did hear the said Coll" Warner
give order to Coll" Sam^i Winthorpe to kiU the said
Thomas Warner who refused so to doe and did not
doe it."
The Governor of Barbados, with much credulity,
accepted this man's statement without any further
testimony or enquiry into his antecedents, and on
the strength of his above-mentioned letter Colonel
Warner was much to his surprise committed to the
Tower.
Colonel Stapleton wrote from Nevis on 20 De-
cember indignantly denying Hamlin's statements,
strongly urged Colonel Warner's immediate release,
* Captain Thomas Warner or Indian Warner had been ap-
pointed Governor of Dominica by Francis, Lord Willoughby on 16
April 1664. A copy of his commission is given by Du Tertre, vol.
iii., p. S5.
Hi
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
and enclosed the following depositions, proving
Indian Warner not even to have been Sir Thomas
Warner's natural son : —
Walter Carwardine, aged 60 this 18 Dec. 1G75. About
46 years since came over with Sir Thos. Warner to the Indias,
in the ship vcith him, & waited on him 4 years, & states that
there was a child among his Indian slaves, a heathen never
baptised, called Indian Warner & not reputed his child.
Lieut. Robert Choppin, aged 58. About 46 years ago,
was servant to Sir Thos. Warner & came out of England in
a ship with him. Remembers that Sir Thomas called all
his slaves before him on his plantation ; they were 24 and
all Indians, & the said child called Warner (who was not
baptised and not his son) was among them. His Mother &
24 other slaves run off, but were brought back from Antegoa
by a Capt. Fletcher, Commander of a vessel from Scotland.
The said child was a slave & served Sir Thos. AVarner till
his death ; " after whose death the said Indian Warner as
a slave served S^ Thomas Warner's Lady (al's March) & was
a slave to the now Lady March."
Col. Randall Russell Dep. Gov' of Nevis, this 20 Dec.
1675, swears that in July 1637, he arrived out of Europe
into S' Christophers, & was received into the house of S''
Thos. Warner, & there lived in his employ scverall years,
etc. ; corroborates preceding affidavits, & further says that
the said slave lived afterwards some years with his Lady
Ann Warner, till he run away again.
Sarah, wife of Lieut. Robert Choppin, aged 48 this 18
Dec. 1675, was a servant to S' Thos. Warner, when Capt.
Fletcher gave up the said slave, who was a slave also to the
Lady March.
1675-6. On 10 .Jany a petition was presented on
Warner's behalf signed by 13 of the Leeward Islands Mer-
chants in London ; Bastian Bayer & Alex"' Pollington head
the list. (' Colonial,' No. 47.)
1676, Mar. 25. Col. Warner writes fr. the Tower, that
he has heard that he is to be sent out to Barbados for trial,
& hopes he may go out at once in the Phenix.
3 April. Sir Robert Southwell reported to the
Privy Council that according to request, he had con-
versed with Colonel Philip Warner in the Tower,
from whom he obtained certain information relating
to the Charibbee Islands as follows : —
At S' Christophers there are 800 armed English & 200
French, who have taken the oath of allegiance to the
English King, & 1400 French besides 300 soldiers ; there
were 3 or 4000 English formerly there ; there is no wood
on that island. Sir Thos. Warner possessed ilarigalante &
placed Thos. Williams as Gov^ there, but the Indians cut
them off 23 years ago ; then the French settled it. S'
Lucia also had Major Indys for GoV ; the English deserted
it however, & in 1664-5 Lord Willoughby sent there 1100
men who were all cut off & since then the French have
lately taken it. M'' Carroll is now Gov' of Montserrat, etc.
Antego has 70,000 Acres of manureable Land and
30,000 that are not soe. It is 32 miles long, and in the
narrowest place 18 Miles broad, and in the broadest 25 : It
is accomodated with severall good Harbours. The Place of
Trade are only two and soe ordered by Law viz' : — Falmouth
and S' Johns, in each being a Fort for the security of shipp-
ing, maintained and furnished att the Countries charge,
v?ith men Ordnance and Am'unition.
The number of Inhabitants white & black 3500 and
1100 men disciplined Horse and Foot. The other Harbours
are English Harbour, only separated by a Promontary from
Falmouth Harbour 200 paces narrow, which 100 men might
digg through in Six weekes, being soft ground. The
mouthes of the two Harbours are one league assunder, the
next is Nonsuch which lyes due East, the other ffive Islands
Harbour. On the North side are severall Islands of manur-
able and pasture ground, the biggest containes 1400 acres
called Long Island, another the Goat Island of 300 acres,
besides many others.
In Antigoa are kept every night 14 files of men on
Guard against the Indians, and three nights before, and so
many after the full moon, they are doubled, besides W^"" they
make continual Rounds and Patrouls of Horse. All which
receive pay of the Island, the foot eight pence a day, and
the Horse proportionably. There is here a Minister.
Berbuda, next adjacent, lyes North of Antigoa, distant
about 10 Miles, which was twice settled by the English, and
both times the Inhabitants were cutt off by the Indians,
now it is only made use of as a Farme, having been by
Lease granted to Foure persons by the Lord William Wil-
loughby, who doe continue 18 or 20 lusty men att a strong
house to secure the Stock, itt being their only end to make
it a Markett of Provisions for the other Islands.
Colonel Stapleton writes to the P. C. that WiUiam
Hamlin is a rogue. He asks for his pay as Lieut. -
Colonel in Sir Tobias Bridge's Regiment, and
forwards this further batch of depositions on Colonel
Warner's behalf : —
Col. John Cormick a Member of H. M. Council, taken
before John Carroll Esq., Dep. Gov' of Montserrat, Serj'
Major David Gahvey, Cap. Anth" Hodges, & Cap. Peter
Cove all of y^ Council, 25 Mar. 1675-6 ; is now aged 68,
has lived at Montserrat these 50 years past, & remembers
when M' Thomas Russell was killed by the Indians, as also
John Bodkin. They also burned Cap. AVade's plantation at
a loss to him of £600 st.
Ensign John Cormick of Montserrat aged 45 (?sonof
above).
L' Col. John Sutton also of Montserrat, is now aged 45,
& says that soon after the conquest of the island in 1666 by
the French, he escaped to the woods & found Henry Ashton
Esq., son of — Ashton formerly Gov' of Antigoa, & then a
dweller here, lying desperately wounded, so he carried him
into the house of M' Angus, but had to make his escape on
account of the Indians, whom he afterwards saw burn down
the house, & the said Henry Ashton was burnt alive.
John Sharpe, Lieut, of a foot company, also of Mont-
serrat, aged 62, states Col. Nath' Reade was Gov' there in
1666.
Daniel Daly, aged 69, Dermott Sullivan aged 70, & John
Dowdy aged 60, also depose.
Mr. Gilbert Loxtey, aged 78, remembers S' Thos.
Warners slaves 45 or 46 years ago.
Capt. Moyell Johnson, aged 25, corroborates Lieut.
Sutton re Ashton.
Daniel Miskoll aged 80. Dermott Duell aged 101.
Capt. Andrew Booth, aged 50, remembers 20 Years
back, & Ensign John Ryan aged 40, 18 years back.
Serj' V¥'" Vaughan, aged 64, deposes re Hen. Ashton,
Esq.
Philip Meagher Gent., aged 28.
Major Henry Crooke J.P. & a Member of H.M. Council,
was aged 69 when he was sworn on 18 Mar. 1675-6, before
the Hon. Abednego Mathew Dep. Gov of S' Christophers.
Marg* Stratton of S' Christophers, aged 50.
John Chambers, aged 56, came to S* Christophers in the
"Reliefe" of Kingsaile from Bristol), being taken prisoner
under General Garrard in the Royall interest, at the town
of Beachly, was forcibly sent hither in 1645, & sold as a
servant to S' Thos. Warner K', for 4 years.
By a certificate, dated 4 Mar. 1675-6, re Col. Warner's
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II.
liii
Expedition to Dominico, it is authoritatively declared by eye-
witnesses, that the reports of his having killed Indian
Warner are utterly false, as he was slaine in the throng in
fair & open war but by what hand none knows. Signed by :
Kow. Williams. .Jonas Watts.
Jn° Cade. Obed. Bradshaw.
Dan'' Heuish (?). .Jn^ Prye.
Rich. Ayres.
The letter was put in which Rob' .Jones wrote from
Guadaloup, on 23 Mar. 167-t, saying he had heard the
Indians were ])reparing a great expedition against Antigua.
The various Dep. Gov''* & Members of Council &
Assembly all unanimously send home addresses in Warner's
favour. I'he one from Antigua is signed bv
Assembly.
Rich. Boruaston,
Speaker.
Jn° Vernon.
.Jonas Watts.
Jacob Hill.
FFRA. CaRLILE.
Roger Jones.
Dan. Pellor.
Tho. Beck.
Jn° Brittain.
Sam^"- Irish.
Tho. Turner.
Council.
Row. Williams.
Jer. Watkins.
Rich. Ayres.
Jn° Parris.
Jn° Cade.
Paul Lee.
Sam'-'' Jones.
Dated 4 Mar. 1675-6.
1676. On 22 November Stapletou sends home
a great deal of information about the various islands
of his government : — •
At Antigua there are 2 files of men in the pay of the
Country ; a troop of 33 horse ; & a Reg* of fodt under Col.
Philip Warner, L' Col. Row. Williams, Maj'' Tho. Mallett,
etc., amounting to 770 privates in 10 companies. There
are Three Forts : " one att S' Johns Harbour, one at Fal-
mouth Harbour and the third att Carlisle Road. Guns
Sixteen, halfe whereof, Twelve Pounders, the other halfe
eight Pounders. The Fort is very well scituated in the
mouth of the Harbour. Two upon Two small islands. To
which from the Land one may Wade over. The Third on
a poynt att Carlile Road, noe Store or Provision but what
Indian Provision the Inhabitants doe Plant for their own
Subsistence." He further states that the island is 28 miles
by 20, has 120,000 acres whereof 100,000. are manurable &
20,000 not so ; 70,000 are taken up & 50,000 lying waste ;
& the small islands contain 3000 acres. Barbouda is of vast
extent computed as large as Nevis, but has never been sur-
veyed. There is but 1 church & that at Falmouth, which
serves also for a Court House. There are 2 rivuletts, one
in Carlile Road, the other at Blubber Valley, & 4 good
harbours S' Johns, Five Islands, Falmouth & English with
depth of water varying from 5 to 18 feet. 7 bayes & 6
creekes are also named. The Imports from England to the
Leeward Islands amount to £50,000 st. ; £20,000 is spent
for provisions from Scotland, Ireland, England & New
England. 1000 blacks are yearly imported worth £20,000.
Saltpetre is found in Col. Philip Warner's cave at the
Savannah. No Registers of births, deaths & marriages are
kept, there being no Ministers & no Churches. " In Nevis
there are some few Quakers and in Antigua to the number
of 60 in both Islands."
The Dep. Gov doe always sign Marriage Licences.
There are 8 Protestants to 1 Roman Catholic, who live
happily together. There is the same diversity of religion
as in England. Quakers are a great trouble & will not
keep watch & ward, not even against the Indians ; they
once disturbed a Minister & tried to expel him from the
pulpit, for which they were imprisoned.
He reports that " Coll. Warner is after his greate
sufferings come of with creditt by a learned Ignoramus of
the grand Jury and was cleered, by proclamation which
could not bee otherwise onelesse they would hang him right
or wrong. The fellow who falsly deposed against him is
sent to Holland in Irons."
In the Remonstrance drawn up by the Assembly
of Antigua in Warner's defence, they state that in
1656 an expedition from Antigua and Montserrat
went against Indian Warner, and that* in 1660 peace
was made with him by Colonel Christopher Keynell
then Governor of Antigoa.
Letter from Coll. Warner.
Most Hono'' S'' — Sence the recipt of you' letter yesterday
for which I give you mygratfull acknowligment my brother
has brought me yo' command tucliingtwo questions wherein
you desier to be resolved by me : —
the first is to know how or by what means the Island of S'
X])liers may be secured from the french : sence it is granted
that it is not fitt to be the generall Rendevous and strong Hold
for securing his majesties interest in those parts of the world :
secondly what are the reasons to ground an oppinion in
his magestie that the Island of Antegua is fittest for that
purpose and not any of the other English Islands :
To both which I shall according to my best skill and
knowlige give you satisfaction : and to the first viz. :
S' Xphers being of it selfe but a small spott of ground :
I mean so much of it as is in the English Posseshon :
cannot Coiitaine a sufficient p'portion of men to secure its
owne sall'ty much lesse so great a number as will be necessary
to mentaine the right of the Crowne to all the rest : and
that for these Reasons : —
1. The french have much the larger proportion and the
better part of the land whose interests are well establisht
and inriched greatly by the ruins and plunder of thar
naighbors in the late war.
2. The English (which were before that war) much the
greater number of Peopell were disperst and sent to severall
parts of tiie world some selling thar interest to the french
others leaving it without any Consideration aboundance of
which are dead others of them being in dispair of the
Rendytion of that Island became settlers in other parts and
were unwilling to leave a florishing hopful plantation for a
woren out peie (?peice) of land holly distroyed and layed
waist by the french : and would never returne ; but if tiiay
did it was only to make a benefitt by selling thar rights and
so leaving tlie same againe some of these came with resolu-
tion to plant upon thar old interest but were so wasted by
thar long delays and waiting that they were far unable to-
pay back the purchase mony which they received from the
french (in these I mean such as had sold upon thar removall
to the french) and much more the emeliorations and im-
provements the french were by articles to reserve before
they surrendered the same so that by this means thar is
really one third Part of that small proportion of that Island
invested in the right of the french and thar airs for ever i
which lessens its abilities of receiving a sufficient number of the
Kings subjects either foritsoune saffty or the saftly of the rest.
The last and main reason is that really the land is so
worn out and so void of advantages and Conveniences to
resettell it as wood timber, etc., that noe person will venture
upon it because thar can be no prospect of gaining or
making an estate but spending one : before they can arrive
to a Comfortable living were the french dispossest of so
much as formerly did belong to the English. Now for
securing its selfe from thar neighbors in case of an Eruption
betvveene the two Crownes the best way in my oppinion is-
to build a strong fort upon Cleverlys point of that large
extent that it might be able to nerve and secure the retreat
of the whole if once forst to fly : and in this and for this
purpose thar ought to be seven or eight months stores
beforehand to mentaine them : and noe more soldiers in this
Garisou Constantly then the two p'sent Companies fitted up
h
Uv
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
and well payed & incoriged for the future this being done
thar is uoe doubt but the soveraighaity of the Place may be
mentained against all the force the french can bring to
atempt them. I have said nothing tuching the securitie
of shiping in this Island because thar is uoe thing but open
wild roads which noe forts can possibly make safe nor the
invention of man secure from Hurricanes.
.... To you'' second proposall I doe alllrme that Antigua
is really the fittest place to make a generall garrisson or
strong hold not only to secure itsselfe but all the rest and I
make it out upon these reasons : —
1. its largnesse being able to containe many thousands
of peopele.
S'y. its firtilitie abell to afford a plenty of Provistions
in its produce besides it is naturally stored with wild Game
as Hogs goats cattell, etc., what none of the Islands have
and great Plenty of fish Turkell, etc., an augmentation to
these benefitts thar is barbuda and severall other small
agasent Islands that arc only kept to breed stock which
makes it a far more Plentifull place than all the other
Caribe Islands.
3'-^. It is accomodated with severall navigable and
secure harbors able to receeve and secure many hundred of
shiping both from the enemy and stormes and whar the said
shiping may Crene refitt or otherwise; and thar is store of
timber in the Place to effect it and such timber as the
■worme never will tuch : Called whit seader :
4'y. its situation being to windward (to the eastward) of
the other Island and more out of the road way of men of war
so that thar importation as well as thar exportation is
thereby the better secured it lies also in the way that all the
french ships must passe and repas home for Europ so that
very few or none of thar shipps can passe but thay must goe
near the westward shore of this Island whar thar lies a very
good harbor to secure men of war to ly in to interpose thar
passage if occasion.
And besides all this thar are an great plenty of neces-
saries and Conveniences to build any strong holds as timber
lime and as good building stone as any iu the world and
noe want of watter or any thing else.
Hono'' S'' — I have now rudly given you the narative and
my oppinion of and upon you' questions I humbly beg you'
pardon for all the imperfections you shall meet with therin
it may happely be a question why Antigua thus furnisht
with advantages beyond its neighbor Island be not as well
settled. I answer that the reasons of its Continuing an ill
nurst and a slow thriving Colony are these the first &
greatest is the Continuall incurshins of the Indians of
Dominico which frightens all peopell from Comming to
Plant upon it secondly the monopolising the affrican trade
which hinders all peopell that would supply the Place with
blackes to adventure and the Company themselves never
yett afforded that Island as much as the least help or suply :
you' letter gives me the ill newse of my expected doome
from new markett. I apprehend upon the Cap' most Idell
inquiren as to my usage abord will make the King order me
all the way in the billbowes or a prisoner between deck (quod
fiat voluntas Dei). I am resolved to suffer it and with an
invinsibell patience to bear all. I pray God in mercy turne
his hart and send me a deliverance of these oppressions.
I am, Honoi'i S'',
Yo' most obleged and most humble servant,
Aprill y^ 7'i' 1676. Phill. Warner.
Honoured S'' — Since y" hand of providence & the Kings
pleasure ordered my transmitting hither and am now arrived
I thought it an obligation upon mee as early as I could to
present you with this scribble, it comes accompanied with
my Brother S'' Thomas "Warner, who has been an eye
wittness of my 7 months imprisonment in England, and
what may be left unexprest in this hee can personally inform
you of : Att my first going to Whitehall I was very much
surprized to meet with the Kings displeasure against mee,
being conscious that neither my ffiithers former Services,
nor my own (being alwaies from 16 yeares of Age employed
in his Ma"'* Millitary and Civill affaires) could undeserve
his favour, but the disappointment was great, and a com-
plaint sent home from you did soone pervert my expectation.
gr — The designe of this paper is not to give you more
trouble, then what I ho])e you will pardon, when you con-
sider the necessity I have to present you with it. The
Complaint comprehended in Hamlins oath though desperately
penned and sworn too yet had little influence upon the
Councell, for indeed the great incoherences of it tho' many
improbabilities and down right untruths in it found its just
success little faith among sober minded men though
generally beleived among the ordinary multitude even to
the making mee a monster ; but yo'' letter which went with
it to M'' Secretary Coventry mett with better Credit, and
was the consequence of all my misfortune, for you were
pleased to informe M'' Secretary in yo'' Letter, that the
killing of the Indians in Dominico was very ruinous to our
Trade and absolutely destructive to all the Leeward Islands
which Information made so great impression upon the King
and Cuuncill, that indeed I should not have dared to stand
a Justification but that my own experience and the many
depositions from all the Leeward Islands do manifest the
contrary, and I hope by this time Yo' Excellency is con-
vinced likewise and that instead of proving ruinous to the
Leeward Islands that action is realy good service to the
King and all his Subjects in these Collonies, and chiefly in
Antigua, who for many yeares were a languisliing people
and were forced to make the Island a Garrison instead of a
plantation. But now since the Destruction of those Savages,
the Island begins to revive, and can with safety employ
their labour upon their planting, which befoi'e were exercised
in their Arms, watching and warding day and night to
defend their families and their Interests from the bloody
stratagems of those murdering natives. The action whereof
I am suspected and by all people controverted was done by
virtue of my Gen"' Com" which is full and authentick and
was not sought for or desired but was wholly unexpected by
mee when it came to my hands, but was procured by often
repeated addresses of the Island to the Generall who took
their sufferings into his consideration and accordingly sent
this Com" as the best expedient to give them releife. And
as I was his Deputy Governor there and his inferiour Officer
I did not dare to refuse obedience to it without hazard of
my life. And I protest I went upon the expedition with all
the unwillingness in the world, untill the Councill and
Assembly of Antigua by their daily Addresses and importu-
nities prevailed with mee, and then I went being accom-
pauyed with the best gentelemen in the Island.
S'' — Though I have not y^ honour of a personall know-
ledge w"' you, yet the Generall Character Fame speaks of
you, assures mee I shall meet with notJiing from you but
honesty and Generositie, which has incourag'd mee to send
this short narrative in hopes of a speedy opportunity to give
you a fuller satisfaction. I am now on board the Phoenix.
My Brother and the Cap' are come to know yo'' pleasure.
For my own part the law and my own conscience tells mee
I am inocent of the Commission of any Capitall Criminall
ffact, and therefore do hope that I may come aslioar to pay
you my respects in that dresse that becomes innocence and
a mau of honor, and not as a nocent or mallifactor ; And if
any |x;rson shall be so p'fidiously divelish to prosecute me
without a just ground, I will upon mine honor be ready
and stand their accusation for I have an inward Guard to
fortifye mee as well as a Just God above to defend mee from
suffering wrong. And my request to Yo'' Excellency is,
that if there appeares no person to accuse mee before the
PROM RESTORATION OE CHARLES 11. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II.
Iv
Judges tLut then I may have a speedy opportunity to
Justifye niyselfe, and clear that ignominious I'l^proch that
has ruined mee and my familly, to the end it may be trans-
mitted to my freinds at Whitehall & in England, and also
that I may hasten to my languishing family and Interests.
S'' — Your forgiveness of mee in this interruption will
bee an unspeakable obligation upon
Honoured Sir,
Yo"" Exc'ys most humble Servant,
P. W.
My Brother likewise presents you with a letter from yo''
Brother the Hon''''= Earl of Carlisle, which was sent to mee
in the Tower.
Endorsed : — " Coll. Warner's Letter to S'' J. Atkins upon
his arrival at Barbados." Circa l(i76.
Anno 1G76. On the 22d of the Second Month, the said
Ensign Brittain, with a Guard, came and drew Thomas
Darlow down to the Bay, where the Guard was, and keiit
him there three days.
Among the Olficers of the Militia was Major Thomas
Mallet, a Man of a bad Life and Conversation, who exercised
his Power to the Oppression of his peaceable Neighbours,
as appears by the following histances, viz. : —
On the '1?>A. of October, Edward ILirtin, William Boon,
and William Chamberlain, were committed to Prison by the
said Mallet, for refusing to go to the Guard, but upon
Application on their Behalf to the Governour, he gave Order
for their Release.
About the same Time, the said Mallet had also im-
prisoned twelve others, namely, Thomas Darlow, Samuel
Sizemore, Eichard Buckley, Henry Graydon, Job Langford,
Thomas Smith, John Heydon, Timothy Drake, William Mans-
field, Thomas Dash wood, Peter Dash wood, and Juhn Loftee.
On the 6th Day of the Eleventh Month, the aforesaid
Major Mallet ordered his Companies belonging to North-
Sound and Popes-head, to meet at the Training-place, at
the House of George Turny and Francis Carlisle, where the
innocent Quakers were made the Marks of his Malice ; tor
after many reviling Words, lie caused two of iheni, viz.:
Thomas Darlow and John Heydon, to be put into one of the
Files, but they standing still, and not acting according to
his Will (which for Conscience-sake they could not) he, the
said Mallet, in a violent Rage and Passion fell upon them,
and with a Wythe which he had in his Hand, gave them
many sore and grievous Stripes over their Faces, Backs and
Heads, to the shedding of their Blood, and bruising the
Flesh upon their Bones. He also beat Phillip Snelliug and
William Boon and called to his Lieutenant Jacob Hill, to
take them into the File ; but the Lieutenant answered,
They are Men who pretend to Tenderness of Conscience,
and I cannot judge of a Man's Conscience, therefore am not
willing to meddle with them. The Major's Behaviour was
indeed such, that several of iiis own Captains reproved him,
when he called the Quakers Lifidels, and said, It was no
Harm to kill them. After he had beaten several of them
with many cruel Stripes, he fined them 500 lb. of Tobacco
each. On the ICth of the same Month John Haydon being
commanded liy the aforesaid Major Mallet to make his
Appearance at their Exercisiug-place, he came, accordingly,
but because he could not for Conscience-sake submit to per-
form their Military Exercise, the said Mallet gave him near
fifty Stripes with an Horsewhip and a blue Wythe, the Marks
of which Cruelty he carried about for severall Days after.
Thomas Smith, for not appearing in Arms, was fined by
the said Major Mallet 500 lb. of Tobacco. On the 18th of
the Eleventh Month 1076, came Richard Allen, the Marshal's
Man, and with him two others armed, having an Order
under the said Mallet's Hand to take away his Goods for the
aforesaid Fine, for which they seized his Bedding, a Parcel
of Y'arn, and other Things. On the same Day the aforesaid
Richard Allen, with the said Soldiers, came to the House of
Thomas Darlow, with an Order from the aforesaid Mallet,
and took away one She-Ass big with Foal, which he judged
worth 1200 lb. of Tobacco.
On the same Day he also came with the same Soldiers
to the House of John Haydon, with an Order from the said
Major, and seized an He-Ass, a Chest, and an Hammock,
for the aforesaid Fine.
The same Day also, the said Allen with his Companions,
came to the Plantation of Jonas Langford, with an Order
from the said Mallet, and took an Horse worth 3500 lb. of
Sugar, for not providing Arms for himself and his Servants.
On the 23d came Daniel Hensley, who was Marshal to
the Regiment, and with him Thomas Brooks, who was
appointed to look over their Arms, to the House of William
Boon, with an Order from the said Mallet, and took one
Servant Woman with 2000 lb. of Tobacco, which they said
was for not finding Arms for himself and Servants.
On the 2-lth came the said Daniel Hensley, and Thomas
Bi'ooks to the House of William Chamberlain, with the said
Major's Order, and took one He-Ass worth 1000 lb. of
Tobacco, for not appearing at their Exercising-place with
Arms. The said Asses and Horses were kept several Days
and offered to Sale, but no Man would buy them. These
Proceedings being laid before the Governour a few days
after, he seemed to be troubled, that such Cruelties should
be exercised, reproved Mallet for what he had done, and
ordered the Redelivery of what was taken away, and that
the Fines should be levied upon their Tobacco and Sugar ;
he also ordered the said 'Mallet not to strike them any more ;
But the Goveruour's Command was not sufficient to subdue
the malicious and violent Spirit by which the said Major
was push'd into Acts of Cruelty, as may apjiear by his
farther Procedure. (Besse's ' Sufferings of the Quakers.')
On 9 January 1676-7 was passed an Act signed by
Philip Warner, Governor, and Richard Borrastou,
Speaker, by which, for the better security of the
Island, a duty of 1 lb. of powder per ton was in
future to be strictly levied on all shipping arriving
at the ports. This custom had been in force ever
since the first settling of the Caribbees, but for the
moi-e careful supervision of it in the future, a collector
was now appointed who would receive for salary 10
per cent, of the amount he collected.
On 9 Februai-y 1676-7 it was ordained that, on
account of the numerous deaths which had resulted
from unqualified persons pretending to beChirm-geons
and Apothecaries, no one would be allowed to practise
till he had produced before the Governor and Council
a certificate from the Surgeons' Hall in London, any
University " or able Physician of any of His Majesty's
kingdoms, for his being admitted and allowed of that
Society and Company, and approved by them as
capable of such Practice." A fine of 5000 lbs. was.
to be paid for the first offence against this Act.
April 1676. Letter from Coll. Warner to S"' Rob' Southwell.
Most Hono'' S'— You"'^ with the enclosed coppy of my
Generalls letter is newly Come to my hand and being in-
capable to make any other returne am foi-ced only to repeat
my usuall offering of a hart full of gratitude a sacrifice very
unproportionat to satisfie all those favors you have to this
very bower nudltiplyed upon me. You' advice that I should
rather stand my tryall then endevor or hope for delivei'ance
by any other Cource I resolve to follow : for it will suit
better both with my owne disposition as well as the righting
Ivi
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
my inwoi'd innocency : in order to restore my honor that
has lanji'uisht under a seavear Calumny for 7 months last
in a base and seavear imprisonment. As for M'' Chappman
S' Jonathans agent to whom he wrott favorable of me : is
to be found everyday upon the Change and the Person to
whom he did communicate so much of S' Jonathans miud
(as I told you) is Coll. Bayer a merchant at the black bull a
pewterers in Fenchurch street who is my very good frend &
will redely attend you' commands on my score whenever you
think fitt to imploy him.
As to you' favorable thoughts Concerning a turne of my
fortunes aflfter the cessation of my p'sent afBictions I am so
Conscious my slender abilities are infinitly unfitt for any
publique undertaking ether Civill or military and my un-
paralleled trebles have so habituated my resolutions to
designe a retired privat life that nothing in this world Can
possible invite me from it.
Now to answer those two nice objections : first cf the
Island of Antiguas want of waiter : secondly of its being
more subject to feavors & agues I say : That the first is
only a vullgar Error for none of the English Islands are
better furnisht with watter then that ; that is within y'' land
but it is true that not above two small rivors run to the sea
out of which thar is forty saile of shiping watters for thar
voadges home annually and those inland streamos might
with small charge and industry be Vjrought downe into the
very townes if it were Countenced with those incorigeraent
I formerly advised : Barbadoes that splendid Island my
father at his first settling those parts rejected for the great
want of watter that was then upon it naturally yet art and
industry has suplyed those defects by wells sesternes, etc.,
fio that miriads of peopell are furnished the like is by An-
tegua which in some parts near the sea was heartofore very
ill pro\'ided yett now by the same means well furnisht the
list of entrys and ships bonds that I brought himie to the
■Commishioners of the Customes will nwke out the number
that laded and watered thar for these two last years past,
As to the second I answer in like mauer that at its first
settling it was ether by the malignitis of the earth or air
subject to feavors and agues but since it becomes more
■oppened that the sun has power to exhall those vapors it is
•otherwise and I will and doe avouch that it is now as
healthy as any other Island espechally to temporat men
that doe not by exses of Colds or Heats in deboching begett
sickness which all mortalls are subject to all over the world :
and those that doe gett those accidentall distempers seJdome
•or never dye but for want of good atendance and Carfnll
lucking aflfter. I have with trubell come to my papers but
find such a Confusion made amounghst them with my Cay-
tiffe servants that many of them are lust and of them at
least seven or eight of the laws and acts sent home by me
for his majesties gratious assent and Confirmation as many
as I found I send which are but three and one of allso is
noe way materiall in regard it relates to me therfore you
may putt it aside if you see fitt those that are wanting I
will god willing order home by the first & now Honore"! S'
I take my leave of you for wee only wait hear for a fair
wind to prossed to the downes from thence to Porchmuth
which will be our last port in this Kingdome ; I repeat you
my harty thanks for you' Care tuching the reception of my
two sones one bord wee are now all together where I have
more roume to breath out my melencoly Contemplaytions
then in the tower : I humbly beg you'' pardon for my
prolixity and that you will read me as really I am
most Hono'' S"',
Yo'' most humble and obleged
fifrom one bord the Pf 'nix fathfnll servant
in the Hope (?) Aprill Phill. AVarnee.
ye 17th 1676. My bro-
ther P'sents you with
his humble servis.
S'' Robert Southwell — I beg the favor of you to
P'eseut my humble servis to S'' Charles Wheeler and M'
Grarthwart.
Endorsed :— " To the Hono^'i S' Robert Southwell.
From Coll. Warner." (Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 537.)
On 10 May 1677 v?as read the petition of Colonel
Warner asking to be restored to his Majesty's favour,
to vyhich the following answer was given : —
Report of the Comm"« concerning Coll. Warner. Read at
y= Comm«« 17 May 1677. Disallowed.
May it please Yo"' Ma'i«,
Wee have lately received a Petic'on from Coll. Phihp
Warner, setting forth that there coming to Your Ma"" in-
formation, from Barbados the tidings of a iiorrid and
malicious Murther committed by the Pef against the
Indians of S' Dominico, such credit was given thereto, and
so just a detestac'on had of y= thing supposed all to be true,
as that beiug examin'd, with two other persons, whom hee
casualy met hee and they did (to the suddain questions
which were made unto them) own toe many parts of the
fact as provoked Your Ma'-^ to indignation, but withall had
not opportunity to open the manner of proceedings, the
accidents that happened, and the time intervening, which
would have made soe much of the fact as was own'd to bee
true, not only sutable to the Rules of Warr, but absolutely
necessary for the preservation of Your ]\Ia''*^ subjects,
who had otherwise been lyable to a general Massacre.
And that, for the better evidence of the truth hereof, the
Pet', after eight months close Imprisonment in the Tower,
expos'd to all the Enemies he had in the World, transported
to the Island most concern'd and exasperated, and tryed by
a Jury thereof alone, nndei'going thereby all the Rigor of
the Law, has been nevertheless declar'd Not Guilty ; And
therefore humbly praying that, if wee had any sence of his
condition, wee would bee instrumental to restore him to
your Ma''" Grace. In considerac'ou wee must needs pre-
sume to acquaint Your Ma'y that whatever wee have heard
of Coll. Warner, before this action, hath been to his advan-
tage, and sutable to y^ behavior of a deserving subject, and
the son of that Father who, besides many other signal ser-
vices, first brought the Caribee Islands to a dependence to
this Crowne. As for the fact whereof hee was accused wee
have been inform'd by S'' Jonathan Atkins that hee was
clear'd by Proclamation. And from Coll. Stapleton wee are
by many letters, told that Hamlyne who was the sole
accuser was an inftimous fellow, and since that time ran
away with a Sloop from the Leeward Islands to the Dutch,
from whom hee has got a Commission, Under which hee has
stolen away severall negroes off S' Christophers chaceing
and firing upon the Boats of Your Ma'''== subjects, and com-
njitting several other acts of open Piracy. And besides wee
are sensible that j'' Merchants of the Exchange of London,
and other parts of this Kingdome, have all along bore
hono''''^ testimony for the Petitioner, even before his Tryal.
Soe that wee think it high time, and for Your Ma"'== honor
and service to put an end to y^ pef^ misery. And that
Your Ma'y would com'and some signification to bee made of
the ceasing of Yoi" Ma'''=* displeasure, and that hee stands
in Yo'' opinion as before this accident, which may not only
revive his drooping spirits, but ingage him in a vigorous
care for the preservac'on and defence of those Islands,
wherein hee hath formerly acted a very good part for Your
Ma'''=' service.
Council Chamber. All w'='' is most humbly submitted
to Yo^ Ma'y. (Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 568.)
On the 18th the King ordered that Warner
should be put out of his government of Antigua, and
not hold any office of trust under the Crown.
PROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II. Ivii
On 8 June the Bishop of London was requested
to licence and despatch six Ministers to Stapleton.
On 17 July 57 recruits go out in the pinke
" Hopewell" of 120 tons, whose commander, Michael
Russell, is paid £5 per head for their passage. Their
names are given in full in the list.
On 10 September the King ordered 300 male-
factors to be consigned to St. Christopher's, the
Sheriflfs of London being allowed for the prisoners.
A small fifth-rate frigate was this autumn appointed
to the station.
On 1 November the Bishop acquaints Stapleton
that he has selected Messrs. Foster, Jones, Molineux,
Davis, and Milward, who embark in the " Olive
Branch," Captain Giles Laiirence commander, and
one other, Mr. Grief, will follow later.
Anno 1677. On the 28th of the Third Month, John
Haydon and Thomas Cox being at the Town called S'
John's, on their lawfnl Occasions, were taken up by Order
of the aforesaid Mallet, and the said John Haydon being
unwilling to go with those that took hira, was dragged down
the Street to the Sea-side, and sorely beaten by the said
Mallet, and also by one of the persons who dragged him
along : Being come to the Sea-side, by which Time their
cruel Usage had almost deprived the said John Haydon of
his Senses, they put them both into a Ship-boat, and having
so done, told the Seamen, They were a Couple of Rogues
who had a Design to run away with their Boat : Where-
upon the Seamen went down, and finding the Men abused
and belied, desired them to come out of the Boat, which
when they had done, they were kept all Night under a
Guard in the open Field, and next Morning Mallet came
and asked them, Whether they would bear Arms ? They
answered, They conld not. So he went away, and soon
after returning, beat John Haydon with many cruel Stripes,
and sent them in a boat to the Fort, which was on a Rocky
Island, remote from the Place they dwelt at, where they re-
mained about three Months, Mallet giving Orders that none
of their Friends should come to visit them, nor bring them
any Provisions, and that they should have only what he
had laid in, viz., a parcel of very bad stinking Beef, not fit
for Men to eat.
It happened on the first Day of the First Month this
Year, that Samuel Sizemore being on his lawful Occasions
at the Town called S* John's, where the Militia of the
Division he lived in were then in Arms, Major Mallet sent
two Soldiers for him, and asked him, Why he was not exer-
cising ? He answered, I have no business there. Upon
which Mallet gave him thirty Blows or more with a blue
Wythe, and then sent him Prisoner to the Fort, where he
was detained about six weeks. One Edmund Hull, then at
S' John's Town, so called, hearing of this, went and ac-
quainted the Governonr thereof, who said, that He had
ordered Major Mallet not to commit any of them who had
any visible Estate. The said Edmund Hull went and told
Mallet what the Governour had said, for which Mallet struck
the said Hull several blows. This Major was so habituated
to Cruelty, that even the Governour's Order could hardly
restrain him ; to evade which he had sent the said Samuel
Sizemore to Prison by a verbal Command, probably not
being willing that any Mittimus in Writing should be seen
on that Occasion.
After the aforesaid John Haydon and Thomas Cox had
continued Prisoners in the Fort about three Months, the
Governour sent an express Order to Mallet to release them, at
which he was much displeased, for it was thought his
principal Aim in solliciting the Governour to intrust him
with the Power of the Militia was, that he might have an
opportunity of venting the Spleen and Malice which he
bore against the Quakers.
1678. Colonel James Vaughan succeeded in the Govern-
ment, being sent from Nevis by the General. He began
with many Threats against the Quakers, ordered the Militia
Act to be put in Force, and Fines to be levied on those who
refused to bear Arms : But his Time was short, and he was
removed before he had time to put his threats in Execution,
for the People articled against him, and the General dis-
placed him, and restored Paul Lee, who continued for some
Time in his former Moderation, till prevailed upon by the
Solicitations of one Lambert, a persecuting Priest, to Act
otherwise. (Besse's ' Sufferings of the Quakers.')
A letter from Stapleton was received by their
Lordships on 1 April, wherein he acquaints them
with the arrival of the 57 recruits. He says that
the ketch " Quaker," Captain Haddocke commander,
captured at Tobago 70 or 80 negros who were being
carried off by the Indians, the island having been
deserted by the Dutch, and he asks for the King's
permission to retain them for himself.
The Dutch officers and 250 souls were blown up
by a shot from a mortar, they dining over the powder
magazine. The 300 malefactors* sent out will be
great benefactors. He has presented Mr. Davis and
Mr. Milward to St. Christopher's, Mr. Foster to Nevis,
Mr. Molineux to Montserrat, Mr. Jones and one Mr.
Lambert to Antigua. Each Minister shall have
1100 St. a year or 16,000 lbs. besides fees.
On 5 April a memorial was received from the
Ambassador of the States General about the Tobasro
negros.
On 2 May Stapleton renewed the treaty with the
Comte de Blenac.
A letter, dated 8 June, signed by James Vaughan,
Deputy-Governor, and William Barnes, Speaker, in
answer to certain complaints, was read at the Board.
On 30 October the Seal which is now ready is
despatched. It is thus described : —
On the one side engraven with his Mas"^= Effegies
crown'd in Royall Vestments holding a Trident in one hand
placed sitting in a Charriott drawn by two Sea horses with
this inscription round the said figure Sigillum Insularum S"
Christopheri, Nevis, Antegoa, Montserrat, etc. On the
other side : — His Ma*''^' Armes with the Garter Crowne
Supporters and Motto and round about this inscription :
Carolus secundus dei gratia magnje Britannise fFrancise et
Hiberniffi Rex fidei Defensor.
* These malefactors, mostly drawn from the prisons of London
and Middlesex, pleaded their pardons on condition of their trans-
portation to the West Indies, and usually served seven years as
white slaves before attaining their freedom. There was keen com-
petition between the colonies for their acquisition, but for further
details the reader may consult the papers of Christopher Jeaffreson,
Agent for the Island of St. Christopher, embodied in "A Young
Squire of the seaventeenth century by John Cordy Jeaffreson, 1878."
In regard to their treatment and way of living, see Ligon's
'Barbadoes,' 1673.
Iviii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
ANTEGUA, 1678.
White White White Negro Negro Negro
Men. Woroen. Childn. Men. Women. Chudn,
Heere FoUowes a List of all the men,
Woemen, &
W" Harris .
Daniell Hayes
. 2
. 1
1
Children whites & blacks in the Severall
Divisions in the
Mathew Holmes
. 1
1
1
Island of Antegua viz' : —
Howell Jones
Phillip Bush .
James Jolly .
. 2
. 1
. 1
1
1
1
4
1
2
2 4
Falmouth Division.
Edward Johnson
Teige Mathews
. 3
. 2
2
1
White White White
Negro
Negro Negro
Women. Childn.
John Knight .
. 2
1
2
Men. Women. Childn.
Men.
Patrick Long
. 1
1
1-
Coll. Phillip Warner's family 11 5 7
40
40 22
John Liscombe
. 1
1
Major Richard Btirraston .43 3
4
4 2
John Marchant
. 4
1
2
1
Benjamin Planchard
. 2 1 1
1
3 2
Sarah Jones .
1
1
Ensine Robert Smith
. 3 1 1
2
1
Mathew Williams
'. 2
Henry Watson
. 1 1
John Merrett .
. 2
L' William Proctor
. 2 1 2
4
3 4
John Marshall
. 1
1
3
1
1 1
William Waynwrijjh
t
. .-1 1
6
7 5
Christopher Nicolls .
3
1
Nathauiell Muake
. 6 2 3
5
4 3
James Oleryan (.' O'bryan)
1
1
Anthony White
. 1 1 1
1
Symon Oberston
. 1
1
2
Symon Swan .
. 1 1 3
George Price .
2
1
2
Huffh Evans .
. 1 1 1
Thomas Prichard
1
James Ward .
. 2
1
1
Elkana Row .
1
1
Roger Jones .
. 2 1 1
1
Nathaniell Refford .
1
Robert Phillips
. 2 1 1
Geo. Richardson
. 2
Henry Pel ham
1 1
John Robinson
1
1
John Hamilton
. 2 2 6
Alexander Rollo
. 4
1
James Glasse
2
Henry Soper .
. 3
3
2
Lewelling Ryce
3 1
William Smith
. 1
1
1
Thomas Garett (/)
4
2
Martyn Spycer
2
Margery Oxford
1
3
1
John Triplett
'. 1
John Thaley .
6
Hugh Trotter
. 1
1
Thomas Middleton
2 3 2
1
Jeremy Thistlewaite
. 1
M' Lewis Mayo
3
Phillip Upshott
2
1
1
M' John Guuthropp
3
Francis Veniola
2
1
Lewis Garnish
2 2 3
3
1
Thomas ap Thomas .
1
1
2
John Kow
1 1 1
William Walton
1
1
Robert Carpenter
1 1 1
Andrew Young
1
William Corby
1 1 3
Theodora Maoy
1
Cap" Paul Lee
8 3 2
16
11 9
David Macey .
1
1
Major Thomas Malle
.t
9 1
11
12 7
Christopher Smith .
2
M' Anthony Cade
5
3
3 3
Edward Thomas
I
1
3
2 1
Ensine John Austin
. 2 1 2
2
2
John Berry .
2
1
1
1
1 1
William Brett
. 2 1
Jane Burrell .
2
1
Margarett Thattbom
e
I
William Allen
3
2
2
Francis Gifford
3 1
William Trappin
1
2
3
2
2
John ElUs .
3
Anthony Maynard .
1
1
3
2
1 1
John Atkinson
5 1 1
James Almond
I
Thomas Mechin
1 2 1
1
EUinor Dorrington .
1
1
John Partington
2 1
John Thome .
2
John Bush
2 2 4
Walter Duglasse
1
Robertt Tubb
1 1
William Ellis
2
Thomas Haynes
1 1 2
1
Lawrence Murphy .
1
Roger Thomas
1
Obadiah Jones
1
Edward Cooper
3 1
3
6
John Deunet
1
Stephen Harper
3 1 1
John Russell .
2 1
138
68
69
34 2
9 2U
John Lumby .
William Shaw
3 3
1 I 1
'"^~"
John Jean
1 1 2
John Masters
2 2 2
1
1
North Sid
E, Nonsuch
Division.
Richard Mathew
1 2 1
John Court .
1 2
Cap' Richard Eyres family
1
2
5
i 2
Cap" John (sic) Wynthrop
2 4 1
8
3 4
L' Daniell Mitchell .
1
1
Morris Dailies
1
1
138 66 61
115
108 61
John Hopson
3
2
1
Phillip Kenedy
Ens. John Hall
2
2
2
1 1
Henry Cooke
2
1
2 2 2
South Side, Nonsuch Division.
Charles Hargeden
1
Jane Nuttbeane
3
I 2
L' Daniell Pes(blot) . .444
2
2 2
John Ward
3
4
William Bettley
1 1 3
1
1
Richard Sklyner
7
8 5
Francis Bonner
2 1 2
Dermond Noon
1
2
1
1
Robert Belgrove
1 1
Thomas England
1
Robert Clark .
1 1 1
John Barnard
4
2
Curnelius Conner
1 1
Thomas Poole
3
3
George Smith
2 1 2
1 2
Owen M'Carty
4
1
Darby Collins
2
Daniell Minchon
2
1
1
Randoll Jones
2
Symon Gubbius
1
1
William Curtis
James Rcbertson
2
Thomas Green
Daniell Denning
2
Daniell Carty
Nicholas Porter
1
Dennis Coaply
Edward Williams
2
4
2
Richard Carter
2 1
1
1
James Noon .
1
1
Edward Cooke
1 2 1
1
Robert Toft .
2
1
Joseph Daniell
1 1 1
Edmond Carrell
1
1
Rowland Davies
1 1 1
Francis Ash well
1
1
William Evans
John Sharpe .
1
3
John Uugan .
4 1 2
8
7 6
William Thompson .
1
1
William Farrell
John Blauden
2
Edward Pumpney
Walter Lo^e .
1
Domingo Ferdinando
1 1 1
Timothy Cockly
4
2
1
Paull Mallard
2 1 2
1
1 I
Edward Rukett
1
John Xioholls
4 1 2
Thomas Grosswell
4
Dominick French
Walter Phillips
7
1
1
4 :
John Foster . .
Benjamin Tuck
2
1
1
1
Richard Gill ,
2 2 2
John Yexly .
2
2
Nathaniell Garrett
2 3 2
1
1
William Pixe
3
1
1
1 1
Thomas Elmes
2 1 2
1
1
Thomas York
2
1
2
Evan Junes .
Mathew Brjan
2
Christopher Rymes
3 1 2
1
1
John Pike .
4
2
2 I
1
Robert HoUis
John Wynter
4
William Hughes
1 1 3
Rob>-rt Sutton
")
1
3
1
William Coomes
4 2 3
1
1
William Hunt
6
2
1
Robert Harris
1 1 2
John Morse .
2
1
1
]
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. lix
White White White Negro Negro Negro
Men. Women. Childn. Men. Women. Childn.
Robert Oswell
Joseph Hester
Cliristopher Ramsey
Joseph Parker
John Cranwell
John Gunter
John Gratrix
John Lachaisnay
Roger Kennedy
John Barloe .
Jone Lory
o
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
3
3
i
1
Q
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
1
3
1 2
131
46
47
41
L' William Bultam'
En.s. Thomas Gregory
William Drowne
M'* Martha Bradshaw
Robert Standly
Thomas Jug'well
John Wills
Thomas Heath
John Smith .
Samuell Hart
Pharoah Larmore
George Garnish
Richard Mathews
Cap' Purfrey .
Thomas Burlyn
David Clark .
John Chilbury
John Bath
WiUiam Duglasse
William Lockwood
Thomas Lodge
Oliver Oldwyn
Coll. Meeres plant"
William Card
Daniell Davvly
Joshua Leach
Owen Sullavane
John Cave
Ens. John Hall plant'
Robert Howard
John Grymes
Thurlo m'Shee
Thomas Coninga
Henry Edwards
Edmond Coll .
Thomas Symons
James Farrell
Garrett Browne
James Connell
William Backer
John Lavicount
William Shaw
William Burk
Darby Carty .
Phylom m'Carty
John French .
Michaell m'Carty
Morris Hurlo
Charles Haneren
Peter Ramsey
John White .
Old North Sound Division.
41
10
White White White Negro _Negro
Men. Women. Childn,
Negro
Men. Women. Childn.
W"' Stiller .
Teige Woolahan
John Pearce .
Coll. Chr. Codrington plant"
Sam. Jefferson
M' Tho. Eastohurch plant" .
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
7
3
1
1
1
1
10
12
96 34
16
129 139 104
_l
Old Noeth Sound Division.
Parham plant"
. 11
1
4 21
26
27
John Morris, negroa
4
5
Cap" John Vernon .
.' 6
2
3 18
21
14
Cap" W" Thomas
L' Cockram .
. ."J
2
6
6
9
Richard Hodge
M' Luke Lucies plant
. 3
5
11
9
Edward Foot
M' William Thorp
. 3
1
10
16
12
Hen. Drake .
Edward Leaver
. 1
1
3 2
2
3
W" Morgan .
Ens" Willoughby Bya
m . 4
11
11
11
Jone Abrihall
Cap" W"' Thomas pla
ut" . 1
6
4
Arthur Everard
John Stratton
. 1
2
3
2
3
Phillip Chapman
Mildred Freeman
2
Jonas Laugford
Robert Smallecombe
. 3
1
W" Boone
John Ryder .
. 3
2
Thomas Jones
Joseph Richardson
. 3
Thomas Bartlet
Peter Dutton .
. 2
1
Thomas Wildgoose
William Williams
5
Daniell Hensley
Richard Kitchen
. 3
Mary Humphry
Henry Newman
. 3
1
W™ Furlove .
Sam. Maun .
1
2 2
1
John Jenkins
Samuell Mantle
. 1
Francis Allen
M' John Parry
i
1 4
3
Richard Todman
.John Brumley
2
James Barton
W" Knightly
2
5
3
3
Walter Scott .
Thomas Lovell
. 1
1 3
3
3
W- Lee
Walter Buck .
2
Jonas Baker .
Edw. Buck .
3
1
1
Martyn Payn
Tho. Hawes .
. 1
4
4
2
James Corage
Edw. Thomas
. 1
1
2
Robert Poole .
John Bowden
. 12
5
1 1
Thomas Hogan
L' VVynthrops plant"
Giles Blizard .
Thomas Seagrave
W" Tapster .
John Short
Simon Veynes
W"' Mayer
John Enis
John Robenson
James Robenson
Jone Blashford
John Cable .
John Barry .
Thomas Lidiott
Teige SuUavan
John Brock .
James Jones .
Edmond Easted
John Heely .
Tho. Gravener
Humphry Freind
Thomas Cox .
Benjamin King
Dennis Hicks
Thomas Prin .
Nicholas Fowler
James Johnson
John Nibs
Nicholas Collins
Tho. Dashwood
W"' Adams
Dennis M'Carty
John Barry .
John Moon
Hen. Walden .
Tho. Edwards
Garrett Barry
John Ellett .
Christopher Marsh
Ens. Fran. Carlile
Henry Stodder
William Barnes
John Frankling
William Ball .
Thomas Ball .
Thomas Roberts
Thomas Smith
John Cash
Anthony Burgesse
John Ellett .
Cap" Samuell Jones
Henry Hackney
Roger Mosse .
Dennis Maltalo
Major Mussenden
Edm. Paynter
Geo. Digby
4
1
1
28
27
12
5
4
2
1
3
1
1
4
1
4
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
1
1
2
2
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
7
2
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
3
2
2
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
3
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
5
5
3
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
3
1
2
2
3
2
2
3
4
2
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
3
2
15
24
13
1
2
1
2
4
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
4
1
4
1
9
14
12
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
2
3
7
6
1
5
1
3
5
3
1
1
1
120 62
74
91 111
Pope's Head Division.
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
14
4
2
1
2
1
3
1
4
2
3
4
1
1
2
58
4
11
14
12
1
1
4
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
11
14
6
3
1
2
1
3
1
4
2
1
2
6
6
1
4
2
1
2
1
2
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
3
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Mary Lander
John Sanders
Adrian Rupert
Elizabeth Elmore
Rofrer Elmore
Peter Allison
W" Stephens
W" Chamberlin
G-eorg:e Grig-g-s
Thomas Tichbourne ,
W"' Callander
James Sparkes
John Curtis .
Arnold Thomas
Curnelius Maroon
John Beck
Christopher Kaynell
Thomas Packer
Peter Garrett
Robert Starkey
W"" Mason
Duncan Connell
Dominicus Brackamont
Abraham Cave
L' Peter Willcox
Elisha Rice .
Thomas Garroway
Teign Grin
James Cook .
W» Atwell .
Derrick Brunkhurst .
Thomas Gilliat
Randoll Backer
John Gethings
W" RaynolU
White White White Negro Negro Negro
Men. Women. Childn. Men. Women. ChiJdn.
1 1
1 3
4
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
2
T
6
n
4
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
6
1
1
1
1
2
5
3
6
131 67 100
Dixon's Bay Division.
Cap" Jeremy Wattkins
Edmond Hull
Thomas Gales
Ensiue John Britten
John Trotter
William Garrett
Josiah Webber
Hup;h Jones .
Richard Buckly
Henry Granden
John Ilayden
Christopher Read
Urion Cammell
Jacob Thomas
Andrew liaj-ne
L' John Hambleton
Thomas Oliver
Roger Neaves
Henry Bing .
James Bayly .
Teige Redmore
Anthony Depree
Robert Declary
W" Boon
Coll. Beyers plant"
Lewis Bernell
John Tyer
William Tremills
Richard Glandfeild
Samuell Sizemore
Geor^'e Polton
Edw. Willshire
John Bashan
Thomas Darlow
Christopher Knig'ht
John Atkins .
Edw. Green .
Edw. Home .
Edw. Pavley .
Alexander Witheridge
L' Mark Jackson
Alexander Coote
Andrew Hambleton
Jane Mould .
Ambrose York
Thomas Turnor
John Canter .
Edw. Martyu
John Morris .
Tio. Kenestone
Mary Woo,;jan
Isaac Abraham
John Polton .
John Bervill .
3
3
2
3
4
4
7
3
2
3
1
1
1
1
18
1
4
1
1
2
2
140
69
2.5
56 56
L' Coll. Boyers plant"
Cap" Harvey Kaynell
St. John's Division.
9
. 9 3 1
74
27
1
9
4
5
2
1
I
2
1
2
3
1
1
2
2
6
2
2
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
7
6
1
1
2
2
2
1
4
4
1
1
1
2
5
2
3
3
2
35
16
5
2
94 92 47
White White White Negro Negro Negro
Men. Women. Childn. Men. Women. Childn.
M" Mary Hill
Thomas Beck
George Dewitt
M' Thomas More
W'" Hennis
M' James Hurd
M' Jonas Langford's plant"
L' Sam. Holder
M' Anthony Ryerson
Geo. Robinson
M' Henry Meyer
M' I'liohard Hodden
Ens. Benjamin Jefferies
Francis Anthony
Seth Marloe .
Abell Rubsight
Charles Ward
Thomas Webb
John Otto
John Drew
John Pope
Garrett Thomson
Richard Abrahall
John Ennis .
Robert Powell
Th.>. Evins .
W"' Taylor .
David Belt .
Stephen Dureing
Simon Bulger
Joseph Beng-
Curnelius Lawson
Edw. Dunn .
James Belcher
John Brumblecome
John Lucas .
Francis Watkins
Stephen Lowler
Robert Gouldiug
John Morphew
Edward Dendy
Thomas Sevenill
Mathew Hunter
Tho. Robenson
Abraham Bretton
Thomas Pratt
W'" Robenson
Roger Trottman
Evan Jones
Francis Fallemert
Geo. Phillips .
Edm" Cand
Thomas Foot .
.fohn Seward .
M' Tho. Dipford
Roger Complain
Ralph Pengelly
Ann Jonts
Samuell Martyu
Robert Black
Hugh Murr .
Andrew Hewing
John Hunter
John Martyn
2
4
1
2
1
4
li
3
2
4
10
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
4
1
2
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
4
1
1
2
1
2
I
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
2 9
1
3 1
2
4
4
20
12
5
2
3
7
1
2
14
3
1
145
64
36
93 107
Caelile Road Division.
19
6
24
9
21
6
L' Coll. Rowland Williams
Walter Williams
Joseph Banbury
George Sergant
James Williams
M' Ca>sar Rodeneys plant"
Henry Sharpe
Jone Steele .
Mary Steele .
Joan Granger
M'" Joan Hall
Thomas Compton
Samuell Irish
Ens. James Davenport
M' Alexander PoUington'
plant"
Cap' John Cade
]j' Mark Bruister
Cap' Henry NichoUs .
Owen Bromwell
W"' Blackbourne
Evan Griffin .
Elizabeth Harris
Robert Xoncon
Thomas Endratt
Thomas Gibson
W- Walker .
Edw. Norton .
Hugh Hogan
Tho. Lebar
L' John Fry .
M™ Katherme Watts
Laurence Turton
Peter Welch .
15
5
1
2
5
6
1
2
3
2
77
7
. 1
3
1
1
26
30
18
. 1
1
1
1
. 2
1
. 1
. 1
1
2
1
4
4
2
. 3
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
5
6
1
. 1
2
2
4
3
. 3
2
6
4
5
. 1
1
2
3
. 3
1
3
10
15
13
. 4
2
4
13
16
7
o
1
. 3
4
3
6
4
1
I
3
1
2
2
2
1
. 2
. 1
1
1
2
3
1
. 2
1
1
. 1
1
1
1
. 1
1
. 2
1
2
3
3
. 2
1
. 1
1
. 1
i>
2
1
9
13
4
. 6
1
11
11
8
. 2
1
2
3
5
2
. 3
1
3
1
EROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II. Ixi
White White White Negro Negro Negro
Men. Women. Childu. Meu. Women. Childn.
Phylom Obrynon
2 1
Robert Nicholls
Henry Nicholls
Thomas Moyses
Zachary Seavenocks .
Arthur Williams
Robert Jackson
Andrew Curteen
5 3
Cap" Moyle Johnson
2 1
84 49
42
115 133
75
The Severall Divisions in this Island, vizt —
Falmouth Division
. 138
6fi
61
115
103
61
South Side, Nonsuch
. 138
68
69
34
29
20
North Side, Nonsuch
. 131
4(5
47
41
41
10
Bellfast
. 113
33
27
24
34
12
Old North Sound
. 9(5
34
16
129
139
104
New North Sound
. 120
62
74
91
111
58
Pope's head .
. 131
67
100
69
74
35
Dixon's Bay .
. 140
56
56
94
92
47
S' John's
. 145
64
36
93
107
77
Carlile Road .
. 84
49
42
115
133
75
1236 544 528 805 868 499
Men.
Women.
Childn
English
800
400
400
Irish .
360
130
120
Scotch
76
14
8
1236
544
528
Totals foe the 4 Islands.
White White White
Men. Women. Childn.
Nevis
Montserrat
S' Christopher's
Antigua .
1541
1148
695
1236
838
591
539
544
1216
943
663
528
Negro
Men.
1422
992
1436
Negro
Women.
Negro
Childn.
1321 1106
No return. No return.
No return. No return.
868 499
Since The Writing of the aforegoeing Lists I have
devided the Nevis Regiment into Two Regiments & the
Antegoe Regiment also, into Two Regiments The Names
of the Officers of each are hereafter Incerted viz : —
Antegoa.
James Vaughan, Collonel.
Samnell TVynthrop, Cap" Lef.
Francis Carlile, Ens".
Thomas Mallett, Lief Coll.
Daniell Hensley, Lief.
Joseph Wattkins, Ens".
Jeremiah Wattkins, Major.
Marke Jackson, Lief.
Edward Pawley, Ens".
W" Thomas, Cap".
Peter Willcox, Lef.
Giles Blizard, Ens".
Samuell Jones, Cap".
Benjamin Jeflferies, Lief.
Roger Complyng, Ens".
John Vernon, Cap".
Arthur Everard, Lief.
W"" Knightly, Ens".
John Frey, Cap".
Geo. Dewitt, Lief.
James Davenport, Ens".
John Hambleton, Cap".
Thomas Buck, Lief.
Samuell Martyn, Ens".
The whole bundle of these
the 27"' of August 1678."
Rowland Williams, Coll.
Willoughby Bryan (sic), Lief*.
Christopher Kaynell, Ens".
Richard Ayres, Lief Coll.
Daniell Mitchell, Lief.
John Hall, Ens".
William Barnes, Major.
Richard Sheer, Lief.
John Hopton, Ens".
Joseph Wynthropp, Cap".
William FuUum, Lief.
Thomas Gregory, Ens".
Paull Lee, Cap".
W" Way n Wright, Lief.
John Austen, Ens".
Arthur Cockeram, Cap".
John Morris, Lief.
Edward Thomas, Ens".
John Cade, Cap".
Daniell Pellar, Lief.
X'pher Rymer, Ens".
Moyle Johnson, Cap".
Walter Phillips, L*.
W"' Pike, Ens.
lists is endorsed : — " Received
1G79, April 2. The 70 negros from Tobago had
been granted to Governor Stapleton by patent dated
12 April 30 Charles II., but the States General having
claimed that they were unlawfully captured, he was
compelled to pay the Dutch full value for them.
Captain Haddock, who was the prime mover in the
matter, was now dead, and Sir Richard Haddock
appears to have had a share in the venture.
On 15 July Paul Lee and Jeremiah Watkins (? as
Judges or joint Deputy-Governors) with Philip
Warner, Speaker, signed an "Act for Encouragement
of Settlers and Builders," by which it was enacted
that all persons obtaining proportions of land, and
building thereon a timber house vnthin six months,
would retain the land in fee simple. Such a pro-
portion in St. Johns was limited to 50 feet front by
80 feet back ; in Falmouth, 40 feet by 60 feet ; in
Bridge Town, 40 feet by 50 feet ; in Parham, 60 feet
by 80 feet.
1678-9. On 29 January Stapleton wrote that the
Comte D'Estrees squadron fell upon the scholes of
y" isle d'Aves betwixt Bonare and Caraso, and lost
13 sail, whereof his own was one.
1679. On the 30th of the First Month, the said
Governour Paul Lee issued a Warrant to Stephen Harper
Constable, requiring him to go to the house of Anthony
Cade, where a religious Meeting then was, several being
assembled waiting upon the Lord in Silence. The Constable
rushed rudely in, and commanded them to depart, but the
Assembly continued, till the Constable, with one John
Austin, an Ensign, and others who attended him, grew more
urgent, and producing the Governour's Warrant, fell to
hauling the Persons assembled by Force and Violence out
of the Meeting, using such unseemly Behaviour, and mixing
their Speech with Oaths, to the Grief of all sober Persons
present. (Besse.)
1680. Colonel Stapleton reports : —
In Antego, Valentine Russell Esq. dep. govei-nour and
Judge of the Sessions of the peace and Goal delivery y«
councill his assistants.
In the precincts of phalmouth paul Lee Esq'^ Judge of
comou pleas & nisi prius does alsoe y'' office of a Justice of
j'^ peace.
In the precincts of S' Johns W™ Barnes Esq. Judge of
the comon pleas & nisi prius. Coll. Rowland Williams
commands the militia and a particular Reg' his L' Coll. is
Rich. Ayres.
Major W™ Barnes. Cap* Paul Lee.
Cap' John Cade. Cap' Moyl Johnson.
Cap' Jo. Winthrop. Cap' Archibald Johnson.
Of the other Reg' is : —
Coll. James Vaughan.
L' Coll. Tho. Mallet.
Major Jeremy Watkins.
Cap' I. Thomas.
Cap' Sam. Jones.
Cap' John Vernon.
Cap' Jo. fry.
The Secretaries office is Injoyed by John ley the Mar-
shall by Hen. Symes. The Register office in y' Island is
distinct from j" Secretaries office by an act it keepes record
of lands and all conveyances thereunto belonging.
On 7 February 1679-80, and on 5 May 1680, he
reports : —
The Deptford ketch Cap' Avie Commander has arrived
from Surinam with 102 persons black & white now at Antigua
the Dutch wont let any more leave tho' they are in a bad
plight & liable to the attack of Indians.
Ixii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
On 15 June the Council signed a letter, theii*
names were : —
Jn° Parry. Rich. Ayres. Val. Eussell.
Sam" .Jones. Jn° Cade. Paul Lee.
Sam" Long. Will. Thomas. Row. AVilliams.
Jas. Vaughan.
From an estimate handed in to the P.O. we learn
that 1000 men formed in 10 companies (including
their transport) would cost £17,510 a year. If
regimented the pay would be, for the Colonel 12s.,
Lieut.-Colonel 7s.,]Vrajor 5s., Ayde-Major 4s., Quarter-
Master 4s., Chaplain and Chirurgeon 6s. 8d., his mate
2s. 6d., Captain 8s., Lieutenant 4s., Ensign 3s.,
Sergeant 18d., Corporal 12d., Drummer 12d., and
Private 8d. per diem.
In September, William Gaughag, Field-Marshal, took
away from one of the People called Quakers 600 lb. of
Tobacco, by Order of Governour James Vaughan, for not ap-
pearing at the usual Place of Exercising in Arms. (Besse.)
1680-1. On 10 March was read at the Council
of Trade the Treaty of Neutrality between Barbados,
Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, and the French.
1680, January the 23"'.
A List of the Kings Subjects now in Surrinam with the
Number of their Slaves viz' : —
Imprimis. Negros. Imprimis. Negros.
Thomas Buncombe 40 James Seaman
Francis Bruning 50 Teag Deniford
Henry Mackintosh 30 William Denton 2
Rob' Fulgeman 25 Rob' Barry 3
Andrew Clyfiford M" Danford 15
Thomas Region 2 William Robisson 4
James Region Isaack Pears
Nathaniell Davis 6 John Rawlins
John Bull John Hart
William Nights John Hosier
Henry Plane Daniell Gwine
Francis Browne William Powell 5
Thomas Gregory Valentine Pennell
Arthur Barton John Davis 3
Philip Darby 5 Henry Jorden
Steven Ryan 4 Thomas Hill
Rob' Simes William Colle
Henry James 4 Roger Reyly 2
William Monroe 10
Benjamin Pine 212
Phillip Thomas 3 «=
Endorsed :— " A list of y^ Kings Subjects White & Black
in Surinam. Rec* the 26»» Aprill 1680."
All the above must have been transferred shortly after-
wards to Antigua.
The true State of the Manufacture of Sugars within our
Plantations. Which requires all manner of En-
couragment.
1. Because our Plantations have reduced the Price of
Sugers in its severall sorts, from 2 shillings (formerly paid)
unto 8'', from 15'^ to 5'' from lO"" and upward to under S"!
although wee have had the possession of that Manufacture
not much above 25 or 26 years.
2. Our Plantations have not only saved to this Nation,
the whole money usually expended for that Com'odity (or
may easily save it) But have raised a Revenue, besides
by exporting out into Forraigne parts yearly about Seaven
or Eight Thousand Tnnns of that Commodity.
3. That our Plantations have by this meanes helped to
save our import, & to promote our export to above 400, &
sometimes to above 5 or 600,000 sterling per year, Without
the Assistance of which supply yearly, This Nation must
have probably long since sunk in its Trade, our Drapery
abroad haveing so manifestly decayed, as it hath within
these last 30 yeares.
4. That by reason of this Industry of our Plantations
wee have already beate out the Portugeize at Brasile from
sending home any Muscuvadoes. And have reduced their
fine Sugars from 7 or 8 pounds the hundred, unto 50 & odd
shillings, & are by this meanes the sole Merchants, almost
of all that Suger that is Manufactured into loafe or hard
Suger either in Holland, France, or Hambrough as being
all made out of our Muscovados.
5. That if encouragment were therefore given to the
planting, increasing & full manufacturing of that Com-
modity, it might be as easy for us to beate out the Brasilians
in their Trade of White Sugars, & to furnish Spaine & the
Streights, with that Commodity, as wee have aUready beate
them out of the Muscovados, which attempt would be the
more Adviseable as is humbly conceived.
1. Because the Ingrossing into our own hands, the Trade
of Whites as well as that of Muscovados would at least double
the Revenue (to this Nation) which wee now have by the
said Suger, & consequently would so much the more con-
tribute to ease the greatnesse of our Consumption.
2. Because the better price Sugars do yeild, the more
encouragment there would be to plant it. And so increase
the Quantity of it, which is an easy matter for us to do,
even to what Quantity soever shall be necessary for all
Christendome.
3. Because as we now rule the Price of Muscovados in
all Countries, in regard we have most quantity of it, (and
might have much more ruled it, even absolutely, had not
the French & Dutch lately wronged us by new Impositions,
which have not been retaliated by us) so for the same reason
we may equally be able to Rule the price of White Suger,
and of all sorts of refined in all places, if once such course
be taken, as that, we are Masters of Whites, as much as we
are of Muscovados.
4. Because by how much the more we have beate
out the Brasiliajis, from the Trade of Sugar, or may yet doe.
By so much the more reason, there is that we should pre-
vent the ffrench & Dutch in their planting of it also, as far
as we may.
5. Because the Dutch by getting footing upon the faire
Coast of Guiana of late, and that French most industriously
minding the Increase & Fortification of their Plantations,
are like unavoidably to undermine us in that Trade, if
nothing extraordinary be done by us to encourage our
Plantations in it.
6. Because by reason of the late injurious & imoderate
Taxes of our Neighbours, upon our Sugar, the Muscovadoes
sent home, is sold now for 22' per Hundred, which is but
two pence halfe penny per pound, both for the Merchant &
Planter, & that after the payment of Custome Freight &
Petty charges here & and after the payment of 4i per
Centum there also.
7. Because the said sugars yeilding so little a price as
they are now reduced into, do not cleare 6 per Cent, to the
Planter for all his money & charges laid out, or not much
more, which must make the planter in time unavoidably to
grow carelesse. And so the Commodity itselfe will be
hazarded if not in the whole, yet in the maine, bulk of it to
be lost by us.
8. Because besides the late & im'oderate Taxes, layed on
Sugar, by the French & Dutch IS"' per Hundred is layed
upon it Custome inward. The raoity of w'='' being paid back
upon the Export of it, the Stranger & Forraigner of other
parts hath it not only as cheape or cheaper, then we our-
selves have it.
But they imediatly refining it, & Manufacturing it, &
we not doing it. The Sweat, Paines, & Hazard of the
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OF JAMES II. Ixiii
Planter & Merchant in making and Iiringing home the said
snger, doth wholly go to feed & enrich the said Strangers.
Upon all which it is with all hurablenesse propounded : —
1. That the Excise be layd wholy on the fine Sugars of
Brasill, & taken off from all White Sugers of our own
especially if exported.
2. That an extraordinary be put open those Muscovadoes
of ours, which are exported without being Manufactured
which may well beare a halfe penny upon a pound outward.
3. That in consideration of the Encouragment of our
Manufacture one Shilling & no more, may be put upon the
Hundred weight of Muscovadoes custome inward. It
yeilding now but little more than 20' for y'' said Hundred.
The English Suger Plantations have formerly employed
about 400 Saile of Sliips annually & in them nigh 10,000
Seamen. They also formerly added a Native Comodity of
above 800,000"'= value to the Nation, of which the Planters
have not 40,000"" per an' clear profit, the rest (but what
goes to His Ma"" Dutyes) is distributed amongst His
Ma''" Subjects, for their Provisions, Shiping & Manu-
factures till of late the Plantations never cost His Ma''^ or
His predecessors anything for their mantainance.
The ffrench in the late Warr took S' Christophers
Antegua & Mouiitserat & in them above 15,000* Negros &
other Materialls of planting amounting in value to above
400,000"'^ Sterl., which being made use of in their own
Islands they are not only very much increased in the Pro-
duction of Suger but also in strength by the cominge to
them of great numbers from ffrance.
The flfrench King bending his designes to become great
at Sea & (as wee do humbly conceive) knowing that the
Trade to the Plantations is one of the Chiefe causes of the
great number of Seamen in England, and taking Courage
from the aforesaid advantages prosperity of his aflPaires in
the Caribby Islands, doth designe wholy to beate the
English out of the suger trade in order to which bee hath
of late done many things for their incouragment.
One is bee hath laid an imposition of 32 Livers 10
Souse, upon all fforraine refined sugers & 15 Livers per
Cent, upon all fforraine Whites, And upon the Sugers of his
own plantations of what Quality soever but 4 Livers by
which meanes increasing the Value of his own Sugers he
hath made Suger makeing of very great profitt to his own
planta'ns which hath so much increased their strength by
enticeing great numbers to them from firance in hopes of
gaine that they are become terrible to the English inhabi-
tants in that part of the World.
This Terror & apprehension of the growing flforce of the
ffrench in those parts hath made many of the prudent &
Richest Planters of the Sug'' plantations begin to settle in
New England and the parts adjacent many being allready
gone & more enclined that way. By the aforesaid great
impositions on fforaiu Sugers in France, the Sugers of
Brasile are as it were prohibited of that Country, and are
therefore in greater Quantity then formerly brought into
England which lessens the Vallue of English Sugers & if
continued one of these two things following must unavoid-
ably ensue. Either that the English planter Encumbred
in his Manufactures by the last act of Navigation a custome
here amounting to 12^ per Cent, another in the Colonys
amounting to 4| per C must laye down the Trade as finding
it no longer profitable. Or the Poorer sort of Planters who
are the Strength & Defence of the Collonys will by reason
of the low vallue of their Com'odityes which is worth but
12» per Cent, in English plantations, be forced through
poverty & uneasiness to wander for a lively hood into other
parts as 1600 have (within a year past) done from Barbados
alone & perhaps may be wonne to go over to the French or
Dutch plantations where Suger is worth 20' per C* & where
* 1500 would be nearer the truth.
many English Planters are allready gone, by which meanes
all the English Suger plantations will be so weakened as
they will fall into the Hands of the ffrench, when ever they
please to attack them unless his Ma'^ att a vast Charge
keep great Garrisons there.
By the Loss of the Plantations itt is humbly conceived
these following inconveniences will fall on England.
Ten thousand seamen which were etaployed in this
Trade will be to seeke of employment who for a livlyhood
must either go into the service of him that gaines it, or
betake themselves to other Trades, by which meanes France
will have 10,000 Seamen more, & England 10,000 Seamen
less then she had which differs the former Ballance 20,000
Seamen which added to the other Navall preparac'ons of
France may make her Equall if not Superior to England in
power by Sea.
A Native Comodity of 800,000"" per an' val' being
wholly lost many flfamilyes who subsisted by this Trade will
want where withall to pay the Landed Man for his Corne
Cattell, etc.
If the Comodityes of the Suger & the growth of the
English plantations formerly cost this Nation 800,000^'''
per an' of their Bullion, it must necessarilly follow that if
the Suger Plantations shall be lost then this charge must
again fall upon the Nation, which will be 1,600,000""^
Sterling per An' difference in the present Ballance of trade.
And how the present Trade of this Nation is able to bear
such a losse wee submitt to the Wisdome of y'' Honors.
All these great advantages to His Ma*y & this Kingdome
doth acrew by the single industry of not above 10,000
English planters which wee humbly conceive could be no
way employ'd in England more to the advantage of this
Nation.
The premisses being considered by yo"' Honno''' great
Wisdome & prudence, your petition" do humbly hope that
your HonC' will see that it may bee of ill Consequence to
Clogg the Suger Comodity with further impositions, which
allwayes falls upon the planter ; but rather (by an imposition
uppon fforeine Sugers equall in proportion to that of France)
Put the English into as good a Condition as the ffrench
Planter, that their Poor may be able to stay amongst them,
and the means of drawing them to their own Plantations be
thereby taken from y« ffrench .
Endorsed : — " Concerning the Suger Plautac'ons : y'' P.O.
from Coll. Lynch."
Muscovados Sugar is the Cane Juice boiled to a con-
sistence put into Potts & there let stand untill the molosses
or syrops are run from it & pay 18* custome.
Sundnjeds are Muscovados sugar dryed 6 or 8 hours in
the Sun & pays 18'' custome.
Clayed Suger is Muscovados suger with a batter of Clay
put on it in the Pott & the Water that is mixed with the
Clay sinking from it & pressing through the Suger washes
the Molosses from the graine, when this sort of suger is
taken out of the Pott, it is devided into two sorts, that
which is next unto the Clay is White, (but little in Quantity)
& this is the white Snger of the Plantations & pays 5'
custome. That which is farther ft-om the Clay remains in
cooler something better then Sundryed & is the greater
quantity, & is the Brown Suger of the Plantations & pays
18'' Custome at present.
Refined sugers are the plaine Muscovados Sugers melted
down boyled up again & clayed & pay 5= custome.
Those Planters that have Houses & Potts enough doe as
most profitable, clay all their sugers that are fitt for it, &
these are halfe of the Suger makers.
Those that have not Houses and Potts enough doe
sundry their Muscovados Suger which hardens the grain,
& keeps it from dissolving in the transportation as undryed
Muscovados doth to a very great losse of weight. Some
Ixiv
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
Lauds and over ^7ett seasons will produce Suger not fitt to
be Sundryed or clayed & only fit to be refined, & this is the
chiefe reason there comes home so much of that sort of
Suger besides it is the scale of Com'erce, men paying their
Debts with the worst & sending their best Suger to the
Markett for their own accompt.
Before the increase of the French Plantations and the
heavy Impositions in France upon English and other
fforein Sugers the several sorts of Sugers were sold as
followeth viz. : —
Plain Muscovados Suger at about 40' per C now is sold
for about 22^ out of which is deducted the 4^ per 0. & 18''
Customs with fraight & other Charges.
Sundryed & Brown Sugers were then sold from 45' to
3"" per C now are sold from 25 to 40' according to the
goodness of each sort.
White Sugers were then sold for above 5"" now for
lesse then 50'.
The falling of the Profitts of the Suger Trade hath
proportionably diminished the number of the Inhabitants
of the Suger Collonys Barbados being since 1665 fall'n from
14,000 Fighting Men to lesse then 8000 and they continue
still going away, 2000 people haveing gone away within a
yeare past, whereof the sobriest & the Richest to the parts
about New England some to y^ flfrench plantations, & the
looser sort out of hopes of plunder to Jamaica.
Should the White Sugers of the Plantations be Taxed
in favour of the refiners of England, then would the planters
be beaten out of that Trade, & the Brown & Muscovados
Suger imported in greater quantity which would proportion-
ably lessen its value, & those Labourers iraployed in making
of White Suger wanting Imployment would forsake the
plantations to their further weakning.
Should Sundryed & Brown clayed sugers be taxed one
half peny instead of one farthing (which was the first
proposal) then would the planter be able to import no more
of that sort neither, which is the aime of the refiners, the
quantity of plain Muscovados would then be great & the
refiners being the only buyers of that used in England their
value would soone come so lowe as to breake all the Suger
planters, & perhaps induce them to goe over with their
stocks to the French plantations where they are offered laud
for nothing & where for the iucouragm' of the planters.
White Sugers are taxed no more in France then Brown &
almost 4 times as much imposition upon Forreine Sugers as
upon French.
To avoid these dangers to this Trade it is humbly pro-
posed That upon Brown & Muscovados Suger y'^ Excise be
one farthing per pound.
That upon (? Sunday) or Muscovados of fforainers one
half peuny. Upon White Sugers of the English Plantac'ons
one half peuny. Upon fforaigne Whites one penny per
pound.
This would secure them against the Portugall & firench
plantations, & avoid the designe of the refiners of England,
■who would have the Planters not able to imjwrte one ounce
of Suger fit for any bodies use but theirs, which by loosing
the plantations would loose their Trade also.
Endorsed : — " Description of sugers making." No date.
(Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 636.)
Nevis Dec. 10, 1681.
Extract of a letter to M' Piatt from M' Wilkins in
Nevis concerning his estate there, with the prices that
provisions, etc., beare in those parts : —
All things bein very dear.
Cassader Bread is sold per pi^ att
Graine per Bushell att
Beefe per Barrell att
Att All Times.
lbs. of Sugar.
02
80
300
lbs. of Sugar
Fresh meate is sold per p
'i att
4
Cod Fish per p'' att
2
Biskett per pound
2i
Cheese per p''
6
But tire per p''
6
Madera Wine per gallon
40
Brandy per Gallon
100
Broad cloath per yd.
250
French fait shoes each paire
50
Canvas per y'^
12
Blew Linnen per y''
10
Copper & Brass per y)<^
20
Pewter per p** .
16
Hoes, Axes & Bills
12
Carpenter, Mason & shine
31er each per
day
50
One Plantation cost:-
—
To y' Doctor per an'
,
SOOO
The Feild Overseer per an'
.
3600
To the Tayler for each N
egroes
suite makeing
10
Smiths Work in one year
ab'
.
2000
Levy of one Year
,
.
4000
Shoes for Countrey Serv*'
each
paire
.
35
The state of a Sugar Plantation.
There is now upon it 70 working Slaves 35 old & yong
ones, at p'sent fitt for little, & ab' 30 horses & cattle w*
two sugar workes two good mills, 11 copers & 3 stills &
apurtenances thereto belonging, one very good stone mansion
house with kitchin & other necessary outhouses, etc., also
down at towne two good large Storehouses consist^ of 5
severall tenem" so that y'= whole estate may be really worth
£8000. (Egerton MS. 2395, fo. 597.)
1681, April 15. At a meeting of the General Council
& Assembly of the Leeward Islands there were present : —
Gent" of the Conucill.
Cap' Chas. Pym,
Nich. Raynsford, Esq.,
L' Col. Jn° Estridge,
of Nevis.
Cap* Jn" Pogson,
Cap' Paul Lee,
Cap' Jn° Fry,
Cap' .In" Symes,
M-- W-" Fox,
Gent° of the Assembly,
M' Philip Lee, Speaker,
M^ Jas. Walker,
M^ Ralph Willet, Sp^
Cap' W" Willet,
Cap. Jn" Vernon,
L' Col. Tho. Mallett,
M^ Jn" Blake, Sp"',
L' Jn° Davis,
of S' X'phers.
of Antego.
of M'Serrat.
of Nevis.
of S' X'phers.
of Antego.
of M'Serrat.
The meetings of the General Council and As-
sembly were appointed at various times by the
Captain-General, and the members met to discuss
various matters of common interest, and to legislate
thereon.
On 16 Aug. Sir W" reported, that on 4 July last the
Indians lauded at Barbouda, & killed Cap' Francis Malham
& 7 others, having forced their block-house. Cap' Mal-
ham's wife & 2 children with a servant woman escaped.
Arrow-root is used to rub into wounds caused by their
poisoned arrows. In his next letter he bitterly complains
that the soldiers are starving, his own salary & their pay
being still unpaid & now running for the 4"' year. Cap'
X'pher Billop, commander of the ketch Deptford, overhauled
the ship Providence of London, Geo. Nanton Master, & she
not shewing colours he fired a shot at her. The Providence
FROM RESTORATION OP CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OY JAMES II. Ixv
returned her fii-e which killed 1 mau & wounded 6. He
then boarded her & brought her to Antigua where she was
condemned. Sir W. Stapleton begs to have her cargo of
217 negros & reminds the Board that he had to pay dearly
enough for the last gift of the Kings viz. £700 st. for the
70 Tobago slaves (see ante). £1500 st. had been recently
granted towards the erections of forts, etc., & one half was
received this year.
On 2-t Aug. was passed an Act for dividing the Island
into 5 parishes building churches & raising funds. The
parishes so formed were : —
S' Pauls to include Falmouth, Rendezvous Bay & part
of Willoughby Bay.
S' Philips to include part of Willoughby Bay, Nonsuch
& Belfast.
S* Peters to include Old & New North Sound.
S* .Johns to include Popeshead, Dixons Bay, S' Johns ;
& Five-Islands.
S' Marys to include Eoad & Bermudian Valley
Divisions.
On the same day was passed another Act, conferring on
Foreigners all the Freedom & Privileges enjoyed by British
subjects, & by this judicious policy many Protestant aliens
were attracted to the Island.
Dec. 7. 15 large Church Bibles ordered to be sent out.
Dec'' 10. A patent was this day passed to Cap' Rich''
Manning, of "Waste called Jollies Hill of 250 acres formerly
in the possession of — Jolly, at the yearly rent of an ear
of Indian corn. (Colonial Leeward Islands, No. 50.)
This Voyager (Dampier) writes largely of the Hurricane
that happened here in 1681, and of the Signs that it gave of
its coming, common with the Caribbean Hurricanes ; but
the most remarkable Accident in it, happened to a Ship of
120 Tons and ten Guns, commanded by Captain Gadbury,
who had careened his Ship in Musketo Cove, in S' John's
Harbour but a little before, and being warned by the
Planters of the approaching Hurricane, he moored his Ship
as secure as be could with all his Cables and Anchors,
besides some Cables which he made fast ashore to great
Trees ; and about Seven that Evening went ashore to a poor
Planter's House, about half a Mile from the Shore. By the
Time he and his Men were arrived at the House, the Wind
came on very fierce at North East, and veering about to
North and North West, settled there, bringing with it very
violent Rains. Thus it continued about four Hours, and
then fell flat Calm, and the Rain ceased.
In this Calm he sent three or four of his Men down to
the Cove, to see what Condition the Ship was in, and they
found her driven ashore dry on the Sand, lying on one Side,
with the Head of her Mast sticking into the Sand ; after
they had walked round her and viewed her a while, they
returned again to the Captain to give him an Account of
the Disaster, and made as much haste as they could, because
the Wind began to blow hard at South West ; and it blew
so violently before they recovered the House, that the
Boughs of the Trees whipt them sufl!iciently before they got
thither, and it rained as hard as before ; the little House
could scarce shelter them from the wet, for there was little
besides the Walls standing. Yet they staid till the next
Morning, and then coming to the Ship, found her almost
upright, but all the Goods that were in the Hold were
washed out. Hurricanes since that have been frequent in
this Island, but there was nothing iu them so extraordinary
as this. (' The British Empire in America,' by John
Oldmisou, vol. ii., p. 192.)
1682. In the Second Month Philip Snelling, for re-
fusing to pay Priests Wages, had taken ft-om him by James
Jones Constable, a pair of Stilliards worth 280 lbs. of Sugar,
by an order of William Barnes President. ( Besse.)
Oct. 10. At a meeting of the Council there were present :
Hon. Paul Lee President, Col. Rowl"^ Williams, Maj'' W""
Thomas, John Parry Esq., Cap. Fra. Carlile, Sam. Winthrop
Esq.
Nov. 14. W°» Blathwayt requests W" Freeman Esq.,
Col. Bastian Baijer & other Merch'' & planters at London
to attend the next meeting of the Com'ittee of Trade &
Plantations.
May 24. An Act was passed for sending Shalloops
against the Indians. This refers to Stapletons Expedition
to Dominica.
Deposition of Tho. Bisse of Nevis Merch' re a sloop
(taken by a privateer of Cape Cod) bound from Boston to
Virginia, belonging to Messrs. Loyde, Rich. Middlecott,
Anthony Haywod & Adam Winthrop Merch*' in Boston, &
now detained at S' Thomas value £1000 st. The Gov. of
Massachusetts writes to Sir W. Stapleton about it.
Petition of Benj. Middleton Esq., son & heir of Tho.
Middleton late Surveyor of the Navy, reciting that his
father spent £8000 st. on his plantation in Antegoa, but in
1667 the French burnt his houses & took away his coppers.
The Gov'' & Ass'y were very grateful to y'' petitioner's father
& to M'' .Jacob Lucey & exempted them from the late Act of
re-settlement.
Sir W. Stapleton in his reply to their Lordships, says
that Tho. Middleton before his death sold his great settle-
ment called " Middleton & Fletcher " to one Yeomans of
London who enjoyed it since the War, also M' Yeomans'
relict & successors. Tho. Middleton had another estate
all wood " Crabb Hall." Tho. Middleton & Jacob Lucie
were not exempted by the Act. Sir W"' has disposed of
Crabb Hall to 3 severall considerable families viz. to Capt.
Williams .300 acres, Francis Burton Lieut, of a troope of
horse 300 acres, & M''= Eliz. Williams 200 acres.
Endorsed :— "Received 26 Feb. 1682-3."
1683. On the 9th of the Fourth Month Henry Graydon
suffered Distress of 587 lb. of Tobacco, by Order of the afore-
said President (Wm. Barnes), being for the Maintenance of
one of the Priests. In the Sixth Month William Boon and
Phillip Snelling, for not going into the Field in Arms, were
sent to the Fort, and kept Prisoners there thirteen Days, by
an Order from Edward Powel the Governour : And iu
October, John Brown for the same Cause was committed
to the same Fort, and detained there some Days. (Besse.)
18 April. Nich. Raynsford & Capt. Sam. Jones are
both of the Council.
The Speaker early this year was John Yeamans.
May 25. John Vernon, Esq., takes the oaths and his
seat on the Council Board.
June 6. Sir W"" Stapleton writes to the Antiguan
Council, that he has appointed as Dep. Gov, Col. Edw.
Powell a soldier, whom the King had recommended to his
notice, & his commission is read accordingly.
25 Oct. Sam. Winthrop, Edw. Powell, W"' Barnes, Jn»
Parry, Jn° fifrye, Fra. Carlile, Nich. Raynsford & Jn"
Vernon all present at the Council meeting.
Petition of Merchants trading to the Leeward Islauds, re
the Debtors' Act, signed by : —
W" Barnes. Tho. Elliott. W'" Smyth.
Rob. Spencer. Row. S' John. Jn" AVestcotts.
Jn" Bokeby. Rich. Gary. Sam. Chambletfc.
Ph. Maiuing. Rich. Booth. Sam. Balle.
Jn° Jelferyes. Bast. Baipts. Tho. Hart (or
Jn° Saunders. Ja. Lucie. Hunt).
W"" Freeman. Jn° Cholmeley. Sam. Story.
Jn" Bawdon. Tho. Coulson. Alex"' Pollington.
Tho. Hunt. Pet. Cartwright. Clem' Tudway.
W" Baxter. Jn" Story. Jn" Mortimiro (?).
W" Wrayford. Jn» Pitt. Edw. Netheway.
Ju° Symkin.
15 June. Stapleton writes that he has just returned
from Indian-hunting at Dominica. We took 46 large
Ixvi
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
periagoes & quenous & burned 300 houses. Our expedition
consisted of 6 topsail Tessells with 8 sloops but they got
separated. He complains that the French have furnished
the Indians with fire arms. About 50 bowmen go to each
periagoe.
In Aug. Capt. Chas. Carlisle of H.M.S. frigott the
Francis brought out a few fresh recruits. He reported
later how he burnt a pyrate ship of 32 guns and a large
Btore-ship of 30() tuns at anchor at S' Thomas.
Sep. S'' Charles Wheeler dyed at his house in Warwick-
shire y" 8*'' Inst. (Jeaffreson MSS.) He was a former
Gov' of the Leeward Islands.
On 28 Sep. was forwarded a letter from His Maj'y, re-
citing his former one of 18 Mar. 1679-80, which was written
on hearing that Chas. Pym Esq. of the Council Cap. Jn°
Eddy (? Ady), Phil. Lee Speaker and L' Jos. Jory of Nevis,
had assisted Rich. Gary & Tho. Belchamber to land certain
negros, & oppose the agents of the R. African Co., & again
commanding Sir William to uphold the said Company's
agents.
On 1 Oct. Stapleton issued a circular notice to his
dep. Gov' that 2 or 3 elected persons, Gent" of the
Council, as also 2 or 3 Gent" of the Assembly (the
Speaker to be one) were to meet him at Nevis & the
like number from each island, to sit as a General Council
& Assembly.
A warrant was issued against D' Port a Romish priest,
& one Jasper Joyce who had threatened to kill those who
informed against him for saying Mass.
By a royal licence dated 17 Nov. Sir William received
permission to go home for 4 months.
By an Instruction dated 10 Dec. 34 Chas. II., it
was laid down that for the future the Dep. Gov', who
acted as Commander in Chief, etc., during the absence of
the Governor in chief, would enjoy one moiety of the salary
and fees.
1683-4, 27 Feb. Thos. Duncombe is now Speaker &
Major W" Barnes is appointed Agent in London.
1684, March 29. Sir W. Stapleton writes, that he had
sent L' Col. Pym & Col. W" Burt of the C' of Nevis with
others to S' Thomas, to demand satisfaction of the Danish
Gov, for harbouring pirates. They returned, having been
unsuccessful in their mission.
('Colonial Entry Book,' No. 47.)
The Council of Nevis recommend S' John Knight Jun'
of Bristol, who was formerly a trader among them, to suc-
ceed Stapleton. On 13 June Sir John complained to the
King that Stapleton was circulating tales to his detriment,
the' his Maj'^ had already decided that he was fit to
succeed him. Towards the autumn Sir W™ took his de-
parture for England leaving at the head of the government
Col. W"" Burt Dep. Gov' of Nevis.
John Yeamans was this year Speaker.
Sep. 30. Cap. John Yeamans, Major Arch. Cochran &
Capt. John Lingham take their seats at the C & are
sworn. Capt. Cfesar Rodeney was returned for the Road
DiV V. Capt. Jn" Yeamans called to the C & was also
chosen Speaker in his place.
On 28 Oct. Gov' Ed. Powell CjBsar Rodney Speaker,
signed an Act for ordering the prompt payment of wages
due from Masters to Servants, which were frequently un-
justly withheld. Shortly after this slaves were annexed to
Freeholds.
William Boon and Philhp Snelling, for not appearing in
Arms, were again sent to the Fort by Col. Thomas Mallet,
but after a few Days released by the Governour. In the
Fourth Month, Jonas Langford, by Warrant from the
Governour Edward Powel, had taken from him for Priest's
Wages, and for building a Worship-house, 8645 lb. of
Sugar. And in the next Month Edward Martin for the
same Cause suffered Distress of 54 lb. of Cotton Wool and
120 lb. of Sugar. Also from John Brown, for the like
Claims, were taken three Hogs weighing 380 lb. and worth
1140 lb. of Sugar. From Henry Graydon they took away
a saddle, and from Mary Green Widow, several Goods
not particularly specified. And before the Expiration
of the same Year, the Constables again took from Jonas
Langford, for the pretended dues of William .Jones Priest,
Goods or Money to the value of 940 lb. of Sugar. (Besse.)
Jonas Langford planter was required to give bond for
£2000 St. for Barrakiah Arnald commander of the pink
Hannah & Elizabeth of Boston & the following year a
petition was presented by her then commander Nathan
Stanberry. (Colonial Leeward Islands, No. 49.)
1685. Taken by Order of Governour Vaughan, for
Priest's Demands, from Henry Graydon 596 lb. of tobacco,
by John Richards Constable, who at the same Time also seized
120 lb. of Tobacco, to defray the Charges of nine Persons
whom he had unnecessarily employed to assist him in
making the Distress. (For an account of the persecution of
William Boon, see vol. i., p. 69.)
On the 29th of October this Year, a Mare worth 3500 lb.
of Sugar, was taken from Henry Graydon for his refusing
to bear Arms. (Besse.)
Charles II. died on 6 Feb. 1685.
16 Sep. Present at a Council Meeting held at
St. John's : —
Col. Edw-i Powell, Dep. Gov. Sam" Winthrop, Esq.
Coll. Row. Williams. flfra. Carliel, Esq.
John Parry, Esq. Arch* Cochran, Esq.
Nich. Raynsfurd, Esq. Jn" Fry, Esq.
John Vernon, Esq. Jn° Yeamans, Esq.
Jas. Robinson was their cl'k.
Tho. Duncombe, Speaker.
Sep. 30. Hen. Carpenter, Esq., is Agent for the Royal
African Co.
11 Oct. The Duke of Monmouth having been defeated,
it was ordered by their lordships, that all rebels transported,
must be bound for 10 years.
20 Oct. Sir William was in London this day.
1685-6, Feb. 14. Cap' Garden is authorised to pursue
& capture or kill 40 or 50 runaway slaves in the Mountains
who had been committing depredations.
Feb. 27. Chr. Codrington takes the oath & his seat at
the Council Board.
Feb. 27. By a warrant of this date a new great seal
was ordered, to be like the former but with the name of
Jas. II.
1686, April 2. The Assembly comprised : —
Rich. Ayres, Sam. Martin. John Hamilton.
Speaker. Cha. Gosse. Cuthbert .Jameson.
Fra. Burton. Tho. Gilliard. John Weire.
John Morris. Hen. Winthrop. Rich. Travels.
Geo. Symes. Rob. Garden. Aquilles Stoughton.
John Yeamans signs as one of the Council.
1686. To shew how dangerous it was for planters to cultivate
the small islands, take the case of Tortola. In Colonial Leeward
Islands, vol. ."JO, are the affidavits of Thomas Bisse, juu., of Tortola,
of full age 12 May, and of his father Captain Thomas Bisse, Deputy
Governor of that island, describing how a pirate crew landed there,
and beat his son, killed his slaves, and damaged his property to the
amount of £3327.
In early times the colonists were usually "cut off" by the
Indians, but in these latter and more civilised days they were liable
to be harassed and murdered by their own lawless countrymen.
The West Indies were always infested by these desperadoes, who
were frequently recruited from those sparsely-populated islands
which had no proper government, and were mostly inhabited by
fishermen, smugglers, and wreckers. They usually carried their
prizes to the Danish island of St. Thomas, where they disposed of
their plunder and refitted, paying a heavy commission to the Danish
Governor. These small Dutch and Danish colonies harboured as a
rule dishonest merchants, receivers of stolen goods, and rascals of
all descriptions.
FROM RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO ABDICATION OE JAMES II. Ixvii
8 April. Capt. Edwi Powell still Dep. Gov.
7 Aug. The death of Sir W. Stapleton at Paris being
announced, the King appointed Sir Nath. Johnsou to suc-
ceed him, whose patent was forthwith ordered to be drawn
out. On 28 Sep. his Instructions were issued by which he
was directed, that there were to be at least 7 Members of
Council to each island. No schoolmasters nor Ministers
were to be authorised, without the Bishop of London's
licence. The L' Gov'' of Nevis was to be always 2" in
command.
1687, 7 April. Rich* Ayres now Speaker.
3 June. Tho. Belchamber is sworn a Councillor of all
the islands.
Sir N. Johnson's first letter home was written on 10 Aug.
July 7. Muster roll of : —
Col. Thos. Hills ) 3 com'' officers, 7 non com'' do.,
Company of Foot j 73 privates.
Sir N. Johnsons ) 3 com'' officers, 7 non com" do.,
Company of Foot ) 70 privates.
28 Nov''. All the governments send an address on the
birth of the Prince of Wales.
1687, Aug. 10. Sir Nath. Johnson writes, that a
Lieutenant's place being vacant by the death of Capt.
Pogson " I have appointed M"" Fra. Overton to it who rid
in H.M. Guards," & in reference to " Col. W™ Burt's present
of 100,000 lbs. he being dead before ray arrival his Ex'or
& friends pretend ignorance. He (Burt) had done His
Maj'y good service." " Since my return from S' Christo-
phers S'' Jas. Russell L' Gov. of Nevis has died also Col.
Redmond Stapleton L' Gov. of Montserrat so I have ap-
pointed my kinsman M'' Nath' Blackiston who served abroad
but came to England to serve His Maj'^ at the Rebellion in
the West."
On 22 Dec, was passed " An Act for dividing the
Island into Parishes, and Maintenance of Ministers, the
Poor, and erecting and repairing of Churches."
1687-8, 20 Feb. Sir N. Johnson writes, that he has
received dayly complaints by the French Protestants, who
fly from the Islands to ours for shelter, & on their bended
knees implore his Ma'y' mercy here. The Gov'' of Nevis
gave up one during his absence & he was at once hung.
He asks for power to grant letters of denization ; to which
the King replied that he was to extend his protection to
them, & send home the lists, on receipt of which, letters of
denization would be forwarded. Many of these Huguenots
settled there permanently, becoming industrious and
respected planters.
3 March. The Gov"^ has appointed M' Hutcheson as
Attorney Gen' of the Leew'' I., who is of the Middle Temple,
of 5 years barr standing, practised in England & Ireland,
& came hither with him, recommended by the Earls of
Middleton & Carlingford. The goverm' of Antigua
promises him 200,000 lbs. yearly, on condition hs takes up
his residence there. He has allowed Roman Catholics to
build Chapels & exercise their religion & exempted them
from paying towards the maintenance of the Protestant
Ministers. ^
1688. The Assembly this year : —
Thos. Warner. Geo. Syms, Speaker. John Prynn.
Chas. Goss. Sam. Martin. Cuthbert Jameson.
Peter Lee. Edw. Byam. Rob' Garden.
John Roe. AV" Byam. John Lucas.
John Wear. John Hamilton. Rich. Traves.
Phille" Bird. John Gunthrop.
The Council :—
John Parry. Wm. Thomas. Sam. Winthrop.
John Vernon. Wm. Barnes. John Fry.
Arch. Cochran. ffi-a. Carlile. John Yeamans.
1688, 4 May. The 2 Companies of foot are to be dis-
banded & replaced. The Ordnance Office supplies 4 demi-
culverings, 10 sakers, and 6 minions for S- Johns Fort.
June 2. S'' Nath. Johnson writes: — " Ensign Mathews
of S"- Christophers is in possession of an estate there pur-
chased by the King for successive Gov'^ I have suspended
him & Joseph Crisp from the Council for not attending to
their duties & appointed John Barry & Dan Foggarthy a
Lieut, in my own Company.
" The Interloper ' Betty ' of Bristol Capt. John Burton
with 200 negros landed over 60 at midnight (? at S' Kitts)
which were seized by the L'^ Gov'' & am setting out for
Antigua with my family to improve that hithertoe neglected
Colony."
Arch" Hutcheson, the newly appointed Attorney
General, sends home a very lengthy report, dated 19 April
'88 : claiming " that Francis Lord Willoughby purchased an
estate at S* Christophers from Col. Philip Warner, for
30,000 lbs. & 30 negros for the use of the Gov for ever.
After the rendition of that island Col. Abednego Mathew
was appointed Dep. Gov. & procured a patent to himself &
his heirs & dying several years ago left Chas. Mathew his
son & heir who is now in wrongful possession of the estate."
Anno 1688. Taken from Henry Graydon, by John
Jones Constable, two Hogs worth 300 lb. of Sugar, which
were sold for four Pieces of Eight, which was but the Value"
of 196 lb. of Sugar. (Besse.)
On 16 Oct. King Jas. sends a circular letter to his
governors, announcing a great invasion which is expected
from Holland. The next official communication is on 12
Jan. 1688-9 from the Prince of Orange directing the use of
the old seal & the retention of all officers.
Ixviii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
CHAPTER VI.
WILLIAM AND MAEY. ANNE. 1689—1714.
On 13 February 1688-9 an Act was passed granting
to any soldier maimed in the defence of the Island
a pension of 3000 lbs., and if slain the like annual
sum to his widow, and j)rovision for the children at
the public charge.
On 28 March an Act was also passed for the es-
tablishment of Courts of Justice.
1688-9. In March there happened a terrible Earth-
quake in the Leeward Islands, Monserrat, Nevis and
Antego. In Nevis and Montserrat, no considerable Hurt
was done, most of the Buildings being of Timber ; but
where there were Stone Buildings, they were generally
thrown down, which fell very hard on Autego ; most of the
Houses, Buildings, Sugar-works, and Wind-mills being of
Stone. Sever.al Sloops felt the Violence of the Shake at Sea.
On the breaking out of the War between Eugland and
France, after the Revolution, the Inhabitants of Antego, as
well as those of the other Leeward-Islands, desired assistance
of the Governor and Government of Barbados ; and when
Sir Timothy Thornhill had raised his Regiment, he sailed
with them to Antego, where he arrived on the b*^ of August,
and received the unwelcome News, that the Fort at
S' Christopher's was surrendered to the French, on Monday
the 29th of July 1689 upon Articles. Sir Timothy knowing
his Strength to be too inconsiderable to attack an Island so
well fortified as S' Christopher's, and the Government of
Antego solliciting him to continue with them till the Arrival
of the English Fleet, which was daily expected ; he agreed
to their Proposals, and landed his Regiment there, which
he quartered in the Town of Falmouth, about the same Big-
ness as that of S' John's Town.
After a Month's Continuance in this Island, Lieutenant-
General Codrington .sent three Sloops manned with 80 Men
of Sir Timothy's Regiment, under the Command of Capt.
Edward Thorn, from Falmouth, to fetch the English, with
their Goods and Stocks, from the Island of Anguilla, where
they had been miserably abused and destroyed by some
Irish, whom the French had landed there for that Purpose.
Before Sir Timothy Thornhill's Arrival, and during his
Stay at Antego, the Indians of the neighbouring Islands,
who were in League with the French, lauded several Times
upon that Island, killing those Inhabitants who lived near
the Sea (to the Number of 10), and then making their
Escape in their swift Periagas. These Pyratical Excursions
were all the People of Antego suffered by the Enemy.
General Codrington ordered several Sloops that were good
Sailers to pursue them, but the Periagas were too nimble for
them : To prevent the like Damage for the future, strict
Guard was kept on the Coasts.
About the Middle of September, a French Privateer
landed his Men at Five-Islands, near Antego, and took oif
some Negroes. As he was going away with his Booty, he
met with two English Sloops, one of which, after some
Resistance, he took ; the other making her Escape, came
in, and gave an Account of the Action : Upon which
Sir Timothy sent out two Sloops manned, with a Company
of Grenadiers, under the Command of Captain Walter
Hamilton, who next Day brought her in with her Prize.
On board the Privateer were 30 French and six Irish Men ;
the latter were tried by a Court Marshal, and four of them
hanged. In November Sir Timothy Thornhill removed to
Nevis, at the Desire of the People of that Island.
The Inhabitants of Autego raised 300 men, who were
commanded by Col. Hewetson ; and landing on an Island
belonging to the French, called Mary-Galanta, they beat
the Inhabitants into the Woods, burnt their Town, nailed
down their Guns, demolished their Fort, and returned back
to Antego with the Plunder of the Island.
Lieutenant General Codrington (for as yet he had not
received his Commission of Captain-General) remained at
Antego, while Sir Timothy Thornhill went from Nevis
against S' Bartholomew's and S' Martin's : While he was
upon the latter. Monsieur Decasse came down with 700 Men
from S' Christopher's, to the Assistance of the French ; the
Major General (for such was Sir Timothy's Commission)
dispatched away a Sloop, with an Express to the Lieutenant
General at Antego, to acquaint him with his Condition, and
desire him to send some Ships to his As.sistance. Accord-
ingly General Codrington ordered Col. Hewetson, with
about 200 Men from Antego, aboard three Sloops, under
Convoy of three Men of War, one of 40 Guns, and two of
20, fitted out for that Purpose, to sail to S* Martin's, where
he arrived the 30"" of January, 1689-90. The French
Ships who were at Anchor near the Island, attacked the
English Frigats ; and after four Hours Dispute, with little
or no Damage on Col. Hewetson's Side, they bore away.
(Oldmixon's ' British Empire in America,'
vol. ii., p. 199.)
On 11 July 1689 the Governor and Council of
St. Kitts vn'ote that the Irish of Montserrat, pro-
tected by the French, bad destroyed the Windward
part of St. Kitts, doing £15,000 damage, and that
the inhabitants had taken refuge in the Fort.
On 14 July the following members of the Legis-
lature signed a letter sent to the Privy Council : —
Sam. Martin, Wm. Byam. J. Parry.
Speaker. Cuthb' Jameson. Wm. Thomas.
John Hamilton. Chas. Goss. Fra. Carlile.
John Gunthorpe. John Weir. Sam. Winthrope.
Edw. Byam. Ch'' Codrington John Yeamans.
Peter Lee. (Gov'). Arch. Cochran.
The Governor writes that the French have been
beaten off Barbouda, and he has sent the Irish from
Nevis to Jamaica.
On 10 August the Duke of Bolton's regiment
was ordered for the Leeward Islands, and the
strength of Lieut.-Colonel Holt's was estimated at
930 men.
On the 12th Lieut.-General Codrington wrote
that Sir N. Johnson* quitted Antigua for South
Carolina, and on the 15th, that "Yesterday arrived
800 men from Barbados under Sir Timothy
Thornhill."
On the 20th Governor Thomas Hill wrote from
Nevis that St. Kitts bad been captured by the enemy
after eighteen days' siege ; that at the time of
capitulation the English had but two rounds left for
the guns ; that 1200 men were then at Nevis ; and
that the Governor of Barbados had sent Sir Timothy
Thornhill with 800 men to Antego. Captain James
Pbipps was among the killed at St. Kitts, where 500
English fought against 2000 French.
* " Sir N. Johnson one of y" Contractors of y° Hearth money
Knighted at Whitehall 28 Dec. 1680 Governor of South Carolina
for the proprietors the Lord Craven & others in 1705." (Le Neve's
' Knights.')
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixix
Sir John Berry gives in to the Board the following
list of the squadron intended for the West Indies,
the ships being provisioned for 200 to 300 days : —
Men. Guns.
Arch-Angell . 200 —
Berkley-Castle . 200 48
Princess Anne . 200 —
Sampson . . 220 50
Bannihall . . 200 —
Samuell & Henry ISO 44 for Newfound-Land.
Scepter . .160 40
Coronation . . 200 48 t
Success . . 200 48 Mor Newfoimd-Land.
George . . 200 48 1
Smi/rna-merc/iant 110 34
Supplu . . 110 34
Pinal instructions were given to the Admiral on
2 December.
The following merchants trading to the Leeward
Islands sign a petition : —
John Symkins. Samson Gideon. Wm. Freeman.
Wm. Ivatt. Nath. Sanders. Chr. Jeaffreson.
H. Young. Wm. Hare. Jos. Martyn.
Ben. Newland. Jn° Westrot. Jn° Gardner.
Geoff. Nightingale. Wra. Thornbnrgh. AVill. Barnes.
Gilb' Heathcote. Wm. Willett. Wm. Wrayford.
Tho. Hunt. Wm. Barnes. Jos. Ball.
Jos. Jorye. Jn" Morris. Ben. Edwards.
Alex. Pollington. Nath. Carpenter. Sam. Ball.
Jn° Vickers. Edm. Scrope. Ralph Willett.
Rich. Carye. Jas. Walker. Phil. Danes.
Randol Russell. Bastian Baijer. Christoph. Oliver.
(America and West Indies, No. 550.)
Oct. 16. Colonel Christopher Codrington has
been made Captain-General.
The great fortress on Monk's Hill was commenced
this year.
Dec. 15. A commission was drawn up for
Captain William Dobyns to be Lieut. -Governor of
Antigua vice Captain Foulkes, who was Lieut.-
Governor and surrendered that Island ; and he is to
go out with the fleet.
1690. In June Admiral Wright arrived at Nevis
with a squadron of ten men of war, besides transports,
which sailed on the 16th with 3000 men on board.
July. Governor Codrington sends home a long
narrative of events, announcing his recapture of
St. Christopher^s from the French : —
The English forces numbered 2500 all told viz. : Col.
Holt's English Reg', the Barbados one under S'' T. Thorn-
hill, the Antiguan one under Col. Rowl'' Williams, two from
Nevis under Col. Chas. Pym & Col. Edw. Earle, the Mont-
serrat one under Col. Nath' Blakiston, and the Marine
under Col. Hegwyn, commander of the Assistance frigott.
They landed in Frigott Bay with the loss of 10 killed &
30 wounded, & among which latter were Sir T. Thornhill,
Cap* Byam & Cap' Quimby. After making themselves secure,
he sent 400 men in the night to flank the enemy & afterwards
drove the French from their trenches into which Cap' Garden
was the first to enter. The loss at this point was 18 killed & 40
wounded. The Antigua Keg' had the brunt of the fighting.
Basseterre was then taken possession of, & next day, Sunday
22 June, the troops attended divine service there.
He writes later, that he has sent 550 best French fii'e-
men to Hispaniola, 800 men women & children to
S' Martins, & the French Gov with 50 men & 200 women
& children to Martinico.
Oct. 14. The Governor writes that 200 of the
Army died at Nevis, and 200 more out of the English
Regiment, and the Barbados one is now only 250
from the sickness.*
The King at once ordered 400 recruits to be
despatched.
The exclusive patent of the Royal African Com-
pany to supply the islands with slaves was revoked,
and the trade thrown open. Population now 6000.
(Southey.)
1690-], Feb. 15. The Governor says that Nevis
has lost 1500 men from sickness ; Colonel Williams
takes care of Antigua, without salary, but he sug-
gests to their Lordships that the Deputy- Governor
should have fixed pay.
Taken from the said Henry Graydon, by Richard Oliver,
foi' William Loaders Priest, 127 lb. of Cotton, equal in Value
to 508 lb. of Sugar. Taken also from the said Heniy, one
good Horse worth 5000 lb. of Sugar, for a Fine of about
800 lb. of Sugar, for his refusing to bear Arms. Taken
also from Jonas Langford, by Richard Oliver, for the said
Priest Loaders, three Hogsheads of Sugar, and Cash, worth
4085 lb. of Sugar. (Besse.)
1G91, May 28. Letter from Colonel Christopher
Codrington, dated at Antigua, to Colonel Bastian
Baijer, merchant at London, describing his doings in
the late expedition : —
How he burnt their chief town, destroyed the best part
of Guadaloup, made a breach in the fort, & was ready for
the assault when the French fleet of 11 ships, 2 or 3 of
them men-of-war, appearing. Captain Wrightj ordered the
whole of the Marine Reg' on board. Tho French Adm.
Be Gasse had 500 troops with him. We set sail and early
next morning the 2 fleets became intermixed, & th° we
might have destroj'ed theirs with ease Capt. Wright sig-
nalled to his ships to withdraw & only 1 of their vessells was
destroyed. He never saw so much cowardice & treachery &
begs Col. Bayer to inform their lordships & to get Capt.
Wright superseded.
The English force numbered 1800 men in the
attack on Gua.daloupe.
About this time four eminent West Indian
merchants resident in London were ajjpointed by
the Piivy Council Committee as Commissioners for
the affairs of the Leeward Islands. Their names
were : Bastian Baijer, a native of Antigua ; Joseph
Martin; Richard Cary, formerly of Antigua, and
later Governor of the Bank of England ; and Christo-
pher Jeaffreson, of a well-known family at St. Kitts.
They recommend on 22 May that Colonel Rowland
Williams be appointed Clerk of the Navy, and his
patent was made out in June.
A General Assembly sat at St. John's in March,
consisting of : —
Council.
Gen' Codrington.
Jn" Yeamans.
Walter Symonds.
W"' Helme.
Tho. Simmons.
W"' Fox.
Assembly.
Anth° Hodges, Speaker.
Jn" Gunthrop.
Edw. Byam.
Phil. Dewitt.
Rich. Brodbelt.
Jn° Scott.
* The ravages of yellow fever aud dysentery had always caused
a greater loss to the troops in the tropics than actu.il warfare.
t Laurence Wright, Captain of H.M.S. ■' Mary."
h
Ixx
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
On 18 January was received the petition of Cap-
tain Edward Thorne : —
That ill 1680 he gavo up £500 worth of arms at An-
tigua to the General, & that he & Maj' Jos. Crisp went to
Barbados for help, & induced Sir T. Thornhill to assist with
700 men. They charge Codringtou with keeping back the
plunder.
Jan. Christopher Codrington writes to the King
thanking him for having appointed him Captain-
General.
1692 ? List of Council in Antigua in their
seniority, undated : —
1. John Parry, Esq., chief judge of Falmouth
Precincts, President.
2. Col. Row. Williams, Commander of the Militia.
3. John Prye, Esq. 4. Col. Fia. Carlile.
5. John Yeamans, Esq., Chief Judge of S' John's
Precincts.
6. Tho. Duacombe, Esq. 7. Maj'' Edw. Byam.
1693. In April an abortive attack was made on
St. Pierre, Martinique, with a large force of 4000 or
5000 men, under the command of Sir Francis
Wheeler, with whom was also Governor Codring-
ton and the Volunteers from the Leeward Islands.
The expedition failed owing to sickness among the
troops and friction between the commanders, so the
fleet repaired to Boston.
From an undated list of the officers, etc., dead in the
eqnadrun since leaving England, it appears that there died
6 Commanders, 3 Lieutenants, 3 Masters, & 668 men.
Col. Goodwins Reg' lost 1 Colonel, 1 Major, 6 Captains, 10
Lieutenants & Ensigns, & Col. Foulkes' one lost Col.
Foulkes, Cap* Murray, & 6 Subalterns.
Aug. 3. Colonel Thomas Hill, Deputy-Governor
of St. Kitts, has been suspected of conniving at
illicit trade with St. Thomas.
Thomas Bartlett, Clerk to the Assembly, is paid a
salary of 3000 lbs. a year.
Benjamin Wickham and Sam Hilder are Coroners,
and Samuel Martin Treasurer.
Aug. 29. Colonel John Hamilton and Major
Samuel Martin take their seats at the Council Board
after the usiial oaths.
Aug. 30. Major Philemon Bird to be powder
officer.
Nov. 6. Governor Codrington writes that Colonel
Lloyd went up to Barbados and there died.
1693-4, Jan. 11. A patent was ordered to be
drawn out for Mr. William Barnes to be Provost-
Marshal vice Mr. Thomas Belchamber, deceased.*
1694. The regiment at the Leeward Islands,
formerly commanded by Colonel Godfrey Lloyd,
deceased, is now Colonel Holt's.
List of Offic" of Coll. Holts Regiment.
Standing Offic" to the five Companies Establisht
from the first of May 1695.
Col. Hen. Holt. L' Adrian Van Alphen.
Maj-- Eaw<i Nott. L' Henry Pearne.
Cap'" Tho. Delavall. Ensign Osenberg.
Cap' Dav"* Ganspoel. Ensign Rob' Baron.
C : Chrisf Codrington. Ens : Rob' Coningham.
* The -will of Thomas Belchamber of Nevis, Esq., was dated 23
May 1693 ; sworn there 12 August, and proved P.C.C. 21 November
1693.
Cap'" Licaten' Powell. iOnsignc Home.
Lieu' Rich'i Garth. Ensign Sharpe.
Cap'" Jo" Lyons who is to have
the first vacant Company.
Reform'd Offic'% who are to receive halfe Pay during their
actuall Service & attendance on the Regiment, and to
be replaced upon the first vacancies in their respective
Qnalities & according to their Senioritys, Capt"
Henry {sic) Lyons being first to be provided for as
above : —
Captains. L' . . . . Booth.
Cap'" Tho. Holt. L' John Sanderson.
Cap'" Jo" Pigott. L' Jo" Yeomans.
Cap'" Etlwi Norton. L' Fran. Smith.
Cap'" Jo" Forder. Ensigns.
Cap'" Paul de Brisac. ^imgn John Meauls.
Lieutenants. Ensign John Codrington.
L' John Tvyons. Ensign Samuell Clark.
L' Geo. Harrison. Ensign .... Ijacassee.
L' Sam" Broadbelt. Ensign Charles Webb.
1/ Rich' Holt. Ensign Rad. Palmer.
L' Cliarl Lloyd. Ensign Tho. Blish.
L' Demeny de Fuckingberg.
By his Majes'J" Command,
William Blathwayt.
The following list is also given : —
Cap''. John Yeamons.
Engo Co" Henry Holt.
L' Co" E^" Nott.
Engd Maj'- Tho. Delavall.
Eng-i Nathan" Blakiston.
Irel'' Henry Lyons.
Christop' Codrington.
Eng*" David Gonspoell.
Thomas Holt.
John Piggott.
James Norton.
Flan'' Godfrey Lloyd.
John Forster.
Leiu''*
Cap' L' Jiihn Powell.
Richard Garth.
Charle Loyd.
John Sanderson.
Richard Holt.
Henry Peareti.
Adrian Van-Alpan.
Rich'' Harrison.
Samuell Broadbelt.
Dominicus De-Fauconbege.
Samuell Smith.
John Lyons.
Ensignes.
Gasparus Van-Osenbergh.
Edward Barron.
Robert Cuningham.
John Coddrington.
Samuell Clark. Eng".
William Sharpe.
Samuell Home. Eng''.
Radney Palmer.
Charles Webb.
Charles Thornhill.
Thomas Biffe.
[blank]
[blank]
John Miles.
Arthur Booth.
All the officers except those marked are all with the
Regim't in the West Indies.
Shortly after 1694 this regiment was reduced
from 13 companies of 60 men to 5 companies of
100 men.
1696. Edward Walrond, Esq., having accused
Mr. Palmer, a Member of the Council and Secretary-
General of the Leeward Islands, of saying " that the
Court of England was as much debauched now as
ever; that the King kept a Miss openly and the
Queen chiefly delighted in Bawdy songs. Masques,
Plays, etc.," the Council recommended his suspension.
His Majesty and Privy Council on receiving their
rej)0rt ordered his removal from all his offices, by
warrant dated at Whitehall 11 Feb. 1696-7, and
Edward Parsons was appointed Secretary in his place.
John Palmer in his defence stated that he was
ensign in the war of 1672, under Colonel William Burt.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxi
In the Year ICOG, the Hastings Frigat was here, and
sailed for London, Convoy to a small Fleet of 11 Ships,
which were above eleven Weeks in their Voyage.
(Oldmixon, vol. ii., p. 201.)
1697, May 1. List of the Council : —
John Yearaans, Esq. Major Edw. Holt.
Row. "Williams, Esq. Major Sam. Martin.
Fra. Carlile, Esq., Snper- Tho. Dnncomli, Esq.
annuated. John Palmer, Esq.
John ffry, Esq., Superannnated. Hen. Holt, Esq.
John Hamilton, Esq.
It was ordered on 29 July that fiftj' women con-
victs in Newgate be sent to the Leeward Islands.
General Codrington about this time forwarded a
proclamation to New Yoi'k and New England, in-
viting people over to settle the French lands in
St. Christopher's.
July ch-ca. Captain James Norton j)etitious
that Colonel Thomas Hill,* Deputy-Governor of
St. Christopher's, is lately arrived at Liverpool, and is
since dead there, and asks to be appointed in his place.
Endorsed :— " Read 10 August 1 697. Granted."
Sep. Governor Codrington writes that they have
lost their best privateer briganteen, which blew up
soon after leaving Antigua, by which 50 men were
killed. The French have hitherto captured three of
their sloops.
On 8 Feb. the Governor suspended the Hon.
Thomas Duncomb.
Edward Walrond made numerous complaints to
the home Government against the General.
1698. The Council and Assembly of Antigua
state that the General Council aud Assembly consist
of two Members of the Council and three of the
Assembly, who are chosen for each island, and they
suggest that in future each island should send up
five Members of Assembly instead of three.
June 10. Governor Codrington writes that he
had reduced St. Christopher's and three other islands
— St. Eustatia, St. Bartholomew, and St. Martin's.
By the Treaty of Ryswick it was agreed that the
French lands at St. Kitts should be restored to their
former owners, and English Commissioners were
nominated on 5 July to see the same carried out.
John Lucas, Esq., having been very unjustly im-
prisoned by Codrington, complained bitterly of his
arbitrary conduct, and wrote that he had been sent
to prison, and £5000 bail refused, because he had
written to Lord Orford. Lord Lucas acted as a
mediator in the quarrel.
Governor Codrington seems to have treated the
above John Lucas, Esq., a late Speaker, with great
injustice. The latter had written home making
certain complaints ; he was then tried for libel, and
a verdict of £2000 damages given against him, and
shortly afterwai'ds thrown into prison and £5000
sterling bail demanded. The affair ended with the
death of General Codrington, which was reported by
Deputy-Governor John Teaman s to have taken place
on Wednesday morning 20 July.
» The will of Thomas Hill, Esq., Lieut.-General of H.M. Lee-
ward Islands aud Lieut.-Governor of St;. Kitts, was dated at Nevis 5
April 11197 ; proved P.C.C. the 2Uth Ootober following.
On 22 December an Act was passed for electing
an Agent who was to be nominated annually by the
Governor. His salary was fixed at jglOO sterling
j'early over and above needful charges and expenses,
and his chief duty was to negotiate the various
Island Laws for confirmation by Royal assent.
Dec. 31. The Council of Nevis -^Vrite home on
31 December announcing that owing to the death of
General Codrington and of Colonel Thomas Hill, and
the suspension of Colonel Samuel Gardner, Lieut.-
Governor of Nevis, they have taken on the Govern-
ment. On 4 February they further write to say
that Colonel Collingwood and his Regiment have
arrived at Nevis in Admiral Benbow's fleet.
l(;i)8-9 ? In January 1G99 Admiral Benbow arrived
at the Leeward-Islands, having Col. Collingwood's Regiment
on Board, Part of which was quartered in Antego, and Part
in the other Islands. The Governor having received some
more forces from England, to make up the loss of these,
most of them having died in the Islands, resolved, on the
breaking out of the present War, to attack the French at
Guardaloup. The Merchants of Antego had equip'd several
Privateers ; which, in Conjunction with some Privateers of
the other Islands, and a Squadron of Men of War, made a
Strength at Sea too mighty for the French. He raised a
Regiment of Soldiers in Antego, of which Colonel Byam
was Colonel ; and the other Leeward-Islands furnished Men
also for this Enterprize. (Oldmixon, vol. ii., p. 202.)
1698-9, Jan. 27. List of Assembly :—
Nath. Sampson, Gent.
W"' Grear, Gent.
Rich. Oliver, Gent.
Abra. Swan, Gent.
Fra. Rogers, Gent.
Cain Osborne, Gent.
Jn° Painter, Gent.
Nath. Crump, Gent.
Cap. .In° Weir, absent.
M'' Rob. Freeman, sick.
Geo. Gamble, Speaker.
W'" Thomas, Gent.
Hen. Lyons, Esq.
Pet. Lee, Esq.
Sam. Watkins, Gent.
Cap. Steph. Duer.
Cap. Jn° Roe.
Cap. Jn° Lyons.
W"' Lavington, Gent.
Cap. Rob. Martin.
Cap. Jn" Ker.
The quartering of Colonel Collingwood's regi-
ment was discussed and Colonel Holt's named.
On 25 March his Majesty ordered that Colonel
Christopher Codrington's commission as Captain-
General was to be prepared. The new Governor was
nephew to the late one, and had a good reputation as
a scholar and soldier.
1699. * List of Council prepared by their lordships.
"' Antisroa.
M' Gary's observa-
tions upon Coll.
Codrington's List.
Suspended.
Gon to Jamaic
In England.
Ju" Yeomans (
Eowl' Williams I
Fran. Carlile /
Jn° Fry (
Jn" Hamilton
EdW Byam
Sam' Martin I
Tho' Duncomb \
John Palmer.
Hen. Holt."
M' W.'s obs'vations upon Coll.
Codrington's List,
of great Estate sence &
Reputation.
Super annuated.
of good Estate and Repute.
Treas', of good sence & repute,
of great Estate, good sence and
Repute.
" Antigoa.
M' Gary's List to M' W.'s Observations upon
fill up vacancies. M' Gary's List.
Jn» Otto Bayer of good Estate & repute. A Dutchman.
Jn" Tankard I Supernumerary and neith. of them great
Hen. Pearn I Estates. , „ . , „ .
Jn° Fry, jun' A young Gent, of good Estate and Repute.
Edw' Parsons of good sence and Repute."
Ixxii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
" 1699. Antigoa.
M' Weaver's List
M' Gary's observations (to fill future
upon M' Weaver's List. vacancies).
Tho. Duncomb.^
Character.
A factious trouble-
some fellow.
Edw" Walrond'.^
Nath. Sampson.
Rioh. Lighfoot.
John Lucas
Philemon Bird.
John Roe.
Jn° Vernon.
W' Thomas.
( Isaac Horsford.
[RichJ Oliver,
Geo. Gamble
many years Speaker of y'
Assembly.
Of good Estate, sence, and
Reputation.
present Speaker.'
Honest men of
small Estates.
A factious trouble-
some fellow.
"18 July. Names agreed on by y« Board to be Councell" Antigoa.
Coll. Era. Collingwood, L' Gen'.
Jn» Yeamans. Sam. Martin.
Rowl"' Williams. Tho. Duucomb.
Fran. Carlile. Edw. Parsons.
Jn° Fry, Sen'. Jn° Corbet.
Jn" Hamilton. Jas. Thynne."
Edw'' Byam.
1699. At a meeting of the Assembly in July it
was decided that a platform should be built at
Parham and 7 great guns purchased. The seat of
Mr. William Laviugton had become vacant by his
death, and another member, Mr. William Thomas,
had gone off to England.
On 14 December the following tax was ordered
to be levied over and above the 1 lb. per acre by
Lord Willoughby's Act : —
lbs.
350,000
240,000
36,000
626,000
52,242
678,242
6 lbs. of sugar per acre
30 „ ,, per head on 8000 uegros
6 „ „ per head on 6000 cattle
On ground rents in town & trade
The public debts amounted to 676,242 lbs. at
12s. 6d. per cent.
1699-1700, February 1. At a New Session held
at St. John's the following returns were made : —
For
S' Johns towne.
S' Johns Division.
Nonsuch.
Justices taking the
Election.
Peter Lee, Esq' Cap' John Otto |
M' Thomas Long I
Peter Lee, Esq' M' Richard Oliver |
Cap' John Gamble )
Henry Lyons, Esq' Henry Lyons, Esq' (
Cap' Charles Loyd )
Henry Pearne, Esq' Peter Lee, Esq' | Old road and Ber-
Cap' John Roe 1 moodian valley.
Edw" Byam, Esq' Laurence Crabb, Esq' ( q;^ ^^^^-^^ g ^^^^
Cap' Nathaniell Crump )
laurence Crab, Esq' M' Nathaniel Sampson i -n if ^
M' Abraham Swan ) ^^^^^^1.
Sam" Martyu, Esq' M' George Thomas Five Islands.
Peter Lee, Esq' Cap' George Gamble I Popeshead and
M' Samuel Watkius ( Dicks'" bay. ■
Henry Lyons, Esq' M' Kean Osborne | Falm" and Rende-
M' Barry Tankard f vouz bay.
Henry Lyons, Esq' Cap' John Lyons t.7-,, vi t.
M' BaldwinJohnson } Willoughby Bay.
Edw"* Bya', Esq' M' John Painter I „ ,,
Francis Rogers f New north sound.
George Gamble was chosen Speaker nem. eon., and
the Hon. John Yeamans was appointed to act as
Chief Justice with a salary of £200 a year.
1700, October 18. The Governor writes from
Nevis that Colonel Michael Smith, the Lieut. -Governor
of that Island, is dead.
Col. James Norton, L' Gov"" of S' Kitts, having been
unanimously proved guilty of charges of cruelty to his
indentured apprentice, is dismissed from all his offices by
the Gov' & C.
Col. Tho. Delavall, L' Gov of Moutserrat, is dead; M'
Parson, who is the senior Member of Council there, being
factor of the Royal African Co., cannot serve ; Cap. Wm. Fox,
the next, being aged & indisposed declines ; so Codrington
has appointed Col. Anth° Hodges to succeed as Ij' Gov''.
December 11. Mr. Long, a member of the
Assembly, having been sent for thrice and not
appearing, was fined 10 lbs.
December 23. A tax was this day imposed ou
9000 negros and £500 c. voted for a monument
in England to the late General Codrington. The
Postmaster was to receive 3d. per letter, and to pay
Id. to the person delivering letters to him. A member
of the Assembly received 6s. for each day's attendance.
1700-1. New Sessions January 16.
Baldwin Johnson, Gent. | Willoughby bay.
Jn« Lyons, Esq' Henry Lyons, Esq' j ^^^^^^],_
Chas. Loyd, Gent. I
Walter Quarm, Esq' Rich. Oliver, Gent. [ g, j^j^^^ Division.
Nath. bampson, Gent. I
Jn" Lyons, Esq' Cap. Isaac Horsford | Falmouth & Rende-
Nath. Monk, Gent. ( vouz bay.
Ed. Byam, Esq' Jn" Painter, Gent. | ^^^^ ^^^^^ g^^^^
Fran. Uogers, Gent. )
Hen. Pearn, Esq' Peter Lee, Esq' | Old Road & Ber-
Jn" Fry, Gent. I mudian Valley.
Walter Quarm, Esq' Geo. Gamble, Esq' I
Cap. Jn" Otto
S' Johns Town.
Ed. Byam, Esq' Laur. Crabb, Esq'
Cap. Nath. Crump
Laur. Crab, Esq' Cap. .In" Kerr
Abra. Swan, Gent.
Peter Lee, Esq' Sam. Watkins, Gent.
Fran. Rogers, Gent.
Sam. Martin, Esq' Geo. Thomas, Gent.
Old North Sound.
Belfast Division.
I
f
I
(
I Popeshead & Dicki-
j sons bay.
Five Islands.
George Gamble was chosen Speaker, and among
various rules passed were the following : —
1. The votes of the House to be secret & any member
publishing the same to be expelled.
2. 3/- fine for swearing & cursing.
3. Any member interrupting another to be fined a piece
of eight.
4. The Speaker to be addressed by a member standing,
a 3/- fine for omission to do this.
5. No smoking allowed ; fine of 3/-.
6. Dinner to be at 12.
Francis Rogers, i-eturned for two places, elected
to sit for New North Sound.
Colonel Ed. Fox, before the arrival of Christopher
Codrington as Lieut.-General, having passed certain
acts, their Lordships directed by their letter of 11
December 1700 that they should be confirmed by the
Assembly.
James Weatherill, Gent., was returned for the
vacancy for Popeshead.
1701. List of Forts & Guns at Antigoa.
o. T 1 T? t f 13 Gunns, Mounted I from 12 to 4
S' Johns Fort< \^ , ? ,.
16 ,, Unmounted J rounders.
Platform at the Old Road, 6 smal Guns, all 3 Pounders.
Willoughby Bay, one I small Platform with about 6
Falmouth Town, one J guns each.
Parham our Second Town of Trade. We have no Guns.
Nevis at this time was the most powerful and the
best supplied of the Leeward Groui), having 23 good
guns in numerous forts.
May 30. The death of Nathaniel Sampson, Gent.,
was announced, and Major John Lyons having gone
off the Island, there were two vacancies created in
the Assembly.
Geo. Underwood Hill Gent, of A. petitions that M"' Par-
sons Sec'' G' is dead. Pef has lived for some years at A. &
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxiii
has been bred to the law & applies for the post. (Endorsed: —
"Received 13 Nov. 1701.")
Nov. 27, 1.3 W"' III. Patent to Hen. Carpenter Esq.
to be Sec'' G' v. Edw. Parsons Esq. deceased.
On Christmas Day Major Samuel Martin vras
xaurdered by his slaves, vrliich created such a panic
that on 30 December 1000 cartridges were ordered to
be served out to each Captain of a Company, and
10,000 vrere to be lodged in the Magazine, as a pre-
caution against any spreading of the insubordination
among the blacks.
December 30. Governor Codrington writes in
connection with the murder of Major Samuel Martin
by his slaves : —
"We have lost a very usefull Man in Major Martin next
to Governour Yeamans." . ..." I am afraid he was guilty
of some unusual Act of Severity or rather some indignity
towards the Coromantes, for they are not only the best and
most faithfull of our Slaves, but are really all born Heroes,
there is a differance between them and all other Negroes
beyond what 'tis possible for your lordships to conceive.
There never was a Rascall or Coward of that Nation.
Intrepid to the last degree. Not a man of them but will
stand to be cut in pieces without a Sigh or Groan gratefull
and obedient to a Kind Master, but implacably revengefull
when ill treated, my Father who had studied the genius and
temi^er of all kinds of Negroes 45 years," etc.
December. The General Assembly voted £1200
sterling to Governor Codrington for a piece of plate.
May 4. War declared against Prance and Spain.
The following account of land forfeited to the
public for non-payment of taxes, was handed in at a
meeting of the Assembly 1 December 1719 : —
Antigua. May 20"', 1702.
Names of persons to whom the land Acres of lb. of Sugar
did belong. Land. or Tobacco.
To John Merchant, Sen. 52 6,154
„ Thomas Williams 30 .3,035
„ Estate of Darby Noonane 40 4,594
„ Estate of William Pike 30 1,320
„ Estate of George Turphery 35 4,645
„ Estate of Andrew Joyce 200 16,045
„ Barth" Barrett for Johnson 30 2,095
„ Estate of John Lingham Green Isl'' 60 2,545
„ David Fuller 15 1,490
„ Estate of John Green 20 1,025
„ William Stevenson for Suttons Est» 30 3,754
„ Estate of John Cobb 50 1,900
„ Estate of Darby Collins 20 1,430
„ William Burden 10 200
„ Rich-i Dash wood, ab' 25 2,150
„ Edward Gratrex 60 3,132
„ Estate of S'' W>" Stapleton 125 6,100
„ the lady Penelope Russell 60 3,650
„ Estate of Moyle Johnson 75 3,450
„ James Budds 90 6,110
„ Maj"- Thomas Delavale 1000 27,000
2047 101,824
The above Lands were published for non-payment of the
aforementioned Sums according to Act of this Island.
1702. A clause in an Act, dated 28 June, pro-
vided for the erection of a cage, pillory, stocks,
■whipping -post, and ducking-stool in each town.
By another Act five Commissioners were appointed
for St. John's, and five for Falmouth Precincts, for
the regulation and suf)ervision of all public ponds.
An Act was passed this year for the better
government of slaves and free negroes, and by
clause 9 a slave striking and wounding a white could
be punished by slitting of the nose, cutting ofE a
member, or death, at the discretion of the justices.
By another Act for regulating the Militia it was
enacted that every man between the ages of 14 and
65 should serve either in the three regiments of
Infantry or the mounted Carbineers. This latter
corps consisted of picked reliable men, appointed by
the Governor and Council. All clothing, arms, and
horses were to be provided at the public charge, and
each plantation was bound to provide one Cai'bineer,
the whole number to be never less than 60.
Two vacancies in the Council were created this
year by the death of Colonel Francis Carlile, and by
the departure of Thomas Duncomb, who sold his
estate and retired from the island.
By an addi-ess from St. Christopher's on 23 July
it appears that £50 for a piece of plate and 50 negros
had been voted as a gift to Colonel Codrington by an
Act of that island.
August 14. £2000 worth of stores to be sent out.
1702. Rowland Williams, John Hamilton, Ed-
ward Byam, James Thynn, Henry Pearn, William
Codrington, Henry Lyons, and John Lyons to be the
Council.
July 6. Codrington writes that he has 1200
French prisoners, having just received the capitula-
tion of St. Kitts.
" Col. Hamilton of Nevis was my second as Maj'' Gen^
Col. Hamilton of Antigua & 12 gent" of the best estates
there attended me. I could not spare Col. Byam from the
island, & Col. Pern & Col. Williams were both sick."
September 7, 1 Anne. A patent was signed this
day by Christopher Codrington appointing John
Yeamans Lieut. -Governor of Antigua.
1702. Memorandum about Maj. Geo. Thomas who had
been presented to the King by Lord Carteret & had applied
for the next vacancy in the C. (America and West Indies,
No. 451.)
1702-3. At a Council of War 20 Feb. there were then
fit for sentinells including corporalls in
Maj'' Gen' Earles Reg' - - - 388
Brigf Harailtons „ - - - 498
Lord Donegalls ,, - - - 441
Lord Charlemonts ,, - - - 430
Total - 1757
List of officers & sentinells killed wounded deserted
or taken prisoners at Guadaloup since our 1=' landing on
12 Mar. 1702-3 till 6 May following: —
Officers. Sentinels.
9 killed 105 killed
18 wounded 191 wounded
9 dead 72 dead
60 living 59 deserted
105 subalterns living. 12 pris''^ 2719 living.
1703, July 1. Colonel John Johnson was ap-
pointed Lieut.-Governor of Nevis.
George Larkin, the Secretary-General of the
Leeward Islands, writes on 31 May that the Governor
of Bermuda has released him (though it does not
Ixxiv
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
aj^pear why he had been confined), and he complains
of the chaotic condition of the Secretary's oflfice.
On December 3 the Queen had appointed Colonel
William Mathew as Capt.-General vice Codrington
dismissed, and on 27 December his commission was
ordered to be drawn out.
February 18. Ordnance stores to the value of
£2200 are to be despatched.
1703-4. Colonel Codrington writes home 14
FebiTiary attributing the loss of his government to
certain mistakes he acknowledges to have made.
The draught form for his revocation was dated 24
February.
1703-4. February 14. Colonel Codrington writes
from Nevis that out of five years' salary he has only
received £900.
The commission for Sir William Mathew bears
date 5 January, and by his instructions dated 17
February he was directed to swear in Rowland
Williams, John Fry, sen., John Hamilton, Edward
Byam, James Thynn, Henry Pearn, William Codring-
ton, Charles Mathew, Henrj' Lyons, Barry Tankard,
and Thomas Morris as Councillors of Antigua.
1704? April 20. The salary of the Governor-
General is by the Queen's instructions to be increased
from £700 to £1200 sterling, and each Lieut.-
Governor will receive £200 sterling a year.
1704. Out of 108 ships which left Barbados and
the Leeward Isles for England in October only 61
arrived at their destination, 43 having been carried
into French ports as prizes.
July 14. At a meeting of the Council there were
present : —
S'- W" Malhew, K"', Capt. Gen'. Chas. Mathew, Esq.
Hon. Jn° Yeamans, L' Gov''. Hen. Lyons, Esq.
Jn" Hamilton, Esq. Barry Tankard, Esq.
Edw. Byam, Esq. Tho. Morris, Esq.
Hen. Poarne, Esq.
Sir William's commission, dated 26 January last
was read, and the various officers took the usual
oaths.
Jvily 20. Codrington writes that he has lost his
eyesight and the use of his limbs, and complains of
Commodore Walker's* conduct at Guadaloupe.
On 26 July the returns were sent in for the New
Sessions as follows : —
By
Henry Pearne, Esq'
Richard Oliver, Esq'
Maj' John Gamble
Francis Rogers, Esq'
Charles Loyd, Esq'
Laurence Crabb, Esq'
Maj' John ffry
Cap' Charles Goss
ffor
Refuse to Serve.
I Bermudiau Valley
) A: old Road.
Maj' Jn" Gamble A: I Saint Johns
Said Richard Oliver I Division.
Maj' ffrancis Rogers I New North
Cap' John Painter I Sound.
M' Joseph French | Popeshead A: Dicki-
M' James Browne I sous Bay.
Cap' William Grear | None Such
Cap' .lohn Duer \ Division.
Nathaniell Crump, Esq' | OldNorth Sound
James Porter. Esq' ] Division.
Thomas Oysterman, Esq' Cap' Robert Martin ffive Islands.
John Lucas, Esq' M' Baldwyn Johnson | Willoughby Bay
M' Nathaniell Monk ! Division.
Edward Byam, Esq' Richard Buckeridge, Esq' | S' Johns
M' Edward Chester I Town.
Isaack Horsford, Esq' Cap' Kean Osborne \ ffalmouth & Ran-
Said Isaack Horseford j devous Bay.
John Keir, Esq' Samuell Mears. Gent. I t> m ^
M' Nicolas Collins I ^eUfast.
* Commodore H. Walker, who had been accused by Governor
Codrington of misbehaviour during the late Expedition to Guada-
loupe, puts in a copy of the log of H.M.S. " Boyue " as his defence.
Richard Oliver was chosen Speaker. Mr. John
Fry refused to serve, as he was de2:)arting for England.
£800 currency a year was voted to the Governor for
house hire.
July 27. Captain James Porter is ordered to be
paid £111 for the guard-house, stocks, and cage he
had built at Parham.
August 3. Captain Main Sweete was returned as a
Member.
August 9. Charles Kallahane, Gent., was returned
vice John Fr}', and Captain Samuel Watkins was
appointed to take charge of all the forts. The patent
of Nicholas Nicholls as Attorney-General, dated this
day, was read.
August 23 and 28. The following gentlemen
received their commissions as J.P.'s, and were
sworn :—
Jn" Yeamans. Tho. Morris. Natli. Crump.
Edw. Byam. Rich. Oliver. Jas. Porter.
Hen. Pearne. Isaack Horseford. Rob. Mai'tin.
Hen. Lyons. Fra. Rogers. Rich. Buckeridge.
Barry Tankard. Jn" Gamble. Rob. Thornton.
Jn" Lucas. Sam. Watkins. Tho. Oysterman.
Jn° Kerr. Sam. Parry. Chas. Loyd, Esquires.
On September 5 the following list of the forts,
• and of the officers who were willing to take charge
of them, was drawn up : —
Kleafs Point. Shaw's Point Cap' Kerr w'" his Officers.
Willuughby Bay Fort Cap' John Lucas.
Parham Cap' James Porter.
The Narrows. Marshalls Cap' Nath" Crump w"' his
Creek Officers.
Saint Johns Town Maj'' John Gamble, Cap' Otto
w"' their Offieei's.
Saint Johns Fort & the Cap' Oliver & Cap' Home.
Battery under the Fort
Mackiuens Point Maj'' Long, Doctor Jiackinen.
Dixson's Bay M'' Christopher Knight.
Soldiers Gutt Maj' Francis Rogers.
Kellys Bay Nath" Humphreys & Rob'
Irvin.
Barnacle Point Cap' John Painter.
English Harbor Cap' Kean Osborne w"" his
Officers.
Road Fort Cap' Charles Goss & Cap' Tho-
mas Williams.
Blubber Bay Hill Lieu' Coll" ffiy.
Fullertons Point & Hawk- Maj'' George Thomas & Cap'
ness Point Rob' Martin.
The Care of the Great Guns AVilliam Garrett.
along y'= Bay between the
Fort & Dixson's Bay
Cotton Plantation Cap' Goss.
Riggs Point Cap' John Duer.
Pearn's Point Coll" Pearne.
Guns at Lublolly Bay Maj'' Thornton.
Platformes.
Willoughby Bay, Sandy
Island Point on the
Savana Side 3 guns
Falmouth Point 3 guns
Mangrove Point at Par-
ham 4 guns
Criple Gate at S' Johns
4 guns
Maj'' Henry Lyons, Cap' Grear,
Cap' Duer.
Cap' Horseford, Cap' Osborne,
Barry Tankard.
Cap' Thomas Morris, Cap' Por-
ter, Cap' Parrey.
Maj'' Thornton, Cap' Rob' Mar-
tin, M'' John Haddon.
^M2i ^cc'//^ncy/){J/llc/ Jc7//(i' ou/f Ca/?. (/e//.-''.
ko/ur/eqacK/yiour of t/n: -^-/?-'a/r) ff/ilf/Od :"■■[
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxv
The ship " Hanover," of Bristol, Captain Gustavus
Scott, commander, was captured in St. John's Road,
by a French man-of-war. The great guns arrived
this year.
Sej^tember 5. Francis Pouch, born in the Province
of Perigord in Guienne, wishes to take the oaths of
allegiance and subscribe to the test.
November 25. Sir W. Mathew writes that he
has been taken very ill, as also his wife and secretary,
and most of his family are greatly indisposed.
Sir WilliaDi Mathew died on 4. December, and the
Hon. Colonel John Johnson, Lieutenant-Governor of
Nevis, assumed the government as Commander-in-
Chief.
December 6. Colonel Codrington writes that Sir
W. Mathew died on the 4th instant, and asks to be
appointed Captain-General.
1704-5. At a Meeting of y'^ Gent" of y= Assembly at
Parliam Toun March y'= 14 it was announced that Col.
Johnson the Commander in Chief was expected, & 2 pipes
of wine, 2 barrels of flower, 4 of beef, & 2 of porke were
ordered for his entertainment at the public charge.
January 17. Letter from Christoj)her Codrington
to the Earl of Petei'borough, in which the writer
complains of his broken constitution. (America and
West Indies, No. 451.)
February 6. Colonel John Johnson writes that
Sir W. Mathew arrived on the 14th Jiily and died on
the 4th Nov. {sic). He has sworn in as Councillors
Colonel Codrington (the late General), and Colonel
George Gamble v. Mr. William [sic) Fry, senior, and
Mr. James Thynne, deceased.
Monks Hill Fort has been building these 16 years.
Colonel Walter Hamilton writes from St. Kitts
about the French attack of 11 February.
1705, March 28. The Queen having appointed
Colonel Pai'ke to be Captain-General, etc., his draught
commission was this day presented.
April 20. A new seal was ordered, and the old
one is to be broken up and sent home.
May 10. The Instructions drawn out for Governor
Parke were very voluminous, about 100 folio pages.
1705. From a letter received on 14 November it
appears that the Island was then divided into five
parishes, containing five churches which had three
Ministers.
There were three Militia Regiments, one troop of
horse, three Queen's Companies, 4139 black cattle,
34 windmills, 136 cattle-mills, 92 cannon, and
12,187 negros.
1705-G. From John Johnson Esq. to S' Chas. Hedges
dated Mar. 13, saying that the French who numbered 2300
overpowered the 6 or 700 opposed to them at S' Kitts; de-
stroyed all the works & canes in 7 days ; took 300 negros ; but
departed unexpectedly. The enemy had 2 ships of 72 guns,
1 of 60, 1 of 58, 1 of 44, & 1 of 20. He has appointed him-
self, Geo. Gamble, Jn° Lucie Blackman & Dan' Mackinen to
the C of Antigua.
1705-C, March 15. " Ordered that Cap' Richard Oliver
be paid }"= Summe of £100 c. money out ofi" the publique
Treasury off this Island For making 2 Carriages w'" 4
wheeles each For 2 off the Field pieces belonging to ye
Same."
1705-G ? March 25. Gov .Jn° Yeamans writes to
notify the Cap' Gen' that on the 21^' inst. 50 French sail
were between Antigua & Montserrat, 12 or 15 being men
of war, the same fleet which ruined S' Christophers 6 weeks
past.
1706, March 26. The enemy has attacked Nevis.
Major Kean Osborne is dead. '
May 2. The Tax for ensuing year : —
On 55,000 acres of Land att 3
13,000 negros att 12
5,000 cattle att 4
On Traders
On Towne Rents att 12 p"- Cent.
On Wine Lycences at £30 I
„ Punch „ „ 10 J
On Dry Goods imported as Formerly 5 p'' Cent
Impost off Liquors
Additional impost to l)e raised by a New Act 1
50 pr Cent. /
£ currency.
8,200
7,800
1,000
1,000
700
300
500
800
400
£20,700
Joseph French, Esq., is Treasurer.
April 20. Colonel Walter Hamilton writes that
the French captured Nevis in two days.
June 3. Colonel Richai'd Abbott, President of
Nevis, writes that the Island has capitulated to the
French, and they have agreed to pay them £42,000
or 1200 negros as a ransom, to save their houses from
pillage.
Colonel Daniel Parke, the new Captain-General,
arrived at the Leeward Islands on 6 July.
On 14 July he presided at a meeting of the
Council, when there were pi-esent the Hon. John
Yeamans, Lieutenant-Governor, Christopher Cod-
rington, John Hamilton, Edward Byam, William
Codi'ington, Henry Lyons, Barry Tankard, Thomas
Morris, and George Gamble, Esquires.
The Queen's commission, dated 25 April last, was
read, nominating Parke Captain-General, as also one
from Prince George of Denmark, Lord High Admiral
of England, appointing him his Vice- Admiral.
On 22 July the Hon. John Johnson, the Com-
mander in Chief, gave up the great seal, which was
duly broken at the Board.
The following return was made for the New
Sessions : —
By
Chas. Lloyd, Esq.
Fran. Rogers, Esq'
Hen. Lyons, Esq'
Jn° Kerr, Esq'
Rich. Oliver, Esq'
Tho. Oesterman, Esq'
Rob. Martin, Esq'
Nath" Crump, Esq'
Jn" Gamble, Esq'
Isaac Horsford, Esq'
Sam. Watkins, Esq.
Cap' Jn° Duer
Cap' W"' Green
Cap' Jn" Painter
Cap' Jeremy Blizard
Coll" \V'" Byam
Lieut. Baptist Looby
Cap' Steph. Duer
Said Jn" Kerr, Esq'
L« Coll" Tho. Williams
Said Rich. Oliver
Coll" Geo. Thomas
Edv?. Ferrie, Esq'
Geo. Thomas
Sam. Parry, Esq'
Sam. Philips
Coll" W'» Thomas
Jn" Brett, Gent.
W"" Pearne
Tho. Franklyn
Era. Rogers, Esq'
Nath" Humphry absent
For
Nonesuch.
New North Sound.
Willoughl)y Bay.
Belfast.
)
S' Johns Division.
i Bermudian valley
j and the Road.
Five Islands.
Old North Sound.
i S' Johns Town.
Falmouth Division.
/ Popes head & Dick-
I sons Bay.
July 22. Richard Oliver was chosen Speaker.
Colonel George Thomas declines his seat.
Ixxvi
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
On July 23 ^£800 c. was voted to the Governor for
house hii"e, which on the 26th was increased to
£1000 c.
July 26. Rev. Simon Smith, Rector of Falmouth,
petitions that by the Act of 1692 he is entitled to
16,000 lbs. yearly stipend, has been rector five years
and received none of it.
J 706, July 30. At a Meeting of all the Militia
Officers there were present : —
His Excelleucy Daniel Parke.
Coll" Edw-i Byam.
Coll" Geo. Thomas.
Coll" Ja" Humiltou.
L» Coll" Geo. Gamble.
L' Coll" W"> Codnngton.
L' Coll" W"' Byam.
L' Coll" Fra. Rogers.
Maj' Val. Morris of the Brigade.
„ Tho. Morris.
„ J a" Tomliuson.
,, Jn" Burton.
Cap' Jn" Otto.
„ Steph. Duer.
„ Jas. Porter.
„ Giles Watkins.
„ W" Pearne.
„ Antho. Monteyro.
,, Tho. Oesterman.
„ Tho. Nanton.
„ Jer. Blizard.
„ Jn° Sawcolt.
„ Jas. Barter.
„ Ambrose York.
In later lists, on 25 January 1706-7, appear
Colonel John Lucie Blackman v. George Thomas,
Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Williams, Major Henry Lyons,
Captains John Duer, John Kerr, Humphry Osborne,
Richard Oliver, Joseph French, and James Nisbitt ;
on 8 February 1706-7 Captain John Paynter; on
March 1 Captain William Howard ; on 20 Novem-
ber 1707 Major Richard Oliver ; on 29 June 1708
Captains John Wickham, Edward Taylor, and Anthony
Brown; on 8 January 1708-9 Captains James Parke,
William Hughes, Nathaniel Humphrys ; and on 26
March 1709 Captain Joseph Buckshorne. There were
at this time three regiments of Militia and one troop
of horse or yeomanry.
July 31. Main Swete, Esq., by his petition,
states that John Johnson, Esq., appointed hiui
Major of Monk's Hill Fort and of other forts, and
principal store-keeper.
August 16. Mr. John Haddon was chosen for Five
Islands.
August 20. Execution issued against St. Paul's
Parish for 100,000 lbs. due to the Rev. Simon Smith.
August 30. The Officers of Ordnance are to con-
fer with Mr. Cary (? the Agent) as to what stores
shall be sent to the Leeward Islands.
September 13. Samuel Watkins takes the oaths as
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Mr. James Barter
was returned for Rendevouz Bay vice Mr. Thomas
Franklyn, deceased. Lieutenant Henry Langrish,
who had been wounded in the public service, is voted
£20 c. for a sword.
September 13. Rev. James Field has suspended
Mr. Smith, the rector of St. Paul's.
September 15. Gov Parke writes, that Col. John John-
son has been killed by M'' Pogson, who once kept a planta-
tion for M'' Freeman in 8* Kitts ; but Col. Codrington
having forced him out, M' Freeman complained in the
House of Commons, & Pogson got possession again., & in
Sir W. Mathew's time, was sworn of the Council. After
Sir W. Mathew's death Col. John Johnson suspended M"'
Pogson by Codrington's order, but he (Parke) restored him.
Col. Johnson was a bricklayer ; entered the Army & became
Serj' ; Tiffany made him a Capt. for bringing him store
of black cattle during the war ; Codiington made him
a Major L' Col. & L' Gov. He could not read nor
write.
October 5. Gov. Parke writes home, that he has
com'issioned Maj'' Gen' Hamilton, the L' Gov. of S' Kitts,
to be L' Gov. of Nevis, v. Col. Johnson deceased, & Col.
Lambert Presid' of S' Kitts to be L' Gov. He complains
that My Lady Russell & Stapleton had each of them above
200 Negros at Nevis & not 1 white man. Col. Codrington
has 400 negros on 1 plantation & only 1 white man. The
pestilence at Nevis is so great that one half of the Inhabit-
ants are dead or dying.
Parke was shortly afterwards censured by their
Lordships for exceeding his powers in pi'esuming to
change the Lieut. -Governors, but they acquiesced
in what had been done.
November 12. General Codrington and Governor
Parke have already had disagreements, and are fre-
quently at variance.
Colonel Lillingston's Regiment has been ordered
out to relieve the detachment of Colonel Whetham's.
Colonel Richard Abbott writes home describing
the events which lead to the capitulation of
Nevis, and encloses a copy of the articles of sur-
render.
Numerous depositions were forwarded from St.
Kitts, in reference to the recent killing of Colonel
John Johnson by Captain John Pogson. The former
was stated to have been unarmed when he was shot.
The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
1706-7, Februai-y 4. Governor Parke was anxious
to fortify St. John's Town, but this the Assembly
i-efused to sanction.
February 15. Letter fi-om Gov' Parke stating that
there are at Antigua 800 men fit to bear arms. Col. Whet-
ham's Reg' has received no pay for 5 years. The Colonel
lives in London, draws their pay, but sends them no
clothing. He (Parke) has made only 2 new Ensigns
viz.: — M'' Ryley's sou of the Excise, & M'' Mitchell's son
of Surrey. A new Ensign just out from England told him
that he had given 70 guineas to Col. Whctham for his
Com'ission.
1707. May. Gov'' Parke writes that the i)ieces of the old
seal which was broken up have been lost, & that old Col. Cod-
rington & Sir Nath. Johnson kept theirs.
June 10. Govei-nor Parke informs their Lord-
ships that 300 of Colonel Luke Lillington's regiment
have arrived from Ireland.
July. Many provision ships from New England
have been captured by the French.
July 18. Colonel George Thomas, Member for
Belfast, is dead. Captain John Duei-, Member for
Belfast, and Mr. John Haddon, for Five Islands, have
both gone off, so there are three seats vacant.
The Patent for Laurence Crabb, Esq., to be of the
Council V. Pearne, deceased, was dated 26 July 1707,
6 Anne.
Governor Parke writes that he has removed Walter
Hamilton, the Lieut. -Governor of St. Kitts, to Nevis,
and appointed Colonel Michael Lambert to be Lieut. -
Governor of the former. Their Lordships sanction
this, though warning him that it is contrary to his
instructions, and enclose the necessary Patent, which
is dated 5 July 1707.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxvii
1707, July 31. "A list of persons ou whom the Soldiers
are intended to be billeted."
POl-ESHEAD & DiCKISON'S BaY.
Doctor Maokinen .
Chr. Knight .
Wm, Weatherill .
Jonas Langford
Coll" Rogers & Hen. Hodge
Coll" \V'atkins
Jacob Morgan
M' Royall
Joseph French
John Codner & John Green
way ....
Maj' Long ....
Sam. Boon & Jn" Hodge
Garrett Garrett
Nath. Humphreys
W"' Hamilton & Henry
Xantou ....
Tho. Gilliard
Joseph Hodge & Hen. Grey-
don
Old Nokth Sound.
Parham plantation
— Martin
Jn° Otto
Governor Yeamans
Benj. Nibbs .
Rob. Christian
Sam. Parry .
Steph. Duer .
Jn° Duer
Coll" Blackman
Joseph Redhead & Tho. Haws
Rich. Cochran
Laurence Crabb .
Tho. Morris .
Jn»
Bur
4 Sam. Wickham
2 Geifry Duncomb
2 Hazael Reynolds
3 ton
Jn" Wickham
Jn" Lightfoot
James Parke .
Chr. Codrington
W'" Codrington
Nath. Crump
Sam. Philips
James Porter
2 Vernon's & Freeman's Estate
1 W'" Byam . . . .
1
1
]
1
1
1
8
2
1
1
1
4
2
50
New Nokth Sound.
Jacob Le Eoux
Hen. & Giles Blizard
Elliot & Gravener
Richardson & Thaxter
Jeremiah Blizard
Francis Carlile .
Abra. Redwood
Jn° Paynter .
Edvf . Byam, Esq'
Frances Oliver
Rich. Oliver .
W"' Glanvile .
Jn» Buxton .
Jn" Hamilton
Ash's Estate .
Sam. Byam .
Jas. Nibbs & W™ Sigsworth .
W"> Thomas ....
1
2
2
I
3
1
2
1
3
30
Bellpast.
Mrs. Elliot .
Mrs. Collins .
W" Steel
Widow Reynolds & Keef e
Jn" Witts & Tho. Lowry
Sam. Mayrs & W" Paynter
Owen Maccarty & Jefferson
Cornelius HoUoran
Marmaduke Urlin
Timothy Singin & Jn° Lavi
count
Benj. Steel & Joi
man .
Tho. Room
Cap' Kerr
Jo. Richards
ihua Tod
Nonsuch & Willoughby Bay.
W" Grear .
1
W"" Lavington
W" Bradshaw & Theodore
Jn" Lucas, Esq'
Godet
Jn° Lyons
Lucy Lucas & Jn° Corbett
Hen. Lyons .
Skerett 4: Lynch .
Baldwyn Johnson
Jn" King
Tankerd's Estate .
Chas. Lloyd .
Bacon & pike
Elmes & Pryn
Anthony Browne & M' Toft
Falmouti
I &
Rendevous Bay.
Joseph Gale .
1
Freeman's Estate .
Dominick Bodkin
1
M" Monk
Alex' Callman
1
Nath. Monk .
Tho. Nanton .
1
Isaac Horsford
Tyson's Estate
1
Barry Tankard
Main Swete .
2
Kean Osborn
Dennis Machlemare & Mas
Jas. Barter .
ters ....
1
M' Whitlock .
Savannah
4
M' Howard .
W"> Franklyn
1
M' Looby
15
2
1
1
1
1
1
18
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
30
Old Road & Bekmudian Valley.
Maj' Burton .
1
Ambrose Yorke
W" Dunning
2
Anthony Monteyro
Huyghue & Bromwell .
Beshoon & VVharfe
Henry Winthrope
Patrick Browne .
Samson's Estate .
Kallahan .
Sam. Fry
Rob' Sheeres .
Coll» WiUiams .
CoU" Frye .
Polling ton .
Valentine Morris .
Trant ....
M' Turton
Jn° Terry
Leonard & Stevens
Maj' Martin's Estate .
2
Butler & Sutton .
Cap" Roe
2
Benson & Barton .
Peame's Estate .
3
34
St. John's Town & Division.
Cap. Nisbitt .
Jacob Thibou
Edward Taylor .
Daniel Soues
W"' Johnson .
Tho. Wise .■
W™ Gilhan .
Cesar Rodeny
M' Barbottain & Rose Kene
Nich. Trant ...
Jn" Parrott & Jn" Martin
Caleb Lasher
Edw. Chester, Jun., & M'
Bendall ...
Rose & Haig ...
M' Proctor .
M' Kirwan .
Chr. Stoodly .
Jas. Wade
Edw. Perrie .
Rich. Denbow
Thos. Kerby .
Jn" Brett
Andrew Murray .
Hanson & Napper
Rich. Meynell
Cap. Oesterman .
M' Bird ....
M" Hill
M'" Donaldson
Cap. Otto
M' Field
M' Haddon .
Geo. Dewitt .
Jn° Wright .
Geo. Gamble .
Maj' Tomlinson
Ju° Gamble .
Cap. Oliver .
Jonas Langford
Samson's Estate
Cap. Sookwell
Clerk's Estate
Edw. Chester, Sen'
Col. Tho. Williams
Edw. Home .
Gary's Estate
S' Thos. Cooke
M' Harman .
Roger Williams
Rob. Weir
Hughes & De Koster .
M" Morris & Cap. Watkins
M' Guichinet
Rob. Dunning
Hughes & Pawley
M" Wharfe & M" Hastings
M' Scouch
Bintell & Burroughs .
4
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
77
Five Islands.
Tho. Turner .
Maj' Sam. Martin .
M' Hanson .
Cap. Otto
2 Jn" Martin ....
2 Coll" Geo. Thomas
1 M" Thornton
1 Jn" Manwaring & Anderson .
2
2
1
1
12
1707. A further list was drawn up on 25 Aug.
Popeshead & Dickinson's Bay.
Chr. Knight .
Mary Weatheril .
Jonas Langford
Sam. Watkins, Esq'
Joseph French
Nath. Humphrys .
Hen. Nanton & Jn" Butler .
Cap. Isaac Royall & Jn"
Hodge . . . .
New North Sound.
Jacob Le Roux . . .1
Rich. Oliver, Esq. .
1
Fra. Carlile .... 1
Jeremiah Nibbs & M' Parker
1
Augustus Balam & Arthur
W'" Glanvile .
1
Williams .... 1
Col. Jn" Hamilton
1
Cap. Jn" Paynter . . .1
M' Ashe's Estate .
—
Coll" Edw. Byam ... 1
Col. W'» Thomas .
11
M' Rob. Hanson .
Five Islands.
. 1 Cap. Jn" Otto
Old North Sound.
Parham Plantation
Adam Martin
The Governor
Steph. Duer .
Sam. Parry .
Jn" Duer
Rich. Cochran
Col. Lucy Blackman
Jn" Wickham
Jn" Lightfoot
Jas. Parke
W" Codrington
Gen' Codrington .
Cap. Nath. Crump
Col. W'° Byam
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
18
Bellpast.
•^^^^
M'« Eliz. Elliot .
M'" Collins .
M' Meyres & W" Paynt
. 1
. 1
er . 1
M' Maccarty & Jefferso
Jn" Witts & Tho. Leidy
Tim Singin & Jn" Lavioc
a
Sen
unt
1
1
1
Nonsuch & Willoughby Bay.
M' Bradshaw & Theodore
Godet .... 1
Jn" Corbett & Lucy Lucas . 1
M' Skerrett & M' Lynch . 1
Jn" King . ... 1
Cap. Cha. Lloyd . . .1
W'" Lavington
Jn" Lucas, Esq'
Jn" Lyons
Tankerd's Est.
Hen. Lyons .
10
Falmouth
Division.
^^
Joseph Gale .... 1
Bodkin's Estate . . .1
Dennis Macklemore & Rich.
Masters .... 1
Savannah plantation . . 1
W" Franklyn ... 1
Cap. Isaac Horsford . . 1
Barry Tankerd, Esq' .
Maj' Osborne's Estate .
Maj' Main Swete .
Cap. Jas. Barter .
Walter Shelley .
M" Anne Monk .
12
Ixxviii
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
Old Road & Beemudian Valley.
W" Dunninff
1
Blubber Valley .
1
M' Huytrhne & Jn" Bram
Cap. Ambrose York
1
well ....
Cap. Anthony Monk
1
Sampson's Estate .
Bezune & Isaac Wharfe
1
Col. Tho. Williams
Patrick Browne's Estate
1
Pollington's Estate
Cha. Kallahan
1
Sam. Frye
Valentine Morris .
1
Hedffes & Trants .
M' Jarvis Turton .
1
Cap. Jn" Roe .
17
St. John
s Town & Division.
^■"
Cap. Nisbitt & Lieut. John
M" Hill's Estate .
1
son ....
1
Rob. Donaldson
1
Cssar Rodeny & M' Bar-
M' Jas. Field
1
bottain
1
Col. Geo. Gamble .
1
EdW Chester, Jun., & M
Maj' Tomlinson .
1
Bendall
Edw. Chester. Sen.
1
Jn" Rose & M' Caleb Lasher
Coll" Tho. Williams .
1
M' Proctor & Stoodley .
Edw. Home .
1
Jas. Reade & M' Brett .
M' Gary's Estate .
1
M' Meynells & M' Hulet
M' Weir & De Koster .
1
Cap. Tho. Oesterman .
Cap. Hen. Symea .
1
M' Philemon Bird
—
20
August. Commissioners have been appointed to
enquire into the losses sustained at St. Kitts and
Nevis as ordered by the House of Commons, and
Nathaniel Estwick is to be their Secretaiy.
From the accounts of the Royal African Company
it seems that between 24 June 1698 and 25 December
1707 4945 negros were imported to Antigua.
August 25. John Inglefield and Gabriel Thibou,
having perfected a wind saw-mill, are granted four
proportions of land.
October 8. List of Council : " Row. Williams
bedrid w"' the Gout. Barry Tankard gone to New E.
but expected back."
October 28. Gov'' Parke "(vrites that " The Duke promised
me the Goverraent of Virginia at the Battle of Blenheim,
but for some Reasons of State that was given to my Lord
Orkney." He sends the names of 6 of the most eminent men
to fill future vacancies in the Council viz. : W™ Thomas,
Rich'' Oliver, Tho. Williams, Sam. Watkins, Lucy Blackman,
& Geo. Mackenny. In excusing himself for not having
complied with the request of their Lordships that certain
lists sh'' be sent them, Parke makes the ingenious excuse
that the reason why Nevis was taken was because the copy
of the list of Inhabitants on its way home fell into the hands
of the French, who thereby discovered that there were
14,000 negros there & but 440 English. He was of opinion
that Antigua being to the windward was best situated to
help the other Leeward Islands. The hurricane of 12
August last drove 2 men of war on shore at S* Kitts.
November 17. It is stated that the idantation,
formerly Mr. Walrond's, is the most suitable site for
a camp.
The Hon. John Lucie Blackman is Colonel of the
Troop of Carbineers ; Hon. John Hamilton is Colonel
of one Regiment of Militia; Hon. Edward Byam is
Colonel of two battalions ; and Hon. Thomas Wil-
liams Colonel of two others.
The following are to join the Troop : —
Sam. Byam.
Sam. Proctor.
And. Murray.
Jn° Tankard.
Ed. Taylor.
— Home.
Tho. Trant.
Jn° Haddon.
.Jn° Richards.
Marcus Monk.
M"^ Jarvis Turton.
November 18. Nathaniel Estwick, from St. Kitts,
announces the death of Colonel William Burt, the
President of that Island.
Between 29 June 1698 and 25 December 1707
6750 negros in 49 vessels were imported. (Southey.)
November 24. The lines of defence about St.
John's Town have been completed, the ditch being
four feet wide and four feet deep.
1707-8, March 1. New Sessions.
By
For
Fra. Rogers, Esq'
Isaac Horsford, Esq'
Sam. Watkins, Esq'
Jn" Kerr, Esq'
Tho. Oesterman, Esq'
Cha. Lloyd, Esq'
Hen. Lyons, Esq'
Ed. Byam, Esq'
Nath. Crump, Esq'
Rich. Oliver, Esq'
Jn° Haddon, Esq'
Popeshead.
Joseph French
Nath. Humphrys
Isaac Horsford, Esq. | Falmouth & Ren-
Cap. Humphrey Osborne I devouz Bay.
D' Dan. Mackinen
Fran. Rogers
Cap. Jn" Duer
Cap. Jn" Lightfoot
Coll" Jn» Frye
Cap. Cha. Kallahan
Cap. \\'"' Grear
M' Sara. Wickham
Baptist Looby
M' Jn" Barnes
Cap. Jn" Paynter
Cap. Fra. Carlile
Said Nath. Crump
M' Sam. Philips
Col. Tho. Williams
M' Ed. Chester, Sen.
M' Tho. Turner
Dickisons Bay.
Belfast.
Bermudian Valley
& Old Road.
Nonsuch.
VVilloughby Bay.
New North Sound.
Old North Sound.
S' Johns Division.
Five Islands
Division.
Col. W™ Thomas
Rich. Buckeridge, absent ( q, ■r„v, ,„ rp„,„„
M' Jn" Brett, absent ( ^ ^°^''' T*^^^"'
Cap. Jn" Nisbitt I
Nath. Crump chosen Speaker.
On March 5 Governor Parke, with the advice of
the Coiiucil, dissolved this Assembly. He stated that
in Lord Willoughby's time three members were
chosen for each Division, which number was sub-
sequently reduced to two, and it was only a few years
that St. John's Town had any at all, Colonel Christo-
pher Codrington having granted the right of electing
two members to that town.
1707-8. A list of the number of Inhabitants of each
Devission In the Island of Antigua taken the fifth day of
March one thousand seaven hundred and seaven : —
Bermudian Valley & new
Devission -
Old North .sound & Par-
ham Towne
Marshalls Creek -
New Morth sound -
Dickinsons Bay
Saint .lohns Devission -
Five Islands -
Belfast - - - -
Old Roade -
Willoughby Bay -
Falmouth & Randevouz
Bay -
Popeshead
Nonsuch
Saint Johns Towne
Made 5 March 1707-8 1001 805 5U 524 48 8 4 3 2
TS
n3 .
® .
QJ
P G
d
Pvta
a
2
c
1 .
pa
s
t..
S
.3|
a
a
g-
1
IS
boo
o
m
3
ta
o
n
o
£ a
Crt
o
o
o
2
^
S'2
.5
1^
in
£9
s
n
S
£^
56
48
33
33
io:i
78
47
38
2;»
1.".
23
15
i
IS
55
45
48
BC,
28
17
36
2
so
511
33
35
5
1
1
1
^
23
16
7
5
5«
55
49
41
8
1
38
32
17
17
2
3
2
1
23
20
17
13
73
56
36
37
3
38
28
34
37
6
94
86
52
45
6
268
229
103
124
13
By
Jn" Gamble, Esq'
1708, April 15. New Sessions.
Rich. Oliver, Esq'
Ed. Byam, Esq'
Sam. Watkins, Esq'
Cha. Lloyd, Esq'
Tho. Oesterman, Esq'
Jn° Haddon, Esq'
Jn." Kerr, Esq'
Isaac Horsford. Esq'
Nath. Crump, Esq'
Hen. Lyons, Esq'
Fra. Rogers, Esq'
Ool. W™ Thomas
Cap. Edw. I'errie
D' Dan. Mackinen
Jt' Jas. Reade
M' Edw. Chester
Col. Tho. Williams
Cap. Tho. Carlile
M' Jn" Barnes
D' Dan. Mackinen
L' Col. Fra. Rogers
Cap. Chas Lloyd
Cap. Sam. Wickham
Col. Jn" Frye
Cap. Cha. Kallahan
M' Tho" Turner
Cap. Jn" Duer
Cap. Jn" Lightfoot
Cap. Isaack Horsford
Cap. Humphry Osborne
Ditto Nath. Crump, Esq'
M' Sam. Philips
Bap. Looby, Esq'
M' Jn" Barnes
M' Joseph French
M' W" Hamilton, absent
For
S' Johns Town.
S' Johns Division.
New North Sound.
Dickisons Bay.
Nonsuch.
Old Road Sc Ber-
mudian Valley.
Five Islands.
Bellfast.
Falmouth & Ren-
devouz Bay.
Old North Sound.
Willoughby Bay.
Popeshead.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxix
SCapta^
Nathaniel Crump was chosen Speaker. Dr.
Daniel Mackinen declared for St. John's Town and
Mr. John Barnes for New North Sound. £16,000
currency to be raised this year for the public service.
June 8. Richard Buckeridge, Esq., is Collector
of the 4^ per cent. duty. James Tliyune, Esq., late
Commissioner of Customs, died here much in debt to
His Majesty, and Edmund Perrie is the present
Commissioner. Herbert Pember, Esq., has been
Attorney-General these two years past.
A List of Persons nominated by His Excellency the
Generall & Councill to appeare in the Corps of Carbineers
in this Island June the 12"', 1708 : —
W" Byam, Collonel.
Era. Rogers i ^^ ^^^^ Sam. Byam-,
Tho. Morris j '' ' Jas. Parkes ( ,
Jn" Tomlinson 1 tit ■ [blanJc^
Jert Blizard, Sen. J *^^J°^*- [blank]
Jeftry Duncomb -> Jer. Blizard, Jun.-.
Nich. Trant i Briga- Marcus Monk I Sub-Briga-
Jn°Tankard, Jun. rdeers. Jacob Thibou [ deers.
[blank] J [blanJc] J
Jn° Parry, Adjutant. Tho. Trant, Clerke.
Col. W™ Thomas. Jason Martin. Sam. Walker.
Cap. Anth" Mon- Leon'' Burroughs. Tho. Turner.
teyro. Corn^ Holloran. Jn° Witts.
Barry Tankard. Jn° Greenway. Cha. Kallahan.
W™ Howard. Hen. Blizard. J° Anderson.
M'f Fra. Garble. Tim. Singin. Pet. Schurman.
M^ Bap. Looby. Jn° Elliott. Jacob Morgan.
Bastiau Otto. Garrett Garrett. W" Franklyn.
Jn° Haddon. Gilb' Garrett. Jas. Hanson.
Sam. Parry. Isaac Wharfe. Marcus Kirwan.
Ed. Chester, Sen. Jn° AVickham. Jn" Codner.
Jervase Turtan. Ben. Wickham. Jn" Barbottain.
Peter Lynch. Jn" Tankard, Sen. Eob. Dunning.
Arch. Cochran. Jas. Godsell. Hen. (xuichinett.
Rich. Cochran. Tho. Rome. Jn" Wright.
Jn" Russell, Sen. W™ Masters. Ed. Chester, Jun.
Ben. Xibbs. Jn° Terry. W™ Sigsworth.
Rich. Sharpe. W™ Nivine. Tho. Gravener.
Jas. Reade. Hen. Norton. Jas. Nibbs.
Geo. Kapper. Jn" Burton. Jn° Corbett.
Tho. Turner. Chr. Stoudley. Tho. Skei'rett.
Marm. Urlin. Philemon Bird. Giles Blizard, Jun.
Hen. Boileau. Patrick West. Rob. Christian.
Tho. Young. Hopefor Bendall. W'" Grantham.
Jos. Adams. Allen Gilbert. Jn" Lavicount.
Nath. Symmons. Jn" Reynolds. Nich. Lynch.
W"" Glanvile. W»' Home. Lewes Jeffreys.
Jn" Rose. Jn" Rickards. Tho. Griggs.
Tho. De Witt. Steph. Le Roux. W'" Paynter.
Geo. De AVitt. Anth" Garrett. Jn" Portlock, Far-
Rich. Maynell. Rich. Kirwan. rier.
Jn" AVestou. Rich. Denbow.
>
Ed. Perrie ~i
Rich. Buckeridge
Tho. Kerby
Jn" Brett
AV" Yeamans
Jn" Brady
Jonas Langford, Jun.
Hen. Greydon
Hen. Hodge
Sam. Boon
Alex. Callman
Rich. Hughs
To appeare upon allarmes
but not otherwise.
y Orderly Men.
July 27. Laurence Crabb (whose mandamus was
dated 26 July 1707) was sworn in as a Councillor
vice Henry Pearne, Esq., deceased. Grievances which
had been drawn up against the Governor by the
Assembly were this day considered.
August 19. Major Thomas Long was appointed
powder officer vice Samuel Watkius resigned.
Aug. 30. Letter of thanks from Col. Jas. Jones dated
at Antigua to "My Lord" for getting him Col. Lilliug-
ston's Reg'.
September 23. Captain Bastian Otto-Baijer, with
other young planters, having been accused of head-
ing a riot of 50 negros the previous night, and of
having behaved rudely towards the Governor, was
reprimanded and released from custody.
The clergy in the West Indies at this time were
not of a high class, as the following example
shews : —
Sep. 23. The Rev. Simon Smith is accused of Bigamy
& Forgery. It has been proved that he forged the Bishop's
seal. The Bishop of Bath & Wells having written to say
that he did not ordain him on Trinity Sunday 1692. M"
Smith lives in town (his primitive wife). He was married
to M''* Elliott the wife he now lives with in the Governor's
House, & M''' Yeamans gave M" Elliot away. He married
M''^ Slower (who is now living in S' Johns Town) at New
York & had previously cohabited with her for some years.
Certificate is enclosed from M"' Jn" Lambert now Rector of
Nunny, co. Som., who married them.
September 30. John Brady, Esq., has been
appointed a Queen's Counsel for the Leeward Islands.
1708-9, January 4. The Speaker, Nathaniel
Crump, petitioned Governor Parke to summon an
Assembly, none having sat for a long time.
January 8. Rowland Parry and 80 others, pas-
sengers on the " Pearle •" Galley of Bristol, petition
that the Commander, Francis Pinnell, agreed to
carry them from Milford Haven to Chester in Penn-
sylvania for £555 sterling, and complain of his having
put them on very short commons. He is ordered to
fulfil his contract and to take them to Chester.
Seventeen out of 22 members of the Assembly,
and 25 merchants of repute, petition the Queen to
supersede Governor Parke on account of his mis-
government. They accuse him in their impeachment
of 25 articles of having offered a bribe of £300 to
Anthony Hodges, Esq., of Montserrat, to destroy a
certain patent, also of having unjustly imprisoned
9 persons, refusing bail and fining them £2900.
The Mayor and Aldermen with other merchants of
Bristol (38 in number) likewise presented a petition
to Parliament against Governor Parke through their
two Members.
January 8. The majority of the Council on the
other hand, including Governor John Yeamans,
John Hamilton, William Codrington, Thomas Maris,
George Gamble, and Richard Oliver, appear to have
upheld, and to have been in favour of, the Governor
on all points.
February 16. The Hon. John Yeamans, the
Lieut. -Governor, is appointed Chief Justice.
February 16. The Hon. Barry Tankerd and his
brother John armed their negros, and placed guards
on the paths through their plantation, to prevent
the execution of any warrant against them. On
15 March, however, Barry Tankerd was bound over
in £1000 currency to appear at the next Court of
Sessions.
Ixxx
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
March 15. Petition from the Gentlemen, freeholders,
planters, & traders praying that the Assembly may be
called.
.... Nicholls.
.... Bawne.
. . . y Cork.
. . . mas iTory.
. . . rles Pritchard.
.... Stevenson.
.... Cook.
. . . ph Ledeatt.
. . . rles Goling.
. . . ph Lee.
. . . er Willcox.
.... Breuan.
.... Hunt.
. . . ist" Taylor.
.... Gratrix.
.... Salter.
. . . enj" Barnes.
.... Steeveus.
.... Poor.
.... Gllliat, Jun.
.... Manwaring-.
.... Hanson, Sen.
.... Godet.
.... Rice, Sen.
. . . ry Nanton.
.... Blunden, Sen.
.... Applegate.
. . . rge NichoUs.
. . . ry Soper.
ffallon.
.... Cocburn.
Sam. ffry.
Rob. Sheares.
Ed. Sutton.
Jn" ffisher.
Tho. Banbury.
Jn" Bramwell.
Jn° Benson.
Amb. York.
Rob. Tremills.
Vf"' Tremills.
Jn" Laug-hland.
Jn" Bezoon, .Jun.
Jn° Bezoon, Sen.
By his desire.
Sam. Mayer.
Ed. Nugent.
W" Barton.
Anth° Brown.
Jn" Codnor.
Geo. Parke.
J. Hamilton.
Jn" Richardson.
Garrett Garrett.
Gilb' Garrett.
Hen. Blizard.
Ben. Nibbs.
Jn° Tomlinson.
Jn° Porter.
Jn° Lucie Blackman.
Jn" ffry.
Gervas Turton.
Jn" Tankard, Jun.
Jn" Howard.
Nich. Trant.
Rich. Smith.
Jac. Thibou.
Hen. ffletcher.
Jacob ffletcher.
Jn» Headland.
W" Paynter.
Tho. Hanson.
Bast Otto Byar.
Tho. Sonnes.
And. Murray.
Tho. Young.
Isaac Horstord.
Main Sweet.
Tho. Nanton.
Jas. Barter.
Tho. ffrances.
Hen. .Symes.
Ju° Bradeson.
Tho. Williams.
Tho. Oesterman.
Jn" Gamble.
Jas. ffield.
Jn" Bowen.
Allen Gilbert.
Jn" Paynter.
W"' Steele.
Jn° Wills.
Mark Monk.
Nich. Lynch.
W"' Pike.
B. .Johnson.
Jn" Gratrix.
.Tu" Martin, Jun.
Jn° Waterfall.
Jn° Johnes.
Rich. Rickards.
Jn" Jjightfoot.
Sam. Phillips,
Tho. Grigg.
Josh. Jones.
Rob. Glover,
ffra. Powe.
Jos. Todman.
Corn. HoUeran.
Jn" Parke.
Jn" Kerr, Jun.
W'" Kerr.
Jos. Gale.
W'" Thomas.
Ed. Chester, Jun.
Arch. Cochran.
Rob. Jeafferson.
Marm. Urlin.
Dan. Mackenin.
Ed. Warner.
Jos. Adams.
Jn" Barnes.
Hen. Smith.
Sam. Watkins.
Barry Tankard.
W" Glanvile.
Ed. Perrie.
Jn" Duer.
flfra. Carlisle.
W'" Lavington.
Hopefor Bendall.
Jac. le Roux.
Rob. Duuing.
Pet. Schureman.
Jas. Nibbs.
Ed. Perkins.
Tho. Haws.
Arch* Sherrard.
Rob. Jacob.
Geo. Dewitt.
W"" Home.
Ben. Wickham.
Jn" Raine.
Hen. Dunyter.
Jn" Evius.
Tho. Johnson.
Alex. Hamilton.
David Swijfle.
Jn" Richard.
Simon Lightfoot.
Rob. Hanson, Jun.
Jn" Levicount.
Jn" King.
Rich. Cochran.
Jos. Redhead.
.... Crosbee.
.... ffinach.
. . . b' Toft.
.... Nanton.
.... Jacobs.
.... Winthrop.
Row. Williams.
W"' Hamilton.
Geff. Duucomb.
Jn" Martin.
Jac. Morgan.
W" Sutcliffe.
Pet. Martyu.
C'ha. Loyd.
Nath. Bacon.
Jn" Pryuu.
Tho. Elmes.
Jn" Marchant, Sen.
Bap. Looby.
Jas. Read.
Cha. Kallahane.
Jas. Parke.
Pat. West.
Jn" Rose.
£d. Home.
Jn" Russell.
Geo. fforest.
Rich. Dashwood.
Ed. Chester.
Giles Watkins.
Tho. Trant.
Marcli 15. Edward Morgan, aged about 21,
deposed that he was, on the 9th instant, at the house
of Colonel Thomas Long, his uncle, and saw nine
persons there : — Cajitain John Duer, Colonel Samuel
Watkins, Bastian Otto Baijer, Baptist Looby, Captain
John Paynter, Barry Tankard, Dr. Daniel Mackinen,
and John Barnes, who were all armed. The above
gentlemen were all inimical to Parke, and had
probably met to discuss the situation and concert
measures for resistance.
1709, April 23. His Excellency was this Day pleased to
acquaint the hon'''^ the Lieut. Gov and Gouncill that there
is now but six Councillors, and so proposed to them the
Nomination of Kichard Oliver Esq'' to be one of the Gouncill
of this Island of which the said Lieu' Governour & Goun-
cill unanimously approved.
An Address (undated) from Freeholders, Mer-
chants, Planters, and Traders of Antigua, in favour
of Parke, was this year sent home. It bears the
original signatures of 89 persons, headed by Richard
Oliver, Isaac Royall, and a few others of note, but
they were very much in the minority.
(? April.) Governor Parke writes that Judge
Watkins had run through Captain Weatherly in a
duel, and Mr. Sawyer son of Colonel Sawyer of
Virginia was killed by Edward Chester.
June 8. Gorps of Garabiniers : —
William Byam, Gollonel.
ffi-ancis Rogers 1 t • . n n ii
mi HT • r Lieut.-Gollonells.
Ihomas Morris J
Jeremiah Blizard 1 , , . Samuell Wickham
Sam" Byam / "^ ' John Wickham
Jeremiah Blizard, Brigadier.
Gilbert Garrett, Sub-Brigadier.
John Parry, Adjutant.
William Bartley ■<
fFrancis Pouch >Chirurgions.
Jonas Langford J
Black- Jn° Anderson.
■ Gap'^
Jn" Lucie
man.
Tho. Williams.
W" Thomas.
John ffrye.
Sam. Watkins.
John Thomlinson.
Ed. Warner.
Jn" Pigot.
Barry Tankard.
fTra. Garlisle.
Jas. Parke.
W'" Howard.
Jac. Morgan.
Jn° Rose.
W"' Glanvile.
Rich. Maynell.
Jn" Tankard, Jun''.
Nath. Symons.
Hen. Guichinett.
Jn° Barbetein.
Jos. Adams.
Jn" Wright.
Tho. Griggs.
Jn" Rickard.
Ben. Wickham.
Giles Watkins.
Sam. flfrye.
Jos. ffrench.
Jarvais Turtan.
Anth" Monteyro.
.Tu" Barnes.
Ed. Ghester, Sen''.
Ed. Ghester, Jun''.
Arch'' Cochran.
Jn" Lightfoot.
Rich. Cockran.
Bast. O'Bayer.
Cha. Callahan.
Marm. Urlin.
Hen. Grey den
Hen. Hodge.
Ed. Perrie.
Rich. Buckeridge. Jn" Bradey.
Tho. Kerby. Geo. Napper,
June 12. Governor Parke suspended the Hon.
Barry Tankerd for not attending at the Board when
summoned. Tankerd, who was a planter of good
position with a clear estate of over £1000 a year,
appears to have given offence to Parke, whom he
challenged to a duel.
June 18. Mrs. Elizabeth Wright deposed that
Mr. Sawyer, a gentleman of Virginia, was killed
by Mr. Edward Chester by a blow behind the ear.
At the inquest, however, the verdict of the jury was
" Apoplexy and not by a blow given." Sevei-al
persons stated that the jury had been packed by the
prisoner's friends.
August 12. Governor Parke shewed to his friends
a copy of the articles which had been exhibited
Rob. Sheares.
Jn" Benson.
Jn" Weston.
Jason Martin.
Leon'' Burroughs.
Hopefor Bendall.
Jn" Witts.
Corn. Holloran.
Jn" Greenway.
W"' Barton.
Jn" Roe.
Jas. Roe, Jun^
W>" Pearne.
Gh'' Stoodley.
Phil" Bird.
Jn" Paynter.
Bap. Looby.
Nich. Trant.
Jn" Tankard, Sen.
Jas. Read.
Tho. Turner.
Jn" Combes.
Hazael Reynolds.
Tho. Tanner.
Jn" Bezoine, Sen^
Jn" Decoster.
Hen. Norton.
Hen. Parkes, Jun^
Lewis Geoffryes.
Nich. Lynch.
Jn" Levicount.
Rob. Christian.
W'" Grandam.
Jn" Mapson.
.... Handson,
Sen--.
Pat. West.
Allen Gilbert.
Tho. Roome.
, Sam. Boon. 1 „ , , ,,
Ale.x'Gallman./0'''^^''^y*^*'"-
W'"Yeamans. ,
To appear upon Alarmes
and not otherwise.
W'" Masters.
Pet. Schuurman.
W'" ffranklane.
Chr. Jacobs.
Jas. Hanson.
Marcus Kirwan.
Jn" Codnor.
Rob. Duning.
Tho. Young.
Tho. D'witt.
Geo. D'witte.
Geo. Poulaine.
Geoff. Duncombe.
Tho. Bale.
Ju" Nanton.
Ben. Nilibs.
Hen. Bh'zard.
Tim. Singin.
Jn" Elliott.
Garret Garret.
Isaac Wharfe.
Rich. Hughes.
Jn" Gorbett.
Tho. Skerrett.
Giles Blizard, Jun.
Marcus Monk.
Jn" Howard.
Jacob Theboo.
Rich. Denboe.
Nath. Monk.
Sam. Walker.
Rich. Kirwan.
Ste. Le Roux.
Jn" Reynolds.
Jn" Poi-tlock,
ffarrier.
Superannuated.
W'" Sigsworth.
Shelly.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxxi
against liim by Colonel William Thomas, Dr. Daniel
Mackiuen, and others.
September 7. The Governor had been recently
shot at and wounded in the left arm (the bones
fractured) by Sandy, a negro belonging to Captain
John Otto-Baijer, as he was going along the highway
near " Ottos." A warrant was issued against Captain
Bastian Otto-Baijer and Mr. Richard Smith, and a
reward of 150 pieces of eight promised for the capture
of Sandy. On the 12th Mr. Richard Smith deposed
that he spent the night the Governor was fii-ed at
with Captain Bastian Otto-Baijer, and that Sandy
came into the house and said the Governor had been
shot. Bastian remarked that he might be suspected
of complicity in the crime, so went off in Major
Nanton's boat from Johnson's Point. Bail of £1000
was ordered for Mr. Smith. Major Thomas Nanton
and Mr. John Nanton then came forward and denied
all knowledge of the affair. It does not appear how
this affair ended.
November 19. The Governor not having called any
Assembly for several years, the Speaker endeavoured
to effect a compromise, and stated that the Assembly
would not negative any laws if summoned. The
Governor, however, claimed the right of putting his
name last in sanctioning laws, because the Queen
should be allowed a negative voice, and the Assembly
demurring to this were dismissed.
1709-10, January 10. John Powell, clerk,
petitions that the parish of St. Peter's has no minis-
ter, and asks to be presented to the rectory. The
parish oppose his application on account of his ill life
and conversation.
January 17. A general Council and Assembly to
be held at St. Christopher's.
March 21. Governor Parke was ordered home,
and Colonel Hamilton appointed Lieut.-Genei-al.
1710. Governor Parke writes on 8 June, "My Two
Chief Enemys are Dead, Codrington and Hodges the
Govemour of Montserratt."
About this time he sent home his defence con-
sisting of 103 closely written pages, but his state-
ments were not as a rule veracious, so of little im-
portance.
September 23. At a meeting of the Council there
were present : —
His Escell^y Daniel Parke, Esq'', Capt.-General.
The Hon"'= Jn° Yeamans, Esq', Lieut.-Gov^
Jn° Hamilton, Esq''. Geo. Gamble, Esq>'.
Ed. Byam, Esq''. W'^ Byam, Esq''.
W"" Codrington, Esq''. Rich. Oliver, Esq''.
The. Morris, Esq''.
October 20. John Brett appointed powder-officer
vice Colonel Long, deceased.
Nov. 16. New Sessions. The following appeared &
were sworn : —
By
John Gamble, Esq'
Richard Oliver, Esq'
Thomas Oesterman,
Esq'
Doet' Daniell Mackinnen
M' Edward Chester, Sen'
M' 'William Glanvile
Said John Gamble
Coll" .John Frye
Cap' William Pearne
Coll" Thomas Williams
Maj' John Thomlinson
For
ap. )
ap. I Saint Johns
ap. j* Towne.
ap. I
Old Road &
Bermudian
Valley.
ap. I Saint Johns
Division.
Samuel Watkins, Esq'
Francis Rogers, Esq'
John Haddon. Esq'
Isaac Horsford, Esq'
Nath' Crump, Esq'
Edward Byam, Esq'
Charles Lloyd, Esq'
John Kerr, Esq'
Henry Lyons, Esq'
M' Jacob Morgan ap.
Said Samuel Watkins, Esq' ap.
Cap' Francis Carlile ap.
M' William Hamilton ap.
M' Thomas Turner ap.
Cap' Francis Barter
Said Isaac Horsford ap,
M' Samuell Phillips ap.
Said Nath' Crump ap.
Cap' John Pig-got ap.
Cap' John Paynter ap.
M' Archibald Cochran ap.
Said Charles Lloyd, Esq' . . .
M' John Elliott ap,
M' John Kerr, Juu' ap,
M' George Lucas
M' William Lavington
) Dickinsons
• bay Divi-
I sion.
Popes Head.
five Islands.
1 Falmouth &
V Rendevous
\ bay.
I Old North
I Sound.
I New North
f Sound.
[ None Such.
I Belfast
I Division.
I Willoughby
(■ bay.
November 17. Barbuda was occupied the pre-
ceding Sunday by two privateers. The crew of one
of these vessels also attempted to carry off Dr. Mac-
kinen's negros.
November 27. Thomas Gateward, Esq., is sworn
in as a Master and Examiner of the Court of
Chancery.
November 28. The whole Assembly send a long
list of grievances against Parke to the Council.
December 5. It ajppears from the correspondence
that Governor Parke had appointed one Hill as Clerk
to the Assembly. They claimed the right of appoint-
ing their own officer, and nominated Mr. William
Hinde. The chief cause of their dispute with the
Governor was due to his unwarranted interference
with their privileges and rights, of which they were
very tenacious. Five members of the Council advise
Parke by letter that he had better go off to another
Island as the popular fui-y is very great against him.
Governor Parke having crowned his illegal actions
by bringing into the Court-house a party of grenadiers
with the object of overawing the representatives, the
Assembly adjourned. That night and the next day
they sent messengers to summon the inhabitants to
come armed to St. John's Town the Thursday follow-
ing, 7 December 1710, with the ostensible object of
seizing the Governor and forcing him to quit the
Island. On Thursday 7 December 300 or 400 armed
men accordingly appeared. The Governor had mean-
while prepared his house for defence, and collected
the soldiers under Captain Nevin, Lieutenant Worth-
ington, and Ensign Lynden. There were also with
him Mr. Herbert Pember his Attorney- General, Mr.
Gatewood whom he had made a Justice, Mr. Michael
Ayon whom he had made Prov.-Marshal, Mr. George
French, Mr. Rosengrave, and three others.
A request was sent by the country party that
Parke should discharge his guards, and obey the
royal command to quit the government, to all which
he declined compliance. Two parties of the assail-
ants, ^^nder Captain John Piggot and John Painter,
posted themselves on Church Hill. A shot was fired
at them by Parke's garrison, which was returned,
and the Governor's house was then carried by assault.
The Governor, having received a shot in the thigh,
was conveyed to the house of Mr. Wright, close to
his own, where he was attended by a nurse and
Gousee Bonnin, a surgeon ; his wound was bandaged,
but he died in a short time from loss of blood. All
writers on the subject appear to have copied each
Ixxxii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
other in stating that Parke was torn in pieces by his
assailants in the streets. The sworn depositions of
the surgeon Mr. Bonnin (who made a post-mortem)
and of the nurse prove the contrary, and that the
Governor was humanely treated after he fell. In the
affray at the capture of the house there were killed,
on Pai-ke's side, Caj)tain Boileau, Ensign Lynden, and
13 or 14 soldiers, and Captain Newel, Lieutenant
Worthington and 26 soldiers wounded, among the
latter being Michael Ayon and Mr. George French.
On the Assembly's side. Captain Piggott, Mr. Young,
Mr. Turton, and Mr. Rayne, were killed, and about
30 wounded.
Next day a sloojj was despatched to Lieut. -
General Hamilton.
December 11. A proclamation was issued re-
quiring all officials to continue to discharge their
duties as heretofore.
December 14. Several soldiers depose that they
met together at the Governor's house on 6th Decem-
ber, and that Parke promised them the plunder of
the property of all persons whom they might kill.
Mr. George Dewit swore that the country people
marched up to the hill near the church, and that
the Governor's people fired the first shot.
December 19. Lieut. -General Walter Hamilton
issues a proclamation to the people enjoining them
to give up all the late Governor's goods for his heirs.
December 23. Henry Lyons, Esq., takes the
oaths a,nd his seat at the Council Board. The
Assembly is adjourned and new writs issued.
1710-11, January 2. The new Assembly met
this day, all the former membei^ having been
returned except Mr. John Martin for Five Islands
vice Turner, and Mr. John Barnes vice Captain Pig-
gott, the latter having been killed in the late riot.
Nathaniel Crump was chosen Speaker.
January 8. H.M.S. "Adventurer" had been
recently captured and taken into Martinico. John
Wilkinson and Marcus Browne are imprisoned for
trading with the enemy.
January 9. Thirty pistoles to be expended for the
entertainment of Lord Archibald Hamilton, who is
daily expected to visit this Island.
January 9. The poor settlers to Windward suffer
from lack of water. The cisterns near the guard-
houses are ordered to be put in repair.
January 22. John Barnes, Gent., takes his seat
in the Assembly, and Rowland Williams and William
Codrington, Esqrs., join the Council.
January 26. Nine of the Council write home
describing all the events which led to Governor
Parke's death, and state that he threatened to clap
the Speaker into irons, and his soldiers boasted how
they were ready to fire on the Assembly.
The following partizans of Parke sign an address
to the Queen in his favour : —
Hon. Col. Jn° Hamilton.
Joseph French, Esq., Treasurer.
Cap. W™ Mathews.
Rich. Buckeridge, Collector of
Customs.
Cap. Jn" Wickham.
Maj'' Jeremiah Blizard.
M-- Cha. Raleigh.
Cap. Jn" Roe.
M' Caesar Rodeney.
for Mount Serrat.
Jn" Brett, Naval Officer. Jn» Haddon, Esq.
Isaac Royall, Esq. M' Tho. Turner.
For further particulars the reader may consult the
' History of Col. Parke's Administration,' by George French,
1717, 8°, printed in London.
January 26. The Assembly agree to present a
petition to Queen Anne in regard to the conduct of
the late Governor Parke.
February 22. At a Meeting of the General Council
and Assembly there were present : —
Hon. Walter Hamilton, Esq., L' Gen'.
Councill.
John Davis, Esq. Edward Byani, Esq.
John Willet, Esq. John Daly, Esq.
James Milliken, Esq. George Wyke, Esq.
Assembly.
Cap. Rob. Cunninghame,
Cap. .loseph Crisp,
Cap. Clement Crooke, } for Saint Christophers.
M-' Jn" I)u Port,
Cap. Ralph Willett,
Docf Daniel Mackineu,
Nath" Crump, Esq.,
Sam" Watkins, Esq., ) for Autigua.
Cap. Jn" Payuter,
Hen. Lyons, Esq., absent, ■
Cap. W- White,
Antli» Ravell, Esq.,
Cap. Jn" Bramley,
Cap. Antli" Fox,
Cap. W"' Barzey,
Colonel Richard Abbot, a Member of Council for
Nevis, was absent.
During February and March they frequently met
to discuss Governor Parke's afifau', and the clan-
destine trade with St. Thomas (for which they passed
an Act to pi'eveut traitorous correspondence with and
the supply of stores to the enemy).
On 24 February they sent an address to the Queen
praying her to continue Walter Hamilton as Governor.
March 3. Edward Perrie, Esq., and Thomas
Trant, Merchant, Attorneys to John Perrie, Esq.,
Prov.-Mar.-General, petition that Governor Parke had
illegally appointed Michael Ayon to his office, where-
by' he, John Perrie, had lost three years' fees. Mr.
Perrie's leave of absence, dated 6 August 1709, for
two years, was read.
March 10. Gousse Bounin, Surgeon, deposes on oath :
that no persons struck Gov'' Parke after he was wounded by
a shot in the thigh. He was carried out of the house where
he was wounded about ,50 paces into M"' Wrights dwelling &
placed on a bed, & he tarried with him till he died. He
stuffed the wound with tow but the Gov' was so very restive
that the bleeding recommenced of which he died. Sarah
Collings nursed him & laid him out & swears that there was
but the one wound in the thigh.
March 24. Major Walter Douglas is to succeed
Parke, and his commission is ordered by the Queen
to be drawn out. He is instructed to try, and to send
home, not fewer than three, nor more than six, of the
ringleaders implicated in the mm-der of Parke.
1711, March 29, Major Walter Douglas to be
Captain-General, his commission and instructions to
be prepared.
April 5. The Lieut. -General and Council report
that " M"' Edward Chester Sen' has offered the Lieut.-
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxxiii
Gen" to furnish the soldiers with provisions at seven-
pence a piece per diem which we conceive to he the
cheapest method that can be proposed for maintaining
them." Walter Hamilton, the Lieut. -General, writes
home that the old seal of the Leeward Islands was
melted down and converted into a tankard by Parke.
April 25. The following Wednesday ordered to be
kept as a public fast on account of the long drought.
May 3 Mr. John Buxton, rector .of St. Peter's
Parham, is cited to appear befoi-e the Assembly for
having preached a very virulent sermon against those
concerned in the commotion of 7 December last,
which contained many false charges.
June 25. Hamilton writes : that the French intended
to have made a descent here, but their sloops being met by
H.M.S. New Castle, they wei-e disabled & their design pre-
vented ; that on 14 June 1200 French landed at Montserrat
but Capt. Geo. AVvke with 60 men gallantly held them in
check at a pass or gutt, & they were finally i-epulsed by the
settlers ; & that Commodore Bourne who engaged the
privateers off Martinico had been voted a gratuity of £500 c.
Edward Perrie, Esq., lends the public £500 at
10 per cent, interest (which seems to be the current
rate at this period).
July 2. Nathaniel Crump is appointed Treasurer
vice Joseph French, so he vacates the Speakership
and gives bond for .£5000.
July 5. Samuel Watkins is chosen Speaker vice
Crump resigned.
July 10. Major Walter Douglas, the new Captain-
General, arrived and dissolved the Assembly.
By a printed proclamation pursuant to an Act of
Parliament of 9 Anne debentures for £103,003 lis. M.
sterling are to be paid before 25 December 1711 by
the Commissioners, specially nominated by the Coun-
cil of Trade and Plantations, to such persons as shall
re-settle their plantations at St. Christopher's and
Nevis.
July 17. New Sessions.
By
Sam. Watkins, Esq'
Edw. Byam, Esq'
Nath. Crump, Esq'
Jn" Kerr, Esq'
Isaac Horsf ord. Esq'
Hen. Lyons, Esq'
Jn" Gamble, Esq'
Cha. Loyd, Esq'
Isaac Royall, Esq'
The. Oesterman, Esq'
Jn» Haddon, Esq'
Jn" Sawcolt, Esq'
For
Sam. Watkins, Esq' I Dickinsons Bay
Jacob Mortran, Gent. I Division.
Cap. Jn" Paynter | New North Sound
M' Rich. Cockran ( Divis".
Cap. Jn" Duer | Old North Sound
M' Sam. Phillips | Division.
M' Jn" Kerr \ -o m j. T^• ■ •
M' Jn- Eliot ) ^'''*^'* Division.
Isaac Horsford, Esq' | Falmouth & Rende-
Cap. Jas. Barter | vous bay Divis".
Bap. Looby. Esq' \ Willoug-hby bay
M' Geo. Lucas f Division.
D' Dan. M'Kinen j
Col. Jn° Gamble | The Towne of S«
M' W'" Glanvile ( Johns.
M' Ed. Chester, Sen. '
Cha. Lnyd, Esq' |
M' Arch. C'ockran
Nonsuch Divis",
Isaac Royall, Esq' I
Jos. French, Esq' I
Col. Tho. Williams /
Popeshead Divis".
S' Johns Divis".
Maj' Jn° Tomlinsou |
Jn" Haddon, Esq' Five Islands Divis".
Col. Jn° Frye | The Road &Bermudian
M' Sam. Frye j" Valley Division.
Samuel Watkins chosen Speaker.
July 19. Joseph French and Isaac Eoyall de-
clared unduly elected. £500 currency voted to
Governor Douglas for the purchase of slaves and
horses.
July 26. Mr. Samuel Frye and Captain James
Barter refuse to serve.
August 3. Mr. William Hamilton and Mr. Fran-
cis Carlile are returned for Popeshead, Major Hum-
phrey Osborne for Falmouth, and Colonel John
Burton for Old Eoad.
August 11. Antigua. To His Excellency Walter Hamilton,
Esq'', Capt. Generall and Commander in Chief in and
over all her Majesties Leew'' Carribbee Islands in
America, and the hoa*'" the Couacill and Assembly of
the said Island. i
The Humble Petition of the Merchants, Factors, and
Traders of the said Island whose names hereunto subscribed
in behalfe of their Imployer and themselves.
Sheweth,
That your Petitioners being Disabled by the ill
Complyance of their Debtors to answer their Correspondents
Expectation at home in Making them Returnes according
to their Respective promises and Contracts are without any
faults of their own not only Suspected of Injustice and
wounded in their Reputation (upon Suppositions that they
are paid here by the persons who deal with them, and that
your petitioners Detain the Effects or that at Least they are
highly to be blamed for not prosecuting their Debtors at
Law, and by that Meanes enabled themselves to make better
and more punctuall Remittances) but are Deprived of
makeing any Improvement of their own private fortunes
the proceedings of Law being so very Delitary in Relations to
E-xecutious that it is not possible to procure any address {sic)
that way unless the Law now is being ammended. la
tender Consideration whereof and to the end that your
petitioners may not suffer without Cause, and that the
Trade of this Island may not Delay.
May it please your Excellency, your hon", and the Gent,
of the Assembly to make such a Law for the more Speedy
and Effectuall recovery of Debts as in your great & grave
wisdom you shall think most propper that so the Trade of
this Island may flourish and your Petitioners shall ever pray.
James Nisbitt. Samuel Procter. W. Glanvile.
Caesar Rodney. John Barbotain. Edward Chester.
Robert Joyce. John Burke. Joseph Adams.
Barth. Sanderson. And''' Murray. Ric. Sherwood.
John Barnes. Jn° Swettenham. John Rose.
Edward Chester. John Combes. Hopefor Bendall.
Math" Bermingham. Cha. Dunbar. Jacob Thibou.
C. Stoodly. Thomas Trant. Thomas Dolman.
John Roach. John Brett. Pat. West.
August 27. Douglas says that there is so strong
a feeling against the late Governor that he dare not
punish the guilty.
October 11. Eichard Lightfoot, Esq., presents
his mandamus, and takes his seat at the Council
Board.
October 18. Colonel John Hamilton and Colonel
William Byam attend the General Council, and Dr.
Dan. McKinnen, Mr. Samuel Watkins, Mr. John
Paynter, and Mr. Eichard Cochran the General
Assembly at St. Chi-istopher's.
December 11.
Cols. John Hamilton & W'" Byam of the Councill -j
Daniel Mackinen
M'' Samne" Watkins
1
■ of the General Assembly
for S*
l-X'fers*
(sic).
John Duer
John Painter I ,
Richard Cockran ^ J
These to be paid £252, being £36 a head for 36 days
service at S' X'fers, during Gov'' Parke's time. Also to
Col. Ed. Byam, Maj. Hen. Lyons, Nath. Crump, Esq., D--
Dan. Mackinen, Col. Sam. Watkins, Cap. Jn" Painter, M''
Fra. Carlisle £22 each for their service at the last General
Assembly.
* This should be Antigua.
Ixxxiv
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
On Dec. 1 1 the Members of the Ass'y received orders on
the Treasurer for the following sumes " towards their
expenses* for service in public aft'airs at 6/- per diem " : —
Richard Oliver, Esq'
18
M' Francis Carlile
21
12
Nath" Humfrey
1
4
Isaac Horseford, Esq'
18
18
Coll" Tho» Williams
23
8
Maj' Hum. Osborne
5
8
Cap' William Pearne
11
2
Coll" John Burton
1
10
Cap' John Paynter
17
8
Isaac Koyall. Esq'
12
Charles Kallahan
6
12
John Haddon, Esq'
2
8
Edward Perrie
G
12
u
Rich'' Buckeridge
U
6
Baptist Looby
8
S
Cha. Lloyd. Esq'
llj
10
Coll" William Thomas
6
6
M' James Reade
.5
2
M' John Brett
18
Coll" Sam" Watkins
19
12
M' Sam" Phillips
21
18
M' Jacob Morgan
H)
8
Cap' John Lightfoot
4
10
Cap' John Piggott
2
2
Coll" William Byam
6
M' John Roe
12
Cap' John Duer
5
14
M' John Elliot
13
11
Samuel Parry, Esq'
12
M' Edward Warner
18
M' John Kerr
IH
10
u
M' George Lucas
9
6
M' Thomas Turner
y
18
Coll" John Gamble ■
16
10
Col" Francis Rogers
7
4
M' William Glanvile
23
14
Maj' Jere. Blizard
U
12
M' Richard Cockran
1
16
M' Da. Mackinen
23
14
M' W'" Hamilton
11
14
M' John Barnes
15
6
Maj' John Tomlinson
14
14
M' Sam" Wickham
5
8
M' Andrew Murray
12
M' William Grear
18
Cap' James Barter
8
8
M' Edward Chester
22
4
M' Arch' Cockran
17
2
Nath" Crump, Esq'
21
18
M' W'" Lavington
8
14
Coll" John Frye
22
10
M' John Martin
16
18
Joseph French, Esq'
7
11
£
.527
2
1711-12, January 14. Hon, Eichard Lightfootis
suspended. Nathaniel Browne, Esq., Deputy-Secre-
tary, John Booth, Registrar of the Court of Chancery,
and George Jennings, Master and Examiner of the
Court of Chancery and Notary Public, are sworn in.
February 4. A proclamation was issued, order-
ing the ensuing 20th to be kept as a fast on account
of Governor Parke's murder.
1711-12, Feb. 6. Antegoa.
By the Queen.
A PROCLAMATION.
Anne by the Grace of God of Great Brittaine, France,
and Ireland, Queen Defender of the Faith, etc. To all to
whom these presents shall come sendeth Greeting. Whereas
a great number of our Subjects in this our Island of
Antegoa did lately in an open Rebellions Manner take up
armes & committ a most barbarous Murther on the body
of Daniel Parke, Esq"^, then our Cap' Generall and Com-
mander in Chief in and over all our Leeward Carribbee
Islands in America. Nevertheless being persuaded that
many of the offenders were drawne into that Rebellion and
Murder by the subtle Insinuations and by the Influence of
some of the Chief advisers and proniotters thereof, and not
from any Rancour of mind or Disposition to our Govern-
ment, Wee out of our princely Disposition to forgive have
Resolved that our Clemency shall temper our Justice,
Know Yee that wee of our Especiall Grace and Favour,
Certaine Knowledge, and meer motion, have pardoned,
remitted, and Released, and by these presents for us our
heires and successors do freely and absolutely Pardon,
remitt, and Release to all our subjects of the island of
Antegoa who were any wayes offenders in the said Crime
(other than such persons as hereafter are excepted), and to
their heires, Executors, and administrators all, and all
manner of treason, fellouys, misprisons of treason or fellony,
murders. Crimes, Misdemeaners, and offences whatsoever
by them and every of them (except as hereinafter excepted)
committed, commanded, acted, or done on account of the
said late Rebellion and Murder, and of and from all paines
of death and other paines and penalties, Judicaments,
* These payments continued to be made for only a few more
years. This custom of paying their representatives was a bad
oae, as the members were always the richest and foremost men in
the Island, and it was felt to be an injustice to tax their poorer
brethren, to the amount of several hundred a year, for the benefit
of those who did not require such assistance.
Convictions, attainders, outlawrys, Escheats, and forfeitures
therefore had or given, or that may or might accrue for the
same (except out of this our proclamation of free pardon
all and every such person and persons who are apprehended
and in custody in order to be proceeded against and
prosecuted according to Tjaw for the Murder aforesaid, and
brought to Condigne punishment, and all such persons who
are fled from Justice on account of the said Crime),
whereby others may be deterred from Committing or
attempting the like for the future, also Except those of her
Maj'* Couucill in any of the four Islands of Antegoa, Nevis,
Montserrat, & S' Christophers who have been concerned in
Encourageing, abetting, or assisting in the said Rebellious
Murder, Provided allways that if any of the persons hereby
meant or intended to have the benefit of this our Gracious
and free pardon shall presume to Justifye the Murder
aforesaid, or shall assemble and meet together in order to
obstruct justice to be done upon any of the persons
excepted in this our Gracious proclamation of free pardon,
or shall attempt the like Rebellious Pratices (as above
mentioned) for the future, they shall Receive no benefitt
by this our Gracious proclamation of free pardon, but shall
be liable to be prosecuted according to Law for any of the
Crimes above mentioned, and further our will and pleasure
is and wee do hereby declare that this our free pardon by
the General! Words, Clauses, & Sentences thereof shall be
respected, deemed, and adjudged, expressed, allowed, and
taken in all our Courts in this Island and Elsewhere most
beneficially for our said subjects (not herein and hereby
excepted, or by the said proviso excepted) as if their
particular persons and Crimes where herein at large and
fully expressed without Ambiguity, question, or other
delay whatsoever to be pleaded, objected, or alledged by us
our heires or successors, by our Attorney Generall, or any
other person or persons for us our heirs or successors. In
Testimony whereof Wee have Caused these our Letters to
be made Pattents. Witness, Walter Douglas, Esq'', our
Cap' Generall and Commander in Chief in and over all our
Leeward Carribbee Islands in Amei'ica, at S' John's, our
Island of Antegua aforesaid, this sixth day of February in
the Year of our Lord 1711-12, and in the tenth Year of
our Reigne. God save the Queen.
Walter ( seai. ) Douglas.
February 6. An Act was this day passed for
establishing a Court of Queen's Bench and Common
Pleas.
February 21. John Painter, John Kerr, William
Hamilton, and John King, by their petition, state
that they have been in prison five weeks, and ask to
be allowed bail. It is probable that they had been
incarcerated by Governor Douglas for implication in
Parke's death. Six days later John Paynter, Esq.,
Hon. William Codrington, Hon. Edward Byam, Cap-
tain John Gamble, Captain John Duer, Captain
William Gunthrop, and Jonas Langford, Gent., came
before Edward Perrie and William Glanvile, two
Justices, and went bail collectively for £4000, and
individually £1000 apiece. ^611,000 bail for the four
prisoners was very excessive, but doubtless Governor
Douglas was bi'iuging pressure to bear on various
people with a view to extort hush-money.
The Assembly complain of the charge of 9d. for
letters as being illegal.
Edward Warner's mandamus as a Councillor is
dated 1 5 March.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxxv
The total losses at St. Christopher's and Nevis
according to the sworn returns were £356,926
sterling.
1712, May 13. Governor Douglas was becoming as
unpopular as Parke had been. He had been trading
on the fears of the people to extort hush-money
from them, but promised this day to cancel any
bonds given him in the way of presents !
May. Kobert Cunningham, a prisoner at St.
Kitts, petitions against Governor Douglas ; states
that he has a wife and eleven children ; that he is a
son of Richard Cunningham late of Glengarnock who
served Charles I. and II. ; and that he has been
imprisoned because he refused to vote a present of
100,000 lbs. to the Governor.
Jiine 26. William Mathew and, on the following
day, Edward Warner took their seats at the Council
Board. A letter was read from the Bishop of Lon-
don advising them of the despatch of two ministers,
Mr. Allen and Mr. Duncan.
July 6. Governor Douglas writes that he has
sent Mr. Mackinen and Mr. Samuel Watkins to
England, to be brought to justice as prime movers in
the late riot.
These two gentlemen petitioned their Lordships
on 9 October 1712 from Newgate, asking to be
bailed.
The total losses at Montserrat this year from
the French invasion were given in on oath as
£203,-506.
Several persons sign an addi-ess to Governor
Douglas, asking him to suspend Walter Hamilton,
Lieut.-Governor of Nevis, who was lately Lieut. -
General here, because he favoured the murderers of
Governor Parke. Signed by —
Sam. Byam. H. Pember. John Yeamans.
Joseph French. Rich. Worthington. The. Morris.
John Wickham. Isaac Rojall. Rich. Oliver.
Douglas acted according to their wishes and sus-
pended Hamilton, though seventeen of the Assembly
and seven of the Council signed an address in his
favour.
July 10. William Thomas takes the oath and
his seat at the Council.
Thomas Kerby, who fled to Barbados on account
of his implication in Governor Parke's murder, has
been taken into custody.
From a printed broadside, called " Truth brought
to Light, or Murder will Out," together with an
answer to the same, it appears Thomas Kerby was
accused of firing the first shot on the memorable
7 December 1710. Captains Pigott and Paynter led
two parties against the soldiers, and Daniel Mac-
kenny (? Mackinen) and Samuel Watkins were also
prime movers.
July 17. New Sessions.
By For
W" Glanvile, Esq'
Belfast Division.
• vSaiut Johns Towns.
Cap' Edw. Perrie
M' Chr. Stood ley
Jn" Gamble, Esq'
M' Edw. Chester, Sen. )
Jn" Tomlinson, Esq' M' Edw. Home i Saint Johns Divi-
M' And. Murray I sion.
Isaac Eoyall, Esq' Coll" Jer. Blizard | „ ,, ^
Cap. Jos. French ) '^°^^^ '^^^■
Jw Haddon, Esq' M' Rob. Hanson Five Islands.
Jn" Wickham, Esq' .Tu" Kerr. Jun' |
\V"' Painter (
Sam. Parry, Esq' M' Arch. Cockran j „ c v,
M' Joshua Jones , JNone buch.
Edw. Warner, Esq' Barry Tankard, Esq' | Falm"> & rendesvous
Isaac Horsford, Esq' I bay.
Edw. Byam, Esq' Cap' Francis Carlisle I -kt xt lu c i
Cap' Jn" Gunthrop } New North Sound .
Isaac Royall, Esq' Cap' Giles Watkins ( ^. , .
M' Jacob Morsan j -Liickisons bay.
Jn" Duer, Esq' Said Jn" Duer, Esq' I rvu xt ^-u a j
M' James Parke j Old, -N orth Sound.
Jn" Burton, Esq' Said Jn" Burton, Esq' / Old road and Ber-
M' Chas. Jacob f mudian valley.
Henry Lyons, Esq' M' Geo. Lucas | „,■,, , , ,
M' Baptist Looby [ VVilloughby bay.
Mr. George Lucas was chosen Speaker, William
Hinde clerk, and Thomas Stevens messenger.
.July 17. " The Gen' with some forces belonging to this
Island being now gone off for the reliefe of our poore dis-
tressed Friends and neiglibours of Montserrat."
The enemy quitted that Island on the 23rd. An
attack on Guadaloupe was now suggested, but in reply
to demands for assistance Governor Bennett of the
Bermudas declined to send any men, and Governor
Lowther of Barbados said he could not spare 200
arms.
July 25. Captain Charles Constable of H.M.S.
" Panther " refuses the present* from the Assembly
because he cannot stay.
August 2. Mr. Barry Tankerd, Mr. Isaac Hors-
ford, Mr. Joseph French, Mr. Jeremiah Blizard, and
Mr. William Paynter, refuse to serve on the
Assembly. Seventy ban-els of beef and 60 of flour
are sent to Montserrat for the relief of the destitute.
The public records were despatched for safety to
Monk's Hill. Robert Hanson, one of the members,
was ignominiously exj)elled from the House for ill-
conduct.
August 19. Blockhouses are to be erected at
Monk's Hill for the women and children in case of in-
vasion. Out of 10,000 feet of boards granted, one
guard-house only has been built, the rest embezzled.
The magazine at Willoughby Bay is to be rebuilt.
September 22. Ashton Warner, Gent., was
returned for Falmouth.
October 4. Edward Mann, Gent., was returned
vice Robert Hanson expelled.
The Assembly agree that their jjresent agent. Sir
John St. Leger, is of too near relationship to their
General, and of no use.
Oct. 29. Letter from D'' Gousse Bonnin, dated at London,
to the Earl of Dartmouth, Sec. of State, saying that he has
been sent home as an eye witness of Gov. Parke's murder,
against Sam. Watkins, Dan. Mackinen & others as chief
actors, & desires to be paid for his subsistence &
expenses.
Dec. 24. This day was read a letter from the Gov'' of
Barbados, dated the 10"' inst., stating that as the 4 months
truce made 4 Oct. last will cease on the 11"' inst., he proposes
to despatch a flag of truce to Martinique to renew it.
1712-13, Feb. 17. The following Merchants, Traders, &
Masters of vessels, petition the GoV & C that Capt. Cooper of
H.M.S. " Scarboro' " took a Fi-euch briganteen during the
* It was customary at this time to retain the services of the
captains of H.M.'s ships by offering- them presents of .50 or 100
guineas, or a valuable sword. Without this bribery they rarely
troubled themselves to protect the Antijjuan trade, but remained as
a rule at Barbados. It was the spirit of the age ; bribery and cor-
ruption pervaded all classes in a lesser or greater degree.
m
Ixxxvi
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Truce, & that such action will be very prejudicial. Signed
by-
Rich. Sherwood.
Joseph Adams.
Rob. Joyce.
John Barnes.
Rich. Burke.
Coline Pindlay.
Will. Grear.
Will. Patterson.
Marm. Nowell.
Jas. Nisbitt.
Chr. Stoodly.
Sam. Procter.
Cha. Dunbar.
Jas. Maxwell.
Jas. Parsons.
Will. Glanvile.
.... Redwood.
Tho. Trant.
Anth" Monteyro.
Jn" Roch.
Will. Hewitt.
Jn° Newton.
And. Murray.
J. Woodbury.
Abra. Cornwall.
1712-13. List of Inhabitants.
\Miite
Families. Women. Children.
S' Johns Town . . 235 246 260
S' Johns Division . 28 30 73
Dickisons Bay . . 19 26 45
Popes Head . . 22 28 73
Five Islands . . 15 15 13
Old Road & Berm. Valley 28 28 51
Old North Sound . 96 78 85
New North Sound . 78 55 86
Marshalls Creek . . 18 23 37
Belfast . . . 42 53 92
Willoughby Bay . . 13 13 24
Fal"- & Randezvous Bay . 62 62 129
None Such . . 80 89 96
New Div" & Berm. Valley 62 48 67
Men fit to
bear arms.
254
42
27
27
19
35
103
80
28
54
9
99
94
58
Negroes.
831
1.H15
463
364
4.50
589
[blaiii]
1,018
818
638
537
1.707
l^blank]
1,037
758
794 1,131
929 11,838
Parishes.
S' John's
S' Peter's
S' Paul's
S' Philip's
S' Mary's
Baptisms.
42
21
15
13
5
Burials.
32
13
1
1
3
From 25 March 1711 to 25 March 1712.
Feb. 2.3. " A List of Persons Nominated by his Excel-
lency and Councill to appear in the Corps Carabiniers in
this Island " : —
Collonel.
7
f Majors. > L'-CoUonels.
Brigadier Sub-Brigadier.
Captaines Adjutant.
Barry Tankard.
Fi-ancis Carlisle.
John Coomes.
Gyles Watkins.
Sam' Fryp.
Archibald Cockran,
Edw'^ Chester, sen.
Will. Pearne.
Jacob Morgan.
Thomas Trant.
Baptist Looby.
Chris. Stoodly.
Allen Gilbert.
John Barbottaine.
Andrew Murray.
Sam' Martin.
Joseph Adams.
James Weatherill.
Benja. Wickham.
Jiinas Langford.
•Samuel Rowe.
Henry Hodge.
Edward Perry.
Hopefor Bendall.
John Barnes.
Will. Glanvile.
Benja. Nibbs.
George Bullen.
Tiiomas Dewitt.
John Anderson.
John Weston.
John Witts.
Cornelius Hallo-
ran.
John Greenway.
Will. Grantham.
Richard Meynell.
John Wright.
Patrick West.
Henry Guichinett.
Thomas Rowe.
Antho. Garratt.
•James Hanson.
John Coduer.
Robert Pancey.
Tho. Botking.
Char. Dunbarr.
Natha. Wickham.
Robert Gamble.
Jacob Thibou.
Rich. Denbow.
"1 Chirur-
.... J geons.
Abram. Redwood.
Thomas Jarvis.
Orderly men.
Rich. Hughes.
Tho. Tanner.
James Tjow.
Jlath. Berrington.
Robert Joyce.
John Rowe.
Benja. Eversdcn.
Rich. Daniel.
Joseph Hodge.
Duncan Dee.
Edward Man.
John Bezoon.
Leo. Burroughs.
Bartho. Sanderson.
Lewis .Tefferyes.
Nicho. Lynch.
Rob' Christian.
William Dunning.
Robert Weir.
John Portlock,
farrier.
Tho. Woodstock.
John Butler.
To appear upon allarmes.
John Brest.
Tho. Breton.
Herbert Pember.
Will. Yeamans.
Caleb Lasher.
James Parke.
James Person.
Henry Osborne.
Marmaduke Urlin.
Thomas Haws.
.Tames Nybbs.
Joseph French.
John Hodsre.
Ash ton Warner.
Will. Hinde.
Phillip Abraham.
Richard Sherwood.
Giles Blizard.
John Farlow.
Natha. French.
Edw'' Chester, jun.
Will. Frankly.
Thomas Freeman.
George Jennings.
Micha. Arnold.
Gyles Thyere.
To appear with the Comm'''',
Tho. Williams.
John Tomlinsou.
John Wickham.
John Roach.
John Frye.
Will. Thomas.
Tho. Morris.
Edward Waruer.
AVill. Byara.
John Otto Baiier.
Bastian Otto
Baijer.
Tho. Oesterman.
Rich. Cockran.
John Gamble.
John Lucas.
1712-13, March 19. Mr. Speaker Lucas having been
called to Barbados, Mr. Joshua Jones is chosen pro tern.
March 24. The Attorney-General of England
having instructed the Governor to form a Court of
Escheat, and to put the naval office bonds in prosecu-
tion, the following were accordingly nominated, viz. —
Rev. Jonathan Yale Gilford to be Chancellor.
Hon. Jn° Lucas, Chief Baron.
Abraham Redwood ^
Sam. Parry >Puisny Barons.
Jer. Nesbitt J
The following persons petition that there is no law of
this island to form such a Court, and that it will ruin them.
Signed by —
John Brett.
Isaac Royall.
John Wriffht.
Abra. Redwood.
Pat. West.
John Booth.
Rich. Denbow.
Tho. Blaffden.
Hen. Lloyd.
Rich. Gough.
Rich. Jardine.
Jas. Porter.
Jos. French.
B. Eversden.
Edw. Morp:an.
John Turner.
John Hamilton.
Edw. Byam.
Rich. Oliver.
W" Thomas.
W»' Byam.
Gust. Scott.
Fra. Fisher.
Beamsly Perkins.
Peace has been made.
H. Guichinett.
Jac. Thibou.
Chr. Stoodley.
W. Glanvile.
Ed. Mann.
Jos. Adams.
Jn" Tomlinson.
Abra. Lynch Barth.
John Reynolds.
171.3, July 27.
Aug. 10. Letter from GoV Walter Douglas to my Lord
(? Carteret) acknowledging receipt of order for him to return
to EngH, but tho' his family is very sickly he will at once
comply.
August 21. A draught commission for Walter
Hamilton to be Captain-General was dated this day,
but never passed.
December 15. Tlie Assembly complain that
Governor Douglas has frequently adjourned them to
prevent certain bills from being passed ; they also say
that he called the gentlemen of the parish of Fal-
mouth " a parcell of idle wretches & miserable dogs."
The Governor left the Island this month for
England, and copies of all the minutes were sent home
by the Assembly, as he would j^i'obably use only
portions for his benefit.
1713, Dec. 15. New Sessions.
By
For
S' Johns Town.
S' Johns Division.
Popeshead.
Dickinsons Bay.
Belfast.
Nonsuch.
Coll" Jn" Gamble
Maj' James Nisbit
M' Chr. Stoodly
M' Tho. Turner
Coll" Jn" Sawcolt i
Cap' Edw. Home i
Said Isaac Royall i
M' W"> Hamilton '
M' Jac. Morpron
M' Giles Watkins
M' Jn" Eliote
M' Jn" KinH'
Joshua Jones, Esq"
M' Arch. Cochran
Said Haddon, Esq"
JIaj' Humphrey Osborn i
Maj' Tho. Nanton
Cap. Fra. Carlile
Jn" Gunthorpe, Esq"
M' Rich. Cochran
M' James Parke
Cap. Ju° Roe
Coll" Jn" Burton
Geo. Lucas, Esq"
M' Bap. Looby
George Lucas was chosen Speaker.
Dec. 15 Hon. Daniel Smith, L' Gov'' of Nevis, writes to
say that Gov'' Douglas left the great seal with him, & that
by the Queen's Instructions he is to be Commander in Chief
during the absence of the Cap*-Gen'.
Jn" Nisbit, Esq"
Rich. Oliver. Esq"
Isaac Royall, Esq"
Jeremiah Blizard, Esq'
W"> Grear, Esq"
Sam. Parry, Esq"
Jn" Haddon, Esq"
Edw. Warner, Esq"
Edw. Byam, Esq"
W" Byam, Esq"
Ambrose Torke, Esq"*
Hen. Lyons, Esq"
Five Islands.
Falmouth & Ren-
I desvouz Bay.
I New North
i Sound.
Old North Sound.
I Old Road & Ber-
I mudian Valley.
Willoughby Bay.
WILLIAM AND MARY. ANNE.
Ixxxvii
Dec. 31. Jas. Nisbitt, Esq., J. P., deposes that on
22 Sep. last GoV Donglas got him, to swear Nich^ Blake, a
great sconndrel, to certain papers which he was told referred
to timber-sales, bat Blake afterwards informed him that
there were many accusations in the said papers against
people here, including deponents brother Edw. Perrie, Esq.,
& Tho. Trant, Col. W" Thomas, Col. W"' Codrington, Edw.
Warner, Col. Sam. Watkins, D'' Dan. Mackinen, M'' Fra.
Carlile, M'' Arch. Cochran, M' Bap. Looby, M' Jn" Kerr, M"'
Jn» Elliott, Cap. Sain. Frye, Cap. Jn° Paynter, M"' W"
Hamilton & Cap. Crump the Treasurer.
1713-14, Feb. 12. The Inhabitants of S' Philips Parish
petition, that their church had been built by their ancestors
at Willoughby Bay, that it wants repairing, & that a chapel
of ease was intended to be built at Belfast over 20 years ago,
the laud for which was given & is used as a burial ground.
They object to have the old church pulled down and a new
one built elsewhere. Signed by : —
John Kerr, Church-
warden.
John Lavioount.
W™ Steel.
William Painter.
Sam" Mayer.
Tim"'-'' Singin.
John Prynn.
John Barnard.
John Wilts.
Joseph Todman.
Marmaduke Urlin.
Robert JeafEreson.
Cornelius Halloran.
Benj" Wickham.
John Fouler.
Hugfh Jones. +
Ja. Ayres.
Jos. Leddiatt.
Thomas Stiff.
Humphry Davis. +
John Parry.
Mich. Stridvian. +
Peter Adgett. +
John Brook.
Charles Goldin.
Cornelius Malloune.
Henry Louvy.
Vallentine Keeff.
Owen M'"Carty.
Mark Monk.
Edward Cooke.
Nicholas Lynch.
James Rice. +
Florence Carty.
John Slarchant.
Thomas Elmes.
Adam Wallis.
Peter Willcox.
Ja. Fallon.
Hugh Wapley. +
Jn° Blundon.
Dennis Sullivan. + Coll. Macmahon. Christoph.
Greorjre Nichols. + Peter Martin. NichoUs. +
Henry Soper. + Tho. Skerret. JohnLavicount, Jun'.
Note. — The persons against whose names there is a cross ( + )
signed with their mark.
Pet" also from Cap. Anth" Browne & M' Jn° Eliote, late
Churchwardens of S' Philips, that at a vestry meeting it was
decided to erect a church in the centre of the parish, on land
already obtained from M'' Jn° King, & a 'contract was
entered into with M'' Geo. Pullein, carpenter, for £1100.
They pray for indemuification.
1713-14, March 2.5. Taxes for the ensuing year.
Taxes suggested by
Taxes settled by Ass''',
Licences ....
Liquor office
Dry goods at 10 per cent.
Town rents
L'' Willoughbys Act
Traders ....
20 per cent, uon residents
Council.
At 2/ per acre
Negros at 10/ per head
Lycenoes to sell liquor
Liquor office
Dry goods & traders .
Town rents
£
5,000
1.000
600
1,.500
1,000
500
£
600
1,500
1,000
5U0
600
1,000
11,200
16,400
1714, July 16. Colonel Richard Oliver was ap-
pointed to inspect and report on the condition of the
Records.
July 23. Edward Perrie's commission as Clerk of
the Navy and Naval Oflficer was this day read. The
sum of £345 was paid to the members of the Assembly
for their attendance.
August 1. Queen Anne died.
CHAPTER VII.
GEORGE I. GEORGE II. 1714—1760.
1714, September 2. Hon. Colonel Oliver is de-
puted to draw up the Powder Act with the members
selected by the Assembly.
Sep. 25. Dan' Smith wrote announcing the death of the
Queen on P' Aug. last. The proclamation of Geo. I. was
signed bv the following inhabitants :—
Jn" Yeamans.
Ju" Hamilton.
Ed. Byam.
. Wm. (.'odrington.
Hen. Lyons.
W"' Thomas.
Tho. Morris.
Eich. Oliver.
W" Byam.
Jn" Lxicas.
Jas. Field.
Is": Royall.
Hen. Hughes.
Ed. Price.
W" Howard.
Chas. Pym.
Syer Allcocke.
Mar. Mackenzie.
Joshua .Jones.
Hum. Osborn.
Tho. Traut.
Nath. Crump.
Jn° Sawcolt.
Fra. Carlile.
Jn" Gamble.
Jn" Eliote.
Giles Watkins.
Ashton Warner.
Jn" Roe.
Jas, Nisbitt.
Jn° Duer.
Bap. Looby.
Tho. Turner.
Jac. Morgan.
W'" Hamilton.
Ed. Home.
Marm. Bacheler.
Tho. Jarvis.
H. Warner.
Hen. Douglas, Prov.
Mar. Gen'.
Jn" Haddon.
Pat. West.
And. Murray.
W" Pearne.
Jer. Blizard.
Geff. Duneombe.
Ed. Perrie, Surv.
Gen'.
Rich. Buckeridge,
ColK
Jn" Booth.
Jn" Brunckhurst.
Nath. Wickham.
Ed. Morgan.
Jas. Rawleigh.
Jn" Chamberlain.
Rob. Gamble.
Ed. Thornton.
Day. Soannell.
Jas. Godsell.
Nich. Weeks.
Jn° Burton.
Sam. Martin.
Geo. Forrest.
Gilb. Garratt.
Arth. Dalvan.
Tho. Wise.
Fra. Hamilton.
Through the agency and mediation of Stephen
Duport of London, a St. Kitts merchant of French
extraction, most of the Huguenot families of St.
Christopher's were re-possessed of their estates by the
King's commands, which was a wise and magnani-
mous proceeding. Owing to religious persecution
they were on very friendly terms with their English
neighbours, who had often saved them from death
and torture, and they had moreover in many instances
cemented this good feeling by intermarriage: — for
instance, Madame Elizabeth Salenave, widow of Jor-
dain Salenave, who had an estate of 300 or 400 acres
at St. Kitts before 1688, petitioned for its restoration,
and stated that Lieutenant Robert Cunningham had
married her niece. Her petition was granted. Other
French Protestants had settled at Antigua, where
letters of denization were readily granted them, their
advent being considered to be a welcome addition to
the strength of the Island.
1714-15. On January 5 a draught commission
for Colonel William Codrington to be Captain-General
was drawn out, but it was ordered to be stopped, and
on the 15th one for Hamilton was made out.
1714-15, Feb. 8. New Sessions.
By
Jas. Nisbitt, Esq"
Jn" Combes, Esq"
Edw. Perrie, Esq'"
Rich. Buckeridge, Esq"
Edw. Home, Esq"
And. Murray, Esq"
Rich. Cochran, Esq"*
John Duer, Esq"
Geo. Lucas, Esq"
Bap. Looby, Esq" I
Ben. Wickham, Esq" I
W"' Paynter. Esq" f
Jn" Burton, Esq" /
Jn" Roe, Esq" (
Fra. Carlile, Esq" |
Jn" Lightfoot, Esq" i
Giles Watkins, Esq" (
Jac. Morgan, Esq" f
Isaac Royall, Esq" I
Jos. French, Esq" |
Hum. Osborn, Esq" |
Jas. Barter, Esq" I
Joshua Jones, Esq" !
Arch. Cochran, Esq" |
Tho. Turner, Esq" f
George Lucas was chosen Speaker.
Herbert Pember, Esq"
John Sawcolt, Esq"
John Duer, Esq"
Hen. Lyons, Esq"
W" Grear, Esq"
Jn" Koe, Esq"
Hon'>'= Ed w. By am , Esq"
Jer. Blizard, Esq"
Isaac Royall, Esq"
Main Swete, Esq"
Nath. Crump, Esq"
Tho. Turner
For
S" Johns Town.
S' Johns Division.
Old North Sound.
Willoughby Bay
Division.
Belfast Division.
Bermudian
Valley.
New North
Sound.
Dickinsons Bay.
Popeshead Divi-
sion.
Falmouth & Ren-
desvous Bay.
Nonesuch Divi-
sion.
Five Islands.
Ixxxviii
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
February 8. Giles Theyer, Esq., of Gray's Inn,
was called in and presented a deposition from Charles
Hedges, Esq., Secretary of the Leeward Islands by
patent, authorizing him to act as his deputy. George
Lucas, Esq., and the parishioners of St. Paul's, Fal-
mouth, petition for the rebuilding of a bridge washed
away by the hurricane in 1713.
Feb. Edward Byam, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Gover-
nor of his Majesty's Island of Antegoa in America, & Wil-
liam Mathews, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Governor of his
Majesty's Island of S' Christophers, & Lieutenant-General
Hamilton appointed Governor of the Leeward Islands in the
room of Colonel Douglas, & Henry Douglas, Esq., made
Provost-Marshal of the Leeward Caribbee Ishiuds in the room
of Aston Warner, Esq., and Edward Perry, Esq., made Clei'k
of the Naval Stores in the Leeward Islands.
(' Historical Register.')
1714-15. State of the Forts.
Monks hill & Codrington battery. Many breaches, 20
mounted & 30 un-monnted guns.
Falmouth Fort. 7 guns mounted, 5 un-mounted, 2
mounted without the fort, ^ barrel! of powder & a few shott,
& some unfit firearms.
Old Road Platform. 7 guns mounted, i barrell of powder,
no spunge, ladle, rammer, nor ammunition.
S' Johns Fort. The gates downe, cisterns out of repair,
14 guns mounted, 13 carriages bad, 2 guns mounted outside,
1 gun inside dismounted, 100 cartridges, a few great shot,
i a barrell of powder, no rammer, etc.
Parham Platform. 4 guns mounted, 40 shott, ^ barrell
of powder, no ammunition.
Willoughby Platform. 5 guns mounted, 4 carriages
good, no stores.
March 10. By Act the Court of Chancery was in
future to consist of the Commander-in-Chief and
five Members of H.M. Council.
1715, March 28. Ashton Warner, the Clerk to
the Council, is to be paid £70 a year, and not £30 as
heretofore.
D' the public of Antigua.
To the amount of Debits.
£18,459 2 5f
9,300 15 OJ
Ballance £9,158 7 5i
By the Account of Credits.
£9,300 15 0;^
May 7. John Gamble, Esq., gives the returns of
the new members for St. John's, viz. : — John Gamble,
Eichard Buckeridge, Major Nisbitt, and John
Combes.
June 28. Captain Henry Smith try'd at the King's
Bench Bar for the Murder of Colonel Park, Governor of
Antegoa, and acquitted. (« Historical Register,' p. 63.)
One of the ringleaders (in the Parke riot of 1710), named
Smyth, was brought to trial in England, as long after the
date of the event as 1715, but owing to some iuformahty in
the proceedings, he was acquitted, and D'' Daniel Mackin-
non, Samuel Watkins, and Thomas Kerby, other principal
sharers in the rebellion, under the same indictment, were
consequently liberated from Newgate.
(' West India Sketch Book,' vol. ii., p. 262.)
June 30. Colonel William Mathew, the newly
appointed Lieut.-General of the Leeward Islands and
Lieut.-Governor of St. Christopher's, arrived at
Nevis.
July 8. The Commissions of Edward Byam as
Lieut.-Governor of Antigua, dated 28 January
1714-15, and of William Mathew as Lieut.-General
and Commander-in-Chief, dated 25 March 1715,
were read.
Oct. 5. Account of Militia at Antigua : —
One Troop of Horse . . 86
ffoot— Blew Regiment . . . .289
Red „ . . . . 269
Green „ . . . .194
752
October 6. Colonel Val. Morris takes his seat at
the Council Board vice Colonel Eichard Oliver
indisposed.
October 24. The following clergy take the oaths
of fealty to King George : — Mr. James Field, Mr.
Jonathan Yate Gifford, Mr. Orr, and Mr. John
Simpson.
Oct. 24. All the inhabitants over 18 years of age are
required to take the oath of fealty to Geo. I., & certain
gent" were appointed as follows to carry this out : —
For
Hon. Tho. Morris, Esq. 1
Jn" Duer, Esq. [ Old Road & New North Sound Division.
Jas. Patten, Esq. )
Hon. Jn" Hamilton, Esq. ,
Herb. Pember, Esq.
Jn" Gamble. Esq.
Chr. Stoodly, Esq.
Isaac Royall, Esq.
Jn° Yeamans. Esq.
W™ Grear, Esq.
Sam. Parry, Esq.
Bap. Looby. Esq.
Hon. Ed. Warner, Esq.
Main Swete, Esq.
Is" Horsford, Esq.
Hon. Col. Val. Morris, Esq. '
.In" Burke. Esq.
Jn" Roe, Esq. )
October 28. The Governor is to receive £400 a
year in lieu of a house.
November 8. Mr. Nathaniel Carpenter, jun., to
be Agent for two years.
An account of the duties of H.M. troops.
Private Men. Serjeant. Corporal. Drummer. OflBcer.
1. On Town guard 18 1 1 1 1
2. Monks Hill 12 1 1 1 1
3. S' James Fort 10 1 1
4. Road platform 4 11
44 4 4 2 2
S' Johns, Popeshead, Dickinsons Bay,
& Five Islands.
' Belfast, Nonsuch, & Willoughby Bay.
■ Falmouth & Rendesvous Bay Divisions.
■ Old Ro.ad & Berm. Valley.
The privates receive from the public of this Isl'' 9'^ a day
part payable iu provision, a corporal or Serjeant 12'', & a
subaltern 4/-.
November. George Lucas, having been made
Treasurer, vacates the Speakership, and Archibald
Cochran is chosen.
The gross amount received from the 4^ per cent,
duty for thirteen years, 1703 — 1715, amounted to
£78,528, and the nett amount was £29,313.
November 21. Main Swete succeeds George
Lucas (now Treasurer) as Powder Officer.
1715-16, February 7. The commission for Walter
Hamilton, Esq., to be Captain-General, dated 23
August last, was read.
Barry Tankard took the oaths and his seat at the
Council.
February 8. John Hamilton and John Prye take
the oaths and their seats at the Council.
February 11. Giles Theyer, Clerk of the Council,
and Ashton Warner, Clerk of the Assembly, petition
for payment of their salary.
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
Ixxxix
February 14. Val. Morris takes his seat at the
Council vice Colonel Eichard Oliver.
February 21. Edward Warner takes the oaths
and his seat at the Council.
February 23. Chester's plantation to be rented
for the Governor, instead of £400 a year for house
rent.
February 25. John Gamble, Esq., to be Chief
Justice of the Court of King's Bench and Common
Pleas.
March 2. £100 currency a year voted to Gover-
nor Hamilton.
1716, May 3. New Sessions.
By
Jn° Gamble, Esq'
For
Tho. Oesterman. Esq'
Jn" Duer, Esq'
Bap. Looby, Esq'
Jn° Burton, Esq'
Jn" Grunthrop, Esq'
Jer. Blizard, Esq'
Is"^ Royall. Esq'
Is° Horsf ord, Esq'
Geo. Lucas, Esq'
Jn° Tomlinson, Esq'
M' Jn" Combes
M' Marm. Bachelor
M' Jas. Nisbitt
M' Chas. Dunbar
Ashton Warner, Esq'
M' And. Murray
M' Rich. Cochran
Cap. .Jn" Lightfoot
Sd. Bap. Looby
Cap. Jn° Lightfoot
M' Sam Martin
M' Rob. Pearne
Said Jn" G-unthrop
M' .Jn" Painter
M' Giles Watkins
M' .Jac. Morprau
M' W"' Hamilton
M' .Tas. Weatheril
Maj' Hum. Osborne
Cap. W" Pearne
M' Joshua Jones
M' John King
M' Geo. Thomas
S' Johns Town.
S' Johns Division.
j Old North Sound.
[ Belfast Division.
I Bermudian Valley &
j Old Road Divisions.
New North Sound.
Dickinsons Bay.
Popes Head Division.
Falmouth & Rendes-
I vous Bay Division.
[ Nonsuch Division.
Five Islands.
Ashton Warner was chosen Speaker.
1716, May 3. Archibald Cochran takes the oaths
and his seat at the Council.
May 20. To be celebrated at the public cost,
being the King's birthday.
June 12. Several prisoners imported by Captain
Scarsbrook from Liverpool, from the rebels at Pres-
ton, are advertised to be sold.
June 18. Captain J. Lightfoot, chosen for two
places, elects to sit for Old North Sound.
James Watson, a non-juror, having bought two
prisoners, is bound over in £50.
July 11. Mr. William Lavington was returned
for Willoughby Bay by Bap. Looby, Esq.
August 1. Several merchants having petitioned
the Governor that the 4^ per cent, duty might be
collected at four places, Edward Perrie writes to say
that he has well known this Island for thirty years
past, and that the duty was always collected at St.
John's, and there only, and he advises the Governor
to refer to the Lords of the Treasury.
August 16. Mr. Thomas Freeman was returned
for Old Road and Bermudian Valley vice Samuel
Martin gone to England.
September 19. A fast day to be kept for the
small-pox.
1716, Sep. 19. "A List of the Troops* Commanded by
Colonel Edward Warner" : —
Jeremiah Blizard, Esq"", Lieuten' Colonel.
Humphry Osl>orne l-^^:^
.John Gunthorpe f ■'
Robert Weir \ rt i. •
Robert Pearne I ^^P'^"^
lors.
Barry Tuiikerd.
John Combes.
William Pearne.
Edward Chester,
Jun'.
Baptist Looby.
Christopher
Stoodly.
Allen Gilbert.
John Barbottain.
Andrew Murray.
Ben. Wickham.
Rich. Meyiiil.
Jolm Wright.
Pat. West.
Hen. Guichinett.
Anth" Garret.
Cha. Dunbar.
Rob. Gamble.
Jac. Thibou.
Rich. Denbow.
Tho. Jarvis.
Jas. Lowe.
John Roe.
Jas. Credelauze.
JosP'' Hodge.
John Gallaher.
Rob. Newton.
Rich. Sherwood.
W™ Meredith.
Marm. Bachelor.
Rob. Christian.
Nich. Lynch.
Ph. Abraham.
Ben. Nibbs.
John Weston.
John Witt.
John Greenway.
October 10.
Jas. Parke.
Marm. Urlin.
Tho. How (?).
JosP'' French.
John Hodge.
Giles Blizard.
W"' Dunning.
Tho. Lynch.
Mark Monk.
Barth. Sanderson.
John Langelier.
Edm. Barter.
John Liglitfoot.
Rich. Ash.
W™ Hillhouse of
Parham.
Hen. Lyons.
Tho. Freeman.
W" Hinde.
Mich. Arnold.
Geo. Thomas.
W™ Dunbar.
John Knight.
W™ Frankly n.
Nich. Otto Baijer.
John Brett.
Paul Parry.
Hen. Brown.
W™ Master.
John Leot.
John Smith.
Tho. Dewitt.
Jas. Davis.
Jas. Weatherill.
W™ Glanville.
Geo. Weatherill.
John Mabson.
Barnabas Brabazon.
John Linsey.
JosP'' Lidea.
W'" Grantham.
John Fowler.
Tim. St John.
Edw. Trant.
Bayer Otto Baijer.
Sam. Watkins,
Sen'.
W^^ Mackinen.
John Roach.
Sam. Meers.
W™ Painter.
Jonath. Hill.
Row. Hamilton.
Corn. Halloran.
Tho. Skerret.
W" Hillhouse in
S' Johns.
Hen. Warner.
W"i Thomas.
.Jas. Faerweather,
Farrier.
Peter Mercer.
Levy Guishard.
Tho. Turner.
Ashton Warner.
Sam. Watkins,
Jun'.
John Tomlinson.
Herb. Pember.
W™ Yeamans.
W™ Thomas at M"^
Martins Plant".
Gilb. Fleming.
Josh" Jones.
tarns.
* This is the Yeomanry, or Troop of Carbineers.
Fifteen days quarantine to be im-
posed on all persons arriving from Martinique on
account of the contagious distemper raging there.
The burial of people who have died of small-pox
in St. John's Churchyard is thought to be dangerous
because of the rocky soil and shallow gi-aves.
November 3. A battery to be constructed at
Cripplegate.
November 5. Mr. Christopher Stoodly, one of the
Churchwardens of St. John's Church, states that the
poor people cannot be accommodated at the public
charge, the small-pox having caused such ravages.
Mr. George Thomas to be powder officer.
November 17. Major William Cogan of Bar-
bados, merchant, petitions for the payment of £440
which he spent in getting a man-of-war and volun-
teers over to Antigua during the last French scare.
Nov. 19. This Day Colonel Dowglass, who some time
ago was convicted of Male-Administration during his late
Government of the liCeward Islands, being brought to the
King's-Bench Bar, receiv'd his Sentence, which is, to
remain five years in Prison, and to pay 500 1. as a Fine.
(' Historical Register,' p. 549.)
Antigua was certainly unfortunate in having such
disreputable Governors forced on the inhabitants.
Of two successive ones Parke was killed by the people
and Walter Douglas imprisoned five years.
By Act, dated November 24, a new church was
to be erected in St. John's in the place of the old
one.
November 30. Habbijah Savage of the sloop
" Bonetta " deposes that he was taken by two pirates
between St. Thomas and St. Croix of eight guns and
80 or 90 men each, the one the " Mary Anne," and the
other French. Paul Williams, a goldsmith born in
xc
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
New England, was also there with other jjrisoners.
In December Captain Hume of H.M.S. " Scarboro' "
was sent by the Governor of Barbados in search of
them, and took on board one officer, two Serjeants,
one drummer, and 40 men.
1716-17, January 27. James Field, clerk, Com-
missai-y General and Eector of St. John's, appeals to
the Governor and Council against the opposition of
some of the vestry (Captain Otto-Baijer, Major Tom-
linson, Caj)tain Haddon, Mr. J. Morgan, Captain
Turner, Mr. Stoodly, Mr. Murray), they denying him
liberty to choose a churchwarden. Petitioner has
been Minister of St. John^s 24 years. The case is
referred to the Bishop of London.
Jan. 31. The C report that "We find the books
unbound, & the whole Records iu very great disorder, nay
some of them are in so bad condition that they can scarce be
read." They are ordered to be revised by a Committee &
some of them transcribed.
February 13. £1000 voted to the Governor for
the repair of his house.
February 20. Samuel Watkins is ajjjiointed
Chief Justice vice John Gamble, who resigned on
account of the gout.
Feb. 25. " Several persons having obtained commis-
sions in the Militia, 'tis ordered that Ben. Nibbs, W" Monk,
Mark Monk, Row. Hamilton, Jas. Fairweather, W"' Grant-
ham, lately appointed officers, be discharged from the Troop
of Carabiniers, & W"' Franklyn, Tho. Dewitt, Sam. Mears,
Corn. Halloran, Tho. Skerrett, & Jas. D ... be discharged
as incapable of duty ; also that Tho. Williams, Sam. Parry,
jun'-, W" Till, Tho. Hunt, Ben. Rutland, Ju" Elliot, & Hen.
Nibbs join the said troop."
1717, March 27. Work at Monk's Hill fortifica-
tion to be postponed, it being now croj) time.
Elizabeth Bass Johnson petitions for a licence to
beg alms.
The gun-carriages and gates at St. John's Fort
ordered to be repaired.
March 29. Hon. William Thomas granted one
year's leave of absence.
An Address was forwai-ded to His Majesty on his
return from Germany.
May 28. The next 5 June to be a fast day for
drought. Two sloops are hired to fetch water from
Berbuda and deliver it at the Narrows and Wil-
loughby Bay for230or settlers. Suggestion also made
as to the feasibility of distilling water.
June 6. Captain Eose of H.M.S. " Seaford " is
sent after the pirate at Blanco (a vessel of 12 guns
and 120 men), and he was given two barrels of pistol
powder, 10 of floui-, and 20 soldiers. The Lieut.-
Governor, Council, and Assembly unanimously
petition the Secretary of State against the recall of
Hamilton.
Hon. Colonel Thomas Morris having been sus-
pended by the Governor for the alleged use of dis-
respectful language about the King, many persons
present depositions in his favour. He had sat at the
Council Board since his appointment on 13 August
1703.
July 26. Archibald Cochran takes his seat at
the Council, his mandamus bearing date 4 April
1717 at St. James. Complaint was made that much
of the water bi'ought by the slooj)s went to people
who could well afford to obtain it themselves.
August 27. One hundred barrels of flour to be
purchased for the poor.
September 11. Several members being dead or
gone off, writs are to be issued vice Mr. John Painter,
Mr. William Pearne, Mr. Eobert Pearne, and Mr.
Andrew Murray.
After the conquest and expulsion of the French
from St. Kitts in 1704, it was for a long time doubt-
ful how the English Ministry would act.* They had
intended in the first instance to restore the Island to
the French, but wiser counsels prevailed, and it was
resolved to retain the captured portion and grant
patents for three years to any English who would
undertake to settle estates in the French quarter.
The following grants of lands in the French
quarter had been ah'eady made since 1704 : —
List of Planters who have no lands in the English quarter.
Acres. Negros.
Walter Douglas, Esq.
Peter 8oulegre .
Anthony Fahie
Antego John Hamilton
Montserrat Edward Parson
Nevis Gen' Hamilton
Nevis L' Gov'' Smith
390 acres & 100 negros have been returned to Madam
Salenave.
List of those who have also plant"^ in the English q''.
Acres. Negros.
400
150
400
190
200
90
150
10
200
40
400
200
200
40
L* Gen' Mathews
300
70
Maj"' Oen' Lambert .
350
ICO
Ralph WiUet .
200
71
Fra. Phipps
200
47
Jos'"'' Estridge
150
50
Hen. AViUet .
100
40
Jn" Willet
250
00
September 12. William Codrington wrote from
Doddington offering Government £8 per acre for
2000 acres in the French quarter ; Mr. Micajah Perry
and Eichard Perry and other merchants of London
also made various offers for lands, and Thomas John-
sou offered £61,000 for the whole remainder. The
unoccupied lands were not, however, sold to these
speculators, but Lieut. -Governor Mathew surveyed
them himself, and they were all sold to planters
and the proceeds received by the home Government.
In 1718 a very complete list, with personal particulars
of the 97 grantees, was drawn up.
(B. T. Leeward Islands, vol. 15.)
October 18. The poor are still in great distress
from lack of bread-stuff, and owing to the dry
weather and the worm they are daily leaving. One
hundred barrels of flour are to be distributed.
* West Indian history presents this curious phase, that millions
of money and thousands of liyes were often sacrificed in capturing
the French or other Islands ; but their reduction was no sooner
accomplished, and new plantations settled by our countrymen, than
by a stroke of the pen an uncertain patched up peace would be
signed, our colonists sacrificed, and islands which were always a thorn
in our side would be complacently restored by thoughtless Ministers
to their former owners. Such policy did not suit the colonies, the
planters expected to reap where they had sown, and not to be thrown
over to suit Ministers' European policy.
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
xci
October 25. John Reynolds had just sold 500
barrels of flour at two pistoles each. The following
new ineuibeis were returned : —
Isaac Horslbrd, Esq., for Falmouth & Rendesvoiis Bay.
W" Home, Esq., Bermudian Valley & Old Road.
The. Pigott, Esq., New North Sound.
1717-18, January 13. The old seal to be broken,
and the new one just arrived to be used.
February 20. John Gamble takes his seat at the
Council.
February 24. Next 5 March to be a fast day for
drought.
1717-18, Feb. The Committee report as follows con-
cerninn; the finances : —
d.
343 15
,250
350
1,000
500
The Annual Revenue.
There is a perpetuall fund of one pound of Sugar or
Tob.acco raised annually per acre on Fifty-five
thousand acres of Land which at 1^ per pound
amounts to ------- -
The Duty on Liquors Imported uncertain, but gener-
ally is 1,200
That during: the late Warrs with France the Tax on
Slaves hath been from tenn to sixteen shillings
per head frequently on Land and Cattle in Pro-
portion. This year on Slaves only at ten shillings
per head for sixteen thousand iive hundred is
On house Rents in the towns at 5 per cent.
On Merchants trading in the Island according to the
appearance of their business which Commonly
amounts to
On Lycences for selling Liquor - - - - -
On Ships and other Vessells trading to the Island one
pound of powder per ton . - . . .
The annual charge attending the Publick of this
Island in time of Peace.
To Monks Hill and other Fortifications for Gunners
and Matrosses
To Carriages and Flaggs about - - - . -
To making and Cleaning Ponds - . - - .
To Publick Entertainments and Festivals -
To the Council and Assembly's allowance on their
Public meeting at 6' per D;iy - . . .
To their Clerks and Messengers Sallery ...
To the Agents allowance ---...
To Solicitations at home ......
To repairing the Fortifications
To the Charge attending Slaves Executed and taking
up of Runaways -------
To Pensioners allowance ------
To Expence attending the General and Quarter
Sessions Clerks and Coroners fees
To the Treasurer his Clerk to"
To repairing of Bridges --...-
To incident Charges for Expresses sick sailors from
his Majesty's Ships fcc"
To rent of a house for his Excellency . - - -
To the four and a half per Cent, and other Charges
attending the Importation of sugar &c" for
18,000 hhd' is
The Charge attending the Publick of this Island in
time of Warr over and above what it doth in Peace.
To Monks hill Fortification for Managers Clerks
Overseers Provisions .and allowance for work of
slaves at one per cent. ------ 5,800
To twelve Guards at £75 per iiun. - . - . 900
To Quarters allowed twelve officers and three hundred
Centinells fi,670
To French Prisoners Truces and Provisions - - 1,500
T.) alarmes and Expresses 1,200
To carriages for Gunns 1,000
To Provisions for Guarders 150
Tu Masons and other Workmen 400
Signed Nath' Crump.
James Weatheeill.
Mabm» Bachelek.
The Comniittee also send in the following report
concerning defences, etc. : —
On Monkshill FortiSoation North Bastion to Eastward
of the Gate 6 Gunns, 4 well mounted, two wants Carriages.
The West Bastion Eastward .3 Mounted, 2 Dismounted.
The Great Platform Eastward 3 Mounted, 7 Dismounted
for want of Carriages.
On the Soutli side of the Fortification 4 Guns well
mounted.
On the West side of the Fortification 4 Guns dismounted
and no Carriages.
548
400
100
600
500
113
450
200
700
15
500
131
5
250
600
80
1,000
600
10,125
On the Bastion of the West side of the Gate one well
mounted, 3 Dismounted and want Carriages.
On the Lower Battery called Codringtons 4 Guns well
mounted but not serviceable by reason they are Covered
with the watch of the Hill.
Most of the Guns when fitted will want Platforms. All
manner of Rammers, Spunges, Worms, & hand-spikes.
Flaggs for all the forts and Platformcs, and blie Spunges &
Rammers for Guns of four pounders, to those for 24 Guns
for all the Forts. A Quile of Rope for Monks Hill and
Saint .Johns.
On Falmouth Fort— 12 Guns mounted, and not above
si.x fitt for service, the Carriages being Decayed.
Willoughby Bay Platform— 5 Gunns and but one for
service, for want of Carriages.
Parham Platforme — 4 Cannon well mounted, but wants
a Platforme and the ]\Iagazeen Repaired.
Old Road Platforme— 6 Guns well mounted, the other
fitt for no use, the Platforme in good order.
Fort James — at Saint Johns 17 Pieces of Cannon, and
not six fitt for service. Carriages being English Wood all
Decayed. The Gate down and wants doing up.
The Magazeen wants repairing. The Platforme that
the Guns play on wants repairing. A new foot to the Flagg
staff, this being Rotten.
On Dickinsons bay. Ship Sterne, & other Bays, about
thirty pieces of Cannon, none fitt for service, all lying on
the Ground.
At Monks Hill nine pair of Lignum Vitaj wheels with a
little repair will be made good. The List taken the 12*'' of
August 1717 per
Sam' Parry.
March 3. George Lucas is sworn in as Treasurer.
The Assembly address the King about Governor
Hamilton's reported supersession and Colonel Pur-
cell's appointment in his place.
Hen. Syms.
Jn° Wi'ckham.
Tho. Williams,
Esq.
Tho. Williams.
Jn» Teate.
Nath. Wickham.
Edw. Mann.
Roger Adams.
Sam. Brvant.
W™ Thomas.
Nich. Lynch,. Jun.
Sam. Martin.
Obad. Bradshaw.
Jn" Tomlinson,
Jun'', to join the
Troop.
1718, March 81. An Address vras sent to the
King on the birth of a Prince.
Benjamin Rutland, John Buckshorne, Caesar
Rodeney, and Robert Heughes to join the Troop,
and John Lavicount, Jun., and John Fowler
exempted. Three hundred small arms have arrived.
There having been hardly any freight this season,
several masters of ships petition against the payment
of dues. A bridge was recently built at the end of
Dunconibe's Folly for £100.
June 10. Elizabeth Benson petitions for a
licence to beg alms, all her property to the value of
j6200 having been burnt as per certificate. She is
accordingly licenced for six months.
Isaac Royall, John Boudinot, and Charles Everet
to join the Troop.
Joseph French is so gouty he cannot longer
serve. Some of the Members were fined for depart-
ing the House contrary to rules.
July 1. John Gamble joins the Council.
September 18. John Haddon petitions for 3000 lbs.
of sugar or £18 for his negro.
Four Members were fined 6s. for being absent at
calliuff over list.
XCll
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
October 9. Samuel Martin and Tho. Kerby,
Esqrs., are returned for St. John's Town.
October 29. The present season a fine one.
December 10. John Yeamans, Esq., John Price,
Nathaniel Humphrys, Thomas Morris, Jan., to join
the Troop, and William Hilhous of Parham discharged.
December ] 6. Perrie York, Thomas Ainesworth,
Eobert Bryan, and Robert Menzies to join Troop.
Dec. 24. John Knight, Esq., of Gosfield Hall in the
county of Essex, appointed Secretary of the Leeward
Islands. (' Historical Register.')
1718-19, March 6. Letter read from Mr. Secretary
Craggs, dated 24 December last, notifying the Gover-
nor that war with Spain was about to be declared.
£5000 was at once raised for placing the colony in a
state of defence.
1719, March 26. £432 was paid to members of
the Assembly for their services from 9 March 1715
to 18 February 1718-19, and £144 to those of the
Council.
May 22. £1000 to be raised for the forts, and
one negro per cent, to be put on to work.
May 28. Mr. Jac. Morgan and Mr. Andrew
Murray expelled the House for contempt.
June 9. There are 84 barrels of powder in store
and 15 due.
Hon. Colonel Thomas Morris was re-instated at
the Council by order of the King, dated 4 April this
year. The Roman Catholic Act was disallowed.
The re-election of Andrew Murray and Jac. Mor-
gan, recently expelled, is declared void.
July 6. John Gamble, Esq., takes his seat at the
Council, his mandamus bearing date 20 August 1718,
vice Richard Oliver, Esq., deceased ; likewise John
Yeamans, Esq., whose mandamus was dated 6 Decem-
ber 1718, vice Colonel William Thomas deceased.
August 1. The Assembly adjourned, and to next
meet at the house of Jeffry Duncomb in Parham
Town.
August 7. All the laws are to be transcribed, and
Thomas Kerby, Esq., offers his collection of them for
£300, which was accepted on 14 September.
November 17. Slingsby Bethell,* Gent., John
Duer, Gent., Peter Gayner, Rob. Magill, Ambrose
Lynch, and William Hughs to join the Troop.
December 1 . Joshua Jones, having been aj^pointed
Deputy of the Leeward Islands by Horatio Walpole,
Esq., Surveyor and Auditor-General for America,
takes the oaths. A letter from the Lords of the
Treasury was also read, apjjointing Clement Crook,
Esq., as a Receiver of the Casual Revenue by warrant.
December 7. A Comt of Exchequer to sit and
settle about the sums due from the late Mr. Richard
Buckeridge, the Receiver and Collector of Customs.
John Lucas to be Chief Baron, and Isaac Hors-
ford, Samuel Mai-tin, Thomas Kerby, and Christopher
Stoodly, Esqrs., to be Barons.
• Later, M.P. for London, and Lord Mayor 1756.
1720, July 18. List of Inhabitants of the Leeward Islands.
Free.
Servts, free & unfree.
Men able
Meu.
Women
Boys.
Girla. Men. Women
Boys.
GhTs.
arms.
Negros.
Antigua .
739
819
744
652 471 140
45
42
1109
19,186
Montserrat .
486
492
295
.320 64 10
9
12
444
3,772
Nevis
331
426
206
312 33 18
13
4
378
5,689
S' Christophers
645
694
626
575 16 54
28
15
755
7,321
Christenings & Burials at Antigua 6 Feb. 1715-lC to 18 July
1720.
.Males.
Females.
Chri
steninfcs .
230
223
Burials .
311
124
Exports from Antigua.
Gallons
lbs. of
lbs. of lbs. of
lbs. of
lbs
of
gals, of
gals, of
Lime Juice.
Sugar.
Cotton. Ginger.
Lignum A'itse
Fustick.
Rum.
Molasses
25 June to 25 Sep. 1719
4.114,811
105,644 27,841
2,488
81,366
52,233
25 Sep. to 25 Dec. 1719
335
495,155
23,511 1,090
2,222
23,422
6,467
25 Dec. 1719 to Mar. 1719-20
,
1090
1,184,716
40,060
12,000
39.024
20.690
25 Mar. 1720 to 25 June 1
"20
6,149,090
93,495 57,046
100,152
61,266
1425
11,943,772
262,710 85,980
4,710
12,000
243,964
140,656
During the last two or three years there had
been much dissension in St. Philip's Parish as to the
advisability of building a new parish church in the
centre of the district. The old one stood at Wil-
loughby Bay by the sea-shore, and no doubt answered
its purpose in early days, but now the great majority
of the people lived several miles off, the various
plantations having become fully settled, and the old
township at Willoughby Bay, which had but few
houses, was chiefly used for the shipping of sugars
to St. John's.
It does not appear how the Assembly settled this
controversy, but it is probable that the matter was
compromised by retaining the old parish church by
the sea-shore and improving the chapel of ease at
Belfast for the accommodation of the inhabitants at
the other side of the parish. The following lists are
in vol. 16, B. T. Leeward Islands, together with a plan
of the parish with the names of the owners of the
estates, also one of Antigua annexed. The proposed
new central church was to be on the land of Captain
John King, half-way between Belfast chapel and
Willoughby Bay old church.
1720. List of the Parishioners of S' Phillips Parish that are
for building of the Center Church their Number of
Acres of Laud and Slaves : —
The Hon"" Coll" John Frey
Maj'' William Grear
Maj"' Anthony Brown
Cap' John King .
Cap' John Richards
Joshua Jones, Esq''
M"' Geffery Lyons .
M' William Lavington .
Land.
Slaves
334
90
123i
60
158i
48
222
80
200
53
270
32
415
94
140
59
GEORGE I. GEORGE 11.
xcm
M'' Obadiah Bradshaw
Cap' William Monk
Doct"' Joseph Archbold
M"' Mark Monk
M' Thomas Kerby
M-- Gilbert Garrett .
M"" George Brown
M' John Waters
Cap. John Kerr
Cap. John Elliot
For the Center Church
Against the Center Church
DifFerance
1.S6
70
27i
102i
50
43i
27
20
286
2534
23
10
6
9
24
1
6
85
101
2,81H
2,2401
780
548
51U 232
List of the Parishioners of S' Phillips Parish that are against
The Center Church their Number of Acres of Land and
Slaves : —
Cap. William Paynter
M'' Benj" Wickham
M' John Lavicount, Sen'
M"- John Witts
M.' Tymothy Singau
M' Joseph Lydeatt
M"" Joseph Todman
M"' Thomas Spencer, Jun
Cap' W" Steele
M'' John Lavicount, Jun
M.'' William Steele, Jun
M' Henry Lowry
M'^ John Barnard
M' Jn° Fowler
M' Jacob Swan
M' Vail. Keefe
M' Mart. Laviconnt
M' Sam'i Lavicount
W Tymothy Fowler
W Sam'i Miles
M'' John Delanay
M' George Hyde
M'' Peter Adgett
M"^ John Baker
M' Charles Golding
Jn" Pbilpott
John Brooks
Henry Swan
Corn. Maloou
M^
M--
M^
M^
Brought over
Nonsuch.
M'' Barth" Applegate
M' Symon Albiston
Sam" Amonnett .
Richard Bowen .
Benj* Barnes
Thomas Elmes .
James Echterlony
Hugh Jones
Daniell Manehan
Ambrose Marchant
William Prynn .
Edward Poskins
Francis Paw
John Pike .
William Rice
Den' Sullivan
Thomas Stevenson
Robert Toft
Peter Wilcox
John Williams .
Land.
110
480
64
98
83
150
20
16
80
54
80
20
30
29
10
13
13
36
30
10
60
10
30
20
20
Slaves.
40
100
18
39
31
30
11
1
11
17
1
15
7
20
1,566
674i
15
10
10
32i
34i
70
20
10
20
20
1301-
23
10
20
10
10
15
94
37i
10
2
3
6
2
8
1
3
2
4
387
161
2,2404 548
5
4
12
6
28
1
2
7
7
18
2
2
13
1
3
20
15
2
1
3i'i
6
10
3
20
3
10
—
6744
161
John Wallis
John Coleburn .
William Reynolds
Godfry Ellis
By Act of 20 February 1721 the Body Ponds
•were declared to be public, paths to them were
ordered to be laid out by a jury, and persons were
forbidden to cut timber within thirty feet of the
edge. These particular ponds are stated to have
yielded fresh and wholesome water when other
bodies of fresh waters had become dried up.
1721, May 9. John Hart was this day nominated
by the King to be the new Captain-General, and on
May 11 direction was given that his commission was
to be at once prepared and Hamilton's revoked.
July. The English and French Governors sign an
agreement for mutual aid in the destruction of pirates.
December 19. John Hart, Esq., the new Captain-
General, arrived this day after a seven weeks'
voyage. He appointed William Mathew, Esq., the
Lieut. -General, to be Lieut. -Governor of Nevis, as
well as of St. Kitts, in the place of Colonel Michael
Smith, who had recently died in London.
Andrew Kingston, commander of the " Lloyd " Galley,
carrying 12 Guns & 18 Men, wrote on 24 April from S'
Christophers : — " I was on the 26"' of March about four
Leagues from Antegoa : they fir'd at me, being Pirates, one
a Ship of 3G Guns, 250 Men, and 50 Negroes, the other a
Brigantine of 18 Guns, 46 Men, and 20 Negroes : These I
could not withstand." . . . . " PS. At this Place are several
Pirates in Prison, which run away with Merchant-Ships
Boats from Antegoa, and were taken at Santa Cruz, an
Island not inhabited : Its thought they will not be hang'd,
which makes a great many Pirates about these Islands."
(' Historical Register,' p. 247.)
1721-22, Jan. 1. New Sessions.
Justices taking
the election.
Mich' Arnald, Esq.
Ashton Warner, Esq.
Giles Watkins, Esq.
Geo. Thomas, Esq.
Hon. Nath. Crump, Esq.
Sam. Parry, Esq.
Geo. Lucas, Esq.
Hum. Osborn, Esq.
Jas. Weatheril, Esq.
Jn" Gunthrop, Esq.
Bap. Loobey, Esq.
Jn" Burton, Esq.
Persons elected.
Tho. Freeman, Esq.
Chas. Dunbar
Jn° Burk
Barth. Sanderson
Ashton Warner
Rich. Oliver
Jacob Morgan (
W"' Mackinen f
Geo. Thomas
Jn° Wickham.
Jn" Kerr
Jn° Duer
Jn° Lightfoot
Bap. Loobey
Hen. Osborn
Hum. Osborn
Isaac Horsford
Isaac Royall {
Jas. Weatheril )
Jn° Gunthrop |
Rich. Ash I
Joshua Jones
Jn° Richards
Sam. Martin
Jn° Roe
For what place
elected.
. S' Johns Town.
S' Johns Division.
Dickinsons Bay.
Five Islands.
[ Belfast.
} Old North Sound.
> Willoughby Bay.
( Falmouth & Ren-
i dezvous Bay.
Popeshead.
New North Sound.
Nonsuch.
I Old Road & Ber-
/ mudian Valley.
Hon. Ashton Warner chosen Speaker 7iem. con.
1721-22, Jan. 2. Jn° Roe declared to have been unduly
elected for Old Road, & Tho. Freeman to be the member.
By the 32" Royal Instruction the annual salary of
£700 St. hitherto paid to the Capt.-Gen' out of the 44 per
cent, duty, is to be increased by £500 St., & £200 st. a year
is to be paid to each of the L*-Gov". Any extra sums voted
to the Governor must be settled by the 1" Assembly called.
Jan. 8. The meetings of the Ass'y having always been
held in taverns, it is now thought fiHvjoob'e '■b"'- - h],ecial
house shall be treated for, & it is stated that M'" Dayley'a
can be rented for £100 a year, also Col. Jas. Nisbitt's.
XCIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Jan. 29. The Ass'J sits from 9 to 2 p.m. £1200 c. per
annum is voted to Gov' Hart, to begin from 2.5 Mar. 1723,
& £1000 a year till then. He appears to have been dis-
satisfied with this sum, but on 1 Feb. he finally agreed to
accept £1500 a year, which was to be raised by a tax of
3/6 per ton & 3 per cent, on goods imported. A cistern
was ordered to be built at Barnacle Point Guard House.
1722. Present prices of produce at Antigua : —
Sugar . . . .18/- per 100 lbs.
Rum . . . .18'' per gallon.
Molasses . . . . 9'' „ „
Black ginger . . .15/- per 100 lbs.
Scraped ,, . . . 50/- ,, „
White cotton . . . 8^ „ lb.
Yellow „ . . . 7'' „ „
May 3. Col. Jeremiah Blizard the Coroner is paid for
sitting on 39 bodies, at £3 2s. 6d. each.
1722-23, Jan. 10. M"' Hen. Warner is appointed
powder-ofiicer.
Feb. 12. Nath. Gilbert is returned for Old North
Sound & Jn" Parry, Esq., for Nonsuch.
Captain Nath' Uring with the colonists sent by the
Duke of Montague to colonise S' Lucia having been com-
pelled to capitulate to the French retired to Antigua. He
had with him but 80 men able to bear arms. (Southey.)
1723, May 25. The Assembly ofi'er .3/6 a ton for a year to
Gov'' Hart, which he refused to accept, and dissolved the
House on the 27"' inst. for not complying with H.M.
instructions.
1723, June 11. New Sessions.
Hon. Edw. Warner, Esq. Hum. Osborn, Esq'
Geo. Lucas, Esq'
Ashton Warner, Esq.
Jas. Nisbitt, Esq'
Hon. Arch. Cochran
Col. Jn° Gunthorp
Sam. Watkins, Esq.
Isaac Royall, Esq.
Col. Geo. Lucas
Cap. Jn" Burton
Col. Geo. Lucas
Jn" Kerr, Esq.
Ashton Warner, Esq'
Rich. Oliver, Esq'
Jn° Burk, Esq'
Chas. Dunbarr, Esq'
Chr. Stoodley, Esq'
Hopefor Bendall, Esq'
Tho. Freeman, Esq'
Nath. Gilbert, Esq'
Fra. Carlile, Esq'
Jn" Gunthorp, Esq'
Jac. Morgan, Esq'
.las. Weatherill, Esq'
Isaac Royall. Esq'
Tho. Jarvis. Esq'
Hen. Osborn. Esq'
Hen. Lyons, Esq'
Sam. Martin, Esq'
Sam. Fry, Esq'
James Gamble, Esq'
Joshua Jones, Esq'
Jn° Parry, Esq'
Jn" King, Esq'
Jn° Lightf oot. Esq'
Falmouth.
! S' Johns.
l«.
S' Johns Town.
Old North Sound.
New North Sound.
Dickinsons Bay.
Popeshead.
Willoughby Bay.
1 Old Road & Ber-
I mudian Valley.
Five Islands.
Nonsuch.
Belfast.
Ashton Warner was chosen Speaker.
Sam. Martin & Sam. Fry are declared unduly elected &
Jn° Burton & Fra. Burton, Esqrs., take their places.
June. Jn° Kerr to take the place of Jn° Lightfoot
unduly elected.
July 23. Mr. Wavell Smith, the new Secretary-
General, has lately an-ived. Thomas FreemECn,
Joshua Jones, and Richard Oliver of the Assembly,
to join with certain members of the Council and to
form a Committee for inspecting the records in the
Secretary's office.
August 7. Wavell Smith, Secretary-General, and
Patrick Crawford, Provost-Marshal-General, present
their patents under the Great Seal, both dated
29 July last at St. Kitts, and take the oaths.
September 3. Order passed for £12 to Jacob
Eustin for chains for Finan the pirate, whose body
is now hanging at Rat Island. Order for £8 Is. 6d. to
Anthony Gan-at for gallows. Petition of Francis
Delatroide for payment of Jll for dining 24 jurymen,
of whom Richard Oliver was foreman, at the trial of
the pirates.
September 13. Henry Warner, clerk to the
Board of Officers, is paid £18 15s. or 3000 lbs. for
one year's salary.
List of vessels drove ashore during the late dreadful
hurricane of 19 & 20 Sep. : —
At S' Johns Harbour, 7 ships, 6 snows, 7 briganteens, 2
schooners, & 6 sloops.
At Falmouth, 1 ship.
At Parham, 2 ships & 4 sloops.
6 ships, 2 snows, 3 briganteens, 1 schooner, & 1 sloop
rode out the storm.
H.M. Ships "Hector" & "Winchilsea" at English
Harbour received no damage.
October 4. Wavell Smith writes that Governor
Hart has removed with his family to St. Kitts and is
at variance with the Assembly of Antigua.
October 18. Colonel Humphry Osborne, repre-
sentative for Falmouth, is dead. William Furnell,
merchant, who lost a cargo worth £1300 on board the
" Joanna " by the late storm in St. John's Harbour,
petitions for remission of duty.
Antigua October 22'', 1723.
Wee the underwritten being appointed as a Committee
to receive Proposals for the building a New Magazine, have
accordingly mett and Richard Oliver Esq"^ being willing to
undertake the same, has proposed to us the building one of
Twenty two feet high from the water Table to the projection
of the Arch, The side walls to be three feet and half thick,
to be arched with Brick nine Inches, and a Wall to be over
the Brick to make the Arch Three feet thick and to be
tarrassed over, and all other things to be compleatly done
according to an Estimate delivered herewith, which M''
Oliver proposes to do for Three hundred pounds cash to be
paid as soon as the new magazine is finished and M'' Oliver
to have the Old Magazine and the Land belonging to it,
delivered to him to dispose off as he shall think proper
which land we believe to be half a proportion or there-
abouts.
John Frye.
Francis Carlile.
John Burke.
The above was the outcome of a resolution arrived at on
13 Sept. at a meeting of the Ass'>', when it was recorded
that " M'' Oliver a member of this House has proposed the
undertaking to build a Publick Magazine for powder."
November 9. George Thomas returned for Fal-
mouth vice Colonel Humphry Osborne, deceased.
Petition of John Chapman, Commander of the ship
" Francis," driven ashore during the late storm in St.
John's Harbour, whereby he lost £700. Begs for
remission of the 3 per cent. tax.
November 15. The new Assembly voted the
Governor £600 currency for the repair of his house
which suffered by the late hurricane, and £1000
currency for his support. John Parry resigns his
seat. Arthur Dabson, Esq., Deputy-Provost-Marshal,
says that the prison is in such bad repair that the
prisoners can go in and out as they like.
November 26. By a royal proclamation all officers
are to renew their commissions under Governor
Hart. The Hon. William Byam records his protest
that by the royal instructions the first Assembly
must always pass an Act for the Governor's mainten-
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
xcv
ance, and not a second one as in the present case.
Charles Dunbar is Surveyor-General of the Customs.
Wavell Smith and Richard Oliver, Esqrs., are sworn
as J.P.'s.
November 26. The following to join the Troop : —
Tho. Stevens.
Vict. Looby.
Jn" Bryan.
Edw. Morgan.
Abraham Picart
De Laferte.
Jacob Morgan, Esq. Benj. Joyce.
Geo. Thomas, Esq. Joiiath. Hill.
Gilb. Fleming, Esq. W" Grimes.
Peter Adams. W™ Hood.
Peter Hazell. Ja° Delap.
Hugh Holmes. W" Nugent.
Dec. 2. Timothy Singin, Tho. Nicholas, Steph. Blizard,
to join Col. Warner's troop of Carabiniers.
Dec. 9. A new gaol to be erected. Licence of absence
under the great seal granted to M'' Patrick Crawford,
Provost-Marshal of the Leeward Islands.
Dec. 12. The following gentlemen were sworn as pond-
wardens : —
Jn° Parry
Rob. Bryant
Jn" Kerr
Nath. Gilbert
Jas. Parke, Esq"
Geo. Thomos
For Jn" Gunthorpe
Falmouth Is' Royall
Precincts. Fra. Carlile
Chr. Stoodley, Esq'" _
For S' Johns
Division.
Cei'tain young Traders & others having been utterly
ruined by gamblers & swindlers, an Act was passed on
2 Dec. 1723 for their protection : by which any player
winning by fraud at cards, dice, billiards, tables, tenuis,
bowls, skittles, shovel-board, nine-pins, cock-fighting, horse
races, dog matches, or foot races, would foifeit treble win-
nings, i of which would go towards fortifications & ^ to the
loser. No person might win over £7 within the 24 hours
without incurring the like fine.
Great numbers of slaves having taken advantage of the
lenity of the laws & fled to the mountains, whence they
issued in armed bands to damage the plantations, an Act
was passed on 9 Dec. 1723 for their better government.
Their ring-leaders were attainted of felony & a reward of £3
■was payable for each runaway killed & £6 if captured alive.
The full value of such slaves killed to be paid their owners.
Christmas day & the 2 following days were to be holidays
for all slaves .during which time it was customary to declare
martial law.
1723-4, Jan. 23. It is decided that the Attorney-Gen'
shall always receive 42/ cash for his opinion. W™ Mackinen
returned for Dickinsons Bay v. Jac. Morgan. Many of the
troops hare died owing to their irregular way of living.
The Council of Officers passed a resolution to have Dragoons,
that the soldiers should have bayonets & every officer appear
■with a half pike & sash.
January 27. It was decided that "a breviatt
field officer " has a right to sit and vote at a general
court-martial. The Governor appointed Major James
Weatherill and Major John Tomlinson, Junior, his
Aides-de-camp.
February 13. It is ordered that 100 of the Duke
of Montagu's servants, who have been a great while
in the Leeward Islands, shall be offered £15 a head
if they will agree to sign Indentures for two and three
quarter years or more, and to have each one pair of
shoes and 10 yards of oznabrigs. Mr. William John-
son agreed to build a gaol upon Major Eichard
Oliver's plan for £900, and a magazine for £200,
which was accepted.
February 17. The Speaker to collect the laws for
publication, towards which £500 was voted.
March 10. £40 a year is to be paid to the free
school at Parham, where the Council and Assembly
and all Courts of Law are held for Falmouth Division.
The population and produce of the Island for the
past year is thus estimated : —
Whites (of all ages) . 5,200
White Men . . 1,400
Blacks (of all ages) . 19,800
Sugar . . . 12,000 hogsheads
Eum .... 4,000 (? puncheons)
Molasses . . . 850
Cotton . . . 200,000 lbs.
Ginger . . . 200,000 lbs.
(1724 ?) March 27. Michael Ayon petitions, that he
was wounded in the defence of Gov Parke, that he lost
£1000, that he attended here for the prosecution 5 years &
was only paid 5/ a day. Hopes for some compensation for
his losses & charges. Ordered £100 a year pension during
pleasure. (America and West Indies, No. 552.)
The Duke of Montagu had recently attempted a settle-
ment at S' Lucia with 180 persons mostly indentured of
whom many deserted, & the remainder having capitulated
to the French were sent on to Antegoa.
1724, April 8. William Reynolds, a poor man,
petitions the Assembly that Mr. Secretary Smith
has charged him 14s. or 15s. instead of 3s. 9c?.
Wavell Smith is reprimanded and referred to the
legal docket of fees settled by Governor Codrington
in 1703.
May 12. Mr. William Johnson is appointed
Clerk to the Assembly vice Mr. Henry Walker
resigned.
August 3. It was ordered that no person should
cut down timber within thirty feet of public ponds.*
November 26. The Council in their address to
Governor Hart remind him that in three years he
has received from the Island £4300 in specie, that
no former Governor received as much in five years ;
they now ofPer him a house or £400 a year, but
refuse to pass the Act of Settlement.
December 5. Governor Hart replies that £4300
currency is equivalent to £2860 sterling, and out of
that his servants' wages are £200 a year ; he will for
the future reside on another island.
December 11. The Council answer that Governor
Hamilton lived in the same house at £40 a year rent,
and had no estate here, and they had twenty-five
years' experience of him. They have had three good
seasons and discharged £15,000 of old debts, but there
is still due £2318 currency to Mr. JohnDenew of the
"Mary" galley, o-wing since 1705-6, with interest
at ten per cent., also £1363 currency to the estate of
the late General Hamilton and £571 to William
Nevine, Esq.
Gov' Hart reports that the Inhabitants of Antigua sail
9000 tuns of shipping. The annual produce for export
calculated on the mean for 7 years is 12,000 hhds. sugar,
4000 of rum, 850 hhds. molasses, 200,000 lbs. cotton,
200,000 lbs. ginger, no indigo. There are 5200 whites &
19,800 blacks, 1400 Militia. Taxes on 55,000 acres of
manurable land. Cost of government £6500. 3 Mihtia
* Antigua -was formerly covered with forest, nearly all of
which had been cleared for sugar planting. That the indiscriminate
destruction of trees was considered to be an eril is proved by the
above order from the Assembly, and their retention in the
immediate neighbourhood would naturally retard the evaporation
of water from the ponds. Whether or not the establishment of
woods on waste hill-tops at Antigua would attract rain may be left
to specialists to say, but there can be no doubt that they would help
to retain in the soil what rain fell.
XCVl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Reg'' of foot & 1 troop of Carabiniers. Col. Rich. Lucas
has 10 companies of regular troops each of 32 effectives.
December 23. The Members of Assembly agree
to remit for the future their pay of Ga. a day.
1725, July 6. Their Lordships received a petition
against Governor Hart from the merchants trading
to the Leeward Islands.
Captain Francis Cooper of H.M.S. " Lynn " and
Captain Artlmr Del Garno of H.M.S. " South Sea
Castle " having reported that English Harbour
might be made a very proper place for careening and
refitting, and so save H.M. ships the trouble of going
to the Northern Colonies for that purpose, an Act
was passed 25 September 1725 granting twenty acres
to the King, on which wharfs, magazines, and store-
houses might be erected for the use of the men-of-
war of the Leeward Islands Squadron.
Between 20 December 1721 and 25 December
1725, 5600 negros were imported in forty-four vessels.
(Southey.)
1725-6. Governor Hart appoints Francis Carlile
to the Council vice Colonel John Hamilton, deceased.
January 3. John Roe, Esq., is appointed a
Puisney Judge of the Court of K.B. and C.P.
Mr. Robert Oliver was returned for Nonsuch vice
Mr. John Parry.
William Johnson is sworn in as Master and
Examiner in Chancery, and Edward Chester and
Nathaniel Crump, jun., as J.P.'s.
January 6. Colonel Crump is dying, and the
Governor recommends Edward Chester for a seat at
the Council.
January 10. St. Peter's Parish having been found
to be too extensive, the western portion was by Act
erected into a separate parish called St. George.
The Chapel of Ease with its burial-ground situate at
Fitches Creek was to be used as a parish church, the
new rector whereof would enjoy the customary fees
and salai'y.
March 11. A general fast ordained for drought.
1726. Mr. Gilbert Fleming had recently pur-
chased the office of Deputy-Secretary at Antigua
from Mr. Knight for ±200 a year.
May 20. Gov"' Hart writes that " Antigua is in a most
deplorable Condition from the Dry weather, which has
Continued for Eight j\Iouths past, there having been no
Rain fallen there till within this three Days. So that they
have not only lost their Crop for this Year and the next ;
But they have been oblig'd to bring all their Water from
Guadaloupe and Mountserrat ; which was Sold at fifteen
shillings a Hogshead which has occasioned the loss of many
of the Cattle and Negroes."
4633 Negi'os were imported between 20 Dec. 1721 &
25 Dec. 172G.
May 23. Thanksgiving ordered for rain.
July 23. A platform and magazine to be built
at English Harbour.
September 20. George Lucas presents his man-
damus and takes his seat at the Council. George
Byam appointed Treasurer vice Thomas Kerby who
■wishes to resign.
1726-7, January 25. Thomas Kerby, Esq., John
Williams, Archibald Hamilton, and Thomas Shep-
hard to join Troop.
March 3, Captain John King and Mr. Pare to
serve in the Troop.
March 10. Patrick Crawford, Esq., presents his
patent as Provost-Marshal-General.
1727, June 2. The Earl of Londonderry has been
nominated Captain-General of the Leeward Islands,
and his commission is to be drawn up.
June 24. General Mathew wrote that Colonel
Hart embarked on the 14th inst. for London, and
that he daily expects the Earl of Londonderry.
September 30. The proclamation of George II.
is signed by 103 principal inhabitants of Antigua.
(All original signatures Vol. 19, B.T. Leeward
Islands.)
Christenings & Burials Michaelmas 1726 to Mich. 1727.
Christening's. Burials.
S' Marys .15 12 Jas. Knox, Rector.
S- Georges . 4 3 Tho. Allen, Curate,
S' Pauls . 9 9 Tho. Allen, Rector.
S' Johns . 69 66 Tho. Allen, Curate.
S' Phillips . 9 8 Sam" Orr, Rector.
S' Peters .10 12 Sam" Saunders, Rector.
From 25 Mar. 1727 to 20 Nov. 1727, 1658 slaves were
imported which were sold for £20 per head.
Petition of Col. John Staunton that S'' Sam. Foxon was
seized in Antigua of an estate of £300 c. per annum & died
in 1688 & left 4 sons who were all killed in H.M. Service.
The last was Col. Tho. Foxon, A.D.C. to Lord Cadogan,
who was killed by his side at the siege of Mons. leaving
pef his heir & Ex'or. Complains of the fraudulent sale of
the plantation by a law of 1692 by the steward of it to the
said steward's brother for £50.
(America and West Indies, No. 451.)
1727, Dec. 11. New Sessions.
Bj For
Hon. Geo. Lucas, Esq. Hen. Warner ,E^^; [ Faln^outh Division.
Jn" Sawcolt, Esq. Ashton Warner, Esq' | „, -, , Division
Rich. Oliver, Esq' | ^ ''"'^'^^ Uivision.
Tho. Kerby, Esq. Jn"> Burke, Esq' I
^tlXX'"' [S' Johns Town.
Hon. W" Byam, Esq.
Jn° Gunthorpe, Esq.
Sam. Watkins, Esq.
Isaac Eoyall, Esq.
Hon. Geo. Lucas
Col. Sam. Martin
Geo. Thomas, Esq.
Joshua Jones
Col° Jn" Kerr
Nath. Crump, Esq'
Tho. Freeman, Esq' |
W" Yeamans, Esq' /
Fra. Carlisle, Esq' |
Jn" Gunthorpe, Esq' f
W" M'Kinnen, Esq'
Jac. Morgan, Esq'
Tho. Watkins, Esq' {
Isaac Royall, Esq' |
Josiah Martin, Esq' |
Rich. Ash, Esq' |
Sam. Martin, Esq'
Jn" Frye, Esq'
Geo. Thomas, Esq'
Joshua Jones. Esq' |
Sam. Harman, Esq' )
Jas. Parke, Esq' /
Ben. King, Esq' j
Old North Sound.
New North Sound.
■ Dickensons Bay.
Popeshead.
Willoughby Bay.
Old Road & Bermu-
dian Valley.
Five Islands.
Nonsuch.
Belfast.
Geo. Thomas was chosen Speaker, W™ Smith Clerk, &
M'' Jn° Jarvis Messenger.
December 15. John Yeamans, Esq., now in Lon-
don, to be Agent.
1727-8, January 5. Two hundred guineas voted to
Captain Delgarno for his services in constructing the
wharf and platform at English Harbour, etc.
March 2. Hon. William Codrington applies for
two years' more leave.
March 23. Lord LondondeiTy announces the
death of the Hon. Colonel Gamble.
1728, August 19. The Earl of Londonderry's
commission was read. George Thomas and Francis
Carlile take their seats at the Council. The present
Assembly is to continue.
GEORGE I. GEOEGE II.
XCVll
Antigoa, Aug. 20, 1728. (By the Gold Coast,
Cap' Tomlinson.)
Yesterday Noon landed my Lord Londonderry, to his
great Satisfaction as well as ours, having rid out in our
Road off the Bar, twenty four Hours Hurricane, in Defiance
of almost inevitable Death : It has done no Damage to any
of the Ships here, except one New-English Man, which is
drove on the Eocks to the Westward of Ratt-Island, and 'tis
feared will be lost. Some few Sloops were drove on Shore,
but got safely off again ; and on Shore are several Mills over-
set, and many others very much damaged.
(' Historical Register,' vol. xiii., p. 289.)
September 2. John Gunthorpe, Esq., stated
that Mr. Stephen Blizard had been returned for New
North Sound, and George Thomas, Esq , that Mr.
Robert Freeman was elected for Five Islands.
Samuel Martin now Speaker.
September 18. The Earl of Londonderry writes
to notify his arrival at his seat of government on 19th
August last, on which day he published his com-
mission.
October 11. Ordered that Fort Hamilton be
completed.
1728. Imports of sugar into England from Antigua
for 7 years from X'mas 1721 to X'mas 1728, taken from
the Inspector Generals Office, Customs House, 16 April
1730:—
£ £>
1721-2 . 80,067 1725-G . 67,678
1722-3 . 149,361 1726-7 . 96,112
1723-4 . 119,367 1727-8 . 187,260
1724-5 . 149,421
1728-9, January 2. The snow the " Martha and
Elizabeth," bound to Pennsylvania from London-
deny, Captain James Willock, commander, with 150
passengers, has been driven here by stress of
weather, and they are short of provisions. A supply
ordered for them.
February 28. Robert Freeman and Stephen
Blizai'd, Esqrs., to be Assistant-Justices of the Court
of K.B. A writ to be issued for St. John's Town on
account of the death of Mr. Nathaniel Crump.
The following to join Troop of Carbineers under
Colonel Gunthorpe : —
Rob. Martin. Jas. Crawly. Jas. Fleming.
Jn" Manwaring. Rich. Kirwan. W™ Wood.
Rich. Oliver. Tho. Brooke. Arth. Dabron.
Bayer Otto Bayer. Tho. Crafford. Jn" Dun, Jun^
W" Paynter, Sen'. Philip Crump. Jn° Harris.
W™ Smith. Sam. Archibald. Geo. Jenings.
Rob. Arbuthnot. Tho. Morris. Flem. Ward.
W" Wickham. W™ Johnson. W™ Richards.
Rob. Christian. Hen. Warner. Jas. Walker.
Jn° Jones. Hen. Browne. Edw. Gregory.
March 6. The following also to join, viz. : —
Jn" Cheny. Jas. .Senegate. Jn° Hamilton.
Jonas Langford, Rob. Glover, Sen. Jn" Nibbs, son of
Jun''. Jn" Nibbs, mill- Jer. Nibbs, de-
John Libert. wright of New ceased.
W"° Richards. North Sound.
March 8. Several of Colonel Crump's slaves
found guilty of conspiracy were executed.
March 20. Thomas Stephens returned for St.
John's Town.
1729, March 25. George Jennings takes the oaths
as a Master and Examiner in Chancery and Notary
Public.
April 26. Ashton Warner now Speaker vice
Samuel Martin, who has gone to England. Robert
Arbuthnot sworn in as a Judge of the Court of
Admiralty. The King's soldiers are paid 2s. per
diem besides their diet.
April 29. Richard Lucas, Esq., Colonel of the
King's regiment, has been found guilty of corrupt
practices in defrauding the men of their pay.
Sep. 12. Dy'd in the Island of S' Christopher's, Thomas
Pitt of Woodcote in the County of Dorset, Earl of London-
derry in the Kingdom of Ireland, Governor and Captain-
General of the Leeward Islands.
(' Historical Register,' p. 53.)
September 14. General William Mathew writes
to their Lordships from St. Kitts that His Excellency
the Earl of Londonderry died there on the 12th inst.,
that Petitioner had been in the second post of this
Government for fourteen years, and hopes they will
nominate him as Captain-General.
Oct. 18. About this Time came Advice of the Death of
Capt. John Smith, Commander of his Majesty's Ship the
" Saphire," who dy'd at Antigua the 19"" of August last.
(' Historical Register,' p. 58.)
November 12. John Burk, merchant, petitions
on behalf of Peter Papillon of Boston, merchant, re
the sloop " Catherine."
November 22. George Lord Forbes' commission
as Captain-General is ordered by the King to be
drawn iip. The Assembly has already spent £1250
sterling at English Harbour. (£900 currency=£600
sterling.)
November 26. Stephen Blizard is appointed
Judge of the Court of Admiralty.
December 3. Draft commission for Lord Forbes
to be Captain-General of the Leeward Islands.
In a manuscript account of St. Lucia prepared
for their Lordships it is stated that Sir Thomas
Warner settled the West Indies in 1626, and
appointed Major Judge Deputy-Governor of St.
Lucia. All the Islands were in 1627 granted to th&
Earl of Carlile, who settled St. Lucia in 1635 and
1637 by English from Bermuda, and in 1638 by a
colony from St. Kitts, and in 1640, 1644, and 1645
by people from Barbados. Reference is made to the
' History of Pere du Tertre,'* printed in Paris 1667,,
also to Purchas' ' Travels ' and Pere Labat'sf
' History.'
Dec. 5. Many Merchants at London petition against the
payment of so large a salary to the Gov^ They state that
the former salary of the Capt.-Gen' was £700 st. a year-
which was increased in 1704 by £500 to £1200. GoV
Hart in 1721 received in addition £1500 a year settled on
him by Antigua, £2000 a year by S' Christophers & £500 a
year by Montserrat. Lord Londonderry received in 1728
£1500 a year from Antigua, £500 a year from Nevis, £2000
a year from S' Christophers & £600 a year from Mont-
serrat. All which is about thrice the value of the salary paid
by the Crown. This state of things impoverishes the-
Islands.
* 'Histoire Generate des Antilles habitees par les franoois,'
5 vols., 4to, printed at Paris 1667.
t 'Nouveau Voyage aux Isles de I'Amerique,' 2 vols., 4to^
printed at the Hague 1724.
XCVlll
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
1729. List of Inhabitants at Antigua.
White Inhabitants
Free
Men.
Women.
Boys.
Girls.
persons
136
83
53
59
8
102
78
62
42
31
108
80
23
39
83
148
87
59
71
12
110
86
45
57
6
35
37
21
20
13
74
64
47
46
26
95
53
35
44
79
32
17
7
1
23
26
11
8
5
4
59
47
35
33
70
21
8
6
7
1
391
445
162
137
175
1337
1096
563
561
531
449
1726-7
. 2183
584
1727-8
. 1365
430
1728-9
. 284G
Division.
Old North Sound .
New North Sound
Nonsuch
S' Johns
Falmouth
Popeshead
Belfast .
Bermudian Valley
Dixsons Bay .
Willoughby Bay .
Old Road
Five Islands .
S' Johns Town .
During the nine years 1721 — 1729 there were at
St. John's 568 christenings and 1025 burials.
Between 5 January 1726-7 and 5 January 1729-30
the value of alcoholic liquors imported amounted to
£8788, which included 2668 pipes of Madeira and
9987 dozen of beer.
The following slaves were imported : —
1720-1, Dec. 25 251 1725-6 . 1645
1721-2 .
1722-3 .
1723-4 .
1724-5 .
1729-30, January 26. Mr. Nevine the late Agent.
1730, May 20. A new seal for the Leeward
Islands to be struck with this inscription : —
" GEORGIUS II. D.G. MAG. BRI. FR. ET HIB. REX. F.D.
BRUN. ET LUN. DUX. S.R. T. ARC. TH. ET PR. EL."
August 24. Jacob Thibou returned for St. John's
Town vice Christopher Stoodly resigned.
An Act was passed on 24 August confirming the
" constant and antient usage of this Island," by
which, for the prevention of concealment of crimes,
the value of slaves executed for felonies was paid
out of the Treasury to their owners.
On 8 December 1730 an Act was passed appoint-
ing for the use of the gimners and matrosses all that
twenty-five acres at St. John's Point which Colonel
James Vaughan granted to His Majesty by deed
dated 12 October 1680, and on which James Fort
had been built.
1731, Antigua, March 28. There is a great want of
Rain, little Sugar, and many Ships waiting for it ; and if
Rain dont fall, there ■will be no Crop next year. The young
€anes are much burnt. The Crops are very short at Nevis
and Mountserrat. The. Ponds are almost dry : and Water so
scarce, that a Pail of Cistern- Water is sold for 3«.
('Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 219.)
May 11. Draft commission for William Cosby
to be Captain-General and revocation of that to
Lord Forbes.
June. Letters from all parts of the West Indies mention
a great Drought, and particularly at Antigua, at which Place
a Pail of Water, containing about 3 gallons, had been Sold
at 7s. that Country Money, or 4s. 8d. Sterling.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 265.)
July 2. Lieut. -General William Mathew having
gone home, Michael Smith, President of Nevis, is
now Commander-in-Chief.
July 14. Colonel Edward Jessup now Provost-
Marshal.
July 26. The Antiguan merchants complain
that the illicit trade carried on between Boston and
Rhode Island with the French Islands is very detri-
mental to them.
October 9. William Smith is appointed powder
officer.
December 2. The practitioners of physic having
done no duty for a long time are to attend as
follows : —
D' Crump
D' Williams
D' Cressy
D' Lavington
D' TuUideph
D' Husband
D' Young
D' Buckthorne )
D' Sydserfe
D' Boyle
D' Carron
D' Michaelson
D' Mignan
D' Sheffield
B' Webb
D' Scott
T>' Dunbar
D' Archbould
D' Boylestone
D' Cbardovoine
D' Pringle
D' Turnbull
To attend the Chief Gov'.
To attend Col. Crump's Reg'.
To attend the Gov''" Reg'.
To attend Col. Sawcolts Reg'.
To attend the Troop.
1
■ To attend as Troopers to be summoned.
To choose where they will appear whether
in Foot or Horse in the space of one
month.
December 10. Robert Weir is now Colonel of
the Forts.
1732, June 5. Drs. George Crump and Walter
Sydserfe certify as to the fitness of Mr. James Pemble
to practise surgery, etc., and he is accordingly
licensed.
June 26. John Morris, Esq., takes his seat at
the Council.
August 10. John Duer, Esq., takes his seat at
the Council, and Joseph Buckshorn is returned for
Falmouth vice Henry Warner, deceased. Josiah
Martin writes to the Speaker tendering his resigna-
tion.
Sep. 4.
Rob. Addison.
Pat. Cusack.
Nich. Poor.
Sam. Brooke.
Sam. Lyons.
Jn° Marlow Jeffer-
son.
Steph. Baker
Dav. Tullideph.
Hen. Bonnin.
Chas. Goor, tojoin
Troop.
September 26. Two of the oldest Council books
are in such bad order that they must be transcribed.
October 18. Black scurvy, which is on theincrease,
is contagious, and has attacked several white families.
The Moravian Brethren sent missionaries to Antigua to
preach the gospel. (Southey.)
1732-3, February 4. William Yeamans resigns
his seat for Old North Sound.
Sam. Meyers.
Ephraim Jordain.
Tbo. Turner.
March 10.
Mich. Lovell. .... Chardavoine,
Sam. Redhead. to join Troop.
Jn" Stephens.
1733, April 3. Draft commission to be pre-
pared for William Mathew, Esq., to be Captain-
General, etc.
May 23. John Murray, Esq., who is going to
England, resigns his seat.
October 31. His Excellency William Mathew's
commission as Captain- General was read.
By a Bill passed this year in the House of Commons it
was enacted that " After 25 Dec. 1733, 9d. per Gallon is to
be paid for Rum and Spirits made in the American Planta-
tions not belonging to his Majesty, on Importation to the
British Plantations ; 6^. per Gallon for Molasses and
Syrups ; and 5s. per C. weight for Sugar and Paneles, to be
paid in British Money. No Sugars, Paneles, Syrups, or
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
XCIX
Molasses of the British Plaatations to be imported into Ire-
land, unless shipped in Great Britain. Duties paid for
Sugar or Paneles imported from the British Plantations after
24 June 1733, to be repaid on Exportation within the year.
An Allowance of 2s. per C. Weight moi-e than formerly to
the Exporter for Sugars refined in Great Britain. Sugars
may be imported from the Spanish or Portuguese Dominions
as formerly. ('Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 257.)
English Harbour being " by nature a port of the
utmost safety " against hurricanes, etc., the Legisla-
ture had built a wharf there, also a fort at the
entrance, and His Majesty had caused storehouses to
be erected besides supplying cannon and warlike
stores. In return for which favours an Act was
passed 8 February 1733 providing for the construction
of two brick cisterns 40 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet, as
also a platform of 100 feet square for conveying
water into them for the purpose of furnishing good
water to H.M.'s ships. Charles Alexander, Gent.,
was appointed Commissioner of the Works, and Tho-
mas Kerby, John Bui-ke, Jacob Thibou, Richard
Oliver, and Edward Chestei-, Esqrs., were nominated
a sub-committee by the House of Assembly for pur-
chasing materials.
1734, April 8. Colonel John Burton to be gunner
at Monk's Hill on account of his misfortunes and good
service.
April 27. Edward Thomas, Esq., is sworn as
Collector at Parham.
May 9. Carried unanimously by the Assembly,
that Mr. Secretary Wavell Smith had exceeded the
fees as settled by General Codrington in 1703,
June 5. Petition of William Smith, Esq., Clerk
of the Assembly, for a year's salary amounting to
£102.
The powder duty for the 10 years, 1725—1734,
amounted to 74,753 lbs. or £4179. The public taxes
for the like period were £61,932.
There were this year 377
whites and 24,408
(Southey.)
negros.
1734, July 2''. New Sessions.
Geo. Jenings, Esq. Jn" Burke. Esq' )
Tho.Kerby, Esci' '. S' Johns Town.
Tho. Stephens, Esq' j
Jac. Thiijou, Esq' ]
W" M'Kinnen, Esq' | Dickensons Bay
Jac. Morgan, Esq' | Division.
Tho. Watkius, Esq' | Popeshead Divi-
Jonas Langford, Esq' ( siou.
Jas. Parke, Esq' |
Ben. King, Esq' |
Rich. Oliver, Esq' |
Sam. Byam. Esq' I
Era. Delap, Esq'
Hen. Lyons. Esq'
John Fryp. Esq'
Kow. Williams, Esq'
Giles Watkins, Esq.
Isaac Royall, Esq.
Hon. Nath. Crump, Esq.
Geo. Jenings, Esq.
Hen. Lyons, Esq.
Hen. Webb, Esq.
Hen. Webb, Esq.
Hon. Geo. Lucas
Hon. Geo. Thomas
John Lightfoot, Esq.
Hon. Geo. Lucas
Belfast Division.
S' Johns Division.
I Nonsuch Divi-
I sion.
I Old Road Divi-
I sion.
T-i /^ti T> •• T? , I Bermudian Valley
Edw. Otto-Baijer, Esq' , ^^ ^-^^ Islands
Jos. Buckshorne. Esq' | Falmouth Divi-
Rol). Freeman. Esq'
Steph. Blizard, Esq'
John Tomlinson. Esq'
Edw' Byam, Esq'
Nath. Gilbert, Esq'.
Rob. Christian, Esq'
I sion.
/ New North Sound
I Division.
I Old North Sound
I Division.
I Willoughby Bay
I Division.
Tho. Kerby is chosen Speaker.
July 12. Hen. Douglas elected for Willoughby Bay.
July 23. A list of guns on the island good & bad.
Good,
i:
Fort James
Hamilton Fort .
Dickinsons Bay
High Point
Byams Fort
9
1 four-pounder bursted. 1200"".
1 eight-pounder y' muzzle broke.
2.500"'".
Mersers Creek .
Mudrlicove Guard
Reef Guard
Pigs Point
Neck of Land .
Half Moon Bay
Williams Fort .
Chalkhill Point
Barkley Fort .
Georges Fort
Codrington Battery
Charles Fort .
Rendezvous Bay
Old Road Fort .
Cades Bay
Johnsons Point
FuUertons Point
Hawks Nest Valley
Galleys Bay
Cripple Gate
Train Guns
Drue's Hill
W- Nibbs .
Parham
Good.
1
1
1
1
1
.5
2
12
33
r>
10
1
8
2
2
1
1
1
7
5
1
2
1
2 five A: a half pound Sakers spiked
& honeycombed. 2000"".
1 Saker has no trunnions. 2000"".
1 bad. 2200"".
2 bad 2000 each.
4000"".
1 bad four-pounder. 1200"=".
1 bad. 2000"".
2 bad Falcons. 1000"='.
1 bad nine-pounder. 3500"".
143 in all.
13 bad.
130 good.
August 29. Thomas Watkins, Ste^jhen Blizard,
and Robert Fi-eeman, Esqrs., are sworn as J.P.'s.
December 20. William Byam is nominated
Treasurer vice George Byam, deceased.
1734-5, January 9. The death of the Hon. Fran-
cis Carlile is announced. Captain John Harris, store-
keeper and armourer at Monk's Hill, receives £98 a
year.
January 16. Edward Thorn, Robert Lampley,
Alexander Shuttleworth, William Droope, Mr. Harry
Webb, John Chalmers, and Vict. Looby to join the
Troop.
February 22. All gun-carriages are made here
of the heart of Black Gregory called white wood.
March 6. Colonel Nathaniel Gilbert resigns his
seat. Experience in the late wars in Flanders
having proved a bayonet to be a very useful weapon,
it was this year ordered to be used by the Militia by-
Act of 15 March 1734.
1735, May 30. Robert Freeman, Esq., Assistant-
Judge of the Court of K.B., being now so sick John
Tomlinson is nominated in his jjlace. Hon. Colonel
Archibald Cochran is granted twelve months' leave.
June 18. Josiah Martin presented his mandamus
as a Councillor, dated 9 April 1735, signed by the
Secretary of State. Samuel Byam resigns his seat
for St. John's Division.
July 1. Edward Home returned for Old North
Sound vice Nathaniel Gilbert. Dr. David Purviance
is licensed to practise.
July 5. Robert Freeman and Joseph Buckshorn,
Esqrs., resign their seats.
August 16. Black leprosy and joint evil are in-
creasing so much among the blacks that cases must
be isolated for the future at Bird Island.
August 23. Ashton Warner was returned for
St. John's Division, and Nathaniel Gilbert and John
Yeamans for Falmouth and Rendezvous Bay.
December 10. William Richards and Anthony
Bezune, being too poor to serve in the Troop, are
dismissed. Mr. Darby's tenements adjoining the
Guard-house are to be hired for the public, and he is
paid £200 for two years' rent of the Court-house.
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
W" Read.
W-" Bird.
Sam. Morgan.
Dec. 20.
Jn° Richardson.
Hen. Hancock.
Jas. Mackie.
Jn" Dnncombft.
Tho. Hanson,
to join the Troop.
1735-6, Jimuarj 16. The j^oor passengers to
Pennsylvania, whose ship put in here, are to be
allowed 1 lb. of beef and 1 lb. of bread daily, and 1 lb.
of butter weekly for three weeks.
February 11. Dr. John Davis is examined by
Drs. William Young and Sydserfe, and is duly
licensed. The Governor reports that there were
13,917 men between the ages of fourteen and sixty,
besides 1889 soldiers on the French Caribbee Islands.
1736, April 30. By His Majesty's decree all
Surveyors-General of the Customs shall sit and
vote as ex officio Members of the Council Extra-
ordinary.
July 5. Edward Otto-Baijer resigns his seat, as
he is off to England.
July 15. John Tomlinson, Esq., one of the Puisne
Judges, will not further attend, and Giles Watkins
being incapacitated by old age and imj)aired con-
stitution and mind Edward Home is appointed.
Fast ordered for the blast and dry weather.
July. A printed letter was forwarded to their
Lordshij)S from a " considerable person at S* Kitts "
containing complaints of the Governor's doings, and
stating that he purchased a sloop of Mr. Gerrish in
1735, armed her, and then captured several French
sloops within a league of the shore.
August 3. Dr. William Mercer is licensed. The
Council report that Secretary Smith has omitted to
record many administrations, etc., and the Council
unanimously agree to petition His Majesty through
their Agent to remove liim.
October 15. Nathaniel French, Dr. Grant, Owen
Arnold, Captain Richard Nicholas, and Abraham
Kedwood to join the Troop ; on 23 October, George
Francklin, Martin Blake, and Samuel Lavington ;
and on 15 November, Philip Nibbs, James Watson,
Dr. Purviance, Mr. Bradford, and Dr. Mercer. A
writ to issue for St. John's, John Burke being lately
deceased.
Extract of a Letter from Antigua, Oct. 24 (1736).
Here has been a general Stop to all Business, occasion'd
by the Happy Discovery of an accursed Negro Plot, which
should have been perpetrated on the 11th Instant, the Anni-
versary of the Kings Coronation, on which Day the General
usually gives a handsome Ball to the Gentlemen and Ladies
of the whole Island, but this was postponed to the 30th
Instant, upon Account of the Death of the General's Son at
S' Christopher's some little time ago. This was the only
preservative of our Lives. The Plot was thus, viz.. One
Court, a Negro Man, belonging to Thomas Kirby, Esq., was
the chief Person in this Aifair ; Tomboy, a Negro Man,
belonging to M'' Thomas Hanston ; and Hercules, a Negro
Man, belonging to M"' John Christophers, were to have been
this King Court's Generals, and while the Gentlemen and
Ladies were diverting themselves at the Ball, which was to
have been held at M"' Christopher Dunbar's new House, they
were to convey a great Quantity of Gun-powder into the
Cellar, and blow the House up : At the same Time this
King Court, Tomboy and Hercules, were to lead a Party of
400 Men each, one from the East End of the Town, one
from Otter's Pasture, and one from Morgan's Pasture, all
arm'd with Cutlasses, and to fall on all the Whites in the
Town, Men, Women and Children, without Reserve, at the
same Time that the House blew up, which was to be a
genei'al Signal to the other Parts of the Island (for they
were to look out on several Eminences, which with a Fire
they were to make at each Place was to convey the Signal
thro' the Island) ; then the Negroes of each Plantation were
to rise and destroy all the Whites in their respective
Districts, and so have made themselves Masters of the whole
Island. Court, Tomboy and Hercules, being suspected for
former Crimes and High Misdemeanors, were taken up, and
after some strict Examination sufficient Cause was found to
commit them; and still more and more Evidences appearing
against them, they were at length convicted on the 19th
Instant at Night. The Day following King Court was
brought np to the Place of Execution, and so lay basking in
the Sun for the full Space of an Hour and a Quartei', when
he begg'd leave to plead, to which the Justices gave their
Assent, and he acknowledged every Thing, that was
acknowledged against him, and what his General Tomboy
had confess'd in Prison the same Morning. At last, about
Noon, King Court was broke on the Wheel, as were Tomboy
and Hercules ; Four more were burnt the same Day in
Otter's Pastui'C, and To-morrow will be 7 more, and so
many as they can find leading Men in this Plot.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 59.)
From Antigua, Jan. 15, 173G-7. That they contiuued
executing the Negroes concerned in the Plot to murder all
the white Inhabitants of that Island, and subvert the Govern-
ment ; that G9 had been executed, of whom five (one of
whom in case they had succeeded was to have been made
their King) were broke on the Wheel. Six were hung in
Chains upon Gibbets, and starved to Death (of whom one lived
nine Nights and eight Days without any sustenance), their
Heads then cut off and fixed on Poles, and their Bodies
burnt ; and 58 were at several Times chained to Stakes and
burnt; and above 130 remain in Prison. {Ibid., p. 187.)
November 1. John Murray returned vice Burke.
At Antigua, Monk's Hill Fort, of 30 guns; a fort of
14 guns at the mouth of St. John's River ('? Harbour) ;
and seven other batteries for the defence of so many
landing-places, in all mounted with 26 guns.
(Southey.)
November 18. Four Justices sign a warrant for
seven negros to be burnt at the stake at Otto's
pasture for conspiracy, one to be hung up alive in
chains, there to die of famine.
November 29. Eight more negros to be burnt.
Frederick Cope, Merrick Turnbull, Charles
Mathews, and William Dunin to join the Troop.
The Treasurer to borrow .€500 at ten per cent.
December 9. The guard at English Harbour is
in great distress, the allowance of 9d. per diem not
being sufficient at such a cold post to buy more than
warm liquor. Rum there costs them 6d. a pint and
bad sugar 6d. a lb. Ernest Lewis Terticon having
petitioned for a licence to practise physic, he was
ordered to lodge with the Secretary his testimonials
from the Prince of Hanault and the Surgeons' Hall
in Amsterdam.
December 20. Twelve more negros condemned
to death, Benjamin King and John Murray are
sworn as J.P.'s.
1736-7, January 8. A negro who stabbed himself
after his conviction had to be broken on the wheel,
and ten more were sentenced to death. From various
depositions from eye-witnesses and informants it
GEOKGE I. GEORGE II.
ci
appears that a very wide-spread plot had been formed
by the blacks to blow up the house in St. John's
where the Governor and the principal inhabitants
were going to attend a ball. Had the plot succeeded
all the whites on the Island would have been
massacred. The slaves used to meet at night in the
woods, and over 2000 of them were present when one
of their number was crowned king. The conspiracy
was, however, fortunately discovered in time, and
prompt and severe measures taken to punish the ring-
leaders. Up to 24 January 1736-7, 47 slaves had been
executed and 37 banished, and it was agreed that no
more should be arrested. By the Island laws all
slaves executed were paid for by the public, their
owners being recompensed the full value, so that
in the present instance the carrying out of justice
was a great expense to the tax-payers.
? 1736-7. A letter of recall was sent to Governor
Mathew, one year's leave granted to Gilbert Fleming,
and the seals ordered to be handed over to Lieut. -
Governor Edward Byam. The Governor had been
accused of making rapacious captures of French
vessels.
1737, March 31. Samuel Byam's mandamus as a
Councillor was dated 12 April 1735, and he takes the
oaths and his seat this day.
Complaint is made that the negros which were
banished in 1729 to the Spanish Coast are still kept by
Colonel Edward Jessup at his plantation at St. Kitts.
May 20. Henry Knight was returned vice Colonel
Jacob Morgan, who resigned.
July 13. Thomas Kerby the Speaker, about to
depart for England, resigns, and Stephen Blizard is
chosen in his place. James Parke resigns his seat.
1737-8, February 1. The following to join the
Troop : —
W"» Byam. Cha. Reed. Geo. Bladen.
Tho. Dunning. Ebenez. Grant. Rob' Lovie.
Jn° Taukerd. Jn" Semiue. Miles Topping.
Jn" Ayres. M'' Brooks, at the Rob. Bannister.
Hen. Osborne. Road. Jos. Sims.
Adam Dining. Geo. Horsford. Hen. Cyler.
Jos. Weston. Tho. Phillips. Jac. Morgan, Jun.
Geo. Hurst. Tho. Years. Rob' Baker.
W™ Chapman. Sheers Stephens. W" George.
Jos. Merry. Jn" Bannister. Jn" Taylor.
Edw. Looby. Edw. Davy. Jn" Fowler.
Cha. Goore. Tho. Dewitt. D' Ben. Benware.
Edw. England.
Willoughby Byam is licensed to practise Medicine,
etc.
February 15. Ebenez. Grant struck out of Troop.
1738, April 6. Eichard Oliver resigns his seat
for St. John's Division. Henry Wallace was returned
for Belfast vice James Parke resigned.
April 21. Edward Williams is returned for St.
John's Division vice Richard Oliver resigned.
April 28. Dr. John Rutherford is licensed to
practise. George Crump and Frederick Cope, Esqrs.,
are sworn as J.P.'s.
May 13. On account of the low value of sugar,
etc., an Act was passed reducing the public rate of
interest from ten to six per cent. Edward Byam, who
is going to the Northern Colonies, is granted twelve
months' leave.
June 1. William Maxwell is licensed to practise
Medicine and Surgery.
October 3. John Gunthorpe, Esq., takes his seat
at the Council, and Warner Tempest and John
Lightfoot are sworn as J.P.'s.
October 10. It is agreed that as soon as 400 fit
soldiers are here they shall receive the following
extra pay, viz. : —
Lieut. 15'', Ensign 12'', Serj' Gi^, corporal & drummer 4'',
private S"".
November 29. John Teamans resigns as Agent.
1738-9, March 1. Edward Byam, jun., resigns.
The Leeward Islands Regiment costs the home
Government £9775 a year.
March 3. Rev. Francis Byam takes his seat at
the Council vice Samuel Byam, deceased.
March 16. John Frye, jun., resigns on account
of health. Harry Webb was returned for Dickinson's
Bay vice. Henry Knight deceased, and John Wickham
for Old North Sound vice Edward Byam resigned.
1739, March 29. Rowland Williams' seat is
vacant by his death.
April 12. The following to join the Troop : —
John Duer. John Rutherford. D'' Jas. Boyle.
John Lightfoot. Chr. Knight, Jun. John Fogo.
Sam. Martin, Jun. D'' Maxwell. D'' Mackland.
D'' Gab. Rankin. Rich. .Jackson. Nath. Humphreys.
Pat. Wilson.
John Blaine.
Phil. Ledeatt.
W"" Redhead.
D" Carter.
April 26. James Boyle, Gent., is licensed to
pi'actise Surgery and Medicine. Hon. John Gun-
thorpe and Hon. Francis Byam appointed J.P.'s.
Two buoys are to be fixed to the head and tail of
Warrington Rock off St. John's Harbour.
May 18. Walter Sydserfe and Henry Wallace,
Esqrs., granted twelve months' leave.
July and August. The following to join the
Troop : —
Jas. Gordon, Esq. Math. Christian. W"" Furlong.
W"' Mackinen, Jas. Thennell. Jas. Penthony.
Esq. Jos. Davison. Tho. Burton.
Jas. England. Hugh Shewcraft. Fra. Roseman.
Sam. Hopkins. Theo. Walrond. Ben. Wickham.
Jas. Cooke. John Hurst. Jos. Wickham.
John Libert. Sam. Lindsay. John Tankard.
John Bolan. Pet. Lavicount. Rich. Reddey.
Rob. Glover. Nath. Lewis. .... Godfrey.
John Martin, Jun.
August 1. Thomas Watkins' seat vacant by his
removal to the Council Board.
August 21. William Boon returned for Popes-
head vice Thomas Watkins. William Smith, jun.,
Nisbitt Darby, Dr. Cherry, Dr. Lewis Jenticou, Tho-
mas Redhead, and Samuel Wickham struck out of
Troop.
September 13. William Smith and Walter TuUi-
deph are sworn as J.P.'s. James Penthony struck
out of Troop.
September 29. Samuel Mayer, Dr. Chovat, John
HoUiday, Francis Hanson, John King, and James
Langford are to join the Troop. Dr. Forgus presents
his diploma from the Faculty of Physicians of Anglers
in France, and is licensed.
October 8. The mandamus for Benjamin King,
Esq., to be of the Council vice Sir William Codring-
Cll
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
ton was dated at Kensington J 5 June 1739, signed
by tbe Secretaiy of State ; also that of William
Mackinen, Esq., vice John Duer resigned.
October 25, George Moncrief, Henry Hodge, and
Henry Livingstone to join the Troop.
October 30. Nicholas Collins was returned for
Belfast vice Benjamin King.
November 10. Mr. Webb having been guilty of
rude behaviour in refusing to carry a message from
the Governor is struck off the list of J.P.'s.
December 9. The Council complain of the want
of a cage, pillory, ducking-stool, stocks, and whip-
ping-post.
December 18. The Assembly has been successful
in their opposition to Wavell Smith in the matter of
fees. Martial law for four days at Christmas to be
proclaimed on account of the usual riotous behaviour
of the blacks.
1739-40, February 15. Hon. Samuel Watkins
appointed Chief Justice.
March 7. Two more companies of the King's
troops desirable.
1740, April 10. Henry Wallace, the member for
Belfast, is dead.
April 24. Thomas Elraes was returned vice
Wallace deceased.
April 30. Letter sent to the Governor announcing
the declaration of war against Spain, and that
the fleet is going out under Edward Vernon, Vice-
Admiral of the Blue, with the land forces under Lord
Carteret.
May 1. Thirty hogsheads of coal and 100,000
bricks are to be ordered from England for building
the new barracks, towards which His Majesty has
granted £2000.
May 19. 131 recruits have arrived. Rat Island
was finally selected as the best site for the erection
of new barracks, which would afford accommodation
for eight officers and 240 men.
June 17. The estimate for the barracks was
£4275. Major George Lucas was much opposed to
Rat Island on account of the facility for desertion ;
the swamp on one side, the negro burial-ground,
rum shops, and disorderly houses being close at
hand. All the Committee denied this, and his
opinion, which subsequently proved to be correct,
was overruled. Some years afterwards these barracks
were deserted for more healthy and suitable ones.
December. A hurricane has done prodigious
damage at Antigua and Martinico, many ships being
drove on shore ; the French and Spanish Fleets (as
reported) suffered much, and two of the former are
lost. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 622.)
1740-1, February 16. Mercy Dewitt struck off the
Troop. Hon. Major Lucas, Commanding Officer of
the six companies of General Dalzell's regiment, gives
the returns as : — 12 commissioned officers, 37 non-
commissioned officers, 12 drummers, and 352 privates,
or a total of 413.
March 5. The Assembly paid this day £380
currency to the executors of Phillip Darby as two
years' rent of the Guard House and Court House.
It was presumably in the latter building where they
held their meetings.
1741, March 31. On account of the scarcity,
68 barrels of flour and 36 of beef from Monk's Hill
are distributed among the necessitous, and a fresh
stock of provisions ordered for the fort.
April 24. There is already great mortality among
the I'ecruits. An Act was this day passed for fortify-
ing Rat Island and building barracks thereon.
April 30. Rat Island is the property of Slingsby
Cressy.
May 8. And. Lessley, Esq., resigns.
May 26. Dr. Fargus, Mr. Dacent, Mr. William
Sawcolt, Mr. Falton, and Mr. Conyers to join the
Troop.
June 11. Fast appointed for want of rain. Dr.
Walter Sydserfe not returning, his seat is declared
vacant.
October 30. The Assembly sign a petition com-
plaining that Mr. Charles Dunbar has been illegally
receiving fees of £400 a year.
1741-2, March 12. New Sessions.
Steph. Blizard, Esq.
Geo. Crump, Esq.
Ashton Warner, Esq.
Hon. Geo. Lucas, Esq.
Jas. Gamble, Esq.
Hen. Douglas, Esq.
Jn° Lightfoot, Esq.
Hon. Sam. Watkins, Esq.
Hon. Tho. Watkins, Esq.
Hon. Geo. Lucas, Esq.
Sam. Harman, Esq.
W" Lavington, Esq.
Steph. Blizard, Esq'
Jas. Nibbs. Esq'
Harry Webb. Esq'
W" Furnell, Esq'
Tho. Shephard, Esq'
Tho. Hanson, Esq'
Ashton Warner. Esq'
Jn° Murray, Esq'
Dan. Mathew, Esq'
Era. Delap. Esq'
Jn° Tomlinson
Hen. Doufflas, Esq'
Edw. Williams. Esq'
Nath. Gilbert, Esq'
Jn" Wickham, Esq'
Jas. Weatheril, Esq'
W" Mackinen, Esq'
Jonas Langford, Esq'
Tho. Gravenor, Esq'
Kob' Christian, Esq'
Jn» Dasent, Esq'
Nich. Collins, Esq'
Sam. Elliot, Esq'
Tho. Elmes, Esq'
Sam. Harman, Esq'
( New North
I Sound.
' S' Johns Town.
■ S' Johns Division.
I
[ Willoughby Bay.
Five Islands.
I Old Road & Ber-
!' mudian Valley.
I Old North Sound.
I Dickinsons Bay
i Division.
I Popeshead Divi-
I sion.
1 Falmouth & Reu-
V desvous Bay Di-
I vision.
> Belfast Division.
[ Nonsuch Divi-
) sion.
Steph.
Clerk.
Blizard chosen Speaker and M'' Edw'' Gamble
British Ships taken since the War. (' London Magazine,' 1742.)
Carried to
1740 July 16 Dorothy, Douglas master, Antego
to London . . . . S' Sebastians.
1740-1 Feb. .... Drummond master, Carolina
to Antigua . . . . S' Augustine.
And another . . . . S' Augustine.
1741 Oct. Speedwell, Montgomery master,
Antigua to Virginia . . Cape Francis.
1741 Nov. Antigua Mer, Stanny master,
Antigua to London . . Bilboa.
1741 Nov. Sea Nymph, Geare master,
Antigua to Liverpool . . S' Augustine.
Each ship worth one with another 3.500/.
1742, April 26. James Gordon takes his seat at
the Council, his mandamus being dated 31 December
1741 at the Court of St. James. James Doig petitions
for payment of £126 for nine gun-carriages.
July 30. The merchants and traders of St. John's
Town petition against the bill prohibiting hawking,
signed by : —
Pat. Wilson.
John Blane.
Jas. Doig.
Hugh Holmes.
Arch. Cochran.
Tho. Moore.
Hen. Bracken.
Jas. Birkett.
Dune. Grant.
Geo. Walker.
W" Dunbar.
Kob. Baker.
Rich. Sheepshanks.
Jn" Bohiu.
Gab. Thibou.
Rob. Addison.
Geo. Rooke.
Luke Daniel.
Arch. Johnson.
E. Ferriss.
Laur. Nihil), Jim.
Hugh Shewcraft.
Rob. Brown.
Tho. JafFiay.
GEORGE I. GEORGE 11.
cm
Geo. White. Jn° h. Sp'' Spe. Mich. Lovell.
Rich. Sherwood. Rossiiigton. Tho. Redhead.
Rich. Maitlaud. Pet. Sciirratt. Jn" Bannister.
Sam. Martin. Nisbit Darby. Math. Christian.
Jn" Holliday. Tho. Flattarty. Alex. Martin.
Pat. Lynch Joseph. Jas. Delap. Rich. Hungerford.
Rob. Gray. Jn° Chalmers. Jn° Wise.
Nath. French. Jn° Martin. Rich. Lee.
Merrick Tnrnbull. Alex.Shuttleworth. .In" Dunn, Sen^
Jas. Anderson. Hen. Livingston. Jas. Barton.
W"' Hillhoiise. Jn" Haws. Hen. Sinnot.
Cha. Mathews. Edw. Gregory. W'" Williams.
Joshua Lawson. Edw. Trant. Edw"! Tyley.
Pet. Nihil. Hen. Bowers. Edw" Murphy.
Cha. Murray. Jn" Napier. Jos'' Davison.
Tho. Phillips. Jas. Thibou. Sliugsby Cressy.
Edw. Cliester Jas. Hanson. Jn" Leacraft.
Bendall. And. Lessley. Dav. Gillespie.
Sam. Symous.
Extract of a Letter from New England, from a Captain to
his Friend at Barbadoes, dated Aug. 1742.
I Sail'd from this Port the 4th of Jan. last, bound to
your Island, but fell in with three large Spanish Ships of
60, 40, and 32 Guns all full of Land Forces, so that I was
obliged to strike directly. They sent my Ship to Porto
Rico ; but kept me in the 60 G. Ship. A few days after we
met the Antigua Station Ships the Eltham and Lively,
one of 40 Guns, the other of 20. They came up with the
Spaniards and fought them very bravely, notwithstanding
the great Odds, and the Commodore in whose Ship I was,
would have struck several times, the English fir'd so fast on
them, but an Irish Laud OflBcer on board, desir'd and
insisted that the Captain should not strike ; but if he did
not cliuse to fight, to give the Command to him, which
hinder'd the Captain from striking. The English kill'd
between 6 and 700 Men, and tore the Ship all to pieces, so
that it was with great Difficulty they were kept up ; and had
there been one Hour more Day ; or could the English have
come up in the Morning, they must have taken all the three.
They were oblig'd to make the best of their Way to Porto
Rico, and it was with no small Difficulty they reached that
Port. They had a vast Quantity of Bale Goods on board,
and a great Sum of Money to pay the Soldiers. They were
reckon'd the richest Ships that sailed from Spain this Year.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' 1743, p. 161.)
September 6. The following to join the Troop: —
Nath. Gateward. W™ Yearaans, Jun. Jn" Alpin.
Edw. Tyley. Ben. Steele. .... Hungerford.
Dan. Warner. Hen. Parker. Sam. Messett.
Isaac Jacobs. Row. Oliver. Jn° Brooke.
Drewry Otley. Jn" L. Spranger. David Algoe.
Rob. Gray.
December 15. Edward Byam takes his seat at
the Council, his mandamus bearing date 7 May 1742,
vice his great-uncle Governor Edward Byam, deceased,
and also takes the oath as a J. P.
The Old Fort that covers S' Johns is strengthen'd
with a horn work lately finished, has Twenty three pieces of
Cannon mounted & Six of his Grace the Duke of Montagues.
Barracks for Seaventy men. Monks Hill 9 acres very
weak, 32 cannon, and barracks for 200 men. There are
3441 Christians and 24,695 Negros. The 7 companies
of Gen' Dalzells Reg' number 411 men, the Militia
Reg'^ contain 1300 men, saylors from the shipping would be
about 150, and armed negros 1018, giving a total armed
force of 2939.
1742-3, February 14. The Duke of Newcastle
writes that Mr. William Lavington's friends have
applied for his appointment as Chief Justice when
Samuel Watkins, now of very advanced age, dies.
Mr. Lavington is to be at once appointed to the
honorary post of a Puisne Judge.
March 7. To join the Troop : —
Jn" Lynch. Stap. Dunbar. D'' Jliller.
Anth" Lynch. Sam. Lyons. Coll" Jn"Dowg!ass.
W" Denbow. Dora. Lynch. Byam Crump.
Abra. Chovett. D'' Jn" Richardson. Jas. Birkett.
Edw. Gamble. Rich. Holmes. Hen. Denning.
Tho. Warner. D'' Geo. Crump.
March 7. John Brooke elected for Old Eoad
vice Edward Williams, who resigned on 24 January.
March 8. John Vernon writes from Saumur this
day resigning his seat at the Council.
? 1742-3. Lieut. -Colonel George Lucas, writing
about the late expedition to La Guyra and the attack
on the Castle of Puerto Cabello, says that Lieutenant
John Osborne and Ensign Mark Dyer dying there of
fever he posted the " Eldest Ensigne Hamilton
Kerby to be Lieut, and two yong Gentlemen to be
ensignes who have carried Arms in the Ranks these
two years past, viz' M'' Lambert Witherell and
M'' William Allicock being Young men of Merit and
Spirit." He proceeds to say that the attack on
Puerto Cabello took place at night, the forces were
successfully landed, but one of the advance guard
while overpowering a sentry fired off his musket.
The main body of the English then fired in the dark
on their own advance guard, thinking that they were
being attacked by the enemy. The batteries and
castles also opened fire, and there was a stampede and
general rush to the beach, the officers being unable
to rally their men. Colonel Lucas's regiment had
been for some years stationed at the Leeward Islands
and many of its officers and men were Autiguans.
(America and West Indies, No. 54.)
1743, March 28. William Buckley petitions for
£126 for building part of the Guard House at John-
son's Point.
April 3. Josiah Martin is now President.
June 7. A gentleman writes from S' Kitts " The
Commodore in the Suttblk, with the Burford, Eltham, Scar-
borough, Lively, and Otter Sloop, are arrived at Antigua
from Porto Cavallo, where they met with as bad Success as
we did at La Guyra." (' London Magazine,' p. 398.)
July 25. About 50 of the Highlanders confin'd in the
Tower were put on board a Ship bound to Antigua.
(Ibid., p. 358.)
August 3. Complaint was made that the Regis-
ter's Office near the shore was so dangerously situated
that it might be captured by privateers
October 31. Daniel Mathew, Esq., took his seat
at the Council, his mandamus having been dated
2 June last at Whitehall, vice Valentine Morris
deceased ; so that by his promotion and the resigna-
tion of John Dascent two vacancies were created in
the Assembly.
November 4. Adam Byrne, Gent., presents his
certificate from Dublin University, and both he and
Henry Byam, Gent., are licensed to practise Medicine
and Surgery.
November 9. Major George Lucas appointed
Lieut.-Governor.
December 6. Edward Bendall, White Lacy Rum-
sey, and George Walker, Gentlemen, to join the Troop.
James Simon Sevine, who was born of Protestant
parents under the Elector of Brandenburgh in the
CIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
City of Berlin, desires to become an inhabitant.
John Watkius was returned for St. John's Division
vice Ashton Warner.
1743-4, March 21. A letter was received from
John Teamans, dated 9 February at Boston, New
England, resigning his post as Agent, which he first
held sixteen years ago, and recommending Samuel
Martin, jun., the Deputy, as his successor.
Ships captured on both sides. (' Clentleman's Magazine.')
November 27, 1743. An Antigua Brig, Cap' John
Doggett, taken in sight of Antigua, and of an English Man
of War, by a Privateer Sloop of S' Domingo with 75 Men,
who set ashore on an Island the Captain, two of his Men,
with the Master of another Vessel taken a Month before and
one of his Men, gave them 2 Pieces of Beef and 20Ib. of
bread. They were taken off the Island by a Vessel bound
to S' Thomas, and 2 Days after meeting with the Lively
Man of War and an English Privateer, both went in quest
of the Spanish Privateer, who upon their coming up, run
into Shoal Water. The Lively fired 350 Shot and the
Privateer 170, by which 3 Spaniards were killed and as many
wounded ; the Rest seeing the English man all their Boats,
quitted their Vessel, after running her ashore, and the
English destroy'd her.
Jan. 25, 174-f. The two Friends, .lubber, from London
and Cork for Autigua, taken about 60 Leagues to Windward
of Antigua, but afterwards retaken by the Comet Bomb
(which sprung her Mast, else she had taken the Privateer)
and carried into Antigua.
June 16. The Penelope, Reynolds, from Antigua, taken
off the Lizard, and car. into Granville.
May 23. The Mercury, Dewai', from Antigua for Lon-
don, taken & sent into Brest.
May 15. An Antigua Sloop, Daniel Smith, taken by
the Huming bird Privateer.
Aug. 16. The Mary, Serjeant, from Antigua for Lo.,
taken by a Fr. Privateer, carried into Granville.
Sep. A 2d privateer of great force from Martinico,
carried into Antigua, by the Warren privateer, Capt. Caius.
Nov. The Newbury brigantine, Charles Byrne, from
Dublin to Antigua, carried into Guadalupe by a French
privateer. The Betsey, Barter, from Autigua for London,
carried into Bourdeaux by a French merchant man.
The Friendship, Neale, from Cork for Antigua, taken by
a priv. of S' Sebastians.
The Flower de Luce, from Boston for Antigua, and a
ship from Guiney for Antigua, taken liy the French, and
carried into Martinico.
From the ' London Gazette.'
List of Prizes, the three first Spanish, the other French,
taken by his Majesty's Ships stationed at the Leeward
Islands, under the command of Capt. Warren and Capt.
Knowles, between the 12"' of February and the 12"' of
June 1744.
Ascension, bound to La Vera Cruz, 500 Tons, 24 Guns,
124 Men, laden with all Sorts of rich Merchandize.
S' Antonio de los Animos, cruizing, 90 Tons, 10 Carriage
and 14 Swivel Guns, 96 Men ; a Privateer.
Santissima Trinidada, cruizing, 110 Tons, 10 Carriage
and 12 Swivel Guns, 44 Men ; a Privateer.
L'Aimable, for Leogan, 150 Tons, 10 Guns, 38 Men;
400 Negroes, 163 Ounces of Gold, and 116 Elephants Teeth.
Dolphin, for Guardaloupe, 200 Tons, 6 Guns, 23 Men ;
Beef, Flour, Cordage, etc.
Marquis d'Antin, for Martinique, 180 Tons, 8 Guns, 29
Men ; Beef, Flour, Wine, Brandy, Cordage, etc.
S' Martin, for ditto, 150 Tons, 14 Guns, 19 Men ; ditto.
S' Firmin, for Bayonne, 110 Tons, 16 Men; Sugar,
Coflfee, Cocoa, Tobacco, 12,450 Dollars, and 45 Pistoles.
La Fortune, for Marseilles, 100 Tons, 6 Guns, 12 Men ;
Cocoa, Roquo, and Coflfee.
La Garonne, for Leogan, 120 Tons, 23 Men ; Beef
Flour, etc., Wine, and dry Goods.
L'Aimable .Julie, for Bourdeaux, 150 Tons, 6 Guns, 19
Men ; Sugar, Coflfee, and Tobacco.
Le bien Aime, for Martinique, 600 Tons, 24 Guns, 43
Men ; Wine, Provisions, and dry Goods.
Neptune, for ditto, 380 Tons, 14 Guns, 43 Men ; Wine,
Oil, Brandy, Soap, etc.
La Francoise de Cherbury, for ditto, 184 Tons, 8 Guns,
24 Men ; Wine, Beef, Candles, Cordage, etc.
La Princesse Anlope, for Roclielle, 130 Tons, 8 Guns,
24 Men ; Sugar and Coffee.
Union Brig, for Canada, 120 Tons, 14 Men ; Rum,
Sugar, Molasses, and Coflfee.
Junio Sloop, for Cape Francoise, 100 Tons, 4 Carriage
and 6 Swivel Guns, 18 Men ; Wine, Beef, Flour, Butter, etc.
Le Croyant, for Bourdeaux, 230 Tons, 10 Guns, 39 Men ;
Sugar and Coffee.
L'Aimable Teresa, for Martinique, 90 Tons, 4 Guns, 11
Men ; Snuff and Tobacco.
A Sloop, for Cape Breton, 100 Tons, 8 Guns, 14 Men ;
Sugar and Rum.
Le Patriarche Abraham, for Port Louis, 300 Tons, 12
Guns, 45 Men ; 650 Negroes.
L'Aimable Catherine, cruizing, 80 Tons, 8 Carriage and
12 Swivel Guns, 76 Men ; a Privateer.
A new Sloop, cut out of S' Martins, 80 Tons.
The taking so many Prizes was the Cause, that at Mar-
tinico, Bread rose to twenty Pence a Pound, Meat to thirty
Pence, Wine 200 Livres a Barrell, and Flour 150, and
scarce any to be had at that Price ; so that the Governor of
Martinico had issued out Orders for turning a certain Pro-
portion of all Cane- Lauds into Provision-Ground, for Plant-
ing Manoac, and other kinds of Grain for Bread.
(' London Magazine,' 1744, p. 409.)
1744, April 10. Tho. Kerb^' is appointed Agent
vice Yeamans resigned.
May 8. John Tomlinson, Esq., is appointed Chief
Baron of the Exchequer.
May 29. Robert Waller is sworn a J. P.
June 1. William Teamans, being infirm, is struck
out of the Troop.
July 24. Eowland Ash and Edward Otto-Baijer
are appointed Chief Bai-ous of the Exchequer.
July 31. John Tod presents a certificate from
William Wood, Chirurgeon and Apothecary at Edin-
burgh, and is licensed.
August 15. Duncan Grant, Charles Alley, John
Sedgwick, Jacob Tbibou, John Brown, and Thomas
Tew to join the Troop.
August 28. William Miller, Gent., is licensed to
practise Medicine and Surgery.
September 12. Samuel Lavicount, John Blane,
and John Hawes to join the Troop.
1744-5, January 3. Walter Sydserfe returned to
the Assembly vice Samuel Eliot.
January 31. The Hon. Charles Dunbar's house
to be rented for the public use for three years, at
£170 cui-rency yearly.
February 28. Thomas Gravenour resigns his seat.
March 6. Edward Home returned vice John
Tomlinson.
March 15. Thomas Warren returned for Popes-
head.
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
cv
March 23. Returns of Lieut. -General Robert
Dalzell's regiment : — 23 officers, 29 Serjeants, 30 cor-
porals, and over 300 privates.
1745, April 23. At a Court Martial held to try Cha.
Dunbar, Esq., for cowardice there were present : —
Hon. Col. Niith. Gilbert, President of the Court.
Col. Tho. Watkins. L' Col. Josiah Cap. James Sal-
Col. Steph. Blizard. Martin. mond.
Col. John Murray. Maj; Mart in Blake. Cap. Rob. Addi-
L' Col. John Gun- Maj' John Wat- son.
thorpe. kins. Cap. John Blizard.
Cap. Nich. Collins.
Cap. Row. Ash.
The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to be
severely reprimanded.
May 20. By H.M's orders of 7 March last past
absentees' estates are not to be doubly taxed.
The following extract is from a letter by the Rev.
W. Smith, Rector of St. John's, Nevis : —
About two months before I left the West-Indies, I took
a little trip up to Antigua, which is a fine Island, though it
has not one single Spring of Water in it ; And as it was in
a time of great drowth, the whole face of the Country looked
dismally enough. All their Ponds were then quite dry, and
their Cisterns almost empty ; so that they were obliged to
fetch their fresh Water from Guardaloupe, a French Island,
and Montserrat, an Englisli one, which was afterwards sold
for Eighteen Pence a Pail-full. The Capital is called
St. John's, and is by far the most regular Town I saw in the
West Indies, close to the Houses whereof is the best and
most commodious Harbour, belonging to our English Lee-
ward Islands : They were then building a stately Church,
which I since hear is compleatly finished ; and I am satisfied
is the finest Building of the kind by much, we have under
the Government. And as for the Inhabitants, they (like our
other Settlements) were remarkable for Hospitality and
Civility to Strangers. (' A Natural History of Nevis and
the rest of the Euglish Leeward Charibee Islands,' by the
Rev. W. Smith, p. .305.)
At Antigua they have small, but well-tasted Oysters, that
stick to Mangrove-trees that grow close to Creeks.
{Ibid., p. 210.)
The population of Barbuda was estimated at 1200.
(Southey.)
Extract of letters from Antigua.
The Weymouth man of war, on Feb. 1 6 last struck on a
reef, near Sandy Island, just without S' John's Road,
Antigua. This accident was enquired into by a court
martial, where the Capt. Calmady was acquitted, but Lieut.
Crispe, who had the watch, was mulcted 6 months' pay, the
master declared incapable of ever serving in the navy, and
the pilot sentenced to be sent to England to suffer two years
imprisonment in the Marshalsea, and never to serve in that
quality more.
May 28, Antigua. Commodore Leigh in the Sufiblk,
and Dreadnought man of war, with a fleet of merchant
ships is arrived here from England.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' pp. 275 and 391.)
1745-6, January 26. Hon. William Lavington is
sworn as Chief Justice of the Courts of King's Bench
and Common Pleas.
February 11. John Tomlinson takes his seat at
the Council. Thomas Watkins, Esq., is dead.
February 20. James Weatheril is dead, and John
Tomlinson in the Council, so that there are two vacant
seats in the Assembly. Rowland Ash is sworn a J.P.
1746, March 26. Dr. William Jarvis is licensed
to practise Medicine, etc.
May 1 6. Forty-two merchants petition the King
against the inactivity of the men-of-war, and state
that within these few months fifty vessels from
Europe and the Northern Colonies to these Islands
have been captured by French privateers.
July 23. At the Court of Kensington a man-
damus was signed for Andrew Leslie to be of the
Council vice Thomas Watkins deceased.
Extract of a Letter from Antigua, July 23.
French privateers are so thick about this island, from
the indolence of his majesty's ships, that people dont care
to send out their boats ; the country have fitted out a guard
de costa, whicli three days ago (being the first day of her
going out) brought in a row-galley that lay off Popeshead,
with 25 hands, close under shore, but came out and gave
chace in hopes of a prize. We are in a miserable condition,
and in great danger of starving, by the French taking so
many of our provision vessels ; and they at the same time
in the greatest plenty ; and all for want of our men of war
being properly and constantly employ'd in cruizing to wind-
ward of our islauds, for the protection of trade ; which
would they but do, the tables would be turned, and we
should live in plenty, and the enemy would be starved.
9 or 10 sail of English men of war are on the stations of
Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, but pretend that they
cannot sail well enough to catch the privateers ; but all the
world knows, that they can sail well enough to protect and
retake the merchant ships, if they would keep cruizing in
proper stations. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 575.)
July 31. Petition to the King signed by the
Council and Assembly, stating that over 100 ships
have been lost since 29 October last, and that the
Hon. Fitzroy Henry Lee, the commanding officer, is
greatly to blame.
August 12. Samuel Harman writes to resign his
seat.
August 19. William Thomas and Joseph Farley
to join the Troop.
September 16. William Skerrett, Esq., elected
vice Samuel Harman.
September 25. Hon. Benjamin King, Edward
Byam, and John Tomlinson are sworn as J.P.'s.
Extract of a Letter from Antigua, dated Nov. 9, 1746.
We have just now the agreeable News, that S' Bartholo-
mew, an Island ten Leagues to the Northward of S' Chris-
topher's, is taken by two Privateers belonging to this Island,
called the " Fitz-Roy " and the " Knowles." They have
secured about 300 Negroes, 200 of which are this Moment
arrived here in the two Sloops. A Fortification is already
made on the Island, in order to keep and secure it, and 70
Men are left in it. There is a very good Harbour in the
Island, from whence the Enemy greatly annoy'd our Trade,
and have taken since the Commencement of the War, above
50 sail of Merchant Ships, and carried them there till they
could have an Opportunity to carry them to Martiuico ,-
and constantly fitted out and refresh'd themselves in this
Port. The Privateers had on Board, when they attack'd
it, only 185 Men ; yet they have made near 400 White
People Prisoners, 140 of whom are fit to bear Arms. The
French were so suddenly attack'd, that they had not time
to defend themselves; two of the Privateers Men were
kill'd and one wounded ; of the Enemy only one was
wounded. ('London Magazine,' 1747, p. 52.)
November 10. Josiah Martin is still President.
November 17. At the Court of St. James' a
mandamus was signed for John Tomlinson, Esq., to
be of the Council vice Daniel Mathew resigned.
CVl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
November 24. The Hon. Colonel Benjamin
King's privateers have captured and plundered the
French Island of St. Bartholomew.
Extract of a Letter from Antigua, Nov. 28, 1746.
Complaint on a Com . . . . e (commodore).
As for iirotection by the men of war in respect to our
trade, the same neglects complained of by our council and
assembly are not only continued, but 1 tliiiik in my con-
science, the c .... e, to shew his contempt of us, our trade,
and our comphiints, gives us less protection than ever, and
this you'll find true, when you receive letters from those
who are better acquainted with mercantile concerns than
I am, fill'd with expressions exclaiming against the per-
nicious conduct of our men of war, who (sonic few instances
excepted) are generally far enough to leeward neither to be
able to hear or help us ; and this in expectation of meeting
with some very rich Spanish vessel, notwithstanding the
very little success that has constantly attended this cruize,
and for what reasons I know not. The whole duty of our
squadron seems to be center'd in the merit of taking prizes,
and the protection of our trade pish'd at, as not being part
of the errand the men of war came out on. By what
strange direction of providence it happens, we land-men
cannot say ; but so it is, that the two poles are as likely to
meet, as a British man of war and a French one in these
seas, tho' it's well known that the French put into the same
roads and harbours, and steer the same courses as formerly,
and sometimes but two, three, or four together. I dont say
they never did meet this war, for ad .... 1 T .... d (Town-
send) met three of them, but as that had no bad effect on
the French men of war, and the merchant ships could be
taken without taking them, prizes were taken, and tliat's
the chief end of war at sea. So you see what sort of
annoyance the enemy suffers from men of war, under the
encouragement of the Prize Act of 17 George II. And
whether this act answers its ends, the makers may know if
they enquire into it. I can hardly stop, this subject affording
so great a field for animadversion, and will only add, tliat had
the ports of Martinico and Guadaloupe been attended to, there
might have been fifty captures and recaptures by the men of
war, in the opinions of many who understand the affair, to
one made by the old wandering course upon the Spanish main.
Nobody blames any of the sea-commanders, but the head of
them only, for there is no reason to find fault with those
for acting as tliey do, since they act by compulsion of the
c . . . . e. Our trade here is ruined.
('Gentleman's Magazine,' 1747, p. 75.)
Ships taken on both sides. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
1746, January. A Fr. man of war of 36 guns, capt. La
Touch (who made a descent on Anguilla), tak. by an English
man of war, and carried into Antigua.
Mar. Tlie Florinella, from Bristol to Antigua, taken
by the French in sight of that Island. The Priscilla, Shea,
from London for Antigua, carry'd into Brest. The Olive,
Jones, from New England for Antigua, taken by a French
privateer. A sloop, Capt. Hall, fi-om Jamaica for Antigua,
carry'd into Martinico.
May. A Spanish register ship, outward bound, valued
at 40,000/., taken by his majesty's ship the Lyme, Capt.
Tyrrel, and carry'd into Antigua. The Olive, Bush, fi-om
N. England for Antigua, carry'd into Guardaloupe. The
Postboy, Smith, from Antigua for London, car. to S' Maloes.
June. A large ship, coming out of Martinico, with
1300 hogsheads of sugar, taken by the William priv., Capt.
Eichards, of N. York, and a priv. of Boston, Capt. Bass,
sent to Antigua.
July. The Hunter, Hammond, of Jamaica, from
Madeira to Antigua, carried into Guardaloupe. The Nancy,
Street, from Antigua to London, taken near Antigua by a
French privateer. The Prince Charles, Taylor; and the
i'annouth, ]\Iontgomery, both from Boston for Antigua,
carry'd into jMartinico. The Lyon, Woodward, from Cork
to Ai;tigua, taken off the Island by a French privateer, in
company of two other vessels, one of which ran ashore, and
the other got in.
Oct. A Fr. priv. sloop taken by a priv. brigantine
of Antigua of but half its force, after an engagement of
5 hours, in which the French lost many men.
Nov. The Lydia, Thompson, from Antigua for Cork,
car. to Brest. The Byam, Buckley, one of the fleet from
Antigua for London, taken by a Fr. priv. The Duke of
Cumberland, Burton, from Antigua ; the Charming Nancy,
Pipon, ditto, taken by French priv. after the separatiion of
the W. India fleet.
Dec. The Charlton, Wheelwright, fi-om Cork for
Antigua, taken by a Fr. priv. The Fox, Hewiston, from
London for Antigua, and a brig, from Antigua, car. into
S' Maloes.
Ships taken on both sides. (' London Magazine.')
A French Ship from Leogaune taken by his Majesty's
Mast-Ship, the Bnname, and carried into Antigua. The
Antigua Packet, Lesley, carried into Brest. The Warren,
Clark, from New England for Antigua, carried into Cape
Francois. The Young Samuel, Tuke, from Dublin for
Antigua, taken by the French. The Leviathan, Warner,
from Antigua, carried into Dieppe. A large French Ship of
30 Guns, bound home from Jlartinico, taken by his
Majesty's Ship Lyme, Capt. Tyrrel, and carry'd into Antigua.
The New Ipswich, Hayes, from Antigua, carry'd into Bilboa.
Two Ships from the American Colonies for Antigua, carried
into Martinico. The Fanny, Haldwind, from Jamaica for
Antigua, carried into Martinico. The Samuel, from Lan-
caster to Antigua, taken by a French Privateer. The
King George, CoUingwood, from Rhode-Island for Antigua,
carried into Martinico. The Anguilla, Brown, for Antigua,
carried into Guardaloupe. The Aldborough Frigate,
Wilson, from .\ntigua to Piscataque, taken by a small
Privateer of Cape Francois.
1 746-7, Jan. 27. Major Robert Waller complains
of the badness of the passage to Rat Island. The
gallows are so offensive at the top of the town that
they are to be removed to leeward of the negro burial-
ground.
1747, April 29. George Martin, William Warner,
and Thomas Freeman to join the Troop. The trial
of Captain Lee, R.N., was very disappointing to the
inhabitants.
May 12. Commodore Edward Legge has been
ordered to hold a Court-martial on Captain Lee.
June. A Court House to be built and £2000
borrowed for that purpose. The site chosen was the
old market-place.
July 17. Thomas Shephard resigns his seat.
August 14. James Doig returned for St. John's
Town vice Thomas Shephard.
August 20. Patrick O'Hara, Captain of H.M.S.
" Gosport," receives the thanks of the legislature.
August 22. George Pocock, Captain of H.M.S.
" Sutherland," is ordered by the Hon. Mr. Legge to
send the " Suffolk " and " Lyme " as a convoy. The
trade sailed but twice a year. The Leeward Islands
fleet of merchantmen of 120 sail, which sailed from
St. Kitts on 26 August convoyed by H.M.S. "Lyme"
and " Suffolk," experienced a heavy gale on 15 Sep-
tember. The " Lyme " and most of the fleet
foundered, only 35 vessels arriving in England, and
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
cvu
there were passengers on board all the missing
shijjs.
October 30. Nathaniel Gilbert, jun., returned for
Old North Sound vice Nathaniel Gilbert, sen. Lieut.-
Colonel George Lucas, Lieut. -Governor of Antigua,
died at Brest, being taken in an Autiguan ship.
Ships taken on both sides. (' London Mag-azine.')
1747, Feb. A French Privateer Sloop, taken by a
Privateer Brigantine of Antigua of but half its force, after
an Engagement of 5 Hours. The Diamond, Evans, from
Carolina to iVntigua, carried into Guadalunp. The Lnely,
Crumb, from Antigua for London, carried into S' Malo's.
March. A French Privateer, taken by the Hester
Brigantine of New York, and carried into .\ntigua. The
Adventure, Gibson, from Dublin for Antigua, carried into
S' Malo's. Tlie Sally and Fanny, Nevine, from Antigua for
London, taken by 2 French Men of War. The Eleanor,
Geheen, from Dublin for Antigua, carried into S' Jean de
Luz.
April. The Fanny, Beuret, from Antigua for London,
taken by the French. The Mary and Sarah, Atwell, from
North Carolina, and the James Kite, from N. England, both
for Antigua, carried into Martinico. Tlie Antigua Packet,
Gardiner, from Liverpool and Cork for the Leeward Islands,
carried into Martinico, where they had above 70 English
Prizes brought in. The Black Prince, Wilson, from Antigua
for London, carried into Martinico. The Lark, Heysham,
ft'om Lancaster for Antigua, carried into Martinico. The
Seahorse, Ross, from Antigua for London, carried into Vivero.
June. Six French Privateers, taken by the Fitzroy and
Knowles, two Privateers of Antigua. The William and
Mary, Stilson, from New England to Antigua, carried into
Guardaloupe. The Betty, M'^Elvanny, from Antigua for
London, carried into Cherbourg.
Ships taken. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
April. The Elk, from Dublin for Antigua, retaken (ijy us).
May. The . . . ., Euston, from Bermudas for Antigna,
carry'd into Porto Rico. The Lesley, Stevens, from London
for Antigua, car. into Martinico. The Lewis snow, from
Ireland to Antigua ; the Sarah, Hobson, from Dublin for
Antigua, retaken.
June. The Molly, Glegg, arriv'd at Antigua from Liver-
pool, taken and ransom'd for 600/. The Sarah, Morris, from
Falmouth for Barbadoes and Antigua, taken by the Barbara
pr. of Bilboa.
July. The Charming Nancy, Crawford, from Antigua
for London, car. to S' Sebastians. The Andrew, Bodkin,
from Gallway to Antigua, carried to Martinico. The
Victory, Brown, from Africa for Antigua, with 400 negroes,
carried into Martinico. The John and Jane, Fenwick, from
London to Antigua, taken by the French and ransom'd.
Aug. The brig Globe, Rees, of Philadelphia for Antigua,
carry'd into Martinico. The Peter and Mary, Pitton, from
Antigua for Dublin, taken July 31 off the Isle of Man.
A sloop, Habbla, from Connecticut to Antigua. The . . . .,
Smith, from Long Island to Antigua, & the Faithful Friend,
Waite, from Boston to Antigua, car. to Martinico. The
Greyhound, Gilmore, from Dublin for Antigua, carry'd into
Guardaloupe. The Mary, Maitin, from Antigua for Phila-
delphia, taken off the capes of Delawar.
Oct. A French Privateer, and a Martinico ship, car. by
the Dreadnought into Antigua. The Dispatch, from Dublin
for Antigua, carried into Martinico.
Nov. The Success, Oliver, from Boston for the Leeward
Islands, car. to Hispaniola. The Endeavour, Northcote,
from Antigua for London, car. into S' Augustine.
Dec. The Ballance, Gill, from Antigua for London,
carry'd into Rochelle. The Langford, Oliver, from Antigua
for London, carr. to Martinico. The D. of Cumberland,
Clark, from Antigua for Isquebo, & Dolphin, Gardiner, from
Boston to Antigua, carry'd to Martinico. The Charming
Fanny, M=Namara, from Antigua for London, car. into
Bayonne.
1747-8, January. Edward Otto-Baijer, Esq., has
been appointed to the Council by Governor Mathew.
February 13. William Furnell resigns his seat
in the Assembly, because he is going with his family
to North America.
February 23. Walter Tullideph returned vice
William Furnell.
March 8. Stephen Blizard being sick, John Mur-
ray is chosen Speaker p7-o tern.
1748, April 14. Francis Delap resigns his seat in
the Assembly on account of ill-health and private
business.
May 19. Eichard Oliver, Eowland Otto, Joseph
Lyons, William Lyons, Francis Fry, sen., George
Pry, jun., Richard Tuit, James Bogle, John Sawcolt,
and Andrew Ii-win to join the Troop.
May 27. Many complaints having been made
against Colonel Benjamin King, the Judge of Vice-
Admiralty, the Governor removed him from the
Council for extortion.
June 2. Walter Sydserfe and Jonas Langford
have resigned, and John MuiTay has been removed
to the Council.
By Act of 9 June it was ordered that the Court
House, now building, should be used as a jjlace of
meeting for the Council and Assembly, as Courts of
Justice, and also contain the offices of the Provost-
Marshal and Secretary. A new market-place was
laid out abutting on Church Street.
June 17. John Jeaffreson is returned for Belfast
vice Walter Sydserfe.
June 24. Edward Otto-Baijer and Henry Doug-
las to be of the Council vice Richard Oliver and
James Gordon, who have been absent several years
without licence.
June 30. At the Court at Whitehall a mandamus
was signed for Gilbert Fane Fleming to be of the
Council vice Charles Dunbar.
July 22. Perdinando John Paris writes home
saying that Governor Mathew had suspended Ben-
jamin King, Esq., for extortion, and appointed his
relative Mr. John Gunthrop in his place.
August 25. George Moncrieff returned for St.
John's Division, and Robert Hunter sworn a Notary
Public.
September 1. Shute Shrimpton Teamans present
as a Councillor. Dr. James Russell is licensed.
September 19. Samuel Redhead returned for
Willoughby Bay vice Shute Shrimpton Yeamans.
Peter Glass, James Brown, George Savage, John
Trotter, John Lindsay, William Livingston, James
Bolan, Dennis McMahon, Theodore Walrond, James
Barton, and Dr. Bogue to serve in the Troop.
October 10. By the royal instructions seven
Members of Council must be always on the Island.
Richard Tyrrell takes his seat at the Board and is
sworn as J. P.
November 10. James Brebner, Esq., takes the
CVIU
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
oaths as a Practitioner of Law. Joseph Lyons being
dead, his seat for Willoughby Bay is vacant, also
Henry Douglas', he being now a Councillor.
December 8. John Stevens, Esq., returned for
Old Eoad vice Henry Douglas, and Martin Goble for
Willoughby Bay vice Joseph Lyons. The Planters'
Club in London is referred to.
1748. Ships taken ou both sides.
(' Gentleman's Magazine.')
Jan. A Frencli privateer carry'd by an English man of
war into Antigua. The Charming Betty, Smith, from New
Hampshire for Antigua ; the Warren, Ashur, from Antigua
to Barbadoes ; the Speedwell, Ashwell, from Antigua, all
car. to Guardaloupe.
Feb. A French shij), one of the outward bound West
India fleet, taken by the Anne and Mary, Johnson, and
sent into Antigua.
Mar. The Philibert, from Quebec to Martinico, taken
by the S' Stephen, Williams, car. into Antigua. The
Amitie, Reine Hester, Prelada de Comerat, La Coronne de
Havre, L'Es[jerance, S' Pierre, La Felicite, and Triton,
from France to Martinico, taken by the Captain, Dread-
nought, Dragon and Ludlow men of war, and carry'd into
Antigua. The I'Amitie, for San Domingo, car. into Antigna
by Capt. Johnson from Liverpool. The Charming Molly,
Young, from Antigua for London, and the Peggy, Vavasor,
from Cape Faro for Bristol, retaken by the English sailors
left on board, and carried into Antigua. The Industry,
CoUinson, from Cape Fear for Antigua, car. into Guada-
loupe. The Bermudian, Mansell, from the Madeiras for
Antigua, car. into Porto Rico. The Frederick, Woolaud,
from Antigua for Nevis, car. into Martinico.
April, zi rich Spanish register ship, and several S'
Domingo men, car. by the Antelope priv. to Antigua. The
ship of Capt. Magdale, from Philadelphia for Antigna, taken
by the French. The Rebecca, Benson, from Cork for
Antigua, taken by a French privateer.
May. A Spanish sloop of 200 tons, with great treasure,
taken by a sloop of war near Antigua. The Oporto Mer-
chant Brigantine, Wilson, from Antigua to Ireland, taken by
the French. The John and Mary, Crawford, from Antigua to
London, car. into Guardaloup. The Bracelet, Woodhouse,
from Lancaster to Antigua, car. into Bayonne. The Tryal,
from Maryland to Antigua, retaken by us later.
June. Extract of a Letter from Sylvanus Carr, Com-
mander of the John and William of Boston :— " On Dec. 20,
14 leagues to windward of Antigua, about half after 12, we
engaged with a French privateer sloop of 8 carriage, 14
Bwivel guns, and 120 men, who after an hour and half
boarded us with 60 odd hands, and then sheer'd off on
receiving three round and two double-headed shot from ub,
besides 3 shot between wind and water, leaving the 60 odd
men aboard us, with musquets, pistols, cutlasses and pole-
axes. We then took to our close quarters, and had work
■enough till between 8 and 9 at night, when they call'd for
quarter, having seven kill'd and many wounded ; the fight
had been shorter, had the 2ud mate done his duty in the
forecastle ; but he and 4 men with him never fired a gun,
nor blew off his powder chests, but, on the contrary, cry'd
out for quarters, hove over all his powder out of one of the
ports, and suffer'd the French to cut the half deck thro'
•with their poleaxes. The Frenchmen made oath before the
judge of the Admiralty at Antigua, that they had above .30
men kill'd and mortally wounded ; our ship was much
damaged, but we had not one man hurt." The Ranger,
Kilner, from Lancaster to Antigua, the Martha, Adams, &
the Leeward Islands Packet, Hilton, from S' Kitts to
Antigua, taken by the French. The Martha, Oliver, from
Boston to the Leeward Islands, carry'd into Martinico.
The Scarborough, Murphy, from Antigua, ransom'd. A
large ship, 18 guns six pounders, and 36 men, from Pisca-
taqua to Antigua. The Ceres, Laverance, from Dartmouth
for Antigua, taken by a Spanish privateer. The Molly,
Walker, from London for Antigua, car. into Martinico.
The Rosewin, Atwell, from Bristol for Antigua, car. to
Guardaloupe. The William, Slone, from Dublin for Antigua,
car. to Martinico. The Charming Rebecca, Hartley, from
Piscataqua for Antigua ; the Dephight, Stewart, from Cork
for Antigua ; the Christian, . . . ., from S' Croix for Antigua;
the Dolphin, Sandford, from New Loudon for Antigua ; the
Seaflower, Oliver, from Boston for Antigua, car. into
Guardaloupe.
July. A Martinico ship, with cotton, coffee, etc., car.
into Antigua. The Swan, Robinson, from Virginia for
Antigua, car. to Martim'co. The William and Sarah,
Stephens, from Antigua for Boston, taken by a French priv.
of 20 guns and 150 men. The Amsterdam, Blackadore,
from N. England for Antigua, car. into Martinico. The
Kenly Frigate, Portland, with some others, from Ireland
for Antigua.
Aug. Tiie Prince of Orange, Turner, from Rhode
Island; the Charlotte, Veizie, from N. York; and the
Carolina, Combes, from Boston, all for Antigua, car. to
Martinico
Sep. The Welstead brigantine. Wood, from Antigua
for Boston, taken by a French priv. The George and
Fanny, from Africa and Antigua for Jamaica, car. into
Hispaniola.
1749, June 1, Patrick Malcolm presents his
diploma from Surgeons' Hall and is licensed, also
Mr. Fraser, who had a certificate from Dr. Alexander
Fraser, and Dr. John Dunbar.
July
Harry Webb
Dan. Warner
Jn" Hart
Walt. Tullideph
Jas. Doijr
Jn° Brooke
Jn" Stevens
Rob. ChriBtian
Fra. Farley
Sam. Redhead
Ham. Kerby
Tho. Elmes
Martin Goble
Xich. Collins
Jn" Jefferson
Nath. Gilbert, Sen.
Nath. Gilbert, Jun.
Row. Ash
Steph. Blizard
Tho. Warner
Tho. .Tarvis
W"' Mackinen
Geo. Weatherill
Jn" Watkins
Edw. Home
25. New Sessions.
S' Johns Town.
Five Islands.
Old Road & Bermudian Valley.
Falmouth & Rendesvous Bay.
Willougfhby Bay.
Nonsuch.
Belfast.
Old North Sound.
New North Sound.
Popeshead.
Dickinsons Bay.
S' Johns Division.
Stephen Blizard chosen Speaker.
The late earthquake has injured the Magazine
and James Fort. Mr. Ashton Warner, who has a
diploma from Surgeons' Hall, and Mr. James Boag
are licensed to practise Medicine and Surgery.
William Syms, Henry West, John Graham, Dr.
Byrne, Patrick Malcolm, Samuel Harman, jun., and
.... Saunderson, jun., to join the Troop.
July 25. The new Court House will be completed
by 1st March next.
1750, March 29. Stephen Blizard is appointed
Chief Justice vice William Lavington resigned.
Governor Mathewhasthe King's licence to be absent
for twelve months. The Rev. Francis Byam, who
formerly sat at the Council, is to again have his seat
as the youngest member.
View of Ihe, ^nlra rrc^. ^ /. „ ;^j^ Tfar Jot^r <^??-tiQtj.a..
f
1
v»s>"-
*•--— »*fe- *-nfr^
-s«*^l3Ss^-;^
iiiTin "'^"«-'^— -^^''fc'W'TirTri I i'''**fBiM'^-'*^^'^i I '"iBT'-I
if. c yff^e:ii ^ n ' a'^
Q/^t/f^^. (Tj^ <:^<*-fc? 'T^ .yUa ^A^l^ Jea
ect-n^a-l^ie^l^ i->^y Qyi'Cyf'XJl^ /(P/cP.
e^
j:,jrcijis
6*^^ /.-^.^ y%^.A^
^ ^A^^^'Zu.^^^^^^^^
■j.-^
"^"^j .^ jr.
*^*^»2.«<«-I-rf
^,
t>'
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
cix
April 12. Hon. Edward Byam resigns his seat.
Rowland Oliver, Esq., appointed a Puisne Judge of
of the Court of Common Pleas vice Hon. William
Lavington resigned. Charles Dunbar^ Esq., the Senior
Member of Council, is on account of his age, deafness,
and other infirmities incapacitated to act as Presi-
dent and is asked to resign, which he refuses to do.
Many complain of his litigious and oppressive spirit,
and say that he had been court-martialled for dis-
couraging the people from entering into the defence
of the Island.
Api-il 18. Dr. Archibald Ramsey, having a proper
certificate, is licensed. Hon. Charles Dunbar has
been suspended. Nathaniel Gilbert, sen., and Daniel
Warner take their seats at the Council. William
Patterson, Esq., is the new Surveyor-General of the
Customs.
April 26. Charles Dunbar returns his answer,
denying the said charges : — States that he is only
turned 66, that the late John Yeamans, Esq., was
equally deaf and also used like artificial help, and does
not know why he was removed from the Surveyorship
of the Customs. He was court-martialled for having
put up a notice on his house in French, when several
of their ships were running down the coast, promising
that he would ransom his house and stores should
they be captured. He submits to the wishes of the
Council and Assembly, but sends a remonstrance to
the Governor, who, however, struck his name off the
Council. English Harbour was at this time secured
with a boom.
May 14. Thomas Lessly is returned for St.
John's Town vice Daniel Warner, and Joshua Crump
for Old North Sound vice Nathaniel Gilbert, sen.
October 11. Stephen Blizard sends his Letter of
resignation.
October 30. Samuel Martin is returned for New
North Sound vice Stephen Blizard, and is elected
Speaker.
November 17. Ralph Payne, Esq., writes to
Governor Fleming that the President of the Spanish
part of St. Domingo was on his way home with
£200,000 sterling on his galleon, that her convoy was
dispersed by a storm and she driven ashore in North
Carolina, where he hired two sloops to take him
home. Some villains, however, sailed off with one of
them and took all the treasure to Norman's Island
near Tortola, where they buried it, which place
belongs to the heirs of Colonel Phipps. Their secret
having been divulged people from Tortola dug up the
treasure after the pirates' departure. The Spanish
Governor demands restitution. On receiving the
above news Governor Gilbert Fleming himself went
down to Tortola, but he was not successful in recover-
ing more than 20,428 dollars besides £7514, which
certain of the inhabitants were allowed to retain.
(America and West Indies, No. 55.)
A Memorial was forwarded to the Lords Com'issioners
of Trade & Plantations stating that the best negros come
from AVhydaw & the Gold Coast. The Bristol & Liverpool
chuse to go to Calabar, Angola, & the Bite, because they
are cheaper there but inferior. We shall be ruined for want
of Caramantee, Fantee & Poppa negros. By the failure of
the African Co. our rivals now have the trade.
1751. The papers sent home this year are
apparently missing.
1752. July 28. Permission was given at White-
hall this day for Governor Fleming to have one year's
leave. i
November 10. Samuel Nibbs returned for Dick-
inson's Bay vice George Weatherill resigned. Rowland
Hamilton is Lieut. -Colonel of all the forts, Hon. John
Gunthorpe powder-offiicer, Hon. John Tomlinson
President. Sherrington Talbot writes that the
barracks should have been built on Denning's Hill, a
small eminence a quarter of a mile from the town,
which with 50 acres was afterwards purchased by
Walter Nugent, Esq., for only £400 sterling. Benja-
min King, Esq., forwarded a memorial to His
Majesty stating : — that he fitted out privateers at a
cost of £15,000, destroyed French ships and took five
privateers when he captured St. Bartholomew, and
complains that he has lost £25,000 through the
Governor's action.
1753. The new style commenced this year at
Antigua.
Feb. 7.
Jer. Nibbs. Jos. Farley.
Sam. Home. Jas. Furlong.
Bap. Looby. Jas. Bridges.
Sam. Warner.
Geo. Byam.
Edw. Burke,
to join Troop.
March 19. Hon. James Emra to be powder-
officer.
April 11. Edward Otto Baijer takes his seat at
the Council by a mandamus from the Right Hon.
the Lords Justices.
April 27. Hon. Andrew Lessly signs as President.
July 2. The commission of His Excellency
George Thomas, Esq., Captain-General, etc., was this
day read.
July 17. Dr. William Mushet, who has a degree
from Cambridge University and a testimonium from
the College of Physicians, petitions for a licence to
practise.
August 10. Rowland Oliver, Esq., is appointed
to the Council vice Charles Dunbar resigned, and takes
his seat.
1753. A List of the Inhabitants of the Island of
Antigua taken by the Order of His Excellency George
Thomas, Esq"', Captain-General and Governour-in-Chief of
His Majesties Leeward Charibbee Islands in America.
The Town of S' Johns.
Familya.
Men.
Women.
Boya.
Girls.
Isaac Anderson
2
1
1
1
John Grice
2
1
John Murphy .
3
Aaron Ward
Cath. Canham .
John Lang'ley .
.John Leycraft .
James Townsend
John Jacobs
Geo. Glover
2
John James
1
1
Zach. Fowler .
3
John Wills
1
W™ Griffith
not able 1
Marg' Wells .
John Ireland .
John Thibou .
1
-
Rob. Glover
1
Dan. Warner, Esq' .
2
9
3
Hen. Griffith .
Cha. Murdell .
1
ex
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Familys.
Dav. Watson
Neil Campbell
Tho. Stevens
Pet. Thibou
Jas. Rattan
Mary Woodall
Sarah Crook
Rose Poole
Rich. Welch
Phil. Cook
Ralph Waite
Tho. Chafing-s
Abig. Winthroope
W» Moore .
Elinor Stone
Eliz. Noye
W*" Bogrers
Ja. Thibou
Eliz. Scatliffe
John Fosut
John Williams
Jas. Watson
Sarah Hughes
Jos. Hall .
Afie Taylor
Hen. EUyatt
Tho. German
Dav. Haycocke
\V" Thorney
Elinor Thurloe
Hen. Thompson
Marg' Athy
Abig. Duncombe
W" McDonald
Ann Higgins
Abra. Lafarte
John Thibou, Sen,
Jane Lawrence
Phillip Hall
Penel' Halliday
W" Brunsell
Jas. Watkins
W" Lessley
Jn" Payne
Jn" EUyatt
Cath. Dunstan
Jas. Davis
Rob. Johnson
Joan Murphy
Tho. Elliott
Jos' Harrison
Thos. Poole
Ju" Bickford
Geo. Pollixfin
Gus. Hamilton
Sarah Addison
Martha Mills
Jn° Burton
Jas. Hanson
Jane Bowen
Sarah Wilson
Ann Gorman
Alex. Crawford,
Jas. Furlong
Mich. FoUin
Cha. Kerr .
Mary Felton
John Stuart
AmVirose Torke
Jn° Jenkins
Tho. (Jross
Jn" Martino
Eliz. Montero
Jos. Lee .
Ann Duncombe
Jas. Franklyn
Geo. Reed .
Mary Dixon
W" Fielding
Eliz. Salter
Tho. Bridges
J. G. Browne
Jn" English
W" Topham
Edw" Jones
Jn° Yeamans
Sime" Worlock
Rich. Danbow
Arch'' Cochran
W" King .
Nat. Kenslow
Mary Roberts
Jn° Ives .
W" Flower
W" Keeling
Do. Douglas
Hen. Byrne
Jas. Brenan
Mary Denning
Mary Glover
Duncan Grant
Geo. Harney
W" ? .irtino
Cha. r.ryant
Jn° I' imilton
Sam. vVatkins
Esq'
not able
Men.
1
2
1
1
Women.
Boy3.
not able
lirls.
Familys.
Men.
Women.
Anth" Garnett .... 1
3
Jn" Hillhouse .
2
Ben. Stutely
1
Rebecca JIasou
D' Sam. Young
Lewis Stevens .
2
Law. Nihell
Ambrose Curtle
Eliz. Nibbs
Geo. Flower
W- G. Hillhouse
Rich" Hillhouse
Mary Strong .
Sam. Hoskius .
Jn" Chalmers .
W" Anderton .
Peter Guicheneat
Ann Lenine
Cath. Barnes .
Mary Whitfield
[blank]
2
2
1
2
1
1
Ann Crawford .
Joseph Jaggers
Eliz. McSweeny
Simon Fishwyke
1
1
1
2
John Tom
1
1
Ann EUyatt
1
Ann Sampson .
1
Jn" Parry .
1
i
Rich. McCartney
2
1
Tho. Hanson .
3
4
Lydia Butler .
1
1
Jn" D. M urphy .
1
Peter Denap
1
1
John HalUday .
3
2
1
Mary Devereux
Rachael Boone .
3
2
1
Jn° Haycocke .
Sam. Boone
1
1
1
Sarah Griffith .
Elinor Gauthony
1
1
Jn" Budden
1
2
Rob. Merchant .
1
1
And. Lessley, Esq'
3
1
1
Cath. Elsinore .
Ann Dugan
1
1
Rob. Iiambert .
1
1
Jos'" Lynch
1
1
1
Jer. Skerrett
1
1
Jn" Winstanley
1
1
Rob. Mears
1
1
Sam. Smith
1
Lear Levingston
1
2
Ann Smith
Dan. McClanegan
Rob. Butler
Mary Bryan
1
1
1
1
Edw. Richards .
1
1
Eliz. Bryant
1
1
Marg' Salmon .
1
2
Mart" Soper CuUy
1
1
Nath. Messum .
2
Rob. Cullen
3
1
Eliz. Stevens .
2
Jn* Fenley
1
Sarah McCoy ,
1
1
Marg' Baker
Geo, Lingan
Geo. Lavicunt .
Mary Prior
Judith Leote .
Mary Read
Dennis McMahon
Tho. Bell .
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
Jos'' Weston
1
2
2
Sarah Purvis .
Jn" Watson
1
1
Jn" Paterson (Joinei
)
3
Faith" Fitzgerald
1
Pat. Byrne
3
Jn° Paterson (Shoerc
laker
)
1
Sarah Peller .
2
George Jenkins
1
1
Eliz> Young
1
John Supple
1
1
Sarah White .
2
Ja* Russell
1
Ja'* Clinch
1
1
Tho- Osborne .
1
1
Jn" Hazlewood .
1
Fran' Garrick .
1
Tho" Gorm.an .
1
1
1
Anthony Fletcher
2
3
Ja* Howison
4
1
Sam' Lyons
1
3
Ann Tanner
1
Mary Nowell ,
1
Jane Ronan
1
D' Nicholson
1
John Hall
1
Eliz" Pearce
1
1
Mary Crockett .
1
2
Alex' Shipton .
1
1
Tho" Nichols .
. 2
not <
ible 5
1
1
Geo. Rapper
1
1
W" Mills .
1
1
Dinah Christian
1
Boys
Girls.
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
Faniilya.
Sarah Ball
Sam' Lovely
W" Dickinson
Jn" Reynolds
Jn" Scandrett
Rob' Poole
W™ Buckley
D' Ashton Warner
Tho» Lillie
EdW Monteigue
Dan' Lillie
Sarah Dooly
Eliz. Watkins .
Mary Godfrey .
Ulrick Fickleshire
Jos'' Monteigue
Tho' Donalson .
Peter Welcker .
Rob' Cochran .
Elinor Mason .
Jos'" Borroughston
John Simms
Mary Martin
Geo. Roberts
And^^' Bodkin .
Eliz" Millar
Margt. King
Tho- Caddie .
Mary M'Dougal
Tho' Hughes .
Mansfield Orde
Rich'' Morley .
Jn" Morrison
W' Walker
Era- Elliott
Rob. Paul
Gregory M^CuIper
Jn" Bannister .
Jn" Williams .
Rebecca Christopher
Jn" Nethercutt .
Sarah Denbow .
Geo. Walker
Ralph Walker .
Tho" Kidder .
W'" Warner
Jn° Lindsay
Isaac Caton
Nath. Redhead .
Jn" Monteigue .
And'*' Phinnick
W'" Simms
Rich'' Hillhouse
Henrietta Bezune
Fran" Brinchoff
Fran" Smith
Sarah Crispin .
Tho» Lessley. Esq"'
Tho" Smith
W"" J3arnes
Geo. Manly
W"' Furlong
Henry Johnson
W"' Hudson
Rich'' Barnen .
Henry Langley
Rich" Wells
Jos'" Hawes
Eliz. Licorish .
Marg' Jones
George Baker .
Jn" Dring .
Jos'" Pediar
W'" Pullf-n
David M'CuUum
Ja" Bailey .
Rebecca Booth .
Elinor Mathews
Merrick Turnbull
Jn° Smith
Mary Weeds
Russell White
Geo. Foreman
David Scott
Rich'' Southwell
Henry Darcus
W-" White
W" Revely
Carter Stevens
Jonas Brakell
W"" Monro
Rich'' Vallence .
W"" Clenston
Judith Williams
Rich'' Ottley
Peter Norton
Ja* Knewstubb
Alex' Fraser, Esq'
John Birkett .
Rob. Townsend
Ann Redmond
Marg' f 'ow'in
Joanna Slaney
Mary Oneal
Ja* Kelley
Nich' Power
not able
Men.
1
2
3
1
2
5
1
2
1
2
not able 1
Women.
1
1
4
2
2
2
1
2
3
1
1
1
Boya.
Girls.
1
2
1
Familys.
Tho" Adshead
Tho' Williams
Henry Allen
Jn" Iremain
Cath. Phillips
Timothy Henry
Tho" Hicks
Warner Tempest
David Fogo
W" Patey .
Sophia Blizard
Ja' Kelley
Jn" Phillips
W"" Correll
Jn" Meany
Jn" Harris
Richard Ryllion
Tho" Cochran .
Marg' Saunders
Jn° Martin, Jun'
Jn" Perry .
D' W" Gordon
Jn" Sprainger
Tho" Moore
Henry Bonnin
Jn° Smith, Juu'
Rob' James
Jn" Stevens
Jn° Tough
Jn" Parr .
Benj" Mecom
Ja" Birkett
Ja" Butler .
Ja" Reeves
Jn" Ruby .
Bridget M'^Cabe
Lydia Bendall
Mary Whitell
Ja" Barren
Geo. GriiBth
Sam' Martin
W"" Evans
Cha* Dunbar, Esq'
Ja" Doeg, Esq'
Jn" Lind.'ay, Esq'
Edw* Burke
Patrick White
Hester Combett
W"" Cassen
Rich'' Graham
Jn" Dunn .
Ann Boudinott
Geo. Savage
Eliz" Colsworthy
John Blane
W-" Forbes
Sarah Wilson, G. T,
Eliz. Johnson
D' Jas. Dewar
John Rule
EdW Bull
Hugh Hext
Elinor Prinn
Jn" Gillchrist
Rich'' Lee, Esq
Chas. Martin
Patrick Higgius
Benj" Walker
Geo. Dalzell
Joseph Merry
W'" Campbell
Jas. Walker, Jun'
Cath. White
EdW" Stevenson
Cath. Webb
Marg' Payne
Eliz. Sherwood
Era" Weir .
Jas. Boag .
Gawen Montgomery
Martha Martin
Michael Darvey
Mary Harrox .
Cath, Carty
Jn" Hoskius
Geo. Swan
James Cook
Sam' Gunthorpe
W"' Bird .
W" Denning
Cath. Weatherill
Mary Rjnan
Sarah Johnson .
Mary Morris
Eliz. MuUaire .
Marg' Bruster .
W" Dunbar, Esq'
Mary Pritchard
Edw' Warner, Esq'
Robert Baker .
Jeremy Blizard
Geo. Hilton
Ebenezer Hughes
Eliz. Pritchard .
Henry Dunstan
W" Wardsworth
not
Men. Women. Boys.
CXI
Girls.
able
1
[blank]
[blank]
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
CXll
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Familys.
Henry Kirtland
Eliz. Abraham .
Gertrude Soper
Mary Hamilton
Gertrude Hamilton
Eachael Armstrong
Marg' Merchant
Simon Minikey
Mary Antrobus
Jn" Humphries
Joseph Pedlar .
Capt. W" Gordon
Jn° Hawes
Fra" Portavine .
Maria Browne .
Mary Bennett .
Jn^ Scaunal
Rebecca Hubbard
John King, ReW"
Eliz. Nibbs
Alex' Stuart
Harry Webb, Esq'
Mary Warden .
Henrietta Soper
Jas. Walker, Sen'
Era' Andrews .
Grace Lightfoot
Prudence Gregory
Ann Seymour
Eliz. Lowrey
Mary Howard
Sam' Carty
Henry Smith
Eliz. Mathews
Alex' Proctor
Ann Martin
Tho" Eraser
Letitia Lockhart
Sarah Portavine
Marg' Cooke
Rachel Browne
Peter Delanoy
Tho" Lessley
Geo. M'^Dougal
Jane Hawes
Simon Day
Simon Aska
Sarah Ankittle
Sarah Reynolds
Cath. Murray .
John White
Sam' Husbands
Tho" Berry
Patrick Barry .
W'" Cane .
Henry Burke .
Nath. Lucas
Cressey Bryan .
W"" Strong
Christopher Ceely
John Hart
Cha" Wager Mann
Edward Tyley .
Jn" Conyers
Jn" Walven
Geo. Bingham .
Nath. Gilbert, Jun'
Jonathan Chandler
Tho" Hart
Thos. Martin .
Hen. Guicheneat
Mich. Lovell
Anna Stevens .
Eliz. Knight
Jn" Knight
Elias Ferris
Geo. Fleming .
Mary Crump
Cath. Falkner .
Hen. Bingham .
Jn" Foster
Eliz. Glanville .
Hannah Vollard
Marg' Mascall .
Richard Irwin .
Ja" Storrick
Alex' Tavlor
Tho" May .
Marg' Chamberlain
Eliz. Burton
Geo. Morgan
Jos'' Manwaring
Marg' Carty
Jane Nibbs
Peter M'^Adam .
Eliz. Delap
Tho" Maddox .
W"" Geo. Crabb .
Marg' Mahany .
Elinor Hazlewood
Ann Alien
Tho" Hazlewood
Anth. Jones
W"" Denbow
Tho' Sawcolt .
Jacob Huyghue
not
Men.
Women.
Boys.
Girls.
Pamilya.
1
1
Mary Sawcolt .
1
1
1
3
1
Arch'' Hillhouse
Daniel Parke .
1
1
1
2
1
1
Lucy Dunbar Parke
Anne Keynell .
Marg' Toole .
Jacob Fletcher
1
1
1
1
Joyce Hillhouse
Eliz" Bradshaw
1
Ann Lambart .
1
Era" Traverse .
1
Elinor Denbow
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
Charl' Thomson
Eliz" Fletcher .
Jn" Ellyatt
Anth" Young .
e 1
Cath. Scott
2
1
1
Era- Tuffe .
2
3
1
Dorothy Crabb .
1
Jn° Gallwey
1
Fra" Rain .
3
1
Jn" Manwaring
1
1
John Risby
1
1
Eliz. Rawlins .
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Rich. Peters
Eliz" Darlow .
Tho" Evans
Rachel Reynolds
Tho" Curry
Eliz. Carnegy .
Rich'' Hudson .
1
Jos'" Davison .
1
1
1
Alex' Willock .
Ann Hardtman
2
1
3
Eliz. Yates
Mary Mead
1
2
1
Arthur Wilkinson .
1
2
2
Mathew Donning
1
Era" James
1
Esau Ramsay .
1
1
Ann Peller
1
1
1
1
Mary Hughes .
1
Anth" Bezune .
1
1
Alex' Ramsav .
Eliz. Alihaud .
1
1
Rich'' Sheepshank
1
1
5
2
Rich'' Lee .
1
1
Mary Blowers .
1
Edw' Green
4
W'" Bailey
1
1
Mary Ann Oliver
1
1
Sarah Dugdull .
1
Edw" Reed
1
Eliz" Warner .
1
EdW^ Welch .
1
Jn" Nicholson .
1
Eliz" Wearum .
1
1
Jn" Tidhope
1
Jn" Stokes
1
2
1
Jos'" Buckley .
2
1
Ja" Buwey
1
Sarah Smith .
2
1
Magnus Cooper
1
Marg' Reed
1
Jacob Alihaud .
,S
1
Jn" Wise .
1
1
1
Lucy Gibbons .
1
Ann Godsell
1
Rich" Toppin .
1
1
1
1
Ann Dempsey .
1
i
John Gattley .
2
3
1
1
2
Eliz" Parker .
Mary Murray .
2
1
David Allen
1
Joanna Griffith
1
Sarah Sedgwick
1
2
1
Rebecca Horton
Nath. Booth
Mary Saville .
1
Sarah Roach .
1
Mary Nitell
2
1
W'" Shervington
1
1
Eliz. Fontaineu
1
2
W"'Day .
2
1
Ca;sar Roach .
1
Eliz" Kidd
1
Gabriel Thibou
1
Susan'' Nibbs .
1
1
Eliz. Copleman .
2
2
7
Tho" Huyghue .
1
2
1
1
Cath. Slaney
1
1
Ja" Nihpll .
Jn" Watkins. Esq' .
3
•1
1
Cha" Wignole .
1
Sarah Scannall
1
2
4
EdW Gamble .
1
1
1
Hugh Sliewcraft
1
[blank]
Ja' Barton
Rebecca Cheney
2
1
1
Tyrrell Herbert
1
1
EdW Home, Esq' .
Lawrence Nihell, Jun
1
1
Caroline Claxton
2
4
1
Tho» Barry
1
Mary Brenan .
2
2
2
3
W" Mussett
not
able
Men,
3
4
1
Women.
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
Boys.
Girls.
I
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
cxm
Fttiuilys.
Men.
Womeu.
Boys.
Girls.
Familys.
Men.
Women.
Boys.
Gir
Charity Jervis ....
1
10
Samuel Massett ... 4
1
1
Ja' Alley .
John Addis
1
2
1
Jn" Green way .
1
1
Eliz. Douglass .
2
Eliz. Stevens .
1
1
W'" Burton
2
Fra» Andiens .
1
Phillip Ronan, Jun'
1
3
1
Baptist Looby .
Eliz" Carroll .
1
Marg' Clerk
1
Marg' Salnarve
1
Mary Allen
1
Ann Williamson
1
Weavil Smith .
W'" Reynolds ....
1
2
3
Jn" Warren
1
2
Geo. Thomas, Jun', Esq' .
1
Jane Osborne .
2
Eliz" Watson .
1
7
Jane Fisher
2
1
Samuel Hawse .
1
G. F. N Pearce .
James Brebnar .
1
1
Sam' Franks .
1
1
Phillip Jones .
1
2
1
Jane Leary
1
Phillip Ronan .
4
2
1
Lucy Goodall .
1
John Ronan
3
1
Tho- Lynch
Nicholas Jackson
1
John Smith
1
Edm'' More Masoal .
1
1
Alex' Simms
1
Eliz" Scott
1
Ja' Winchester
1
Ann Wilson
1
Mary Sawcolt .
1
Parham Plantation .
9
3
2
1
Sarah Martin .
2
1
Bethells D> . . .
4
Jn" Graham
Edward Byams
4
Jn" Martin
1
2
1
Jn" Wickhams, now Freemans
4
3
Alex' Dean
2
1
1
Langfords
1
1
Jane Irwin
1
Arthur Freemans
3
Mary Ann Surges
1
Col. Cochrans .
2
2
1
Mary Claxton .
1
1
1
Gov' Martins .
2
Henry Lee
1
1
Judge Gordon .
5
1
Rob' Browne .
4
1
2
Ham. Kerby
2
2
1
Jn° Evans .
1
John Duer
5
Tho" Barty
1
1
S' W"' Codrington .
17
1
Tho* Pouusford
1
1
W"' Gunthorpe .
1
1
1
2
Nath' Monk
1
John Pare
2
Tho» Bartlett .
1
Shute Shrimpton Yeamans
2
2
1
2
Rich'' Pearce .
1
1
John Sanderson
2
2
Jn" VoUard
Arch'' Campbell
4
1
Total .
104
52
22
24
W"' Mathews .
Elinor Finch .
[blank]
New North Sound
Division.
Jane Andrews .
Jos'' Dewberry .
1
1
Shepherds Estate
Jeremiah Nibbs
2
1
1
Eliz. Richardson
Ann Lynch
2
Barry Nibbs
Tho" Gravenor, Esq'
Hamilton Kerby, Esq'
2
3
2
4
1
2
Jn° Bromtield .
W" Welch
Ann Paynter .
1
1
1
4
1
1
Rowl'' Otto Bayer .
General Thomas's
3
4
1
3
2
Eliz. Vickers
RowP Ash. Esq'
Doctor Frazier .
3
3
1
2
Judith MuUins
2
Geo. Stacpoole .
1
2
Hamilton's Estate .
Nichol's .
Gov Tomlinson's
Arthur Williams
2
2
8
2
1
2
Familys 701
594
622
222
230
1
S' Johns Division.
W"' Meredith .
2
4
3
4
Walter Nugent
Charles Dunbar
John Lindsay .
Jonas Langford
Abram. Redwood
8
4
1
4
1
5
1
1
1
3
1
1
Powells Estate .
Carlisles .
Giles Blizard .
W'" Blizard
James Grigg
Frances Elliott
2
6
4
3
1
1
4
1
1
3
2
2
John Tomlinsou
Edward Williams
Thomas Dwitt .
Nath' Gilbert .
Tho" Warner .
Tho" Parker
Richard Kirwan
John Sawcolt .
Tho" Peige
Benj" Ard
M'" Desilven
James Keeling .
George Harton
Rob' Jacobs
John Marchell .
M" Blizard
W- Young
M"" Nan ton
George Byam .
W-" Horn' .
5
5
1
2
6
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
.S
2
2
4
2
6
5
2
1
2
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
7
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
W" Jarvis
Peter Guilliat .
Mathew Williams
Stephen Blizard, Esq'
Henry EUiat .
Christ' Blizard .
D' Jn" Richardson .
Wintrops .
Jos'" Williamson
W" Wel.-h
Rich" Buckley .
Jos'" Guilliat
Sarah Taxter .
Nibbs
Simon Atkinson
Artey
Col. Gunthorpe, Esq'
W'" Byam .
Ja" Nibbs, Esq' .
Total
6
1
1
7
1
1
2
2
'. 1
1
4
2
1
7
7
6
1
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
4
3
1
1
1
3
2
2
1
3
1
1
2
1
I
i
3
1
2
2
1
Edward Horn .
106
56
25
26
Edward Hamilton
W"- Allen
John Host
3
3
2
1
2
3
1
3
Popes I
IKAD Division.
Peter Kirwan .
3
3
Tho' Jarvis, Esq' ... 2
1
2
1
Rowland Oliver
9
3
2
James Hudson .
W'" Dunbar
2
1
John Bird
1
1
George Lucas .
4
2
Jn° Darvill
1
Nath' Gilbert .
3
1
Nal' Humphry .
1
1
1
Isaac Thibou .
6
3
4
4
Sam' Jones
1
1
1
Rob' Nibbs
2
2
1
Na' Knight
1
1
Merrick TurnbuU
3
Jn" Coppin
1
Edw" Otto Bayer
•
Jn" Treasher
Jn" Weeks
1
1
Barny Poole
John Otto Bayer
11
8
3
3
Tho' Burton .
1
1
W'° Williamson
W'" Cameron
Dan' Mathew .
1
Rich" Ball
John Lightfoot
2
Tho" Richey .
1
1
George Clerk .
2
W'" Cisson
1
Margaret Paynter
1
Nat' Lavicount
1
Rob' M'^Laughliu
Mary Hill .
1
W" Redhead .
1
Isaac Hughes .
1
Robert Bannister
a
2
1
2
Giles Wilcox
1
1
Catharine Nugent
1
Peter Wilcox, Jun' .
1
John Knight .
3
2
3
Sam' Hilton .
1
Joseph Greenway
1
1
1
Geo. Hilton
CXIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Familya.
Tim. Clarkley .
Jn" Williamson
W" Buirn .
Tho" Soiies (not able)
Dennis Ferrell .
Bethel Clarkley
Total .
John Jeflreson
John Nibbs
Jos'' Todman
John Mayer
John Todman
Peter Lavicount
Kob' Mallam
W" Garratt
Benj" Steel
Eob' Parry
Ann Lowry
And"' Martino
Peter Addjitt
Tho" Spencer
EdW Willson
Patrick Grant
Jos'' Parker
Mart" Laricount
Ben]'" Wickham
Jos'' Wickham .
Mary Lideatt .
John Irwin
Sam' Lavicount
Thos. Urlin
W'° Mackaile .
Nich» Collins .
James Archer .
Total
Men.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Women,
Boys.
Girls.
28
16
Belfast Division.
3
1
1
2
1
3
2
3
48
37
Falmouth Division.
Rich'' Hoser
Nat' Marchant
Cath. Hughes
Mary Bower
James Irwin
Mary Cockrom
Eliz" Hale .
Eliz" Bailey
Marg-' M''Clashley
Kich'' Nanton
Jos'" Miller
Eliz" Franks
Cath. Brunan
W'° Jones .
Peter Jenks
Jona" Nunn
W'" Croziu
Ja" Ware .
W'° Davies
Ja" Coakeley
Tho' Morris
Cha" Morris
W"' Thompson
Rebecca Mills
Barbara Taylor
Eliz" Taylor
Mary Willson
Rob' Carpenter
Andrew Hiks
Geo. Thomas
W" Pajje .
Rich'' PufEord
Jn° Martin
Rev. Rob' Davidson
Tho' Freeman
Peter Bawn
W- Pike .
Christ' Skelton
Mary Stinson
Eliz. Oysterman
James Barton
W"" Gaul .
W" Barton
Arch'' Ramsey
Hamlyn Martin
John Dawley
W'" Great rix
Jos'" Green
Rowl^ Nanton
Rob' Braokstone
Sam' Winthrop
John Martin
Jos'" Green
John Abbott
Geo. Bladen
Geo. Horsfort
John Tankard
Ja' Barter
Rich" Tyrrell
Gales Estate
Hen. Warner
Tho" Bodkin
Jos'" Farley
Jn° Yummons
Rich'' Glover
[blank]
2
2
1
1
4
2
1
2
2
2
1.5
3
20
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Familya.
Dudley Sweeny
W" Maxwell
Cath. Horsfort
Sweets Estate
Corintons Ho.
John Grant
James Doe^
Daniel Mathew
Total
Meu.
W
omen.
Boys.
Girls
1
1
1
8
1
3
1
2
1
10
1
4
2
100
67
WiLLOUGHBY BAY DIVISION.
Francis Delap .
W" Thomas
Est. Archib'' Cochran
Rowland Frye .
Martin Blake
Vallence Morris
Eliz. Looby
John Lyons
Steph. Lavinifton
Rob' Christian .
Jane Webb
John Duer
Totall .
John Brooks, Esq'
Stephen Lynch
Jn" Darm" Nanton
Roger Astley
Geo. Halleron
Tho' Byshop
Sam' Marchant
Jn° Francis
Mary Swan
Pat"* Cusack
Lidia Trant
Rich" Collins
Valen. Browne
Oliver Kirwan
Marg' Ailhaud
W"' Trant .
Josiah Wipton
Cajsar Trant
W"' Torvat
Rachel Farley
Jas. Ailhaud
Mary Francis
Tho" Tracey
Cath. Jacobs
Rich" Nanton Wiptoa
Jn" Cane .
Rich" Chapman
Theo. Greatrick
Joshua Gittons
W" Phillpot
Jn" Smith .
Jas. M'^Intier
Paf* Arnold
Edw" Stainner
Sam' Franklyn
Isaac Jacobs
John Kidd
Ju" Jordain
James Welch
31
20
Old Road Division.
48
44
43
10
And"' Lessley,
John Frye
Jos'' Weston
Era" Frye .
John Stevens
John Bolan
Rob' Brown
Mary Celey
Rob' Bro'wne
Cha* Dunbar
Ja" Manwaring
Jn" Sedgwick .
Nath' Webb .
John Foster
W" Allen .
Rob' Martin
Cap' Sam' Martin
Col. Sam' Martin
James Doeg
W Smith
Nesbit Darby .
Mary Hanson .
Walter TuUideph
John Watkins .
Sam' Jennings .
Geo. Leonard .
Totall
Beemudian 'Valley & New Division.
Esq'
5
2
5
3
1
3
1
3
1
2
4
2
New Division.
6
2
4
3
2
1
3
2
35
4
3
3
4
4
4
2
5
1
5
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
6
6
G
1
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
18
4
2
2
1
1
2
2
23
11
7
6
2
1
1
2
55
23
29
11
16
7
15
6
78
40
23
21
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
CXT
Familys.
Men. Women.
Dickinsons Bay Division.
W" Mackinnen
Ja' Emra, Esq' .
Widow Evanson
Ju" Hillhouse .
Mathew Christian
Nat' Knight, Esq'
Sam' Xibbs, Esq'
Thos. Watkiiis, Esq'
Rob' Gray," Esq'
John Dunbar, Esq'
Sam' Jones
Brister Russell .
Thomas Cross .
Fort Hamilton .
Corbesons point Fort
James Brenan .
Coll' Otto .
Ja" Gambel
Doct' Sydeshorf
Ja" Barton
Eph"" Jordon .
Ja' Smith .
Dan' Grant
Total
20
Merceks Creek Division.
Col. Nat. Gilbert
Fra" Farley, Esq'
George Crump, Esq'
Sam' Redhead, Esq'
Jn" Greenway .
Edward Evanson
Edw. Byam, Esq'
S' W" Codrington
Rich" Tuite, Esq'
S' W"' Codrington
Totall .
24
13
Nonsuch Division.
Boya.
3
4
1
4
2
1 notable
2
4
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
Rob' Moncreif
1
Tho" Elmes
. 5
Sam' Harman
5
2
5
W'° Murray
3
1
W" Hunt .
3
2
1 1
Rob" Yille .
2
Martin Goble
4
1
Jos'" Archbould
3
Ja' Hector Lony
1
1
1 2
Anth. Browne .
1
2
Coleman Heyns
1
Cornel. Mineham
1
1
W™ Sheriflf
1
Rowl'" Hamilton
3
1
2
Hen. Harding .
1
1
1
Hen. Symes
3
1
Rich"" Cole
2
1
John Hunt
1
Ma. Walrond
3
2
i
Sarah Pike
2
Cha. Williams
2
Sa. Symes .
i
Ben. Merchant
■
1
Eliz. Parry
3
Fra" Lyons
1
Pat" Cusack
4
2
.5
Geo. Reynolds
1
4
3
Ja' Anderson
4
Richard Clow
1
W" Lyons
3
I
Rachel Kipps
1
1
W" Bowin
2
Jn" Col burn
1
2 £
Tho' Malcher
2
1 1
Marg' Harding
1
1
W" Wallis
3
1
2
Jn" Holmes
1
1
Hen. Kipps
1
1 1
W" FoUiott
1
1
3
George Hopson
I
2 1
2
W" Hamilton
2
2 ^
Tho- Ryce
2
1
1
Rob' .^myth
1
1 1
Paf" Wliite
1
Thos. Wilcocks .
1
1
John Barber
1
Barbara Carey .
1
Sarah Symes .
4
W" Ossbistone .
2
1 1
3
Total .
81
.5.-) 21
32
Totall of Inhabitants in the Island of Antigua.
Divisions.
S' Johns Town .
.594
622
222
230
S' Johns
129
78
31
29
Old North Sound
104
52
22
24
New North Sound
106
56
25
20
Popes Head .
28
16
8
4
Belfast
48
37
15
20
Falmouth .
100
67
43
35
Divisions.
Willoughby Bay .
Old Road ....
Bermudian Valley cfc New
Division ....
Dickinsons Bay .
Five Islands
Mercers Creek
Nonsuch ....
Totall =3261
Men.
31
48
78
42
20
24
81
Women.
20
44
40
17
8
13
Boya.
4
18
23
8
3
5
20
Qirll.
6
18
21
9
5
7
32
1433
1123
439
266
1754, January 15. Edward Warner, Esq., is
sworn as Deputy Provost-Marshal.
April 8. Edward Otto Baijer had been appointed
to the Council in 1748, but his name had been
omitted from the new lists because it was thought
that he would not return to Antigua. Their Lord-
ships now require the Governor to restore him to his
former rank and precedency.
June 21. This day a patent was signed at
Kensington for Harry Webb to be Attorney-General
of the Leeward Islands. By Act of 11 December
1754 provision was made for the erection of a new
church at Parham Town in place of the old parish
church of St. Peter. The ancient burial-ground in
this parish is situated about two miles from the town,
and it is probable that the old church was adjacent
thereto.
July 3. Petition of the churchwardens and
vestry of St. Peter's for leave to bring in an Act to
build a new church.
July 18. Dr. James Stevenson, who has a cer-
tificate from Sui-geons' Hall, Dr. James McKittrick,
and Dr. William Campbell, are all licensed.
The following are ordered to join the Troop : —
Jn" Braham. Jn" Jenkins. Cha. Manning.
W'" Buckley. W"' Campbell. Jn° Nethereott.
Isaac Caton. Pat. Maxwell. Rob. Nibbs.
Alex. Crawford. Robarts Merri- Rich. Pears.
Jn" Inglese. field. Rich. Sheep-
Elias Ferris. Josiali Martin. shanks.
W"i Garrett Hill- Chas. Martin. Jn» Sherrifife.
house. Jn° Muir. Carter Stevens.
Jn° Harvey. Alex. Munro. Tho. Winter.
£9000 was voted for the completion of the new
barracks.
September 12. Mr. John Sharpe, the Agent, is
instructed to apply to the Crown for £4000 towards
the barracks.
On the 13* of September was a violent hurricane at the
Leeward Islands, in which 15 vessels were run on shore at
Montserrat and Antigua, and 5 at S' Kits, which had
received great damage.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 529.)
December 10. Walter Tullideph, having been
called up to the Council, vacates his seat in the
Assembly.
1755, January 9. Thomas Jarvis, having been
called up to the Council, vacates his seat in the
Assembly. Thomas Barry takes the oaths as Clerk
to the Council, and John Halliday is returned vice
Walter Tullideph.
February 12. William Dunbar is returned for
Popeshead.
March 14. Eowland Ash, Henry Byam, Thomas
Lessly, and James Emra, Esqrs., are all sworn as
J.P.'s.
May 13. The Admiralty is asked to repair the
forts at English Harbour.
CXVl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
May 30. A writer says that they are erecting
new barracks at Antigua for 700 men at a cost of
£18,000 sterling or £30,000 currency, tbe old ones
being so bad. £3000 or £4000 may be granted by
tbe King.
June 4. Alexander Fraser, a Captain in Colonel
Duroure's regiment, is sworn a J. P.
June 24. Mandamus dated at Whitehall for
Thomas Jarvis to be of the Council vice John Gun-
thorpe deceased.
June 27. William Home resigns his seat for St.
John's Division.
July 11. William Young is returned for St.
John's Division vice William Home resigned. Robert
Bakei, Surveyor-General, has recentlj- sounded
English Harbour because a report had been spread
that no ship over 50 guns could get in there, and
Carlile Bay, Barbados (an open roadstead with foul
anchorage), had been suggested as a better naval
station. Mr. Baker swears that the soundings are
the same as in 1722 when he piloted in H.M.S.
"Hector," and in 1748 when he published his map
of Antigua.
July 22. Bills for £400 sterling on Samuel Fry,
Esq., and £400 sterling on Richard Oliver, Esq., are
drawn by the Assembly as four years' salary due to
Mr. Sharpe the Agent.
September 9. Captain Thomas Morris, store-
keeper of Monk's Hill, is to be paid £30 a year.
October 14. Richard Buckley petitions for the
payment of £80 for his negro, who was executed for
knocking down John Hodgkiss and robbing him of
his hat.
December 4. By the death of Thomas Elmes
there is a vacancy in the Assembly.
1756, January 20. Main Swete Walrond is
returned vice Thomas Elmes.
April 8. Another seat in the Assembly is now
vacant by Joshua Crump's death. The capture of
the " Warwick " disastrous.
The following to join the Troop : —
Alex. Diichar. Byam Freeman. Chr. Nibbs.
Tho. Ellis. Edw. Trant, Jun'. Adam Smart.
Sam. Bean. Oliver Bnrke. Jos. Lynch.
Jn° Forstor. Rich. Alleyn. Val. Brown.
Hen. West. Sam. Simpson. W™ Mackaile.
Dav. Potter. Jas. Connor.
TV"' Walker. Ernest Udney.
May 5. Thomas Freeman returned vice Joshua
Crump.
May 17. War* was declared against France.
The negroes this year numbered 31,428.
(Southey.)
June 2. Thomas Warner takes the oaths on his
appointment as Attorney-General, and Harry Webb
resigns his seat for St. John's Town.
June 9. William Warner returned for St. John's
Town; Mr. William Home resigns the post of
Treasurer and Collector of the Impost, and the Hon.
Daniel Warner is appointed in his place, giving
£4000 sterling security.
* A copy of this Declaration of War was printed in the ' London
Magazine,' p. 237.
July 31. A gold-hilted sword was voted to
Colonel Alexander Duroure on his departure for
England.
August 11. Dr. James Dewar claims £50 for
attending the French prisoners.
September 29. Thomas Downes is licensed to
i^ractise Medicine and Surgery. Rowland Ash resigns
his seat for New North Sound.
October 12. Governor George Thomas writes
that 32 privateers have been fitted at Antigua, St.
Kitts, and Montserrat, and they have made captures
to the amount of £60,000.
1756.
Men.
Women.
Boys.
Girls
S' Johns Town ....
563
619
230
235
S' Johns Division
12.5
75
33
28
Old North Sound Division
105
50
24
26
New North Sound Division
110
53
26
24
Popeshead Division .
26
16
9
5
Beilfast Division
46
37
16
20
Falmouth Division .
94
66
44
35
Willoughby Kay Division .
31
19
4
6
Old Road Division
49
44
10
17
Bermudian Valley & New
Division
77
45
24
20
Dickinsons Bay Division .
42
17
7
8
Five Islands Division
20
8
4
5
Mercers Creek Division
24
12
6
7
Nonsuch Division
80
56
21
32
Total . • . .
1392
1117
458
468
Geo. Byam.
W"' An'dcrton.
Jn° Barrel!.
The number of inhabitants has decreased owing
to a malignant fever the preceding year. There are
18 forts and 14 guard-houses. Francis, Loixl Haw-
ley, Lieut. -Governor of Antigua, does not reside
there.
October 25. William Jarvis returned for New
North Sound.
Nov. 17.
W™Mackinen,Jun. Lewis Cusack. Sam. Masset.
Jas. Denbow. Ben. M'^Sween.
Rob. Hunter. Dav. AVeir, to join
Rob. Harvey. the Troop.
The Assembly offer a bounty of £5 currency for
every man killed or taken prisoner on board a French
privateer, provided the capturing vessel have cruized
for 10 days in sight of this island, and the captui'e
be effected within 30 leagues to the east and 10
leagues to the westward.
On 17 November it was enacted, for the pre-
vention of abuses in the fishery, that every mesh in
the bunt of each net should be 2^ inches, and that no
fresh fish, excej^t turtle and jew fish, was to be sold
over fourpence half-penny per lb.
1756. List of Prizes. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
May. The S' Pierre, from Martinico for Marseilles, the
Grand Duke, from Bourdeaux for Cape Francois, the Parteiu,
with 280 slaves, & the Alcion, with 511, both from Aft'ica
for S' Domingo; Le Infante de Bourdeaux, from Guardaloupe
for Bourdeaux; Le Deaux Petits, from Martinico for Bayonne;
L'Aimable, from Melimba, with 177 slaves, for Martinico,
car. into Antigua by Commodore Frankland. (P. 261.)
July. L'Aimable Katherine, fi-om Martinico for
Marseilles, taken by the Winchester & car. into Antigua.
(P. 360.)
Aug. The Pacifique, from Bordeaux for S* Domingo, of
400 tons, 40 men, & 16 guns, is taken by the Blandford man
of war & car. into Antigua. (P. 411.)
Sep. The Letitia, Curlet, from Antigua for London,
was taken the 31st ult. by the Catt privateer off Bayonne.
(P. 452.)
GEORGE I. GEORGE II.
CXVll
Dec. The Ceres, from Piscatana for Antigua, is car.
into Guadaloupe, The Thomas, Harris, from Boston for
Antigua, The Patty, Lynch, from Maryland for Antigua,
The Tryal priv., Thomas, of Antigua, of 10 carriage guns,
car. to Maryland, a sloop, from Antigua for Boston, the
Thatcher, from Antigua, car. into Guadaloupe. (P. 594.)
1757, January 4. Henry Wilmot of Gray's Inn
has been nominated Agent for Antigua vice Sharpe
deceased.
February 16. Thomas Walker is appointed
Attorney-General of the Leeward Islands vice Harry
Webb returned to England.
May 18. John Halliday resigns his seat.
July 6. Eighty or ninetj' hogsheads of public
sugar, for which no freight to London can be
obtained, are to be consigned to ionr houses at
Bristol, La Eoach's and Devonshire and Reeves's, and
the proceeds to go to Eichard Oliver of London, and
to save the additional commission to the latter, Mr.
Robinson Tudway and Mr. John Browning are
nominated as factors.
August 19. The Assembly are dissolved at their
own desire. Robert Cholmondeley has succeeded
Horace, Lord Walpole, as Surveyor and Auditor-
General of all the revenue in America by patent
dated 20 November 25 George.
1757, Sep. 20. New Sessions.
Hen. Byam, Esq' Jn° Watkins j
w™ Warner SMohns Town.
Bap. Looby I
Sam. Nibbs, Esq' W™ Mackinen | r»;„i„- „ i}»„
Sam.Nibbs [ Dickinsons Bay.
Hon. Tho. Jarvis Tho^Warner ' Popeshead.
Hon. Steph. Bllzard Sam. Martin | j^^^ ^^^^^ g^^^^_
r
Ham. Kerby
Rob. Bannister, Esq' Rob. Bannister |
Tho. Freeman |
Jn" Jeaffreson, Esq' Fra. Farley I R if f
Jn° Jeaffreson ( ^^''^^s''-
Sam. Harman, Esq' Main S. Walrond j t^, ,
Sam. Harman, Jun. j J>* onsucH.
Rob. Christian, Esq' Fra. Frye j
Jas Brebner )
W'" Maxwell, Esq' Rob. Christian (
W" Maxwell |
Hon. And. Lessly Jn° Brooke |
Ju" Stevens (
Hon. Rowl* Oliver Jn° Conyers |
Geo. Byam I
Hon. Ed. Otto-Baijer W" Allen Five Islands.
Old North Sound.
Willoughby Bay.
Falmouth.
Old Road.
S' .Johns Division.
Samuel Martin is chosen Speaker and Edward.
Gamble Clerk. Committee appointed to inspect
forts. Commodore Frankland has been removed
from the station by the Admiralty.
December 6. Lieut. -General Gilbert Fleming is
given 12 months' leave.
1757. List of Prizes. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
The Hawk, Conolly, from London, the Henry, Graham,
fi-om Bristol, both for Antigua, car. into Guadaloupe. A
Dutch vessel, from Antigua for Barbadoes, car. into Mar-
tinico. The Boyd, Boyd, from Glasgow for Antigua, taken.
Feb. The Minehead, Forrest, fi-om Antigua for London,
car. into S' Ouge near Bordeaux. The Betty, Quinlin, from
Antigua for Limerick, car. into a small port near MorIai.\.
June. The Charming Sally, Simple, fi-om N. England
for Antigua, is car. into Guadaloupe.
Oct. The Polly, Robinson, the Ceres, Rindge, & the
Samuel, Warner, from Piscataqua for Antigua, are taken by
the Fr.
July. The merchantmen from the Leeward Islands,
which are just arrived at the respective places of their
destination, when they came from the West Indies,
amounted to 175 sail, including those bound for different
ports in America, and not a single ship of them is missing.
There never were more pleasing countenances seen on the
Royal Exchange of London, than when the news came of
this fleet's safe arrival. It is at least computed to be worth
2,000,000 sterling, very little of which was insured.
Great damage to St. John's Harbour having
arisen owng to persons discharging therein rubbish
and ballast, an Act was passed on 24 November
imposing a heavy penalty for so doing, and the east
part of Rat Island, 20 feet above high-water mark,
was appointed for the deposit of all refuse.
1758, March. Captain Richard Tyrrell of H.M.S.
"Buckingham," 70 guns, with H.M.S. "Cam-
bridge," 80 guns, destroyed a fort and four privateers
at Martinico. He also, with only his own ship, the
" Buckingham," with 65 guns and a crew of 470
men, came to action with a French 74 with 700 men,
a 38 gun frigate with 350 men, and a 28 gun vessel
with 250 men. The " Florissant," 74, struck to him,
but afterwards escaped with the others.
Thii-ty-eight shillings a day is agreed to be paid
for supplying 580 gallons of water daily to the troops.
July 13. George Byam resigns his seat. Thomas
Warner is appointed Attorney-General.
September 7. John Lightfoot takes the oaths
and his seat at the Council.
October 5. Septimus Nibbs, Christopher Hodge,
Nicholas Kirwan, Andrew Browne, to join the Troop.
Ai-thur Freeman is sworn a J. P.
November 6. Thomas Warner to be Attorney-
General of the Leeward Islands vice Thomas Walker
deceased. Patent dated at the Court of Kensington.
December 14. Simeon Worlock, Ebenezer Elliott,
George Brebner, and William Whitehead, to join the
Troop. Proposals to be obtained for the deepening
of English Harbour.
1758. From a letter from S' Eustatia in the ' Amster-
dam Gazette,' dated 9 April 1758, it appears that the Dutch
Merchants accused the English privateers of unjustly con-
fiscating their ships, 30 or 40 of which had within 3 or 4
weeks been condemned at Antigua on the most frivolous
pretence. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 334.)
1758. Prize List. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
The Tartar, of Antigua, has taken a Fr. sloop & sent her
to Montserrat. A Fr. snow, with sugar and coffee, from
Montserrat for France, is taken by the .Jennings priv. of
Antigua.
Plantation News.
On the 28*'' of Oct. last Capt. White, late commander of
the private sloop of war Tiger, Xat. Flin, Tho. Cole, Elias
Atkins & Michael M'^Carroll, were tried at the court house
in the town of S* John in Antigua, for piratically entering a
Spanish snow in Jan. last about 4 leagues from the island of
Mona, & for stealing & carrying away from on board the
said snow divers goods of considerable value ; when, the
evidence turned out so full against them that the judges,
without much hesitation, sentenced them to be hanged, &
Capt. White's body to be hung in chains ; & they all
suffered accordingly, except Elias Atkins, who was reprieved
by- his excellency the general.
Feb. A Fr. Letter of Marque sloop, from Currasso for
Montserrat, with warlike stores, le Feme priv. of 8 guns and
the Grand Clamp of 12 ditto & 80 men, are taken by the
Amazon & Antigua priv., & car. into Antigua. The de
2
CXVUl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
Lorade priv. is also car. into Antigua by the Sturdy Beggar
priv. of New York & the Antigua priv. The S' Francis,
from Philadelphia for Antigua, is drove ashore. A Snow
from Gambia, a schooner, Hendrickson, from Liverpool, the
Swift, Strong, from Cork, the ... ., Hayes, the Susan, Hep-
burn, the Anne, Talem, the Sally, Nicholas, & the Molly,
Allen, all for Antigua, are taken.
April. The Tomlinson, Farrell, from Antigua for London,
is sent into Morlaix.
June. The Flaming, Nichols, from S' Kitts, the ....
Maclean, from Philadelphia, the Fanny, Hazlewood, from
London, the Lamb, Nichols, from New York, & the Hazard,
Warner, from Piscataqua, all for Antigua, the S' Andrew,
Grey, from Antigua for Berbicea, car. into Guadaloupe.
New York, June 19, Capt. Smith arrrived at Newhaven
the 7"' inst., in 25 days from Antigua, & reports, that about
a week before he sailed, Comm. Moore with 7 ships of the
line, & 2 frigates, sailed from thence on some secret design,
thought to be against S* Domingo.
Oct. The Mary Ann, Call, from S. Carolina, & the
Speedwell, Baldwin, from Newhaven, both for Antigua, car.
into Martinico.
1759, January 18. Mr. Hamlin Martin to be
gunner and storekeeper of Monk's Hill vice Thomas
Morris deceased. Trooj^s coming from Guadaloupe
with dysentery are to be isolated at Rat Island
barracks.
February 20 Writs of mandamus were signed at
tbe Court of St. James for Arthur Freeman, Francis
Frye, Byam Freeman, and Valentine Morris, to be of
the Council vice Benjamin King, Rev. Francis Byam^
and William Byam deceased, and William Mac-
kinnen, who was appointed 17 June 1739 but hath
never taken his seat.
February 26. John Watkins is sworn a Master
and Examiner in Chancery. Three hundred able
negros are to be armed and sent to Guadaloupe.
Commodore Moore is now on the station.
On 1 May Guadaloupe* surrendered to General
Barrington after three months' fighting in which
Colonel Crump, an Antiguan, highly distinguished
himself, and was left in command as Governor in June
with three regiments. He died, however, in 1760.
Commodore Moore's squadron in 16 months took 53
French privateers, carrying 400 guns and 2600
men.
August 9. William Allen resigns his seat, and
Francis Frye has been called up to the Council.
September 6. Byam Freeman is called to the
Council, and Nathaniel Gilbert, juu., is returned vice
William Allen.
September 19. Edward Home returned for St.
John's Division vice Byam Freeman. A seat for Old
North Sound is also now vacant by the death of
Thomas Freeman. Andrew Lessly is still President.
• For a full description of these proceedings see ' An Account of the
Expedition to the West Indies against Martinico with the reduction
of Guadeloupe and other the Leeward Islands Subject to the French
King 1759, by Rich. Gardiner, Capt. of Marines.'
1759. List of Prizes. (' Gentleman's Magazine.')
The Lesley, Onslow, with 323 slaves, & the Salisbury,
Sacheverell, with 179, both from Africa, the Carolina,
Thompson, & the snow Bartram, from Newhaven, & the
sloop . . . ., Bosden, from New York, all for Antigua, car.
into Guardaloupe. The Pr. of Wales priv., from Antigua.
April. Two priv., one of 12 guns & 130 men, the other
of 6 guns & 50 men, car. into Antigua by the Antiguan sloop
Varlo. The Grace, French, from Dublin for Antigua,
taken. The Edward & Susannah, Mi^Namara, fi-om Bristol
& Madeira for Antigua, the Polly, M'^Namara, from Dublin
& Madeira, the Lucy, Eussell, from Madeira for Antigua, &
a Brig from Boston, Ingram, master, & The London, King,
from Glasgow for Antigua, taken.
July. The Snow Esprite, from Martinico is sent into
Madeira by Capts. Cookson & Allen, letters of marque, from
Bristol for Antigua.
1760, Jamiary 2. The Governor writes that
" Col" Oliver has of late resided principally at Nevis,"
so has appointed James Brebner to the Council.
Jan. 10. The King's sugars were sold in the long-room
at the custom house, at the following prices, viz., Antigua,
from 39s. dd. to 40s. 9rf., etc. Jeremiah Watkins, several
years commander in the West India trade, & late supercargo
of the Crump, William Turner commander, a letter of
marque of 1 6 guns & 50 men, made oath that they sailed
from London for Guadaloupe & Antigua last Aug., & in Oct.
were taken by a Fr. frigate & car. into Brest, where they
suffered very great hardships in prison.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 43.)
February 21. John Jeaffresou has resigned his
seat.
March 27. The Assembly vote £400 sterling for
a monument in St. John's churchyard to the late
General Crump, their countryman ; also a present of
£500 sterling to his widow, whom he has left in
distressed circumstances. The Council refuse to
agree to this, and recommend that 100 guineas
would be sufficient for the monument, and £200
sterling should be given to the widow. Samuel
Elliott is retui-ned for Belfast. William Warner
succeeds Daniel Warner as Treasurer and Collector
of the Impost.
April 17. Samuel Elliot returned for Belfast vice
John Jeaffreson deceased. Mr. Nathaniel Gilbert,
Speaker of Antigua, having joined the Methodists,
preached to his slaves and formed a society of about
200. (Southey.)
April 24. The Assembly had suggested the pay-
ment of £200 for General Crump's monument and
£300 for his widow, but the Council object that the
amount is excessive and the Island sufficiently in
debt. William Livingston is returned for St. John's
Town vice William Warner resigned. £11,000 to be
raised for the current year.
October 25. H.M.S. " Mermaid," of 24 guns, was
wrecked at Barbuda and 50 of her crew drowned.
King George II. died this day.
GEORGE III.
CHAPTER VIII.
CXIX
GEORGE III. 1760—1820.
1761, February 12. John Halliday returned for
Willong'liby Bay vice James Brebiier called to the
Council by Governor Thomas.
April 1. On the accession of George III. fresh
commissions were issued to George Thomas, Captain-
General, etc., Gilbert Fleming, Lieut.-General, Tho-
mas Warner, Attorney-Genei-al, and Thomas Cottle,
Solicitor-General of the Leeward Islands, also to
Francis, Lord Hawley, Lieut. -Governor of Antigua.
June 3. Governor Thomas has appointed Wil-
liam Young to the Council vice Colonel Nathaniel
Gilbert deceased.
June 6. Lord RoUo landing from James Douglas'
squadron captured Dominica.
July 17. William Brunsel is licensed to practise
Medicine and Surgery.
July 24. Thomas Warner the Attorney-General,
who has been eight years at Antigua, applies for 12
months' leave.
17(51, Auj?. 20. New Sessions.
For what place
Justices taliinfr
the election.
Ham. Kerby, Esq'
Persons elected.
Sam. Martin, Esq'
Hamilton Kerby, Esq'
The Rev's jjr David Jn" Hart, Esq'
Hopkins
elected.
I New North
f Sound.
S' Johns Town.
Baptist Looby, Esq'
W'" Livingston, Esq' (
Tho. iShephard, Esq' )
Edw. Home, Esq' I
Oliver Nugent, Esq' l'
W" Mackinen, Esq' |
Jer. Blizard, Esq' I
Tho. Warner, Esq' I
W"' Jarvis, Esq' I
Sam. Byam, Esq' (
Rob. Bannister, Jun., Esq' (
Fi-a. Farley, Esq' | g ,f ^
Sam. Elliott, Esq' ) oeiiasE.
M. S. Walrond, Esq' M. S. Walroud, Esq' |
Sam. Harman. Esq' i
Jn" Halliday, Esq' |
Tho. Elmes," Esq'
Rob. Christian, Esq'
\V"" Maxwell. Esq'
The Hon'ble W"
Young, Esq'
Sam. Nibbs, Esq'
The Hon'ble Tho.
Jarvis
The Hon'ble Jn°
Lightfoot
Pat. Grant, Esq'
Rob. Christian. Esq'
S' Johns Division.
Dickinsons-bay.
Popeshead.
Old North Sound.
Nonsuch.
The Hon'ble J.
Brebner
The Hon'ble F. Frye Jn° Brooke, Esq'
Jn" Stevens, Esq'
. Willoughby Bay.
I Falmouth & Ren-
f desvous-bay.
Old Road Bermu-
dian Valley, &
New Division.
Five Islands.
Jn" Conyers, Esq' Nath. Gilbert, Esq'
Sam. Martin chosen Speaker.
August 21. Dr. William Tudhope licensed.
November 18. Petition of Thomas Oliver, Deputy-
Secretary, for £143 for salary and fees as clerk to the
Council for six months.
Dec. 1. Gov'' Thomas writes "1 had the honor to
acquaint Y' L''ships that upon the Resignation of M'' Oliver,
who is gone to reside at Nevis, and the death of M"" Gilbert,
I had appointed M'' James Brebner & M'' William Toung
Members of the Council of this Island, to make up the
number Seven. Since that time M'' Lightfoot is also dead,
and for the same reason, I have likewise appointed M'' Wil-
liam Warner to succeed him."
1762. On January 4 war was declared against
Spain, and the same month Rear-Admiral Rodney
with 18 sail of the line and 14,000 troops sailed
from Barbados to Martinique which capitulated on
February 4. The islands of Grenada, Tobago, St.
Vincent, and St. Lucia also surrendered.
March 18. Edward Byam was returned for St.
John's Town vice John Hart deceased.
April 22. William Warner i-ecommended to be
of the Council.
May 3. Thomas Oliver* now clerk to the Council
and Depixty- Secretary.
June 1. Governor Thomas writes that he has
raised 400 negros at Antigua for the Expedition.
17('>2, Aug. 12. New Sessions.
Jer. Blizard, Esq.
Rev. D. Hopkins
Tho. Warner, Esq'
Sam. Nibbs, Esq'
Hon. T. Jarvis
Row. Ash, Esq'
Pat. Grant, Esq'
M. S. Walrond, Esq'
Rob. Christian, Esq'
Hon. Jas. Brebner
Hon. Fra. Frye
Sam. Martin
Jer. Blizard
Bap. Looby
W"' Livingston
Ed. Byam
Harry Alexander
Ed. Home
W'" Dunbar
W'" Mackinen
C. P. WeatherU
Tho. Warner
W"" Jarvis
Rob. Bannister, Jun' |
W"" Gunthorpe )
Fra. Farley |
Sam. Elliot
M. S. Walrond
Sam. Harman
Jn" Halliday
Tho. Elmes
Rob. Christian
W'° Maxwell
Jn" Brooke
Jn° Stevens
New North Sound.
I S' Johns Town.
I
S' Johns Division.
Diokensons Bay.
I
Popeshead.
Old North Sound.
Belfast.
Nonsuch.
Willoughby-bay.
Hon. Byam Freeman Nath. Gilbert
Sam. Martin chosen Speaker.
Falmouth & Rendes-
) vous-bay.
j Old Road, Bermudian
\ Valley, & New Divi-
) sion.
Five Islands.
Augtist 13. The Havanna capitulated to the
Earl of Albemarle and Sir George Pocock. Twelve
ships of the line and booty to the value of £2,000,000
were seized.
August 19. Edward Gamble appointed Registrar
vice Watkins deceased.
October 21. Govei-nor Thomas writes that Mr.
Young and Mr. William Warner, having gone to
England, he has appointed Ashton Warner to the
Council. Mr. William Warner's mandamios was
dated 13 May.
1763, January 1. A cessation of Arms to be pro-
claimed.
January 27. Mr. William Atkinson is sworn as
Deputy-Secretary.
February 10. By the Peace, signed at Paris with
Spain and France, Guadaloupe, Martinique, Marie-
galante, and Desirade, were restored to France, and
Havanna to Spain ; Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica,
and Tobago, were ceded to Great Britain ; and St.
Lucia to France. Many Antiguans took up lands in
the ceded Islands.
March 1 6. Ashton Warner recommended to be of
the Council vice Andrew Leslie, who has been absent
three years.
April 28. Nathaniel Gilbert chosen Speaker vice
Samuel Martin resigned.
May 11. Christopher Hodge returned for New
North Sound vice Samuel Martin, the late Speaker,
resigned.
July. The 38th Foot to be reduced to a peace
footing.
1764, February 16. John Lyons chosen for Old
North Sound vice Robert Bannister, jun.
• On 18 November 1762 he petitioned for payment of £143 for
salary and fees as Clerk to the Council for six months.
cxx
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
March 8. The 68th Eegiment, now in Ireland 500
strong, is to relieve the 38th at Antigua. They
arrived on the 31st May.
October -i. William Byam, sen., Esq., Mr. James
Farley, and Mr. John Yeamans, to join the Troop.
William Salmond chosen for Popeshead vice William
Jarvis resigned.
1765, January 10. William Dunbar is expelled
the House for being absent six times without excuse
or leave.
January 24. Charles Payne Sharpe was returned
for St. John's Division vice William Dunbar expelled.
February 7. An Act passed this day providing
for the erection of a stone or brick-built Register's
Office, where the Records were to be kept, much
damage having been sustained from their storage
in wooden buildings.
March 14. George Mackenzie is licensed to
practise Medicine and Surgery. James Thibou to join
the Troop.
1765, Mar. 23. List of the C at Antigua.
Edward Otto-Baijer.
Richard Tyrrell.
Walter Tullideph.
Rowland Oliver. Resigned & gone for England.
Thomas Jarvis.
Arthur Freeman.
Francis Frye.
Byam Freeman.
Valentine Morris. Absent ever since his appointment.
James Brebner.
William Young. Commissioner at the ceded Islands.
William Warner.
Ash ton Warner.
May 16. Martin Byam was returned for Popes-
head vice William Salmond resigned.
August 15. Nicholas Lynch was returned for
Nonsuch vice Samuel Harman resigned.
August 25. Valentine Morris Home was returned
for St. John's Division vice Edward Home resigned.
December 5. The unanimous thanks of the House
were voted to William Mackinen on his retirement
after his long and faithful services as a Member of
the Assembly for 40 years.
December 21. Governor Thomas writes that
£2000 sterling worth of stamps deposited in the
house of Mr. John Hopkins, the deputy at Basseterre,
St. Kitts, were seized by the mob and burnt ; that
Mr. William Tuckett was compelled by 500 people to
resign his post as stamp distributor, but that Antigua
was quiet and loyal. He is in a dilemma how to act.
1766, January 16. William Millar was returned
for Dickinsoia's Bay vice William Mackinen, and Oliver
Nugent vice Charles P. Weatheril deceased.
January 29. Governor Thomas writes that he
has superseded the Hon. Arthur Freeman for running
off with and marrying his daughter, and has appointed
Lieut. -Colonel Josiah Martin of the 6Sth Resimeut
in his place.
March 13. The obnoxious Stamp Act was re-
pealed by the House of Commons, and Mr. Secretary
H. S. Conway writes to Governor Thomas to acquaint
him with that fact.
June 28. James Virchild, President of St. Kitts,
writes that His Excellency Geoi-ge Thomas embarked
for England on the 1st instant, and by H.M.'s
instructions the government has devolved on him.
July 11. Arthur Freeman petitions that he has
been unjustly susjjended from the Council.
July 12. Governor George Thomas writes that
he left Antigua on 1st June and amved at Ports-
mouth this day.
October 13. William Woodley appointed Captain
General, etc., vice Sir George Thomas, Bai-t., resigned.
In Oct. a hurricane caused great destruction of life &
property at Martinique, and at Antigua many plantations
sufiFered, & some ships were lost.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 597.)
1767, February 26. David MacRichie is licensed
to practise Medicine, etc.
May 15. Anthony Stokes recommended to be of
the Council vice James Brebner appointed Chief
Justice of the Southern Caribbee Islands.
May 28. James Athill was returned for Nonsuch
vice Nicholas Lynch.
July 23. Samuel Redhead was returned for
WUloughby Bay.
July 29. Edward Otto Bayer, Thomas Jarvis,
Arthur Freeman, Francis Frye, Byam Freeman,
Valentine Morris, William Young, William Warner,
Ashton Warner, Josiah Martin, jun., Oliver Nugent,
and Ajithouy Stokes, are of the Council.
July 31. Samuel Martin was returned for St.
John's Division vice Charles P. Sharpe resigned.
The last two years were good after several of drought.
1 768, William Woodley arrived at Antigua from
England leaving his wife and family at home.
February 9. Alexander Willock was returned for
St. John's Division vice Samuel Mai'tin resigned.
February 29. Thomas Shephard was returned
for Dickinson's Bay. William Maxwell retm-ned for
Falmouth, resigns.
April 18. Ashton W. Byam was returned for
Falmouth vice William Maxwell resigned.
October 13. George Redhead was returned for
Old North Sound vice John Gilbert resigned.
December 1. Nicholas Lynch was returned for
Willoughby Bay vice Samuel Redhead resigned.
1769, February 12. James Furlong was returned
vice Harry Alexander.
Februarj' 16. Thomas Martin was returned for
St. John's Division vice Valentine Morris Home.
June 29. Thomas Warner was chosen Speaker
vice Nathaniel Gilbert resigned.
July 20. John Lindsay was returned for Popes-
head, John Dunbar for Dickinson's Bay, and De la
Court Walsh for Five Islands.
July 23. Richard Hawkshaw Losack, His Ma-
jesty's Lieut. -General, has arrived.
Sep. 20. Gov"' Woodley writes : — " I have Nothing par-
ticular to comuuiuicate to your Lordship but the terrible
Disaster that befel the Island of Antigua by Fire, upon the
ly"" of last Month. Two thirds of the Town of S' Johns is
in Ashes, and the Loss computed at upwards of Two
hundred Thousand pounds Sterling. I have promoted a
Subscription here, for the Relief of the unhappy Sufferers."
October 26. John Dick is now Coroner. From
a memorial presented by the Council and Assembly
it seems that the fire at St. John's on 17 August
rasred for 12 hours. The custom house, market
GEORGE in.
CXXl
house, gaol, and arsenal were destroyed, and damage
done estimated at £400,000 sterling.
1 770, January 1 . Governor Woodley recom.mends
Edward Byam to be of the Council.
January 18. The King has granted £1000 bounty
for the relief of the sufferers by the recent fire.
1770. Feb. 8. New Sessions.
\V"' Livingston
Jas. Furlong-
Bap. Looby
Jn" Burke I
Jn" Dunbar I
W. Garrat Hillhouse 1
/
, S' Johns Town.
Dickinsons Bay.
Popeshead.
New North Sound.
Tho. Warner
Ju° Lyndsay I
Jer. Blizaid |
W» Millar |
Jn" Brooke )
Jn" Stevens I
John Lyons
Geo. Redhead
De la Court Walsh Five Islands.
Jn° Mayer |
Sam. Gunthorp
Old Road, Bermudian Valley, & New Division.
Old North Sound.
Belfast.
Nonsuch.
Willoughby Bay.
Falmouth & Rendesvous Bay.
• S' Johns Division.
M. S. Walrond
Jas. Athill
Tho. Elmes
Geo. Leonard
Bob. Christian
A. W. Byam
Alex. Willock
Tho. JIartin (
Th(i. Warner was chosen Speaker.
£346 is. (kl. was collected at Liverpool for the sufferers
by the late fire. Exports from the islands to Great Britain
£430,210 ; to N. America £35,551 ; to the other islands
£229. (Southey.)
May 4. Mandamus for Edward Byam to be of
the Council dated this day.
May 24. £12,888 c. to be raised for the current
year.
June 13. Bertie Entwisle, Esq., sworn as Deputy-
Collector of St. John's Town. Jeremiah Lloyd and
John Brooke take the oaths and their seats at the
Council.
July 9. E. H. Losack writes that General Wood-
ley left on the 3rd instant, and he has assumed the
government as Lieut. -General.
August 2. Edward Byam takes his seat at the
Council.
August 26. Governor Woodley writes from
(? Hendou) " that he landed at Plimouth Saturday
Sennight very gouty." His next letter was from
Hill Street on 16 November.
November 1. John Horsford was returned for
Falmouth vice A. W. Byam resigned ; Mr. John
Scott is sworn Deputy-Comptroller of St. John's ; and
a vacancy for Belfast has been created by the death
of Samuel Gunthorp, Esq.
Nov. 15. List of the C forwarded by L' Gen' Losack.
Edward Otto-Baijer in England.
Thomas Jarvis.
Arthur Freeman in England, going out.
Francis Frye.
Byam Freeman absent.
Valentine Morris in England.
W" Young Gov' of Dominica.
W" Warner.
Ashton Warner.
Josiah Martin, jun', resigned.
Oliver Nugent absent.
Anthony Stokes Chief Justice of Georgia.
Edw. Byam 1
Jer. Blizard > appointed by me.
Ju° Brooke )
1771, January 2.5. Jeremiah Blizard is recom-
mended to be of the Council, and on February 20
John Brooke. The w.andamus of the former was
signed on 6 February, and of the latter on 7 February
at the Court of St. James.
February 8. Philip Hicks, a barrister, is admitted
to practise the law.
April 25. Thomas Lynch who has a diploma from
many physicians of the College of Aberdeen is
licensed to practise Medicine, etc.
May 8. £1 1,380 c. to be raised for the current year.
May 10. Draught commission to be drawn out
for Sir Ralph Payne, K.B., to be Captain General,
etc., and the warrant issued on 15th.
August 8. Eowland Burton returned for New
North Sound vice William Miller resigned.
October 3. John Gray returned for Belfast vice
Samuel Gunthorpe deceased.
October 31. Hon. Edward Byam is to succeed
the Hon. William Warner as Treasurer and Collector
of the Impost.
1772, January 9. Hon. Eobert Christian is sworn
Judge Surrogate of the Court of Admiralty, and John
Hawes is licensed to practise as a Solicitor.
January 13. Lieut.-General Losack writes that
he has appointed Eobert Henville, Esq., of St. Kitts,
to succeed William Warner deceased as Eeceiver of
H.M.'s casual revenue.
February 1. Governor Sir Ealph Payne writes
that he has arrived at Antigua after a 10 weeks'
passage.
March 4. His Excellency i-ents Clarke Hill, the
property of Thomas Warner, Esq., for £300 c. a year.
April 2. Nathaniel Humphry was returned for
Popeshead vice John Lindsay resigned.
July 2. William Salmond takes his seat at
the Council vice William Warner deceased by man-
dattms dated 20 May last at the Court of St. James.
Sept. 5. Sir Ralph Payne writes : — " On Thursday
Night the 27"' of August, we had an exceedingly hard Gale
of Wind, which continued for the space of 7 or 8 Hours, and
then subsided without doing any very materia! Damage.
On the Night of Sunday the 30'" of August, the Wind blew
fresh .... & continued increasing till five in the Morning
when it blew a hurricane from the N.E a melancholy
Darkness prevail'd for more than an Hour after Sun rise.
At eight o'clock the Fury of the Tempest in some Measure
abated, but it was only to collect new redoubl'd Violence,
and to display itself, with ten fold Terror, for the Space of
i Hours .... Some Persons were buried in the Ruins of
their Houses. Many houses were razed. The doors, windows,
& partitions of the Court House were blown in, the interior
completely wrecked, & most valuable papers destroyed. The
Barracks are in a deplorable condition. At English Harbour
deemed storm-proof tliere was a squadron under Adm' Parry,
whose flagship* with others drove ashore, & the Hospital
there was levelled to the ground crushing in its fall the
unfortunate patients & attendants. My new study, with
most of my papers, was blown away."
September 10. £20,000 sterling to be raised on.
account of the late hurricane.
September 18. Montserrat suffered £60,000 loss
by the hurricane which also caused much havoc at
St. Kitts.
* On 31 August H.M.S. "Chatham," Rear-Admiral Parry, and
" Active" and "Seahorse" frigates, and "Falcon" sloop, were driven
on shore by a storm in English Harbour. After the gale tliey were
got off. (Southey.)
cxxu
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
The Council and Assembly petitioned that £2,500
sterling in the hands of the Executors of William
Warner might be applied towards the reiJair of the
barracks and hospital, which application was read by
their lordships on 29 April 1773.
1772. A List of Births and Funerals in the Island of
Antigua from the 1^' of Feb. 1772 to the P* of Oct. 1772:—
&.0
o2
I Fe
1 Oct
1 Ap
Birth
s.
Funerals.
In the Parish of S' Johns .
43
06
.52 80
In the Parish of S' Marj's .
4
4
2 13
In the Parish of Falmouth .
6
3
8 9
In the Parish of S' Peter .
3
7
5 11
In the Parish of S' Georpre .
fi
4
4 2
In the Parish of S' Phillips
12
9
t; 5
Total ....
74
93
77 120
One thousand two hundred and seventy six negros
were imported from 1 February to 1 October 1772,
and only 93 from 1 October 1772 to 1 April 1773.
October 1. The 68th Regiment is to return to
Europe, and the 2nd Battalion of the 60th from
North America will relieve them.
December 18. Lieut. -General James Adolphus
Oughton was appomted Lieut.-Governor vice Francis
Lord Hawley deceased. This post was a sinecure.
1773, June. The legislature send an address to
the Kins' thanking him for his donation of £2000
towards repairing their losses.
July 1. William Livingston is sworn a J.P.
July 15. £13,150 currency to be raised for the
current year.
At Great George Fort there were 81 guns, 11 bad; at
Fort James 3G guns ; Fort Berkeley 25 guns ; Fort Isaac
9 ; Fort Charles 11 ; Old Road 14, etc.
July 29. William Byam was returned for Wil-
loughby Bay vice Thomas Elmes resigned.
September 23. John Lyons was chosen Speaker
jpro tern.
November 25. Francis Farley, John Gray, and
William Mackinnen are all recommended to be of
the Council.
1774. The shipping belonging to the Fort of S' John's
included 3 ships, 2 brigs, 28 schooners & 21 sloops, total
tonnage 1067 & 321 men. The population amounts to
2,590 whites & 37,808 slaves. The ordinary expenditure
is £14,000 c. & the extraordinary £30,000 c.
List of public officers :— Chief Justice may get £400 a
year, no salary only a few fees. Judge of Admiralty in
War worth £1200 St. a year, in peace not as many shillings.
Treasurer & Collector of the Impost on liquor £G00 c. a
year, with extras £400 c. a year. Clerk to Assembly £l20 c.
a year. Searcher of Customs £320 c. a year. Registrar
no salary, £300 st. a year from fees. Powder Officer no
salary, £180 st. a year fi-om fees. Steph. Bhzard is Col' of
the Blue Regt., Rob. Christian of the Red, Fra. Farley Col' of
the train of artillery, & Geo. Halloran Capt. of the Indepen-
dent Company.
April 7. John Taylor was returned for St. John's
Town vice William Atkinson resigned.
May 19. Thomas Jarvis, jun., was returned for
St. John's Town vice William Livingston deceased,
and Eobert JeafBreson for Old North Sound vice
George Redhead resigned.
June 4. John Ronan was returned for Belfast
vice John Gray called to the Council.
July 21. £6,952 to be raised for the current year.
July 28. John Smith, jun., is appointed Coroner.
1775, February 9. Lockhart Russell was returned
for Old North Sound vice John Lyons deceased.
March 23. £1000 currency voted for the purchase
of a sword for Sir Ralph Payne. William Tizard is
licensed to practise Medicine, etc.
May 11. Robert Robertson is licensed to practise
Medicine, etc.
May 25. James Nibbs was returned for St. John's
Division vice Thomas Martin vacated.
July 2. The Lieut. -General to receive £300 a
year.
July 31. Craister Greatheed, President of St.
Kitts, is now Commander in Chief, and William
Salmond of New Bond Street, Agent.
September 14. Richard Kirwan was returned for
Dickinson's Bay vice John Dunbar resigned.
October 12. Nicholas Taylor was returned for St.
John's Town vice John Burke resigned.
1773-
-1775.
Births.
Fnncrala,
^
^
^
•
.
"" ■*
"** ui
u
*^ H"
10
o
ss
gg
SE:
*"* CO
t-T-C
t>. I-H
I-" ■^
t^i-t
OfrC
£*^
o5
or-
-w t-
^ 0.
• a.
* &
*»t^
' Oi
ci.'^
%.<
d,'^
t><
6r*
t<
D.""*
^<
<1
0^
<
0^
<
0^
<
0^
-4
.-(
1—1
.—1
r-l
rH
,~i
S' Johns .
28
31
20
24
45
61
41
"44
S' Phillips
2
5
7
7
5
11
5
4
S' Peters .
3
1
3
3
7
5
S' Georges
11
5
2
ti
3
3
3
7
S' Mary .
2
1
3
11
10
6
1
Falmouth .
9
8
10
4
«
15
5
10
Total .
53"
52
43
44
73
100
67
71
1 Ap.
to 1 Oct. 1773
. 188 Negros
imported.
1 Oct.
1773 to 1
Ap. ]
L774
. 163
Negros
imported.
1 Ap.
to 1 Oct. 1
774
.
. 170 Negros
imported.
1 Oct.
1774 to 1
Ap. ]
1775
. 408
Negros imported.
1775. Captain John Parkings, of the briganteen
" Manners " from London to Boston put into EngHsh
Harbour this year, and reported that shortly after
sailing, their passenger, one Charles Hobby, behaved
in a very insulting manner towards the King's name,
and suspecting him to be a rebel he ordered his
mattress to be cut open, wherein they discovered
many letters in cypher addressed to John Hancock,
Samuel Adams, and John Adams, Esqrs., Generals
Washington, Ward, Lee, and Putnam by favour of
Captain Charles Hubbard. On accusing the said
Hubbard on deck before the crew he (Hubbard)
seized the papers and flung them into the sea. A
boat was immediately lowered and they were recovered
when Hubbard became very violent and abusive, and
agaijr endeavoured to destroy the letters. President
Jarvis having read all the correspondence at the
Council proposed to send Hubbard to England in a
man-of-war.
1776, February 17. Sir Ralph Payne writes from
Charles Street, and resigns the post of Captain-
General.
March. The American vessels are offering: high
prices for warlike stores, so President Greatheed
issues a public proclamation forbidding any such
traitorous commerce.
GEORGE III.
CXXUl
April 11. It was reported that Mr. William
Jarvis, Captain and Gunner of James Fort, had rated
one of his children, aged 5, as a matross, and had
drawn the pay. All the other four gunners had done
the same.
August 15. Eobert JeafEreson and William Byam
are sworn as Assistant-Justices of the Court of
Common Pleas (of which Thomas Jarvis is Chief
Justice) vice Hon. Robert Christian deceased and
Hon. Francis Farley resigned.
August 29. Mathew Christian was returned for
Falmouth vice Robert Christian deceased. £5,917
currency to be raised for the current year.
October 31. William Mathew Burt appointed
Captain-General vice Payne. (Southey.)
November 14. John Bright was returned for
Falmouth vice Mathew Christian who was unduly
elected.
1777. Petition of the owners of the privateer
sloop "Reprizal," of ten guns and fifty men, which
has captured several provision and lumber ships.
Signed by Nicholas Taylor, Alexander Dover, Samuel
Jeaffreson, John Otto-Baijer, B. Entwisle, Joshua
Brown, Thomas Bell, and George Redhead. The
Antiguan sloops have already taken sixty sail, in-
cluding several American ships who trade to St.
Eustatia for arms. The Governors of Martinique,
St. Croix, and St. Eustatia oijeuly assist the rebels.
A copy of the ' Antigua Mercury, or St. John's
Weekly Advertiser,' 3 May 1777, No. 518, is inserted
in vol. ii. B. T.
February 6. Thomas Warner the Speaker resigns,
and Rowland Burton succeeds him.
March 13. Joseph Lyons Athill was returned
for Popeshead vice Thomas Warner.
June 19. The Council report as follows about
the Records in the Registrar's Office : —
Vol. 1, Liber S, 1722-24, Vol. 2, Lib. E, 1738-12, &
Vol. 2, Lib. G, 1742-6, are torn & defaced & must be at
once transcribed. The following are in bad condition & all
require binding, Lib. A wills, 1728-43, Lib. B wills, 1743-56,
Lib. A patents, 1668-1723, Lib. A Surveyors returns, 1681-
1752, Vol. 1, Lib. L, 1709-12, Vol. 1, Lib. M, 1712-14,
Vol. 1, Lib. N, 1714-16, Vol. 1, Lib. P, 1717-19, Vol. 1,
Lib. Q, 1719-21, Vol. 1, Lib. R, 1721-22, Vol. 1, Lib. W,
1727-28, Vol. 1, Lib. X, 1728-30, Vol. 2, Lib. F, 1739-42.
Admiralty oflBce. It appears by letters received from
Vice Admiral Young, dated Antigua, the lO"" of March, that,
since his last account, the ships of his squadron had taken
27 rebel vessels, and retaken 7 ships that had fallen into
their hands. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 194.)
November 1. Governor William Mathew Burt
•writes that many ships have been wrecked at Bar-
buda, and their slaves seized for salvage and racked
on the wheel, by order of the late Mr. King, Attorney
of Sir William Codrington, without trial ; some
even were hanged by Mr. Redwood the Attorney.
List of Militia.
Carabineers 83
Blue Regiment . . . . .416
Red Regiment ..... 313
Independent Company ... 79
Train of Artillery
Total oflBcers & men
116
1007
1778, January 6. Governor Biu-t writes that
ships are daily dropping in from England to New
York, with coals, provisions, and recruits, from a
desire of increase of profit by delay ; to sell jjrizes ;
to distress the royal army ; and to aid the rebels.
He suggests, and the Admiral agrees with him, that
their charter-party should be forfeited. Mr. Bing-
ham, the North American agent, resides at St. Pierre,
Martinique, where he sells their prizes. Monsieur
Pregent, owner of eleven French privateers, com-
mands his own ship the " Revenge." The Governor
of Guadaloupe refused to permit privateers to refit at
his ports, but the Governor of Martinique, Marquis
De Bouillie, receives fifteen per cent, commission
from the Americans.
February 24. The Governor again complains
that a French 64 had convoyed six American vessels,
who all hoisted French colours, and that there are
22 ai-med French and American brigs at St. Pierre.
August 5. Lord George Germain, principal
Secretarv of State for America, advises Governor
Burt that France is no longer to be considered a
neutral power, and that hostilities have commenced.
Governor Burt writes that the forts at Antigua have
been ruinous for several years past, also that Count
de Byland, Governor of St. Eustatius, since the
French have acknowledged the Independence of
North America, permitted rebel colours to fly under
his suns. In order to bring him to his senses he
has refused permission to the inhabitants of that
island to fetch water from Old Road, St. Kitts, so
that they can have but cistern or well water now
owing to the absence of springs at St. Eustatius.
Sei^tember 7. Four French frigates and twelve
sloops attacked Roseau, the chief place at Dominica,
and carried the fort. Governor Burt was at this
time at St. Kitts, superintending the clearance of
the forts ; trees and bushes having for several years
been allowed to grow all round the rampants and
trenches. Thomas Shirley, Governor of Dominica,
was compelled to yield up that Island to the French
before it was known that hostilities had commenced.
He had been appointed on 5 February 1774 vice Sir
William Young resigned.
September 17. Jacob Jarvis was returned for
Popeshead vice Nathaniel Humphrys resigned.
September 24. Goat Hill near St. John's Harbour
is to be fortified.
September 30. Governor Burt writes from St.
Kitts:— "19 out of 20 here are loyal." "I am
truly sorry to say Sir Gillies Payne, now in England,
was always deemed a strong North American Par-
tizan." His Manager is an avowed supporter of
that Party.
October 4. An express was sent to the Governor
acquainting him with the situation at Antigua, and
the capture of Dominica by the French.
October 8. Jacob Jarvis was returned for Popes-
head vice Nathaniel Hvtmphrys unduly returned.
Dr. Eobert Garroway is licensed to practise Medi-
cine, etc.
December. St. Lucia was captured by Major-
CXXIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
General Grant and Admiral Barrington, who at the
same time repulsed the vastly superior force under
Count d'Estaing.
1779, January. The inhabitants of Angviilla have
captured the French part of St. Martins.
January 30. Admiral Byron has joined Admiral
Barrington.
February. St. Bartholomew's captured by us.
May 3. The present crops are destroyed by long
drought, the cisterns and large ponds are empty,
water is 18d. a gallon, and instead of 20 to 30,000
hogsheads of sugar this year there will be but 4000.
There is also great distress for provisions at the
French Islands.
May 7. Edward Otto Baijer and Colonel Francis
Farley being dead, Mr. Jeaffreson a gentleman of
family and fortune is appointed by the Governor to
the Council.
June 3. The Governor has appointed the Hon.
William Leslie Hamilton Attorney-General vice Tho-
mas Warner deceased. St. Vincent has been attacked
by the French.
On 16 June, owing to dissension between the
planters and Governor Morris, and the cowardice and
incompetency of Colonel Etherington, St. Vincent
fell into the enemy's hands. Governor Valentine
Morris (who was himself an Autiguan), with the
officers and soldiers, retired to Antigua to be ex-
changed for French prisoners.
On 1 July an Act passed authorising the borrow-
ing of £20,000 to be expended in provisions, of which
owing to no crops, drought, and war, there was a
great scarcity amounting almost to a famine. Bills
for this sum were accepted by Government in October.
On 3 July D'Estaing with 25 sail of the line and
10,000 troops captured Grenada. After the surrender
St. George Town was pillaged by the French troops.
D'Estaing, to the gi'eat relief of the British Islands,
sailed for North America after an indecisive action
with Admiral Barrington's fleet.
July 2-5. Grenada has capitulated to the French.
On the 15th instant war had been declared against
England in all the Spanish governments. General
Grant has left the 4th, 15th, 28th, 40th, and 55th
reofiments at St. Kitts.
August. Governor Burt complains that General
Prescott had refused to give him a list of the troops.
Lord George Germaine replied that the Governor
should always be supplied with such lists. About
1000 troops were this year quartered on the island.
December. Governor Burt having expressed a
wish to review the troops Colonel Musgrave refused
to allow him to do so. This led to great friction be-
tween the two. 3382 hogsheads of sugar were exported.
1780, February'. General Vaughan relieves
General Prescott as Commander-in-Chief of His
Majesty's forces.
From 1 March 1779 to 29 February 1780 the
legislature spent £4782 currency on the troops and
£3000 for barrack repair.
April 5. Thomas Hawes was returned for Old
lioad vice Joseph Lyons Athill. Mr. Thomas Daniel
is to have the rank of King's Counsel at the
Autiguan Bar. Governor Burt proposes that the
President of Antigua, not that of St. Kitts, should
be always second in command, for this reason, that
Antigua being poorer than St. Kitts most of the
landed proprietors live on the island because they
cannot afford to live in England ; whereas at St.
Kitts there are mostly managers.
April 17. Sir George Rodney with twenty ships
fell in with the French and Spanish fleet, and fought
an indecisive action.
August 23. William Gunthorpe was returned
for St. John's Division vice Alexander Willock.
September 6. Rowland E. Williams was returned
for Old Road vice Samuel Picart deceased.
September 20. Baptist Looby was sworn an
Assistant-Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
September 26. The Governor proposes to appoint
James Nibbs, Esq., to be Assistant-Justice vice Main
Swete Walrond. The hurricane which affected the
southern islands and destroyed St. Pierre in Mar-
tinique and Basseterre in Guadaloupe was not felt
here.
October 4. Charles Winstone was sworn Solicitor-
General. The mandamus for John Duer to be of
the Council bears date 25 June. Dr. Samuel Athill
stated in his examination that nearly one-fifth of the
negros had died of dysentery in 1778, 1779, and 1780.
1781, January 31. Anthony Johnson, President
of St. Kitts, writes that Governor Burt died at
Antigua at 4 or 5 a.m. on Saturday the 27th instant,
and that he has assumed the government. Reprisals
are ordered against the States General.
On the 3rd February, acting on secret instructions.
Sir G. B. Rodney, with General Vaughan on board in
command of the troops, made himself master of the
Dutch island of St. Eustatius, St. Martins, and Saba,
where he obtained booty to the value of £3,000,000
sterling and over 150 sail. Much treasonable corre-
spondence which fell into his hands shewed that
British merchants settled there had been suj^plying
both the French and Americans with war material.
St. Eustatia had for some years been a centre for
illicit trade and privateering. Sir G. Rodney de-
spatched the naval stores to H.M.'s dockyard at
Antigua.
1781, Feb. 22. New Sessions.
Jn" Taylor
Tho. Jarvis I
Nich. Taylor f
Alex. Scott !
Phil. Hieks I
Jas. Nibbs )
Jacob Jarvis |
Jos. L. Athill )
Row. Burton I
And. Lessly I
Jos. Athill
Sam. Picart
W" Morson
T. N, Kerby
Rich. Kirwan
Jn° Ronan I
Bertie Entwisle I
W™ M'I\ennin, Jun' \
Sam. .Jeaffreson i
Jn° Dunbar
Jas. Uurdon, Jun.
Jn° Horsford /
Sam. Athill
Alex. Willock
Tho. Daniell
S' Johns Town.
Dickinsons Bay.
Popeshead.
New North Sound.
I Old Road, Bermudian Valley,
I it New Division.
I Old North Sound, Nonsuch, &
I Parham Town.
Five Islands.
Belfast.
Nonsuch.
Willoughby Bay.
, Falmouth & Rendesvous Bay.
S' Johns Division.
Rowland Burton chosen Speaker.
GEORGE III.
cxxv
MarcL. Sir Samuel Hood and General Vaugban
with three regiments were ordered to sail to the
Leeward Islands.
March 31. The death of Mr. W. L. Hamilton
the Attorney-General announced.
April 4. Colonel Shii-ley, late Lieut.-Governor of
Dominica, is to succeed Governor Burt. Thomas
Jarvis, Esq., is still President of Antigua.
May 9. Governor Shirley takes the oaths.
June 1. Tobago surrendered to a superior French
force.
August 27. Governor Thomas Shirley writes
amiouncing his arrival at Antigua.
Letter X.* Antigua, 3^ Nov^ 1781.
Dear Sir,
I sailed from S* Lucia, as was my intention, in
the English West India Packet, and arrived in this Island
in less than two days after I embarked ....
The appearance of Antigua from the South is highly
pleasing to the eye, as it consists on this quarter of a variety
of hills of different form, in high cultivation, intersected by
vallies and little Bays. In sailing along the coast in the
afternoon, we struck upon a Sand Bank, from which, how-
ever, the vessel got clear without sustaining any damage,
and in about three hours afterwards we anchored in the
Harbour of S' John's ....
The Planters of this Island have exjjerienced a train of
distressful events, the Cause of which may be attributed, to
the nakedness of the face of the Country, hardly any trees
being left standing. The populousness of the I.'sland and
the equal surface of the Land, induced the proprietors to
render every part of it as profitable as they could, by every
where cutting down the woods.
By this injudicious step, the fruits of the Earth are
deprived of those periodical supplies of moisture from rain,
which they experience in ahnost every other Island. Four
or five successive years of dry weather will occur, scorching
with heat almost the whole Island, excepting a small chain
of mountains, which, from their superior elevation attract
the passing clouds.
The sugar plantations here preserve their vegetation &
verdure, while those every where else exhibit a parched
appearance. It is indeed astonishing that vegetables of any
kind can grow, where heat predominates so powerfully and
where the supply of moisture is so inadequate. The only
refreshment of this kind which the Earth receives, is from
the nocturnal dews, generated by evaporation from the
ocean during the day ....
The only water in this country fit for the Use of Men and
animals, is that which is collected in Tanks or Cisterns of
Mason-work sunk underground, over which a concave stone
or brick cover is usually placed, to collect the rain when it
falls, with a hole in the centre for it to run through. They
have also on every plantation, large ponds lined with clay.
When these reservoirs of water become from long drought
nearly exhausted, the situation of the inhabitants must be
deplorable. This, I am informed, was not long ago the Case.
Property in this Island, which is subject to such striking
inconveniences, must be reduced considerably in its value.
Fortunately for Antigua it has lately been copiously
visited with showers, which, together with the vegetation,
have raised the drooping spirits of the planters.
In order to give you an idea of the reduced situation of
this Colony for want of rains, I shall mention to you a well
• The above letter is one of twelve in the Author's possession,
descriptive of " A Tour through part of the West Indies, containing
a particular description of the Climate, Cultivation, and several of
the Natural Productions of the Island of Tobago and other settle-
ments in that quarter of the world," fos. 255, with no clue to the
name of the writer of the MSS.
authenticated instance of the difference produced by seasons,
on the fertile Estates of a Gentleman of the most extensive
property here. He received from his plantations in favour-
able years, upon an average, a remittance of thirteen
hundred hogsheads of sugar. The whole amount of the
produce of these Estates last year, was eight hogsheads of
sugar, and which that of the year preceding did not much
exceed. Where there is so great a failure of yearly revenue,
the expence of maintaining such a number of negroes as is
necessary for cultivating these Estates, must be prodigious.
The plantation unable to yield its accustomed quantity of
vegetables is insufficient for the support of the negroes
settled on it, and the owner must supply the deficiency by
purchasing, which he is uidiappily necessitated to do, at a
time when he can least afford it.
Notwithstanding the nakedness of the Country, there
are many j)leasant and romantic situations here, such as
Five-Islands, the Valley, the Bead, Sir George Thomas's,
Sir W™ Codrington's and several spots near Willoughby
Bay.
The Town of S' .John, the Capital of the Island, is
situated upon its leeward or Western Side, which gently
slopes to the Water's edge. The Barracks for the Troops
built on the land immediately to Windward and adjoining
the Town, is a pretty extensive structure of white stone, con-
sisting of a center and two wings. The whole building is
single, or not more than one room in breadth to render the
apartments more cool and airy. It consists of a ground
floor and upper story, and on the East or windward Front ^
Galary supported by stone arches, runs along the whole
length of the building, and affords a cool and shady walk
both to the oflBcers & men. The streets of the Town are
judiciously laid out running from East to West, and from
North to South, crossing each other at right angles.
Several of the houses are built of brick, but by far the
greater part are of wood. They are in general, clean, com-
modious, and neat.
The Court House stands in the Center of the Town, and
is constructed of hewn stone, being two stories high, con-
taining several large Apartments, which are appropriated for
different uses ; those below forming the Court of Judicature,
the Secretarys and Provost Marshal's Offices. The upper
rooms are Chambers for the Use of the Council and assembly
of the Colony.
The Church is situated on an emiuence towards the
North East side of the Town, is built of brick and orna-
mented with stone. It is handsomely fitted up within, and
contains a good Organ.
The view from the rising ground on the windward side
of the Town is strikingly singular, rich and picturesque.
The Barracks, and the different houses appear in the Front
ground, over which is seen the harbour, with ships, schooners,
etc., lying at anchor, where a hill of considerable height
called Rat-Island, rises from the water, having a row of
Barracks upon its summit. The country on the North is
very flat, and the sea runs a considerable way into the land
forming a shallow Bay, which is separated from the sea on
the West by a long neck, at the Southern extremity of which
is placed James's Fort. The land on the South West side
of the Harbour, is varied by abrupt and precipitous hills,
although of no very great height, but the coast of the Bay
is sufficiently bold, and is well contrasted with its opposite
shore. Goats Hill, whicli is a round eminence containing a
stone fort, terminates the Western extremity of the Harbour,
at about four miles distance from the Town. The entrance
to this Bay is not free from danger, as there are hidden
rocks and banks of sand in different situations. The Town
and Country above it, viewed from a vessel turning into the
Bay, have an enchanting appearance.
Parham, a small Town, on the North side of the Island,
is about six miles from the Capital, and contains about fifty
r
CXXVl
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
■white families. It has a harbour, aud was a place of some
trade before the American War.
Falmouth, about ten miles from S' Johns, and half a
mile from English Harbour, stands at the bottom of Monks
Hill, upon a sloping Plain by the sea side. It contains
several short streets, and is principally inhabited by Trades-
people, and Artificers belonging to the Dock Yard.
The lofty land immediately above Falmouth has a kind
of Fortification extending around its summit, and is called
Monks Hill. It is not very extensive, and contains a
Barrack for the accommodation of some Troops ; A Company
from one of the Regiments being generally stationed there
for a month at a time. The situation is cool, pleasant, aud
healthy, and the view of the circumjacent Country is rich
and picturesque. The Fort is by no means in a very tenable
condition, notwithstanding the boldness of its situation and
the precipitous declivity of the mountain towards the sea.
It contains very few Cannon, and these, from their antiquity
and disrepair, would be of very little service in case of a
siege. The ascent to Monks Hill on the North side is
tolerably easy.
English Harbour lies to the Southward of this Fort, and
is surrounded on every side with lofty Hills, which defend it
from the winds. On account of the depth and perpetual
smoothness of the water, the narrowness of its Entrance,
and some other advantages, it is the best harbour in any of
the British West India Islands if we except Jamaica. On
the West side of the entrance of this Harbour is a small
redoubt, known by the name of Fort Barclay. It stands in
a commanding situation, and is well calculated to annoy an
Enemy, should an attack on that quarter be attempted.
The opposite rising ground at the mouth of this Harbour
also contains a stone defence, which commands an extensive
view of the sea. There are besides many little batteries in
various parts of the vicinity, which are judiciously placed,
and if well defended would oblige an Enemy of superior
numbers and strength, either to relinquish an attack upon
the Dock Yard, or to pay with considerable loss for the
advantage of taking or destroying it.
The Mouth of the Harbour is from 24 to '2^ feet in
depth of water.
Freemaus Bay, the place in which the Frigates and ships
generally lie is in depth from twenty two to twenty six feet.
The Bay becomes narrow about the Center of the Harbour,
but afterwards ditfuses itself to a considerable breadth. On
the West side of the narrow part of the Harboui-, stand the
store houses and different Work shops ; the houses for the
residence of the Commissioner, and of the Master Carpenter,
and the Capstan house for heaving down and repairing
Frigates and sloops of war, the Water here being from 18 to
20 feet in depth. Opposite to this is the Capstan House
for heaviug down 74 Gun Ships ; the water there being
22 feet in depth. The whole length of the Harbour is
about I of a mile from the Entrance to the Hospital, which
stands at the farthest extremity, where the Powder Magazine
is also placed. The Men who are employed in the Kings
Works at English Harbour suffer considerably from the heat
and closeness of the situation, the access of the regular
breeze being intercepted by the elevated ground which
environs this spot. The quantity of rubbish and filth daily
discharged from the sliips, must tend by quick putrefaction,
in some measure to corrupt the water into which it is thrown,
and to mingle with the exhalations produced by the solar
heat.
The tides here are so inconsiderable as hardly to make
any material alteration on the depth of the water, and the
currents which agitate and carry along, the surrounding
waters of an Islaud, cannot be supposed to have influence
beyond the contracted entrance of a land-locked Harbour.
The Waters in it, often therefore stagnate too long, and
combine with other causes to corrupt the atmosphere of a
place lying so low that the breeze which blows over the high
grounds on each side of it, can bestow none of its coolness
on the inhabitants. This is therefore considered as the most
unhealthy part of Antigua, and many have here suffered by
putrid distempers.
The windward part of the Island, presents to the sea a
coast consisting of rocky cliffs, and indented by small Bays.
There is here a considerable quantity of uncultivated land,
part of which contains trees of an inferior size and shrubs
or brush wood. I am convinced from observations which I
have made, that the trees which formerly covered the leeward
settlements must have been much smaller, and less vigorous
than those with which the windward or more southern
settlements are clothed.
From the general nakedness of the Colony, it cannot be
supposed to abound much with game, or with the feathered
tribes. In my rides through the Island I saw hardly any
birds, except the Ground Dove which is not much larger
than a thrush. There are considerable quantities of Fish
around the Coast, and the market of S* Johns is tolerably
well supplied ....
The Hospitality of some of the Inhabitants of this
Island is so great that my residence in the Town has
been very short, and I chiefly have spent my time at Sir
W. C.'s* in the Windward part of the Country, and at M"^
W.'s about two miles distant from Town. The former
derives his Estates from Inheritance, the latter has by
assiduous attention to the mercantile profession amassed
with a very fair and upright Character, a fortune, it is said,
of £300,000 sterling. This would be considered a capital
sum, even in the City of London. But although he is now
upwards of fifty four years of age, he possesses activity of
mind and ardor of negotiative enterprize, as if he were in
the prime of life and had not yet acquired a competency of
fortune ....
November 26. Governor Shirley proposes to con-
tract the defensive works, declares the batteries to
be useless, and recommends the strengthening of
English Harbour. He reports that on 26 November
Monsieur de Boirille and Count Dillon with 400 men
attacked St. Eustatius, and surprised the fort where
Sir G. B. Rodney had left a garrison of 600 men
from two of our regiments. The French obtained
possession of £160,000 currency prize money. They
are stated to have thirty five sail of the line with
10,000 troops on board, and Sir Samuel Hood can
have but twenty.
1782, January 11. The Marquis de Bouille landed
with 8000 troops at St. Christopher's, supported by
the Count de Grasse with 29 sail of the line. Sir
Samuel Hood arrived at Antigua on the 21st, took
on board General Prescott with the 28th Regiment
and two companies of the 13th, and proceeded to
St. Kitts with 22 sail. He was not successful in
raising the siege of Brimstone Hill, and rejoined
Rodney later. The inhabitants of St. Kitts deserved
their losses, for they had refused to vote negro
labour to drag up to the fort ten heavy guns with
shot aud shell which had been sent out by the
government ; these were found by the French at the
foot of the hill, and made use of by them.
February 15. Governor Shirley writes that St.
Kitts aud Nevis surrendered to the French on 12
February, after a siege of five weeks. The enemy
landed on 10 January and invested Brimstone Hill.
* Sir William Codrington.
GEORGE III.
cxxvu
He was compelled to capitulate owing to the existence
of large breaches, due to bad cement, and the
destruction of their stores and rum by fire. There
were 670 troops in garrison, besides the militia and
sailors. By the articles of capitulation he and
General Fraser -were allowed to leave, and were not
to be considered as prisoners of war. Sir Samuel
Hood arrived from Barbados on 24 January. Mont-
serrat surrendered to the French on 22 February,
also Nevis, so that Barbados and Antigua are the
only islands left in our possession.
May 2. Governor Shirley writes that he has
suspended Mr. Jeaffreson of the Council for saying
" The King could do what he pleased with his Privy
Council, and that he had a corrupt Parliament to
give him a sanction for it, or Words to that Effect,"
and on my calling him to order said " Why, you
yourself think so too, don't you?" He has heard
that on 12 April last Sir George Eodney engaged
the French fleet off Guadaloupe, and totally defeated
them, the " Ville de Paris," with Admiral Count de
Grasse, and four other ships being taken, and a 74
sunk. A week later two 64's were also taken. By
a letter from Whitehall the Governor was ordered
to re-instate Mr. Jeaffreson, and not to act so hastily
for the future.
July 12. Letters from the West Indies bring an account
of the unfortunate fate of S' John's in Antigua, one-third
of which is reduced to ashes by an accidental conflagra-
tion. The loss is immense.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 355.)
July 23. John Lyons was returned for Willoughby
Bav vice John Dunbar resigned, and also appointed
pond-warden for Falmouth.
A\igust 22. Hon. John Duer resigns on account
of ill-health.
September 3. The Governor recommends William
Gunthorpe and Thomas Jarvis, jun., to be of the
Council vice John Duer resigned.
September 19. William Jarvis was returned for
Popeshead vice Jacob Jarvis resigned.
October 17. Nathaniel Evanson was returned
for Old North Sound vice William Morson deceased.
The mandamus for Sir John Ogilvie, Bart., to be of
the Council was dated 7 March last past.
The defence of the island for forts, militia,
labour, etc., from 1 March 1776 to 31 December
1782, has cost the Legislature £142,479 currency,
all which has been paid.
1783, February 10. A treaty of peace with the
French announced.
March 27. The Council and Assembly petition
Parliament that they have had dry seasons for many
years past, that many affluent families have been
reduced to indigence, and several estates turned into
pasture. There were two fires in St. John's Town
in 1769 and 1782, and they hope that Parham and
St. John's will be declared free ports.
May 22. Henry B. Lightfoot was returned vice
William McKinnen resigned. Dr. Francis Brown is
licensed to practise Medicine.
July 11. List of the Council : — Thomas Jarvis,
President, Edward Byam, John Gi-ay, John Laforey,
Sir John Ogilvie, Bart., and William Gunthorpe.
Absent, William Mackinnen, Lockhart Russell, and
Charles Winstone.
July 31. Many useless and expensive forts are
to be demolished. The Incorporation Charter for
St. John's Town was this day received.
The preliminary articles of peace with France
and Spain were signed at Versailles 28 January, and
the definitive treaties with those powers and with
America at Paris on 3 September, by which St. Lucia
was restored and Tobago ceded to France. Grenada,
St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Christopher's, Nevis, and
Montserrat were restored to Great Britain.
October 7. James Athill was returned for Non-
such vice Samuel Jeaffreson resigned, David Scott
for Popeshead vice Joseph L. Athill resigned, and
Boyce Ledwell for St. John's Division vice William
Gunthorpe called to the Council.
The Methodist Chapel in Antigua was completed
and preached in for the first time on the 8th of
November. Several hundred had joined the Society,
the care of which rested on Mr. Baxter and Mrs.
Gilbert, who, unable to draw her annuity from an
estate in Antigua, left England to live upon it. Her
house was open every day for all who chose to attend
her family prayers, and she had one evening in every
week for the public reading of the Scriptures. Mr.
Wesley was requested to send out some more
preachers, but could not. Some Irish who were
emigrating to America were driven to Antigua in
great distress. One of these was a Methodist, who,
with his family, was enabled by the kindness of
others of that sect to remain in Antigua, where he
became very useful to them in exhorting and in
leading of classes. Upwards of 1000 members,
chiefly blacks, were soon in society.
The mandamus of William Gunthorpe was dated
at the Court of St. James 24 November, and that of
Thomas Norbury Kerby 10 November.
December 26. Trade between the United States
of America and the West Indies was authorized.
Antigua produced 3900 hogsheads of sugar this
year, being 12,300 less than last year.
1784. Alexander Willock and John Burton are
joint Agents at London.
February 4. Joseph Lyons Athill was returned
for St. John's Division vice Thomas Daniell resigned.
February 16. Dr. Thomas Fairbairn petitions
for licence to practise Medicine, etc. Mr. Andrew
Edwards is to serve in the Troop.
April 15. Main Swete Walrond was returned
for Old North Sound vice Thomas N. Kerby called to
the Council, and Nathaniel Marchant for Old Hoad
vice Thomas Hawes resigned. Richard Bowman now
Coroner.
June 24. William Wilkinson was returned for
for St. John's Town vice Nicholas Taylor resigned,
and Archibald Gloster for Willoughby Bay vice
James Gordon, jun., resigned.
By an Act passed this year a jury of six whites
was ordered for the trial of slaves accused of capital
CXXVlll
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
offences. Previous to this Justices decided in all
cases and awarded execution, which was carried out
by the Provost-Marshal in obedience to their warrant.
A Harbour Master was appointed for St. John's,
whose chief duty was to remedy abuses, and see that
no ballast was discharged into the water, and that
sunken ships and wrecks were removed by their
owners, etc.
1785, January 20. Eichard Scott Byam, M.D.,
was returned for Dickinson's Bay, William Gilchrist
for Falmouth vice James Nibbs, and John Horsford
called up to the Council.
From a long letter written on 20th March by
Captain Horatio Nelson of H.M.S. " Boreas," it
appears that he had been appointed in November
1784 to protect the commerce of the Leeward Islands,
and had rendered himself obnoxious to certain persons
by carrying oxat the navigation laws with strict
impartiality.
Mr. Stanley, the Attorney-General of these
islands, had a seat in Parliament. Governor Shirley
recommends Rowland Burton the Speaker, a lawyer,
as Solicitor-General, but is informed that His
Majesty had already appointed Mr. John Burke to
that post on 9 April. He also applies for a Baronetcy
for himself.
May 7. Antigua owes the Home Government
£37,609.
May 19. John Burke was returned vice David
Scott.
The mandamus for Thomas Jarvis, jun., to be of
the Council was dated 4 July at St. James. Giles
Blizard, Esq., was this year inhumanly murdered by
two of his slaves, one of whom was his natural son.
August 4. The suit against Captain Horatio
Nelson is to be defended by the Crown lawyers.
Prices were trebled by the late war, and are still
double what they were before.
August 12. Dr. Thomas Fairbairn returned for
Dickinson's Bay vice Dr. Richard Scott Byam
resigned. John Burke chosen Speaker vice Rowland
Burton resigned.
December 11. The Assembly agree to undertake
the building of a cistern at the Ridge, but they
absolutely refuse to spend Id. more on forts.
December 21. The Governor recommends Row-
land Burton for the office of Chief Justice, vacant by
the death of Thomas Jai-vis, Esq., on the 18th
instant.
1786, June 5. William Hutchinson, Esq., the
Governor's nephew, was appointed Agent vice Alex-
ander Willock resigned.
Jmie 7. Rowland Burton is appointed Chief
Justice.
September 21. Richard Oliver Athill was returned
for Falmouth vice Samuel B. Athill.
September 25. Governor Shirley has called
Samuel Byam Athill up to the Council.
October 3. Governor Shirley writes that he has
heard from his nephew Hutchinson that his (Shirle3''s)
name was put on Lord Sidney's list, and that he has
been made a Baronet.
October 9. John Wickham Mayer was returned
for St. John's Division vice Boyce Ledwell resigned.
The oOth, 35th, 55th, and 60th Regiments are at the
Leeward Islands, and four companies of the 55th
stationed at Antigua.
November 16. John Rose, Esq., late Deputy-
Provost-Marshal, was appointed powder officer vice
Samuel Byam deceased.
The Registrar's house having been nearly burnt
on 20 November, a committee report thereon and
rent a house for the records which is more safely
situated.
November 30. Dr. Alexander McPherson presents
his diploma from the College of Physicians of Glas-
gow, and is licensed.
December 20. Both Houses proceeded to the
Court House, where President Byam read an address
to H.R.H. Prince William Henry.
The following forty letters, pp. 180, small 8vo, are com-
prised in a somewhat rare book entitled : A Brief Account
of the Island of Antigaa, together with the customs and
manners of its inhabitants, as well white as black : as also
an accurate statement of the food, cloathing, labor, and
punishment, of slaves. In Letters to a Friend. Written
in the Years 1786, 1787, 1788. By John Luffraan.
London : Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand. 178U : —
Letter I.
St. John's, Antigua,
May 15, 1786.
Beab Sie,
I arrived here on the 6th instant, after a tedious passage of
fifty-eight da3's, from the Downs. On the 23d of March we had a
heavy gale of wind from the S.W. which obliged us to put into Torbay ;
but the wind getting to the northward, we weighed anchor, and put to
sea, witli a fine breeze, wliich wafted us across the rolling waves of the
Bay of Biscay with more satisfaction than was naturally to be
expected. On the 2d of April, in latitude 39. 14. North, and longitude
17. 11. West, we experienced a storm, with lightning, which lasted
(with verj' little intermission) for four days, and the rude contention
for the elements seemed to threaten our bark with inevitable
destruction. The Captain was about to put in at Lisbon, when the
sea abated its terrors, to the great joy of the passengers, and the relief
of the seamen, who were nearly tired out with the fatigue they had
undergone ; and that ocean, whose waters were before running to a
terrific height, became in the space of six hours as smooth as the sur-
face of a mill-pond.
Nothing material happened after this during the passage, and we
amused ourselves, as well as we could, with cards and fishing. On the
30th of April, when in the latitude of this island, sever.il sharks were
discovered following the ship, all hands that could be spared were
immediately busied, and hooks were thrown out baited with large
pieces of salt beef or pork, and the granes rigged in order to strike, as
soon as they had gorged the bait. Our endeavours proved effectual,
and we brought one of those voracious creatures of the deep upon deck.
As soon as it was hoisted in, the carpenter with an axe struck off its
tail, which was afterwards nailed to the foremast. This monster
measured twenty-two feet in length ; and its ravenous jaws contained
four rows of teeth. The flesh was thrown into the sea, and, as we sup-
posed, swallowed by its late companions, as we saw no more of them.
We also caught two dolphins. This fish is the most beautiful of
the watery creation, consequentl}' as much unlike what is commonly
represented b}' painters, as it is possible to conceive. In the water it
appears in all tbe liveliest tints of green j and when dying displays the
various colours of the rainbow, intermixed with spots of azure. The
last which our people took weighed only eight pounds, and was exceed-
ing good eating, (at sea) similar to cod, but drier.
We saw great numbers of fl.ying fish. One of them, about the size
of a small whiting, was found in the mizen chains ; each wing was near
six inches long, which are useful in flying no longer than they con-
tinue wet.
As we closed in with the islands, we saw great quantities of gulf
weed floating : this, I was informed, was a certain indication of land
being at no very great distance.
I had almost forgot to observe, that on passing the tropic of Cancer,
the old custom of ducking and shaving such as have not before crossed
it, was performed by the seamen with some humour on one man and
two boys. The passengers waved the ceremony by a liquor fine.
We made the island on the 5th, at midnight. The joyful sound
of land ! laud ! reverberating from the stem to the stern, roused every
one from their slumbers ; and the faint light of the moon, which was
nearly setting, served to heighten the awful, yet pleasing gloom with
which night had clad the lofty hills.
I landed about ten o'clock in the morning, and was all astonish-
ment " seeing what I have seen, seeing what I see."
Acquaint C. B. and E. B. with my arrival; assure them of my
regard.
GEORGE III.
CXXIX
Lkttek II.
3Ia>/ 31, 1786.
The lieat of this country is exceedinijly great, but basing come
into it gradually, it does not yet seeui to take any disagreeable eifect
on me ; and as I could be^ir heat in Europe with better temper than
cold, I am in hojies a vertical sun will not in any great degree incom-
mode me. The musquitoes are troublesome, but I defend my legs
(which is the part these insects principally attack) with boots.
I have taken a house in the best situation this town affords, from
whence I purpose, agreeal)le to your particular request, (when I bade
adieu to the place of my nativity, and to my much esteemed friends) to
communicate whatever I should from time to time personally observe,
or collect from persons of veracity, relative to this country, and also
the manners and customs of the peo|ple, as well l)lacks as whites.
I like my habitation and am well pleased with the prospect before
me; a chain of hills, at about four miles distant, somo of which are
beautifuU}- romantic, others richly clothed with the lu.xuriant verdure
of the sugar-cane to their very suuunits. This |:ileasing assemblage of
hills, called by the inhabitants Sbekerley's Mountains, ranging as far
as the eye can reach, affords a view most charmingly picturesque, and
which cannot be seen without rapture and delight.
For the hire of this rus in urhe I have agreed to pay eighty-five
pounds per j'ear, this currency, eijual to about fifty pounds sterling:
it is money enough for a palace of timber, where you can see every
beam and scantling; but it is new, and therefore, probabl}', free from
vermin. I have hired a negro man-servant, for whose services I am
to pay his owner half a Joannes (eighteen shillings sterling) per
month ; and also a mulatto woman cook and wiislier, for whom I am
to pay three dollars per month. I have bought some furniture, in
addition to that I brought out with me from London, and commenced
housekeeper three days ago in this land of slaves.
The plants came unhurt. I have presented them to a gentleman,
whose garden is the first in the island, and who received them with
many th;inks. I was present when they were put in the ground, and
hope to give you (on some future day) an account of their well doing.
Letter III.
June 18, 1786.
I write this from the platform of my Indian villa, where I
generally pass away the hour from six till seven every morning, read-
ing, writing, or walking, being the most pleasant time throughout the
day. The heat begins to come on by nine o'clock ; the thermometer
of Fahrenheit is frequently by that time as high as ninety degrees,
and continues rising until between one and two, at which time the
mercury stands from 93 to 96 ; I have been told that it has been at
102 within doors. I am also informed that in the coolest season it
never falls below 74. From these premises I think the medium heat
of this climate may with tolerable exactness be put down from 85
to 90.
The breeze which nature has so wisely ordered to counteract, in
some measure, this extraordinary heat, and without which it would be
impossible to live here, springs up by eight in the morning, and con-
tinues until sun-set, genernlly blowing fresh during that time : not-
withstanding, if a man walks but half a mile in the sun, it causes such
copious perspiration, that it is necessary at his return to change his
linen.
The evenings, particularly moonlight, are enchanting beyond
description, but exceedingly dangerous, on account of the dews, which
are considerably greater and more humid than those of England ; and
Europeans, enticed from their houses by the unconunon brilliaucy of
Cynthia, frequently become victims to these pernicious damps, proving
in this, as in many other instances, that beauty and danger are but too
frequently united.
I dined at the Court-house, on the 4th instant, with the Governor,
Council, and Assembl}' ; the dinner and wines good, the company con-
vivial. In the evening was a ball. The creole ladies are lively
dancers, and the heat of the clime does not in the least prevent them
from engaging even to an extreme in this their favourite amusement.
It was two o'clock before I got home, well satisfied with having spent
several hours both cheerfuUj' and agreeably.
I am not a little troubled with what is here called prickly heat,
a kind of rash which covers the greatest part of the body, itches
intoUerable, but is said to be favorable to health.
I shall tax my industry for the subsequent month, so as to be able
to give you some further account of this country by the next packet ;
till when, I remain, etc.
Letter IV.
July 14, 1786.
This island is eighteen miles long, fourteen broad, between sixty and
seventy in circumference, and contains upwards of sixty-nine thousand
acres, being equal to one hundred and eight s(|uare miles. The south
side is mountainous, and its shores are nearly bounded by rocks. The
inhabitants, from the most accurate calculation, amount to about fifty
thousand persons; forty-five thousand, out of that number, are blacks,
mulattoes, and mestees. The produce, from the best information,
averages fourteen thousand hogsheads of sugar, and from seven to eight
thousand puncheons of rum annually ; any other articles, the growth
of this country, if spoken of in a commercial light, are very trifling.
Its capital, St. John's, is in latitude 17. 2. North, longitude 62. 3.
West from St. Paul's, London.
The island is divided into six parishes, viz. St. John, St. Peter, St.
Philip, St. Mary, St. Paul, and St. George ; and subdivided into fifteen
divisions, namely, St. John, Pope's-head, Dickenson's Bay, New, Old
North Sound, New North Sound, Bermudian Valley, Belfast, Mercer's
Creek, Willoughby Bay, Five Islands, Old Road, Nonsuch, Rendezvous
Bay, and Falmouth ; all of which send one or more members to the
Assembly ; and the town of St. John appoints four representatives to
that body. The Council, consisting of sixteen members (which serves
as an upper house) are appointed by the Governor, and approved by
the King ; the senior Counsellor is stiled President ; and acts as
Governor during the absence of the Commander in Chief. The present
Governor of the Leeward Caribbee Islands is Sir Thomas Shirley,
Bart., a Major General in the army. Here is a Court of Chancery and
a Court of Vice Admiralty, at botli of which the Governor, for the time
being, presides ; a Court of King's Bench and Grand Sessions, at which
the President presides ; and a Court of Common Pleas, and a Court of
Bxcheiiuer : the Judges of which are not lav\7ers, but planters, who
are fre(|uently dictated to and even directed by the Barristers, par-
ticularly when any cause which requires legal knowledge is in ques-
tion, thereby giving up their honest opinions to the chicanery and
artifice of an in.soleut and overbearing pleader. That this has been
done in these Courts I have from an authority which I cannot doubt
the veracity of. The place of Chief Judge, at this time vacant, is, I
hear, solicited for by a gentleman now in England, ndi'o has been for
some years at the bar in this country ; if he should succeed, probably
this brow-beating system will be laid aside: Arrogance and impudence
must then give place to sterling sense and real legal knowledge, too
long obscured by power, insolence, and duplicity.
Our military establishment consists of a militia troop of Carbineers,
a blue regiment of toot, a red ditto, an independent company, and a
regiment of artillery, which are drawn out every fourth Saturday and
exercised. To this force may be added a regiment, or the greatest part
of a regiment, of regidar troops.
For the first time in my life I felt a smart shock of an earthquake,
about six o'clock in the evening of the 3d instant ; I learn these visi-
tations are very frequent here.
Letter V.
Aug. 1, 1786.
This town is about three quarters of a mile long, half a mile broad,
and contains nearly eighteen hundred houses and huts, built princi-
pally of wood ; which for the most part are low, on account of the
hurricanes and earthquakes, convulsions which visit this part of the
torrid zone, frequently and too often fataly. The streets are spacious,
but unpaved, nor is there the least care taken to keep them clean ; the
prickly pear bush and other shrubs are suffered to grow therein, to the
annoyance of the passenger, the secreting of every species of filth and
nastiness ; and to the great increase of vermin, insects, and reptiles,
with which this place abounds.
The church is a handsome edifice of brick and stone, dedicated to
St. John ; the church-yard is inclosed by a brick wall, and the Baptist
and Evangelist, two well executed figures in Portland stone, are placed
on pillars at the south entrance. In this town are also Moravian and
Methodist meeting-houses.
The Court-house, situated nearly in the center of the town, is
built of stone brought from Pelican Island, about nine miles distant,
which is a good material similar to that of Portland. This building
is esteemed the best in the British West-Indies; here the Courts of
Justice are held, the Council and Assembly meet, and the public
dinners and balls are kept.
The jail is a stone building, near the Court-house, its inmates are
principally run-away negroes and mulattoes, and a few white debtors,
some of the latter description live within its walls in luxurious style,
to the manifest injury of their creditors.
The Custom-house is a good building, near the bottom of St. Mary's
Street, and the fees exacted there are enormotis.
The New Barracks and Military-hospital, situated to the eastward
of the town, are spacious and healthy, and allowed to be the most com-
plete in the islands. There is also a barrack on Rat Island, in St.
John's Harbour, but it has been suffered to go to ruin and is now out
of use.
A considerable part of this town was destroyed by fire, on the 17th
of August, 1769, and again suffered severely by that dreadful element,
on the 10th of April, 1782, from which it has not recovered its former
appearance ; many parts, even in the very center of business, remain-
ing in ruins. The great cause of this calamity being so extensive in
its effects here, is owing to the covering the tops of the houses with
shingles (small pieces of wood nearly in the shape, and made to answer
the purpose of tiles), which, when dried by the scorching rays of a
tropical sun, become touchwood, and a spark is sufficient to set the
whole town in a flame.
Letter VI.
Sept. 3, 1786.
Saint John's Harbour is large, and its entrance defended by Fort
James on the north, and b3' Goat-hill Fort on the south, but its best
security is the Bar, a shoal so called, extending almost across it, from
Hog John Bay, to Fort James : the depth of water on this shelve i.s
from eight to fourteen feet. This harbour undoubtedly ranks amongst
the first in the West-Indies, but it is choaking very fast, and, unless
effectual measures are soon taken for deepening it, vessels of three
hundred tons burthen, must, in a few years, discharge and take in
their cargoes at the distance of between two and three miles from the
wharfs. At this port nine tenths of the whole shipping business of
the island is done.
Parham, a small town, consisting of one principal street, with a
few outlets, is situated about five miles east of St. John's, and has a
wooden church, dedicated to St. Peter : also a custom-house, but
although the harbour is good, the shipping business done here is
inconsiderable. The few vessels that come to this port are principally
from Bristol, To the southward of this town is a hill or tumuli,
which appears to have been a work of art, probably the burying-place
of some of the aborigine Indian heroes ; its form is a long square,
ver3' regular in all its parts, lessening gradually from its base to the
top, which is flat, and may be from five to six hundred feet long, and
from forty to fifty feet high.
Falmouth, a small town, about nine miles south east of St. John's;
in war time becomes populous from its vicinity to English Harbour,
but in time of peace it is almost deserted. It has a wooden church
dedicated to St. Paul, and it formerly had a shipping trade, but is
now entirely destitute of that benefit, as is Carlisle Bay, or Old Road,
cxxx
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
about three miles to the westward, where the primitive adventurers
to this island first established a colony.
If a few miserable huts deserve the apiiellation of towns, there are
two or three more on the island ; but, believe me, they are so very
unworthy of notice that I will not take up your time to read, or my
own to give an account of them.
Lettee VII.
Oct. 7, 1780.
English Harbour, on the south side of the island, is the most
commodious in the West-Indies for receiving shipping ; the con-
veniences for refitting them also are already great, and from the
attention paid to its further improvement, by Government, are rapidly
encreasing. A seventy-four-gun ship can lay close to tlie wliarfs.
The store-houses are both substantial and well contrived, and so
tenacious are the principle officers of an}' discovery being made of
their contents, that no stranger whatever can be admitted into the
yard witbout leave. To this harbour, previous to the commencement
of the hurricane months (August, September, and October), British
vessels of war, stationed in the Caribbean seas, repair for security. It
is surrounded by stupendous hills which break the force of the winds
and renders it perfectly secure from the most violent tempests. The
passage into this valuable bason is so very narrow, as to admit of the
entry of one vessel only at a time, and is defended by Fort Barclay on
the west, and Horse-shoe Batter)' on the east. On the sea side it
appears next to an impossibility for an enemy to force it, and, in my
opinion, the consequence of such an attempt must be destruction to
the assailants. On the land side, the Bidge, a hill so named, that
commands it, is fortifj'ing, and the part now erei^fing, is called Fort
Shirley, in honour of the present Governor. The men of war are
supplied with water from the tanks or cisterns (built here some j-ears
since, for that jiarticular purpose) and from a fresh spring at Cade's
Bay, about si.\ miles distant from this harbour to the westward. In
the yard is a neat house for the admiral or whoever commands
on their West-India station, also for the master shipwright and
others.
Letter VIII.
Nov. 11, 1786.
Monk's Hill, a mile and a half north west of English Harbour, is
one of the highest in the island ; its summit commands a view of
nearly' the whole country, a small part to the westward excepted
where the sight is intercepted by the mountains. It is fortified, and
the principle work, called Fort George, is mounted with forty-eight
pounders, said to be the identical guns taken out of the Fourdriaunt
man of war, taken some years since in these seas ; from this fort
signals are hoisted on the appearance of one or more square rigged
vessels, which, in war time, are immediately answered by distant
signals, and the whole island is alarmed iu a few minutes.
Women and children, or such of the inhabitants incapable of
bearing arms, must retire to this fortress In case of invasion ; houses
have been erected and capacious cisterns formed for the use of such
distressed visitors.
At the conclusion of the late war, several forts, on the coasts of
the island, were sold by order of the I/egislature, and produced to the
public about a twentieth of tbe sum they cost in erecting. Some of
these buildings have been demolished by the purchasers for the useful
materials they were composed of, while others remain in their original
state, jirobably to be sold to the public on a future rupture, at any
price their proprietors shall think proper to demand for them.
From Flag-staff-hill, on ilr. Maxwell's, and from Boggy's, on 5Ir.
Bott's estate, thirteen islands under the different [lOwers of England,
Trance, Denmark, and Sweden, may, in clear weather, be distinctly
seen and numbered.
Letter IX.
Dec. 6, 1786.
Tbe ladies, inhabitants of this place, seldom walk the streets, or
ride in tlieir wiskys, without masks or veils, not, I presume, altogether
as a preservative to their complexions, being frequently seen at a
distance unmasked, but as soon as they are approached near, on goes
the vizor, thro' which, by a couple of jieep-holes, about the size of an
English shilling, they have an opportunity of staring in the faces of
all they meet. With you, this would he termed the grossest ill-
manners, but here custom has established it, if not necessarj', as
fashionable. Their dress is generally light, and inclined to tawdry,
and their conversation languid, except when a little of that species of
harmless chat, which ill-nature has called scandal, is busy in circu-
lation ; it is tben they are volubile, it is then they are eloquent, it is
then they are equal to any women in the world.
As mistresses of families, they are unimportant, almost every
domestic concern being left to the management of their negroes aud
mulattoes. They seldom suckle their infants, that part of a mother's
duty is transferred to a slave. But I must observe to you, there are
many exceptions iu this isle to the foregoing general character, here
are women of refined sense, good wives, excellent parents, worthy
friends, free from affectation, and blessed with every amiable quality
that can adorn the sex. They are also generally abstemious both in
their diet aud liquors ; their common drink being weak punch, cool
drink, lemonade, sorrel drink, and tamarind beverage, all of which
are diluting, and well adapted to tbe constitutions of persons in this
climate. The virtue of our fair is said to be superior to the arts of
seduction, infidelity to the marriage bed being very rarely known on
their parts. I wish I could say as much for the men. Marriages are
alwaj's solemnized in the houses, as are also baptisms (e.Ncept thuse of
negroes) and the churches are very thinly attended but on funerals,
or on particular public occasions.
This is the worst time of the year for thieving ; the negroes will
have some of the good things to keep Christmas with, and I have
contributed thereto by lay losses ; a fine lamb and a young milch goat
stole from me within the last twenty-four hours, and I am under uo
small apprehension for the fate of my poultr}'. The rogues rob
generally at midnight, stark naked, their bodies greased, therefore if
you get but slight hold of them, the)' slip through your hands and
are off in an instant.
This year four Wesleyaii missionaries, one of whom was
D'' Coke, bound for America, were driven here by tempestuous
weather & prolonging their stay preached the gospel to the
riegros. (' A History of the AVest Indies,' by Tho. Coke,
LL.D., vol. i., p. 213.)
1787, January 6. Six months' leave was granted
to Governor Shirlej', bttt he deferred his departure
till the foUovyiiig year.
Letter from S' Christopher, Feb. 11. In all these
islands .... the crops will be good. Prince William Henry
has been at Antigua for some time past repairing his ship,
where all ranks are vying with each in making grand enter-
tainments for their illustrious visitor. The Prince is quite
the officer, never wearing any other dress than his uniform,
and his star and garter only when receiving addresses, or on
any other public occasion. He has not slept a night out of
his ship since his arrival in these seas until coming into
English Harbour ; when the sliip's heaving down obliged
him to be on shore ; shews the most amiable disposition and
condescension on every occasion ; sees into the detail of the
business of the ship ; and delivers his own orders with the
most minute attention to the duty and discipline of the ship.
In short, he promises to be what all hope and wish, the
Restorer of the Antient Glory of the English Navy.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 8.57.)
February 15. Isaac Eecleston was returned for
St. John's Town vice Alexander Scott deceased. The
Ridge is being fortified, and the Assembly voted 300
labourers at 2s. per diem and 50 masons at 5s. per
diem for 30 days. There were 5465 negros under
the care of the Moravians, and the Methodists
numbered 2000. 1 9,500 hogsheads of sugar exported.
Population. (Sturge & Harvey.)
Whites 2,590
Free, Coloured & Black . . 1,230
Slaves 37,808
Dec. Letters from Antigua say that that Island has
experienced a total change of climate this year ; for at that
season wherein hitherto nothing but tempests and strong
blowing weather were known, there has been nothing but
the mildest and most benignant temperature. While
accounts from the Windward Parishes of the Island of
Jamaica gave reason to apprehend the approach of a hurri-
cane, advices from almost every other corner of the Island
afford ample room to expect, barring elemental visitation,
that the next harvest of the produce of the earth will be far
more abundant than any that has been known in the memory
of the oldest inhabitant living in that country.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 1115.)
Letters by John Luffman.
Letter X.
St. John's, Antigua,
Jan. 16, 1787.
Dear Sib,
Prince William Henry arrived here the latter end of last
month, in the Pegasus frigate ; his appearance has put this little
community into a ferment ; addresses were immediately presented to
him from the Legislative body, aud likewise from the merchants,
expressive of loyalty to his Royal Father, and of the happiness and
honor his Highness had conferred on them by his gracious visit : the
address of the Legislature was read and presented by a Mr. John
Burke, Solicitor General of the Leeward Islands, and Speaker of the
Assembly of this Island ; but notwithstanding this gentleman has
been for years hackneyed at the bar, and is a bold orator, yet, on
this occasion, to tlie astonishment of every bystander, he was nearly
bereft of the power of utterance. The merchants address was read
and presented by a Mr. John Scotland. His Highness received these
effusions of loyalty to his illustrious parent, aud, of respect to himself,
with great satisfaction, and returned gracious au.swers. Each of these
bodies gave a public dinner and ball for his Highnesses entertainment.
GEORGE III.
CXXXl
The Prince opeued both balls, with a Miss A , a beautiful j-oung
lady of respectable family, and his allability, politeness, and con-
descension, to every person who had the honor of his conversation, was
as conspicuous as it was pleasing. The ladies put their best smiles on
their faces, and their best adornments on their persons ; indeed, everj'
individual seemed emulous of shewing respect to the Royal Visitor.
Many offers of particular attention and civility have been made to his
Highness, whicli, he, in general, declined, wishing rather to appear in
the humble character of a private gentleman, than in the dignified
situation of a Prince. How long he means to honor this isle with
his presence, I cannot with certniuty learn, it will jirobably be several
months ; the people here, I believe, hope, and wish it may be for
years. The negroes look at the Orande Bocrah (so they call the
Prince) with astonishment, and sometimes inrouunode him as he
walks the streets ; but his Highness possesses all that admired frank-
ness and noble liberality so characteristic in a British seaman, and
will frequently condescend to talk with them. Captain Nelson, of the
Boreas ; Captain Holloway, of the Solebay ; and the other principal
naval officers on this station, are his Highnesses chief attendants
on all occasions.
Letter XI.
Jan. 28, 1787.
To be the manager of an estate of an absentee, in this isle, I am
well satisfied is one of the best situations in it, altho' their stipends
amount to no more than from eighty to one hundred pounds sterling
per ann., and notwithstanding the necessaries and the superfluities of
life are considerably dearer than at London ; yet, however iiarado.^ical
it may appear, when I tell you this description of men sport several
dishes at their tables, drink claret, keep mulatto mistresses, and
indulge in every foolish e.xtravagance of this western region, it is
nevertheless striidly true. But as 30U would naturally ask, b}' what
means this expensive manner of living is supported ? It is thus I
answer — These people. Sir, raise on the grounds of their emploj'ers,
stock of every kind, suitable to our markets, which they feed prin-
cipally with the grain, etc. belonging to the estate on which thej' live ;
they also grow e.xotics, as well as the vegetables natural to the
climate ; and, to complete the system, planned with so mucdi wisdom
and justice, they employ the slaves belonging to the plantation to
vend such produce. There are of these men, or at least their wives
who occupy the time of from twelve to twenty negroes daily on this
business to the manifest injury of their masters, and emolument of
themselves. The adage which I have often heard applied to masters
of vessels and their owners, may, with the alteration of two words, be
applicable to these men — "Fat managers and lean employers," for I
am very certain, to be manager of, and altorney* to an estate of
a non-resident, is better than to be its owner, the first, receiving
benefits without the least risque, while the latter is subject to every
loss without receiving the advantages which ought, consistent with
justice to be his and not his servants. But here I must observe, that
manj' of these gentlemen managers, as well as the overseers under
them, contribute, in a great degree, to stock the plantation with
mulatto and mestee slaves ; it is impossible to say in what numbers
they have such children, but the following fact is too often verified,
" that, as soon as born, the}' are despised, not only b^' the very
authors, under God, of their being, but by every white, destitute of
humane and liberal principles," such is the regard paid to the hue of
comide.\iou in preference to the more permanent beauties of the
mind.
Letter XIII.
March 10, 1787.
Letter XII.
Feb. 15, 1787.
Europeans, who live in the West-Indies, ought to acquire fortunes
in a few years, but they are small in number who e.xperience so
favorable a return to their industry, and such only can arrive at
independance as will submit to any, ever}' meanness. Therefore those
persons who follow the huckstering business, are generally the most
successful in accumulating riches, many of these people having
acquired property sufficient, not only to purchase estates here, but
also to retire home (i.e. that is to England) where they live in
aukward splendor on the profits which have arisen from purchases
caused by the encouragement given by them to negroes to rob the
plantations of their owners ; the goods, thus procured b}' slaves, are
bought by these thrifty gentry, at their own price, and if discovery is
made of this villainous traffic, it seldom occurs that they can be
brought to justice, because the word of a slave will not be taken, nor
will even their oath serve on the most trifling occasion towards the
conviction of a white person. There is a practice among this species
of dealers, and its permission reflects disgrace upon the police of the
island, which is, that they e.xact from five to ten per cent, from the
public, for changing a dollar, unless those wanting such change lay
out more than half that sum at their shops. This is a tax upon the
public, which calls loudly for redress, and this isle, I learn, stands
singly in the imposition.
This country is poor, most of the landholders being impoverished,
from a series of bad crops, previous to the last three 3'ears. In fact,
the greater part of the estates, in this island, are in trust, or under
mortgage to the merchants of London, Liverpool, and Bristol. The
resident merchants suffer considerable losses from bad debts, and are
not in a small degree hurt by that bane of honorable commerce,
smuggling.
The crop is going on briskly and bids fair to be great, it is
supposed not less than twenty thousand hogsheads will be shipped
this year. This comes by a brig for Liverpool, which brings the first
sugars. No news, no life in this place, the Prince having gone on a
cruize ; dullness has again assumed her seat, and at this instant
prevades every thing.
The ordinary drink of the men of this place, is punch or grog ;
Madeira wine and porter are introduced at the tables of such persons
as may be said to live well ; but at public entertainments, and at the
houses of the principal merchants and planters, Claret is the rage.
The best is imported from London, under the denomination of
London Claret ; some also from Ireland, which is called Irish Claret,
but the greatest part of this luxury, drank here, is smuggled from our
French and Dutch neighbours at Guadaloupe and St. Eustatia. The
tables of the opulent and also of many, who can very ill afford it, are
covered with a profusion, known only in this part of the world ; their
attendants numerous, but it is not uncommon to see them waiting
almost destitute of clothing, and the little they have mere rags. Even
in the first hous s, where an attendant slave may possibly have a
shirt, jacket, and breeches, they are always without stockings, and
generally wanting shoes. A few days since, being invited to a tea
drinking party, where was collected from ten to a dozen ladies and
gentlemen, a stout negroe fellow waited, who !iad no other covering
than an old pair of trowsers. I believe I was the only person present
who took the least notice of the indelicacy of such an appearance, and,
indeed, it is my ojiinion, were the slaves to go quite naked it would
have no more effect on the feelings of the major part of the inhabitants
of this conntr}- than what is produced by the sight of a dog, cat, or
any other domestirated quadrupede.
* An Attorney for an estate, receives from half a guinea, to a
guinea, for every hogshead of Sugar he ships.
Lettee XIV.
April 21, 1787.
The beef of this countrj', is as unlike that of England, as if it was
not the flesh of the same animal, the best that can be got is very
indifferent, and sells from a bit and a half, to two bits per pound.
(A bit is equal to five-pence sterling and a fraction.) The mutton is
good, and nearly the same price as beef. Kid and pork, a bit a pound,
equal to any in the world, the flavour of the latter is peculiarly
delicious, probably from the animal being fed during the greatest part
of the 3'ear with sugar-cane tops, is derived the uncommon sweetness
of its flesh. Turkeys, dung-hill fowls, guinea-birds, Muscovy and
English ducks are in perfection here, and sell as cheap as at the
London markets.
"Wild ducks, plovers, and snipes visit this sunn)- region during the
hurricane months, they are the property of the slayer, whether white
or negroe, the people of this isle knowing no more about laws for
protecting game, than of a window, or a shop-tax.
Small birds are few, singing birds none. A sparrow, much like
yours in England. A gold-finch, similar to the English, but in
plumage not so beautiful, and its note a shrill squeak ; indeed there
are not any of the winged tribe here worth notice, e.xcept the
humming bird.
This beautiful little creature, is generally supposed to be the
smallest of the feathered creation, and I believe may be considered as
the first in point of plumage ; its feathers are green, uncommonly
brilliant, tinged with a rich gold color. The bodies of the largest of
these birds, are about an inch long, and the young ones are not bigger
than drones. I have a family of these little beauties, in a calabash
tree, adjoining my house, which aft'ords me pleasure and contem-
plation ; this extraordinary work of nature makes its nest of cotton,
and is particularly careful of its young : when its nest is attacked by
any bird, its revenge, and the manner of taking it, are equally
singular. It doth not attempt to cope with its antagonist, being
informed by instinct, that contention is vain, but it affects that by
stratagem which it could not do by power. It hovers over the head
of the hostile bird, and sometimes fixes itself thereon, the invader
thereby diverted from its pursuit, flies away with its little adversary,
who retaining its situation, plies, with wonderful ability, its fine long
bill, with which it is furnished by nature, for defence, to the skull of
its foe, and never ceases its application 'till it has perforated the head
and reached the brain, when of course the enemy falls, and the little
hero returns to its nest. This bird has no note, unless its humming
can be termed so.
Fish is plentiful and cheap, its variety in name is prodigious, but a
great sameness in flavor, the principal in esteem are the jew-fish, the
caramau, the king-fish, smelts, and eels, besides various sorts of shell-
fish, under which denomination I shall speak of the turtle.
This fish, or rather amphibious animal, from the excellency of its
flavor, deservedly received, both in Europe and America, as a first
rate viand, consists of two sorts, the green and the hawks-bill, the
first named is in the greatest estimation, being more mild than the
latter. West-Indian epicures seldom taste the hawks-bill, yet I think
it makes as good soup as the other, and this it is that afl'ords the
beautiful shell with you called tortoise-shell, but more properly
ttirtle-iheW. The shell of the green turtle is useless. The manner of
dressing this extraordinary production of nature here, differs materi-
ally from the tavern mode in London ; the gravy is drawn from its
own flesh, and not from beef, nor is it stufled up with veal, or other
meats which destroys its true flavor ; here it is dressed naturally, in
London, artificially. It is sold, from three to four bits a pound,
according to its quality, or the demand for it.
Letter XV.
May 12, 1787.
This island is almost destitute of fresh springs, that which I before
mentioned at Cade's Bay, and another which supplies the body ponds
in the center of the island, are the only two worthy of notice, there-
fore the water principally used, is rain, which the inhabitants collect
in stone cisterns : this water, after being drawn from the reservoir, is
filtered through a Barbadoes stone, which renders it free from animal-
cula, or any disagreeable quality it might have contracted by being
kept in the tank. It is exceedingly soft, and well flavored, and not-
withstanding what has been asserted by some writers of its unwhole-
someness, I affirm from experience that it is as good as any I ever
tasted in Europe. In dry seasons, an article of such vast consumption
CXXXll
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
must necessarily be scarce and dear ; I have been informed, that rum
and wine have been given in exchange for it, and that it has even
been brought for sale from the neighbouring islands.
Goats milk is most in use, being deservedly preferred to that of
cows, for its superior richness, and the strengthening qualities it
possesses. Asses milk, so much recommended by the physicians of
England in consumptive cases is not more efficacious in relieving the
invalid, than the milk of these animals in this country.
The small quantity of fresh butter made here is very indifferent,
and the inhabitants "in general prefer the Irish, but it is sometime
before an Englishman can be brought to eat either the one or the other.
The bread is good ; it is principally made from American flour,
from the provinces of Pensylvania, New York, Virginia, and Mary-
land ; in vihiteness it exceeds the bread of London, but I think it is
not so well flavored. This difference is probably occasioned by the
leaven with which it is made, being very apt to turn sour in a short
time in this climate.
Cassava (commonly called Cassada) is a species of bread made from
the root of a plant of the same name, by expression. The water, or
juice, which issues from it in the preparation, is poisonous, but the
remaining part after being dried, or baked on thick iron plates is both
wholesome and palatable, it is eaten dry, or toasted, and it also makes
excellent puddings.
Lettee XVI.
June 1, 1787.
The fruits of this little spot are highly delicious, and surpass, in
richness of flavor, those of the neighbouring islands, of which the
pine apple, the orange, and the avocado pear, are allowed to be the
principals.
The pines of this island are superior to all others, both in size and
taste, there are two sorts, the yellow and the black, equally grateful,
and in the proper season, as many may be bought for two or three
fihillings sterling as would fill a bushel.
The orange (China as well as Sevelle) exceeds in size and flavor,
the Spanish or Portugese, at least such as are imported to the London
market, thej' are very cheap, it being common to purchase from six to
eight for a dog, about three farthings sterling.
The avocado pear, known also by the name of vegetable marrow,
from its great similarity to that substance, is an elegant and agreeable
fruit, eaten with or without bread, but can only be tasted within the
tropics on account of its perishable quality.
There are likewise Cashew nuts and apples, which are as one fruit,
when on the tree, the first being prefixed to the eye of the latter.
The nut is a fine fruit, either in its natural state or roasted. The
apple is also good as an eatable fruit, but the best use it can be put to,
in my opinion, is to emerge it into a bowl of punch, to which it com-
municates the most agreeable bitter in the world. The sappadilla,
granadilla, water lemon, pomegranate, melon, citron, lime, lemon,
guava, soursop, miiugoe, cocoa-nut, shaddock, and star-apple, are fine
fruits, cheap and nutritious, but a particular explanation of them
would require a volume, and as they are for the most part well known
in Europe, I shall decline saying any thing further on the subject,
and will in my next bring j'ou ac<iuainted with some of the culinary
and medicinal herbs, roots, and trees, produced in this island of
the sun.
Several slight shocks of earthquakes within this last fortnight, but
happily attended with no ill consequences, nevertheless they are
unpleasant vi.sitants.
Letter XVII.
June 12, 1787.
The yam is a coarse but wholesome root, irregular in its form,
weighing from one to three or four pounds, and is covered with a dark
brown rind ; when eaten in its proper season, affords great nourish-
ment, but if used before sufticiently ripe, it very commonly produces
fluxes.
The edda, called also the vegetable wash ball, from its apparent
soapy qualit}', is an excellent root, about the size of a small crab
apple, and has a coarse brown covering. It is principally used in
soups, as a thickener; from this nutritious vegetable, and the yam the
negroes and colored people derive the greater part of their subsistance.
The tops or leaves, when boiled, are in taste, similar to English
spinnach, as is the leaves of the prickly weed, and also those of
another weed, called weedy-weedy, ockrah, plantains, bananas, sweet
potatoes, squashes, and various sorts of Indian peas, are produced here
in abundance. We have also sundry culinary exoticks, such as
English peas, carrots, turnips, lettuces, radishes, cabbages, etc. none of
which are so good as wdieu produced in their native soil, and what is
rather extraordinary, the seeds produced from these plants, are unfit
for sow'ing, therefore those persons who find it worthy their attention
to raise them, must procure seed annually from London.
The palma christi, or castor bush, is a spreading shrub, which
grows from six to eight feet high ; its leaves are like those of the fig-
tree, but rather darker, and the seeds from whence the celebrated oil
that bears its name is extracted, the efficacy of which in billions com-
plaints, is superior to any thing yet discovered, are of a fine shining
black, streaked with a brilliant yellow, the oil is made by expression and
decoction ; the expressed sort is by far the most preferable, as being
less liable to ranciditj', and appears in color and consistence like a
strong mucilage of the finest gum arable.
The mauganil, or manchineel, is the most destructive tree in the
universe, the trunk of the largest is between two and three feet in
circumference ; the bark is smooth, the leaf like that of the bay, but
rather smaller; the flowers of a faint red, the fruit bears a near
resemblance to the golden pippin, but incloses a stone, and is a most
subtle poison ; the sap drawn from its body or branches, is the most
venomous of poisons ; the dust that falls from its flowers is poison, and
the very droppings from its beautiful leaves after rain are poison.
The cabbage tree in point of loftiness exceeds the whole vegetable
creation, being from sixty to eighty feet in height. It is perfectly
straiglit, and its top is furnished with a bunch or tuft of leaves which
incloses the cabbage, and is said to be good eating when boiled. It is
a very pleasant pickle.
The tamarind tree, the fruit of which is well known to Europe, in
its preserved state, grows here luxuriantly, affordiiig a fine shade,
from the closeness of its leaves and the number of its branches.
Cottuu and ginger are natives here, but very little attanded to.
Letter XVIII.
June 24, 1787
The good folks of this place are as strangely civil as an}' people in
the world. The sexton of the parish called on me yesterday morning,
and invited me to the funeral of a Mr. , " My friend (said I), you
must be mistaken, I did not know the person." " That does not signify
(he replied), I am ordered to invite any gentleman or lady that I
think proper." I accepted the invitation, being determined to see and
know every thing I could that might serve to elucidate the character
of the inhabitants of this place. " I am much obliged to 3'ou, (said I)
and will certainly be at the house in time, but pray. Sir, is this mode
of invitation customary ? " " Quite so " (answered the .sexton). As
soon as he was gone, having but a short time to prepare m3'self, I
looked out my sables, dressed, and went to the habitation of the
deceased. I was asked into the hall, where two gentlemen and one
lady, mourners like myself, were seated. I found I was in good time
to .see every proceeding; I observed the side-board well stored with
liquors and cakes, the negroe men dressed in white jackets and
breeches, with black ribbons tied round their arms ; the women in
white tenahs,* jackets and petticoats, and ribbons the same as the men.
In about half an liour after my arrival the company' began to come in
very fast, and in less than an hour I numbered seventy and upwards
within and without doors ; after being w^ell supplied with burnt wine
and other liquors, for about another hour, the undertaker gave the
company to understand, that such of them who wished to see the
corpse, must walk into the adjoining room ; a dozen or more followed
this finisher of fortunes, and I brought up the rear : The first thing
that presented itself was the coffin of the deceased, which was placed
upon two tables, and three or four negroe and mulatto women crying
and making a noise over it, as if in real sorrow ; indeed I thought no
otherwise of their tears and sighs, but as proceeding from heartfelt
grief, until I was undeceived by a gentleman who told me it was
merely a matter of custom. We were now put in order of procession,
the undertaker and his assistants having previously decorated the
persons of the pall bearers, and a few select friends of the departed,
with scarfs and hat-bauds, the first of Holland or Irish, sufficient to
make a shirt, and the latter of cambrick or long lawn, enough for two
pocket handkerchiefs, and when thus dressed, they have all the appear-
ance of the undertakers porters or mutes with you ; the procession now
moved onward, some walking in pairs, others riding in wiskys.
I kept myself the last in the train, for the better observation of the
mourners ; had I the pencil of a Bunbury, I would here delineate their
several aspects. The clothes worn on these occasions, are, with but a
few exceptions, borrowed ; the different makes, the indifferent fitting,
and the still worse m\or, for many of the coats, disdaining to be black,
have changed from that hue to brown ; but when it is considered that
a shirt and two handkerchiefs, are frequently gotten by keeping a
thing (coats I can hardly call some which I have seen) of this kind, the
parties so doing are no doubt commendable. The hearse is more like
a London bottle cart, than any other carriage I have ever seen, and we
immitate your nodding plumes, with grizzled horse tails, shaped not
very unlike old wigs fixed upon a kind of mopsticks ; so much for
funerals. Adieu !
Letter XIX.
July C, 1787.
The frequent opportunities for your great city, at this advanced
season of the crop, affords me the pleasure of communicating to you
mv ideas and observations, much oftener than I could by packets only,
I therefore make use of such favorable means, whenever I think the
reading of my epistles might give you satisfaction.
Being now about to commence my relation of the food, labor, and
treatment of slaves within this island, it may not be uninteresting to
you, to be previously acquainted with the mode of conveying these
unfortunate people to our shores, and the method of disposing of them
when brought hither ; for the first part I can only say it comes from
a person whose veracity is undoubted, for the last, my eyes have been
witnesses to the act.
The slave trade, from the British dominions, is principally carried
on by the merchants of Liverpool, Bristol does a little, and London
less. Slaves are for the greatest part kidnapped, and many fall into
the hands of the traders, from being prisoners of war to such of the
country princes, whom the white men, or their black agents, have
causedto commit hostilities on each other for the particular purpose
of procuring the miserable captives as freight for their ships.
When a slave ship arrives on the coast, it is not generally a con-
sideration with the captain or supercargo, what number of these
people their vessel will take conveniently, but how many they can get,
is the object ; consequently even common humanity has no concern
whatever in the employ, and it is customary to crowd as many of them
into the ship as their efforts can procure. Between decks is their
receptacle, the room allotted each man, is about six feet, by sixteen
inches ; women and children have a smaller, but proportionate allow-
ance ; very little regard is even paid to this rule of accommodation,
although sufficiently small, and they are frequently so closely stowed
together, as to be unable to lie down in any position but on one side.
The captain and officers look with particular attention to their own
security, for no sooner are the slaves on board, but the men are chained
together in couples, the right hand and leg of one, to the left hand and
leg of the other. When they are ordered up, which is generally when
the watch is relieved, at eight o'clock in the morning, as each pair thus
* A head-dress, composed of one or more handkerchiefs, put on in
a manner peculiar to these people.
GEORGE III.
CXXXIU
joined ascend from the hatches, a chain is passed thro' their irons, and
made fast b_v ringbolts to the deck; and tlie precaution is absolutely
necessarj' for the well doing of this nefarious commerce, lest if permitted
the free use of their limbs, a spark of Heaven-born liberty should inspire
them with revenge against their enslavers. In this situation (if the
■weather permits) they contiiuie eight or ten hours, during which time
they are fed, and the decks below cleansed, from such filth which is
alone sufficient in one day to breed contagion. The women and children
slaves are not shackled.
Thus are the degraded sons of Africa brought to the AA'est -Indian
shores; and they are treated in the following manner on their arrival
here, previous to the day of sale : As soon a-s the anchor is over the
vessel's side, and the captain gone on shore to give in his account of
the cargo, the slaves are brought upon deck (having been shaved some
days before they made the laud), where they are cleansed from the
stench and vermin contracted on the passage, and their skins rubbed
with oil or grease, to give them a sleek appearance. This business
being done, they are sent on shore, under the care of some petty
oflTicors and seamen, to the merchant to whom the cargo is consigned,
who deposits them altogether in an empty store or warehouse, cou-
tiyiions to the wharfs, when after being advertised for sale, and walked
about the town, preceded by a drum beating and flag flying, for the
purpose of attracting the attention of the inhabitants to the persons
about to be sold; and when the merchant has sent written notices of
the time of such sale to the planters or others, whom he thinks likely
to become purchasers, the sale is announced by a trumpet sounding,
while the ships ensign, or some other flag, is displayed from a window,
or from the top of the place where the negroes are deposited ; and so
eagar are the whiles to see these ill-fated people, that the doors of such
receptacles are crowded almost as nuicli as those of the theatre, when
the immortal Garrick, or the inimitable Siddons, were to represent the
finest passages from our greatest and most favored poets.
The purchasers of slaves are as particular in examining them before
they strike a bargaiu, as a butcher, at Smithfield market, when dealing
for sheep. As soon as bought, they are walked to the respective planta-
tions of their owners, where the hoe is frequently i)ut into hands,
hitherto unused to labor, and as soft as the finest lady's in Europe.
These cargoes average from thirty-seven to forty pounds sterling
per head.
Letter XX.
July 20, 1787.
The buildings, on a sugar plantation, con>ist of a wind or cattle
mill (.sometimes both), a boiling house, a curing house, a house for
fermenting the liquor or wash, from which ruin is distilled : The great
house where the proprietor generally resides, the manager's house,
houses for the overseers, store houses for grain, stock houses, and negroe
huts. The great house, if the owner of the ]ilantation is an absentee,
and in other cases where several estates are the property of one man,
who may be a resident, and have houses of this description on every one
of them, then they are lei out as free tenancy's ; which is, that the
occupiers of such dwellings are allowed to live in them rent free, on con-
dition that himself and family answers to the public as servants to the
plantation whereon he resides, and thereby a saving is made to the owner
out of his taxes, of forty pounds currency, for every white man inhaljitant,
and twenty pounds for ever}' white woman inhabitant. And notwith-
standing the good folks of this isle are as proud as any in the world,
yet there are many (supposing themselves of no small consequence in
this little community) who submit to be returned at the proper oflice,
under the description just now mentioned. In England such a
situation would be looked on as a degradation from genteel life, but
here the dignity of the person is not lessened bj' this submission ; but
admitting that to be the case, and allowing the feelings of such people
to remain unhurt, still a ver}' e.xcellent local law, a law of the first
utillity to the island, a law admirably calculated by the wisdom of the
early settlers, which went to oblige owners of estates to keep a pro-
portionate number of real white servants to their slaves, is shamefully
evaded. This impolitic proceeding, together with incorporating the
ten acre lands (formerly held b}' poor white settlers) with the larger
estates has been (together with the cultivating the ceded islands) the
means of decreasing the population of whites here, nearly in the pro-
portion of one half within the last forty years.
The principal tax of this countr}' is a poll-tax on slaves of every
description, at the rate of six-shillings per head, this currency, annually,
and every slaveholder is obliged to swear once a year, before the proper
oflicer, to the number he possesses under tlie penalty of a flue tor every
single omission.
The negro houses or huts, are mostly built of stone, well thatched,
and as dry and comfortable as any of that description of buildings in
England. I forgot to tell you, in the foregoing part of this letter, that
the stills are in the open air.
Letter XXI.
Aug. 1, 1787.
The cane holes, which, throughout this island, are dug with hoes,
are four feet square, one foot deep, and about four feet asunder ; at the
distance of every eighty holes is an interval or carriage waj', from
twenty to thirty feet wide, and these spaces are made to intersect each
other at right angles, for the more free admission of air. Cane plant-
ing commences in September, and generally finishes in January. The
best method of increasing this useful species of vegetation, is by laying
in each hole, two plants, which should be pieces of new cane (the most
succulent being by far the best), ])lacing their eyes horizontally, and
covering them about an inch thick with mold. The cane comes into
the highest perfection for cutting in fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen
months, according to the soil and weather, and the crop commonly
commences in January, continuing, if a favorable season till the latter
end of July, during the time of the crop the slaves look better, although
harder worked, than at any other part of the year, which must
be attributed to the free use of the cane, which might almost
be said to be continually in their mouths, while the mills are about,
and which is not only medicinal as an antiscorbutic, but exceedingly
nutritious. Every part of this extraordinary plant is highly useful;
the body affording the juice that is manufactured into sugar, the dregs
of which is molasses, from whence, liy distillation, rum is produced.
The tops are food for cattle, and the lower leaves, called trash, serve to
mix with dung for manuring, or are burnt on the ground to destroy
vermin and insects. The magoss, which is the remains of the cane,
after expression b}' the mill, is the best of fuel for the boiling house
and distillery.
Holing in stiff ground is the heaviest labor that negroes can be put
to ; I think the plough might be used with success on the greater part
of this island, to the relief of the slave and consequent emolument of
the planter.
AVliat shipping now remains in this harbour, must sail before mid-
night, to prevent double insurance. This comes by a Capt. B n,
with whom I have twice crossed the Atlantic, who will deliver it
personally ; he is a worthy character, and has more of the gentleman in
ins behavior, than usually falls to the lot of the commander of a mer-
chant-man ; not that I wish to insinuate the least idea of disresprct
towards that very useful part of societj', particularly those concerned
in this trade, who are taken in general, genteel, respectable, and well-
behaved men.
Letter XXII.
Sep. 15, 1787.
The common allowance, for the support of a house slave, is three
bits per week, and although it appears so very trifling and insufficient,
it is generally preferred by them, to being fed from the tables of their
masters or mistresses. This description of slaves, are lodged in huts,
erected in the yards belonging to the houses of their owners or
employers, except such as are immediately engaged about their persons.
Tlie weekly allowance of a field negro, is from three to five quarts
of horse beans, rice, or Indian corn, with three or four salt herrings,
or apiece of salted beef or pork, of about two pounds weight; but
when the estates have such provisions as yams, eddas, guinea corn,
sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas, they are served in lieu of the
former, and as nearly as possible in the same proportion. In addition
to this allowance, every slave on a plantation, whether male or female,
when they have attained their 14th or 15th3'ear, has a piece of ground,
from twenty five to thirty feet square, allotted to them, which by some is
industriously and advantageously cultivated, and b}' otliers totally
neglected. Tliese patches are found to be of material benefit to the
country, their produce principally supplying the Sunday market
(which is the greatest throughout the week, from being the negroes
holiday) with vegetables. They are also allowed to raise pigs, goats,
and fo'ivls, and it is by their attention to these articles, that the whites
are prevented from starving, during such times of the year as vessels
cannot come to these coasts with safet}'.
The clothing of a field slave consists of a blanket, which serves them
not only to sleep upon (tho' some have beds of dried plantain leaves),
but to fasten about their bodies in damp weather, also a piece of woolen
cloth, called a babbaw, which goes round the waist, a blue woollen
jacket, and a party colored cap of the same material. Their drink,
as per allowance, is water. When sick they are attended by young
doctors, whose principals contract with the owners of estates, or their
attorney's, by the year, and the common price is six shillings currency,
equal to three shillings and nine-pence sterling, per head. It is the
business of these assistants to visit the estates, thus put under the care
of their employers, twice a week, and on everj' plantation is an hospital
or sick-house, where the slaves, as soon as infected with disorder, or
having received hurt (the latter of which frequently happens in crop
time) are sent. These places, at least such as have come within my
observation, are as bad as you can uell supipose, being not only destitute
of almost every convenience, but filthy in the extreme, and the
attendants generally such negroes as are nearly superannuated or unfit
for active employment. I am much surprised how the medical gentle-
men, even in the manner this business is performed, can make it pay
the expences attending thereon, at so small a premium, and indeed,
I think it is impossible for them to get the keep of one of their horses
out of these undertakings although they should make use of the very
cheapest drugs that can be procured, or, if even only of medicinal
simples, the growth of the island.
A few days since the clouds bore a threatening aspect, the wind also
shifted round the compass; about two o'clock in the afternoon it
began to blow hard, and continued, with little abatement, till four the
following morning : I was at the house of a friend, about nine miles
distant from town, when it commenced, and intended to have gone
home immediately, in order to secure my most material concerns, in
case it should increase to a hurricane, but he advised me from it, by
telling me, among other things ciiually alarming, that there had been
instances where "man and horse, unable to keep their footing, were
blown down jirecipicesand destroyed; I therefore continued with him,
until the storm was over, full of fears for the safety of my property,
which on my return home, I found uninjured ; and this little puff (so
it was called here) had done no other damage than scattering a few
shingles, and driving a sloop or two out to sea.
Letter XXIII.
Oct. 3, 1787.
The negroes are turned out at sunrise, and employed in gangs
from twenty to sixty, or upwards, under the inspection of white
overseers, generally poor Scotch lads, who, by their assiduity and
industry, frequently become masters of the plantations, to which they
came out as indentured servants : subordinate to these overseer.*, are
drivers, commonlv called dog-drivers, who are mostly black or mulatto
fellows, of the "worst dispositions ; these men are furnished with
whips, which, while on duty, they are obliged, on pain of severe
punishment, to have with them, and are authorized to flog wherever
they see the least relaxation from labor; nor is it a consideration
H^ith them, whether it proceeds from idleness or inability, paying, at
the same time, little or no regard to age or sex. At twelve they are
turned in (that is, leave ott' work) to get what they can to refresh
nature with ; at half past one the bell rings, when tliey turn out and
resume their labor until sunset; for the last hour they are chiefly
s
CXXXIV
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
employed in picking grass for the cattle, belonging to the estate, and
when a sufficiency is collected for that purpose, they gather what
they can for themselves, pack it up in handles, wliich tliey carry to
Saint John's, on their heads, and sell for one or more dogs, according
to the quantity or demand for it.
Not a vessel from Europe for sometime past, of course no news for
us transatlantic wanderers. Smith's tavern, in busy times, the great
resort of transient people, is now taken up iihoUy hy whist, cribbage,
and all-fours ; the parade, the 'change of our merchants, dull, as rainy
weather can make it, and what is worst of all, the little watchmaker's
shop, from whence the squibs of the day gCTierally take wing, is
almost deserted ; the thunder, lightning, and heavy rains, seem to
have driven false pride, envy, detraction, scandal, falshood, nay the
whole host of cardinal vices, into obscurity; that they may ever
remain there is the wish of him, who subscribes himself your's,
etc. etc.
Letter XXIV.
Nov. 9, 1787.
The punishments inflicted on slaves, in this island, are various and
tormenting. The picket, is the most severe, but as its consequences
are well known in Europe, particularly among the military, I shall
speak no further upon it, than to say it is seldom made use of here,
but many other cruelties equally destructive to life, though slower in
their operations, are practised by the unfeeling, among which is the
thumb-screw, a barbarous invention to fasten the thumbs together,
which a.ppears to cause excruciating pain. The iron necklace, is a
ring, locked or rivetted about the mck ; to these collars are frequently
added what are here termed pot-hooks, additions, resembling the
hooks or handles of a porridge pot, fixed perpendicularly, the bent or
hooked parts turning outwards, which prevents the wearers from
laying down their heads with any degree of comfort. The boots are
strong iron ring.s, full four inches in circumference, clo.sed just above
the ancles, to these some owners prefi.x a chain, which the miserable
sufferers, if able to work, must manage as well as they can, and
it is not nnfrequent to see in the streets of this town, at mid-da}-,
negroes chained together by these necklaces as well as by the boots,
when let out of their dungeon for a short time to l)reath the fresh air,
whose crime has been endeavoring to gain that liberty by running
away, which they well knew could never be otherwise obfciined from
their owners. The sjiurs are rings of iron, similar to the boots, to
which are added spikes from three to four inches long, placed hori-
zontally. A chain fastened about the body with a padlock, is another
mode of tormenting this oppressed race of being's. A boy who has
not yet seen his fourteenth year, passes by my house several times in
a day, and has done so for the.se si.x months past, with no other
cloathing ; he also lays upon his chains, and although they are as
much in p<pint of weight as he ought reasonably to carry, yet he is
obliged, through the day to fetch water from the country pond, at the
distance of half a mile from the house of his mistress, who is an old
widow-woman. To the chains thus put on, a fifty pounds weisjht is
sometimes added, .a,s an appendage ; this is undoubtedly a prudent
measure, and admirably well calculated to keep the slave at home, as
it must of course prevent the object thus secured, from escaping the
rigor of his destiny. The bilboe.s, severe floggings, and sundry other
methods of torturing these unhappy people, as best suits the caprice
or inventive cruelty of their owners or emplo3'ers, are here inflicted.
The public whipper is a white man, who executes his office by a
negroe deputy, and the price for every flogging is two bits.
However hurtful or di.sgusting tlae aforementioned punishments
are to those who have minds fraught with humanity, every application
to the magistrates to prevent the exercisint; such severities on these
unfriended people, must be inefl'ectual while there is no existing law
in the island code enabling them to take cognizance of the correction
of slaves by their proprietors. I could therefore presume to advise
those, to whom the power of making laws for the good government of
the British empire, both at home and abroad, is delegated, to enact a
law for establishius; a committee of humanity, composed of men of
liberal principles, and such, no doubt, can be found, not only in this
island, but also in all those under the British government, who should
have entire controul in all cases between the master and the slave.
To these men all complaints should be made, and by them and them
only, should punishments be dire';ted ; an act of such a nature, would,
I tru.^t, not only be applauded by all good men, but bring on the
authors of it, the blessings of Heaven, and the gratitude of a numerous
body of unfortunate fellow creatures.
Slaves, for criminal otfences, have within these few years, been
admitted to a trial by a jury of six white men, at which proceedings
two justices preside as judges. They are seldom hanged, unless for
murder, it being the interest of the owners of such as are convicted,
to get them off, the country allowing the masters but half the
appraised value of such as are executed ; they are therefore in mitiga-
tion generally flogged under the gallows, and sometimes sent off the
island to be sold.
A sloop of war arrived a few days since at English Harbour, with
an account of the greatest probability of a rupture with the French
and Butch, this news has put the "people here into spirits, as being
likely to make money circulate, but I hope the matter in dispute
(whatever it is) may be settled in such manner as to prevent the
spilling of human blood.
Letter XXV.
Dec. 8, 1787.
Slaves are not permitted to marry consequently take one anothers
words, and change their husbands and wives (as thev term them)
when, and as often as they please. Baptism is allowed by some
owners, but the slave mu.st pay the priest for executing his oflice and
the price is a dollar. Negroes and colored people are not buried in
the same church-yard as the whites, even if free; the distinction, and
the superiority which the European race claim over the African, are
extended as far as they can possibly go : to the grave ! but there they
must cease, and the hereafter, when the reign of human pride is over,
will be directed according to the fear we have had of God, and the love
we have borne one another during our earthly state of trial.
Negroe funerals, particularly such as are of old Creole families, or
in esteem among their fellows, are numerously attended ; I have seen
from one to two hundred men, women, and children, follow a corpse,
decently dressed in white, which dress has been recommended to them
by the Methodist and Moravian preachers, whose meetings are crouded
by these people, and to whose discourses they listen with seeming
attention. If the party deceased has been christened, and their
friends can afford to pay for the ringing of the church bell, they may
have that ceremony performed, as also the biu-ial service, the first of
these is sometimes done, the latter very seldom. The body is mostly
inclosed in a wooden shell or coffin, which, during the procession to
the grave, is covered with a sheet, by way of pall, and such as have it
in their power, bring liquor, fruit, etc., to the house of their deceased
uncle or aunt, brother or sister (the common appellations, whether
related in consanguinity or not), which are consumed by the company
while things are getting into readiness. Before I leave the subject of
negroe burials, I cannot avoid remarking to you, one, among many
other singularities, possessed by these people, as it will serve to shew
in what manner they feel, and express their feelings : when one of
their brotherhood dies, as they suppose by ill-usage ; as soon as the
body is brought out of the place where it was deposited, taken upon
the shoulders of the bearers, and has remained in that situation a few
seconds, they (the bearers) begin to reel and stagger about sur-
prisingly, going in zig-zags, and hurrying from one side of the street
to the other, as if forced by some supernatural impulse, when after
carrying on this joke for sometime, and probably tired themselves
with their retrograde motions, one or two of the mourners walk up to
the head of the coffin, and talk in a low voice to their departed
brother or sister, the purport of which is to request the deceased to go
in an orderly manner to the place of interment; to see them thus
agitated gives great trouble to their friends, who are very sorry for
what has happened, and that Gorramitee (the negroe manner of
expressing God Almighty) will punish those who have done them ill.
This exordium always appeases the defunct, who then goes quietly to
interment.
1788, January 10. Thomas Harman was returned
for New North Soutul vice RowLind Burton called
up to the Council.
April. Lieut. -General Mathew has been appointed
Commander-in-Chief of all the forces.
April 24. John Frye was returned for Old North
Sound vice M. S. Walrond resigned.
July 12. The Hon. John Nugent, President of
St. Kitts, writes that Sir Thomas Shirley left on the
18th June, and that he has assumed the government.
October. A scheme suggested for deepening St.
John's Harbour.
November 4. Rev. Arthur Freeman is sworn a
J.P. The acreage of Antigua on which taxes were
levied was 69,277, and the slaves numbered 36,000,
which at £50 each were valued at £1,800,000.
178S, Dec. 1. New Sessions.
Jn» Taylor )
Hen. B. Lightfoot
Isaac Eccleston
W" Wilkinson
Philip Hicks
, S' Johns Town.
Dickinsons Bay.
( Old North Sound, Mercers Creek,
I & Parham Town.
Five Islands.
I
Tho. Warner
Tho. Freeman
Jn" Frye
Rich. Kirwan
Ju'Ronan '.Belfast.
Bertie Entwisle I
James AthlU | xt„ „„>,
„ xj ■ Nonsuch.
Sam. Harman I
Hon. Row^ Burton | p ^.^ead.
Hon. Jn' Burke I '
Tho. Hannan | ^ ^^^^^ g^^^^
\\ '" Dickinson I
Nath. Marchant | Old Road, Bermudian Valley, Xew
Tho. Freeman | Division.
^j;«'i- J^lof^er I ^villoughby Bav.
Tho. Fairbairn I o j .
Ij!'^^- .O"^"?"- Athill I Falmouth & Rendesvous Bay.
W™ Gilchrist I
Jos. Lyons AthiU I g, j^^^^ Division.
Benj. Ireland )
The. Freeman was chosen Speaker.
Letters by John Luffman.
Letter XXVI.
St. John's, Antigua,
Jan. 1, 1788.
Dear Sir,
The general idea of Europeans, that blacks only are slaves,
is very erroneous, for slavery extends to every descendant of negroes
(slaves) by white men, such as mulatfoes, mestees and quarteroons,
and the two latter mentioned, are frequently as fair as Englishmen, at
least such of them as have been habituated to a sea-faring life, or to
tropical countries. I have seen persons sold here, having blue eyes
and flaxeu-hair, and complexioned equal almost to any on your side
the water, but such people fetch a lower price than blacks, unless
GEORGE III.
ex XXV
they are tradesmen, because the purchasers caiuiot employ them in
the drudgeries to wliich negroes are put too ; tlie colored raeu, are
therefore mostly brought up to trades or eni]ployed as house slaves,
aud the women of this description are generally prostitutes. When
taken into keeping by white men, they dress in a very ridiculous
manner, assuming the name of their keeper for the time being, and
laying it aside when turned olf. There are persons in this island who
let out their female slaves for the p-irticular purpose of fornication,
and that, as well as pnblickly cohabiting with them, is considered here
merely as a venial error. These women are mncli more subservient
to the will of their en:nnoi-afos, from a dread of punishment than a
white would be, or even the laws of the country suffer, for it is not
uncommon for some men to beat, and otherwise severely correct their
colored mistresses. This connexion strikes at the root of honorable
engagements with the fair, prevents marriage, and is, thereby, detri-
mental to the increase of legitimate population.
I have been entertained very much diu'ing the last week by the
negroes paying their highly absurd compliments of the season to every
person from whom they think a trille can be drawn, and their common
wish upon those occasions, is — " Long life and crosperity " — not
prosperity (observe, I mention this, lest you should suppose it to be
•an error of m3' pen). The holidays consist of three days, including
Christmas-day, and so careful are they to prevent any encroachment
on this privilege, that were their owners to give them double the time
in lieu thereof, at any other season of the year, they would not accept
it. A gentleman some years ago was murdered here by his slaves,
purely because he obliged them to work on the days appointed for
holidays.
Letter XXVII.
Jan. 27, 17
We begin to feel somewhat alive here, a theatre is established, the
performers gentlemen of the island, tlie profits of whose exhibitions are
to be applied t rwards raising a fund for compleating the Free-masons
lodge (alreidy in some forwardness), at the east end of the town. The
gentlemen engaged in this undertaking, deserve much praise, not only
for their endeavors to please and enliven the public, but also from a
desire of adding to their capital a place both of ornament and utilit}',
and which bade fair, without their exertions, to liave remained some
years to come in the same unfinished state it has been for these two or
three years past. This building, when completed, is intended for
various public uses, independant of the purposes of masonry.
Our little house oiiened on the 17th instant, with Venice Preserved,
preceded bv an occasional prologue ; the evening's entertainments
were well received by a numerous and genteel audience, and upwards
of one hundred pounds sterling was taken. On the 24th the same
play was repeated, with Foote's after ]iiece. The Mayor of Garratt,
which gave as much satisfaction as the first performance had done, and
brought nearly tlie same sum into the theatrical treasury. I shall not
boast of the brilliancy of the scenery and decorations, or of the
elegance of the dresses ; suffice it to say, they surpass, by far, what I
have seen belonging to itinerant companies in Englaiid. The orcliestra
is composed of the band of the fi7th regiment, under the direction of
a Mr. Green, organist of the churcli in this town, assisted b_v a Mr.
Van Ruyven. Mr. G. is a complete master of tlie musical science, and
very obligingly undertook this laborious task, to add to the public
pleasure ; I believe no other person, on this side of the atlantic, could
conduct a business of the kind, with more ability and judgment. The
house is divided into boxes and pit only ; the price of admission into
the first, IS two dollars (about nine sliillingo sterling) ; and to the
latter a dollar and a half.
The mills are mostly about (the term with us when grinding), but
what the crop will produce, time only can determine. An insect,
called the Borer, has found its way into the canes. This destroyer
perforates the rind of the plant and works to a joint or partition, then
turns out and reperforates till the cane, thus attacked, is entirely ruined.
I have seen whole pieces, on as fine land as this country affords,
rendered totally useless, by the ravages of this insect, and where the
evil is only partial, the sugar produced from such canes, is of the worst
quality, and bears the appearance of tar. From a hope of eradicating
this destructive creature, the planters burn off such pieces as are very
much infected, and this method, if properly pursued, will probably
annihilate them.
On the 11th instant, about half past nine in the evening, I felt a
slight shock of the earth. I begin to be used to them, and they now
hardly alarm me.
Letter XXVIII.
Feb. 7, 1788.
What is it I hear from you ? Not only that every appearance of
war has subsided, but that the British legislature have serious thoughts
of reforming the abuses in, if not totall}' abolishing the slave-trade to
Africa, and slaver}' in the West Indies ? Is there not sufficient scope
in the vast fields of Industan, for the virtue and justice of a British
senate to exercise its humane influence without extending the bless-
ings of peace and brotherly love to the unfortunate Africans, thereb}'
interfering with the concerns of the gay, the volatile West-Indian ?
I think I hear you say — " No ! let the banners of liberty, which are
those of justice, and virtue also, be displayed in their fullest glorj', in
ever clime under the British government." I join with you in the
wish, and condemn the traffic to Africa, for human flesh and blood, as
the most abominable, the most to be abhorred of any species of com-
merce ever carried on by our countrymen ; it is a disgrace to those
excellent laws we boast, and to the enlightened age we live in ; it tends
to the corruption of morals, and is totally repugnant to the immediate
order of the Creator, delivered by the heavenly host, when the Saviour
entered the world. " Olory to Qud in the hiijhesf, and on earth peace,
good will, towards men." Nevertheless, if the African slave trade is
abolished, and if slavery is still continued here, some wdiolesome laws
for the better cloathing and feeding of slaves will be absolutely
necessary, for population will not increase under the disadvantages of
hard labor, and indifferent food and raiment, and I have not a doubt,
that if these people were well fed, and treated in such a manner as
human beings ought to be treated, the stock of negroes already on this
island, would be suflicient for all its purpo.ses, without any further
supplies from Africa. I do not advance this as a mere matter of specu-
lation, but speak from facts, and shall adduce instances of them. On
the estate of Mr. Martin (late treasurer to the Princess Dowager of
Wales) not one tenth of tlie negroes are Africans, and such of them as
are from that country are the ancestors of the younger Creole slaves.
On Sir Ralph Payne's estate, out of upwards of five hundred as fine
slaves as any in the island, I have been well informed, there is not even
ten .salt-water negroes ; other plantations could be mentioned, where
the slaves, Africans and Creoles, are nearl}' in the same proporiiou as
those already spoken of, but as two, is as sufficient as two hundred to
shew you that what I have advanced on the subject if propagation can
be, nay is, effected by good usage, I shall not trouble you with a third.
The climate is similar to tlieir own, but generall}' said to be better,
therefore the mortality among them, cannot with justice be placed to
that account. Now if this business of abolition takes place and if
there is not a very sharp look out kept, to yirevent the smuggling of
the produce of this island to the slave market, which I should suppose
will be the island of St. Eustatia (as probably, the French, Dutch, and
Americans will Ije for pushing this trade when abandoned by the
British) it will tend much to the hurt of the revenue and be a means
of weakening our great national bulwark, the Navy ; first, by the loss
of the four and half per cent, received here on the shipment of goods;
secondly, by the duties when arrived in British ports ; thirdly, by the
loss of freight, to ship owners, which will naturally lessen the number
of vessels employed and consequently etieet one of our greatest
nurseries for sailors. It will also serve, without the before mentioned
prevention, as a heavy tax upon the planter, without benefitting the
mother country in the smallest degree, for what with tlie cost of the
slaves, at the foreign-market, and the expences attending thereon, they
will stand him in double the price they are now purchased for. This
is as it strikes me, but no doubt when such an event takes place, the
wisdom and vigilance of a British Parliament, will provide every matter
necessary to give the law its full effect.
Letter XXIX.
March 1, 1788.
Wilfully killing a slave, is, by a law of this island, finable only ;
but there is another act of this legislature, more cruel by far even than
that, which stipulates the price of blood, as being more extensive in
its consequences, by subjecting such as are absolutely free to all the
rigid local laws of this island and the concomitant horrors annexed to
.slavery, which is that if a iicgroe or colored stranger, is found idling
(that is out of employ, and it must be with much dithculty, and strong
recommendation, that a free person can get employment), he or she is
to be taken up and jnit into the common jail, and advertised by the
Marshal, by name, for an owner, as a su|iposed runaway, which
advertisement is repeated two or three times, and if the party, so made
public, is not owned in a time limited therein, he or .she is sold by
public auction (here called vendue) to the best bidder, under an order
signed by two magislrates. Thus is a free person, from a difference in
com]ilexion only, made a slave, from not having it in their power to
obtain business, in a country which seldom employs any others but
slaves ; and although these acts are the most diabolical ever passed by
an}' set of men, holding the office of legislators, they are the acts of an
island belonging to Great Britain. Notwithstanding which, the
people here (inde]iendant of their laws) are not in general more cruel
than in England, but where individuals are possessed of liard-hearted-
ness, and where they are dead to the feelings of human misery, this is
the place to excrci.se the unworthiness of their dispositions; this is the
place to gratify evei-y low and inordinate passion of the soul, in its
fullest extent. But there is a hope from the known humanity, and
sound understanding of the Governor, Council, and A.ssembly, that
both these abominable acts will shortly be repealed; for as men acting
under a government whose boast is "the equal distribution of justice,"
they must look on those laws as a disgrace to their statute book, which
places one fellow creature so much in the power of another, and, I
hope, never to have cause, even to think, that any set of enlightened
men can entertain such abstracted notions of liberiy, as to sutt'er such
cruel impositions to remain any longer in force. Jamaica, I am
informed, has set an example to the other islands, worthy of imitation,
by expunging the first mentioned of these odious acts from their
records, and it is now felony, without benefit of clergy, in that island,
for the wilful murder of a "slave.— Many slaves, who cannot properly
be said to be murdered, die from a want of care, or continual ill-usage,
which the law (those who are to administer it heing willing) cannot
take cogni-(;auce of ; these unfortunate people, not being allowed the
'oenefit of a coroner's inquest, and from the nature of tiie climate,
which brings on putridity immediately after death, they are hurried to
the grave almost as soon as the breath has left their bodies ; where
inquiry ceases. Indeed persons of the first consequence are mostly
buried within twenty-four hours after their decease.
Slaves are obliged, under a penalty of a flogging, to quit the streets,
of this town, at bell ring, about a quarter before ten, at which time
the nightly watch is set ; these guardians of nocturnal repose, consist
of fifty white men, and half of that number are, or should be, upon
duty every night, but this business is very indifferently perforjned,
and" the remissness is said to be owing to the public, lieing considerably
in arrears to the watch fund.
Letter XXX.
March 14, 1788.
Negroes are very fond of the discordant notes of the banjar, and
the hoTlow sound of the toombah. The Banjar is somewhat similar
to the guitlar, the bottom, or under part, is formed of one half of
a large calaba,sh, to which is prefixed a wooden neck, and it is strung
with cat-gut and wire. This instrument is the invention of, ami was
brought here bv the African negroes, who are most expert in the ]ier-
formances thereon, which are principally their own country tunes,
indeed I do not remember ever to have heard any thing like European
CXXXVl
THE HISTOEY OF ANTIGUA.
numbers from its touch. The toombah is similar to the tabor, and has
gingles of tin or shells; to this music (it it deserves the name) I have
seen a hundred or more dancintc at a time, their gestures are extrava-
gant, but not more so than the principal dancers at your Opera-house,
and, I believe, were some of their steps and motions introduced into the
public amusements at home, by f rench or Italian dancers, they would
be well received ; I do not mean, by the bye, to indicate that the move-
ments of these sables are altogether graceiul, but their agility and the
surprising command of their limbs, is astonishing; this can be
accounted for only by their being habituated to a warm climate, were
elasticity is more general than in the colder latitudes : Tlie principal
dancing time is on Sunday afternoons, when the great market is over
(the nature and utilit}' of which I propose to give you in my next),
in fact Sunday is their day of trade, their day of relaxation, their day
of pleasure, and may, in the strictest sense of the words, be called the
negroes holiday.
Our theatre has attractions, whether it is owing to the abilities of
the gentlemen performers, or from the attentions paid the fair, who
visit it in great numbers, is not for me to determine, but we have
generally good houses. I will write you particulars on this subject
soon. Adieu !
Letter XXXT.
March 28, 1788.
In my last I promised you an account of the Sundaj' market, and
will now perform that promise. This market is held at the southern
extremity of the town, on the land of John Otto Bnijcr, Esij., Ijetween
three roads, leading to Five Islands, Uormudian Valley, and English
Harbour, and is about as large again as the Royal Exchange ; liere an
assemblage of many hundred negroes and mulattoes expose for sale,
poultry, pigs, kids, vegetables, fruit, and other things ; they begin to
assemble by daybreak and the market is generally crouded by ten
o'clock ; this is the proper time to purchase, for the week, such articles
as are not perishable : Tlie noise occasioned • by the jabber of the
negroes, and the squaUing and cries of the children basking in the sun,
exceeds any thing I ever heard in a London market : The smell is also
intolerable, proceeding from the strung effluvia, naturally arising from
the bodys of these people, and from the stinking salt-fish and other
oflfencibles sent for sale by hucksters, which the negroes will buy, even
when in the last stage of rottenness, to season their pots with, and I
do not exaggerate when I say that the nostrills will receive the fragrance
of this place, when at the distance of a full quarter of a mile from it,
to leeward. About three o'clock business is nearly over, when the
hucksters shops are filled, and their doors crouded, and new rum grog
is swilled in large quantities to the benefit of the retailers and
destruction of the negroes ; some, as I before wrote you, dance, others
play at dice (as they call it) with small shells, and frequently lose, not
only every dog that the}' have been working for through the day, but
so great is their love of play, that the very trifling clothes from their
backs is a forfeit to their mischance. It is not uncommon for them,
when intoxicated, to turn out to fight in Otto's pasture (adjoining the
market) ; they are not confined to rules, like the gentlemen brutes
with you, hut give their blows — how, and where they can, generally
open handed, and it is all fair to pull each others wool, kneel upon, beat
when down, or indeed whatever they have power to do, to the hurt of
their adversary. They are punishable b}' law for fighting, but the law
seldom interferes. The sight of a gun, or a white man, la_Ying about
him with a whip, will disperse them immediately ; and a negroe durst
not return a blow, under the forfeiture of their right hand.
This rigid law was introduced, I learn, to prevent the insurrections
of slaves ; which, about fifty years ago, had nearly proved fatal to the
white inhabitants of this island.
Letter XXXII.
April 12, 1788.
This island issues three weekly news-papers, namely, the Antisjua
Chronicle, the Antigua Gazette, and the Antigua Journal ; I wish 1
could say any one of them was free, hut freedonj, alas ! doth not
extend her influence to this place. The first mentioned of these
prints, attempted, very lately, to break from the bauds of venality, and
put forth a motto, which ^ave flattering hopes of success, but some
letters which exposed the impositions practised in conducting a part
of the public business, and other letters supposed to effect the feelings
of a man in office, Ijj' exposing his amours, his ridiculous attachments,
and his self-created consequences, appearing therein ; certain ]persons,
thirty-three in number, some of whom having weight in the island, and
others of no weight at all, ])ut their names to a paper which they sent
by a messenger (ojie of those w ho had signed it) to the printer's office,
the purport of which was, that they, the undersigned, \;ould withdraw
their subscriptions, if such letters were not discontinued. This dread-
ful intimidation had the desired effect; notwithstanding several
public spirited men oSered to make up the deficiency to the printer,
by additional payments, but he having recently sulTered severely, from
the power of the man whose follies the last mentioned letters were
supposed to have lashed, thought it most prudent to stop their further
publication. Thus was done awaj- the liberty of the press, in this
island, to the disgrace of those who were the cause of it, as dupes to
the artifices of ostentation and chicanery, and the Antigua Chronicle
has now sunk into that nothingness (which had already pervaded the
other two) suitable to the genius of arrogance, folly, and despotism.
We live here on shaking ground, another earthquake at half past
three in the morning of the third instant.
Letter XXXIII.
April 30, 1788.
Since my last, part of the 49th regiment has arrived here, under
the command of Major Campbell, and the}' now occupy our barracks,
in place of the 67th, gone to Grenada ; I saw the latter embark, and
regret sat visibly on the countenances of both officers and privates, no
doubt from leaving an island where they had been well treated ; the
officers, in particular, having lived in the habits of sociability with
the inhabitants, and in harmony with each other, since the disagree-
able business of the court martial, held on Capt. H ,* in the year
1786. The men of the 49th were drawn up on the barrack ground
soon after they arrived, and, allowing for their passage to cause some
difference in their appearance, to what it will be when they have been
in barracks a fortnight or three weeks, they looked very well. The
officers are men of good appearance, some of them, I understand, have
been in this part before, of course have a knowledge of the country
and will be particular in preventing the men from a too free use of
new rum, which is the true cause of laying so many unexperienced
Europeans in their graves, and not the clime, to which it has been
falsely attributed.
At our Court of Grand Sessions, in March last, a free negroe,
name Richard, was tried and convicted for the murder of a black
woman, belonging to the Rev. Mr. Teale, and has since been executed.
Tvfo Jews, by the names of Vanban and Marcus, were tried for the
robbery of a brother Israelite ; Marcus was cast for death but since
pardoned (as it requires interest to get a white man hanged), and
Vanban sentenced to the pillory ; I went on the appointed day to
this exhibition, and what was my astonishment when I saw the
culprit holding, with one hand, his hat before his face, and with the
other, supporting an umbrella, to prevent the sun from warming his
head : this struck me, not only as a shameful perversion of justice
(who, by ordering the punishment of the pillory, meant the exposure
of the offender), but also as a prostitution of the dignity of parasols.
It is now (what is here called) Court time, {i.e.) the time for
recovering debts, either by action or complaint. The first Court is
generall}' held the latter end of March, or the beginning of April, and the
other days appointed for this business, are ever}' fourth Tuesday, inde-
pendant of adjournments, 'till the 8th or 10th of August. A com-
plaint here, is the same as a summons at London, but extends to
debts under ten pounds, except when the sum is the remaining part
of a debt, originally more than thirty pounds.
The solicitors are advocates also. A Mr. Burke, mentioned in a
former letter, stands foremost for energetic declamation ; Mr. Hicks
and Mr. Wise for ingenuous argument ; the language of the latter is
elegant, possessing at the same time, the luxuriant flowers of rhetoric
and fine oratory, and this gentleman would be still greater, were it
not for a diffidence, which I am fearful is constitutional. It is to be
deplored that such abilities should be confined to so small a circle as
this island, abilities, which would possibly enable the possessor (if at
the bar of the Westminster courts) to raise himself to the first
eminence in his profession.
Letter XXXIV.
Mai/ 10, 1788.
The afternoon of the eighth instant, the house of Mr. Looby, an
assistant judge, in Bishopsgate-street, or Spring-garden, was dis-
covered to be on fire ; the church bell, as well as those of the planta-
tions within sight of it, announced the dreadful alarm to the frightened
inhabitants : I immediately went towards the place, and on my way,
observed terror to fill the countenance of every person, no doubt
l)roceeding from the severe and recent sufferings many of them had
experienced. When I reached the place, I found several of the
gentlemen, members of the friendly fire company, were already there,
and also a detachment of the troops of the 49th regiment, with Major
Cam))bell at their head. By the joint exertions of these two bodies,
the town was preserved, probably from total destruction, with the
loss of only one tolerable house and a few insignificant huts ; the
engines were worked with great dexterity, when considered how verj'
seldom they are brought into action, and the negroes assisted in
extinguishing the flames, as if they had been really interested in the
welfare of the place. This fire is said to have happened through the
carelessness of a negroe woman.
The friendlj' fire company, an institution of the greatest utility,
owes its establishment to the fire of 1782, and every member belonging
thereto, obliges himself to keep in good preservation a certain number
of buckets and fire-bags, and also to exercise their engines at stated
periods. Great praise, and tlie thanks of the community deservedly
belong to the founders of the society, as well as to the gentlemen who
at present compose it, particularly when it is considered that the
stores and warehouses of the merchants, contain property to a vast
amount, and that insurance did not extend to this island until after
this company was formed. The Phoenix, or New Fire-office, in
Lombard-street, was the first to send its proposals here, and I learn
that at this moment, they stand alone in West-Inda risks.
I am just going to sup off mangrove oysters, of which so much has
been said and so little believed concerning their growing upon trees,
which I will here explain. The mangrove bushes grow in the creeks
or swampy places, near the sea, and many of the branches are under
water, to these the oysters (I suppose from something peculiar in the
plant) adhere so fast, that in removing them, the bark is frequently
brought away with the shell ; they are very small but of a flavor equal
to those of Colchester, and give a zest to bottled porter superior to
any thing whatever.
Letter XXXV.
Mai/ 16, 1788.
Earthquakes are become frequent. This morning while I sat at
breakfast, the earth shook violently three or four times, many of the
whites as well as negroes were much alarmed and ran into the street.
I was under great apprehension of more shocks, but happily all has
been quiet throughout the day, now nine o'clock in the evening.
The inhabitants of this place seem determined to banish dulness,
long the tutelar divinity of the island, for indepeudant of the theatre,
a subscription assembly is established, at Smith's tavern, where the
Creole beauties dance on the " light fantastic toe — " and where such
gentlemen who are not so happy as to engage a partner among the
* I have a copy of the " Proceedings of a General Court-Martial
on Captain Robert Hedges of the 67th Regiment ; held at the Court-
House, St. John's, Antigua, from Monday the 30th of January, to
Monday the 13th of March, 1786, Antigua : St. John's : Printed by
James Hargrove, on the Parade, mdcclxxxvi.," pp. 112.— V. L. O.
GEORGE III.
cxxxvu
fair, play at cards and c inverse ; by twelve the siip))er is ou the table,
and by two o'clock the rooms are cleared.
Our theatricals go c.ii well, since I last wrote to you on that head,
several pieces have been brought out, and received vvith an applause
that cannot fail to be gratifying, to the gentlemen concerned in these
amusements. The Orphan, King Ilenry the Fourth, "West-Indian,
Lethe, and Lying Valet, are among those already played, and King
Lear. The Fair Penitent, Jane Shore, and several farces are getting
in readiness, bnt it is now a doubt whether I shall continue on the
island until they are enacted, nevertheless, I shall cheei-fnlly give up
that satisfaction, for the pleasure of hearing the enchanting notes of
a Bilhngton, the admired declanmlion of a Siddons, the laughable
buffoonery of an Edwin, or the dry humour of a Quick, or a Parsons.
The heat is now, and has been for several days past, excessive; I drink a
great quantity of weak punch to keep u]) perspiration, as the best means
of preventing a fever. General Sir Thomas Shirley will review the
troops on this island on the 29th. and intends sailing for England in
a few days after, in the Roehampton, Captain Ross ; Jlr. Nugent, of
Tortola, is coming here to reside, as Lieutenant Governor, but if that
gentleman should not arrive before the departure of Sir Thomas
Shirley, tlie governmeni will devolve on the President, the Hon.
Ashton Warner, Esq., a gentleman of great integrity, respectability,
and honor.
Letter XXXVI.
June 4, 1788.
Here, in addition to every inconvenience which an European
suffers in his own clime (cold excepted) may be added those arising
from the insects, reptiles, and vermin, for the propagation of which,
this isle may deservedly be stiled the hot bed. Rats abound in such
quantities, in the cane pieces, that they often do much damage to the
plants. The houses are infected by mosquitos, sand-flies, merry-
wings, scorpions, centipieds, and many others, which sting intolerably.
White people inclose their beds with mosquito nets, made of Scotch
lawn, or any other light material, to prevent the intrusion of these
troublesome visitors, bnt notwithstanding this precaution, the}' do
frequently get into the beds and night clothes. Ants are of various
kinds, and innumerable, both within and without doors, and it is
impossible to keep either victuals or sweets from them, but by
surrounding with water the dislies, or whatever such things are put
into, or by hanging them to the rafters b}' a cord, or string, rubbed
with castor oil.
The cockroach, about the size of a cockchafer, and not very dis-
similar thereto, is the most harmless insect here, having no sting, but
it is disagreeable and troublesome ; for as soon as the evening
approaches, they get into the houses, settle upon you, and run over
your cloaths and furniture. Potatoe-Iice, called also bete-rouge, is an
exceeding small insect, which lodges itself in the pours of the skin
and itches in so great a degree, that, unless allayed by acids or other
means, it is impossible to avoid scratching the affected parts until
they are in a state of inflamation.
The chigger is a small insect, which attacks the feet, but more
particularly the toes, it penetrates the skin, forms a bag between that
and the flesh, and lays its eggs, or nits, unknown to those that bear
them. Some jieople here say it is a jdeasure to have one of these
creatures, that the sensation the}' cause is amusing ; I have had them,
but I cannot say that I found my guests quite so pleasing, in fact, at
ill times, I would rather, according to the old phrase, " have their
room than their company."
The guana is a species of lizard, about two feet long, independant
of its tail, and is the most hideous creature I ever beheld, but it is
harmless, and the flesh said to be good eating.
The wood-slave, the most dangerous rejjtile in the universe, is
about four inches long, and two broad, somewhat like a toad, but
narrower bodied and short legged, the bite, as well as the nip of its
claws, are attended with the most fatal consequences, each toe
terminates in the form of a calliper or sugar nipper, and they take
such fast hold by these means, tliat it is impossible to extricate them
from the part they attack, but by cutting them away, and, if the
smallest particle remains within the flesh, the consequence is mortal.
These creatures are principally about old wood, and old wooden build-
ings, from whence they derive their name. Happy for this Island,
very few of them are to be found in it, but in Dominica I am informed
they abound.
At sun-set, snakes, lizards, crickets, and numerous et ceteras, begin
to hiss and cry from the bushes and prickly pears, and never cease
their clamorous vociferations till nearly sun-rise ; but, as a counter-
poise, in some measure, for the foregoing disagreeables, the air is as
salulirious as any in the world.
The review, which I apprized you of in my last, took place on the
time appointed ; the manoeuvreing was well jierformed ; and notwith-
standing the many disadvantages they must neccssaril}' lay under
from the heat of the climate, went through their evolutions much
to the satisfaction of the general, the otlicers, and the numerous
spectators.
Lettee XXXVII.
June 30, 1788.
This island is the principal residence of the Governors of the Lee-
ward Charibbee Islands, who are seldom or ever ajiproved of by the
people, over whom they are appointed to preside. If a Governor is an
active man, and looks with perspicuity into public affairs, as becomes
the good magistrate and the true representative of Royalty, he is
hated, because, among other things, he will, to the utmost of his
power, check smuggling, which is carried on, in a great degree,
between this island, and those of the French, Dutch, and Danes.
Indeed this spot seems to be particularly adapted to clandestine traffic,
from the many out bays, harbours, and coves it possesses. But this
business is not of modern date here, for so long back as the adminis-
tration of General, Daniel Parke, it was carried on with avidity, and
an attempt to prevent the ill consequences arising therefrom to the
fair trader, was the real cause of his death, being cruelly murdered, in
this town, on the 7th of December, 1710, by a mob in actual rebellion ;
some of the assassins were sent to England, tried and convicted, but
by the death of Queen Ann they escaped the punishment due to their
crimes, being released by the general pardon, granted, on the accession
of the House of Hanover.
Some of the Governors have been blamed for being too familiar
with the people, while others have been equally reprehensible for too
much reservedness, and when they have a ruler who will let them have
their own way, he is too easy, and gains the epithet of "fool !" hardly
any man ever acquired credit amongst them as their chief, except
the late Sir George Thomas, and Sir Ralph Payne, both West-Indians,
who knew the dispositions of the people they had to govern, and by
prudently keeping the arrogant at as great a distance, as the more
modest vionld iiatnrally keep themselves, they had the good fortune
to be approved. Sir Thomas Shirley, who left this island and his
government, about a fortnight since, refused the honors offered to him
by the legislature, conceiving himself to have been treated even in an
ungentleman-like manner, by that body, previnus to their vote of
civilities; and with the jiroper dignity of well founded resentment;
he w'ent on board the Roehampton, attended onlj' by his own Secretary
and a few select friends.
I hope to be able to quit this place in a few weeks, and shall soon
apprize you when and how, as vessels are leaving this port almost
every day for Europe.
Letter XXXVIII.
July 15, 1788.
I wrote you some time since, that the virtue of the Creole fair, was
said to be superior to the arts of seduction. Rut, alas I they are frail
as well as their beautiful sisters of Europe, and, as an instance, we
have had a trial for crim. con. in the Court of Common Pleas, on the
first instant. The offending parties, were a lady, the wife of a school-
master, and her gallant, a planter ; the first very young, the latter
rather descending into the vale of years, but as you well know there
is no such thing as accounting for the unaccountable taste of the
ladies, I shall sp.are myself the trouble of commenting on this lady's
choice, and come at once to the trial, which began about ten o'clock
in the morning, and lasted till four in the afternoon ; the damages
were laid at several ihou.sand pounds ; indeed the little teacher
thought himself very much hurt, but of that in the sequel : the
counsel, according to ancient custom in such cases, made long speeches,
and endeavoured to do every thing they could for their respective
clients ; the principal part of the evidence came from three young
ladies, two of whom were sisters, both in blood and iniquity, the other
a noviciate in the Cyprian rites. Jliss Jenny R , one of the
sisters, told what she knew of the matter in a manner that would have
shamed the most abandoned prostitute of Covent-Garden ; the other
two had some few latent sparks of modesty remaining, and could not
tell their tale vvith such unblushing cheeks and libidinous look, as
Miss Jenny, bnt notwithstanding it was sometimes with difficulty
that truth v\as drawn from this trio of virgins, the fact was ]iroved,
and, at the same time, another fact was established also, which was,
that this very much injured husband, had been an industrious laborer
in vineyards of seduction and prostitution, for which reason the jui'y
brought in a verdict, for the gentleman of the cane and birch, with
five hundred pounds damages only : And here, to the honor of the
island, it is worthy of remark, that this trial is the only instance for
the aforementioned offence, for the last forty years. A smart shock
of an earthquake on Sunday last, in the morning, which gave much
alarm, but did no damage.
I was at the play on the 10th, Jane Shore, and for want of females
in the dramatic walk, our representative of the lovely Jane " once
the fairest amongst English dames," was a gentlemtru, he spoke it
well, but looked it ill ; the parts of Hastings and Dumont, were well
filled ; indeed, Jlr. M — t — n, the gentleman who performed the latter
character, is a finished actor. Notwithstanding the aid of ventilators,
and altho' part of the roofing boards were removed also for the more
free admission of air, I suffered much from the extreme heat of the
house ; a most violent head ach was the consequence, from which I
am now hardly recovered. I shall not attend any other theatrical
exhibition in this place, having possitively fixed my departure for the
first of August.
Letter XXXIX.
Juh/ 21, 1788.
The blue regiment of militia, of this island, being most consider-
able in point of numbers, and from mustering in the vicinity of St.
John's, has afforded me more frequent opportunities of seeing its
manoeuvres than I could, with any degree of convenience, have of
viewing the other regiments of the same description, and as speaking of
one, is, in fact speaking of the whole, I shall only trouble you with
an account of this corps, which consists of a grenadier company, a
light infantry company, and battalions ; the grenadiers and light
infantry, are habiied regimentally, but the battalions remind me of
Shakespeare's description of Jack-Falstiff's heroes, " who would fill a
pit as well as other men " few, very few of these troops, except the
grenadiers, know even the common exercise. I have seen the negroes
laughing at their nnsoldier-like performances. The last time I
attended the military operations of this body, new colors were dis-
played ; they are elegant, and the motto, which is in their center, is
taken from "one borne in the civil wars, on the royal side with the
omission of the word Grei/e, being only Pro Sege et Lege, but if the
King and laws were to receive no better protection than what this
body of military men are capable of affording them, they must very
soon be in a disagreeable predicament. These troops have neither
fife nor drum.
I have also seen the troop of horse carbiniers, about thirty in
number, drawn up and exercised, they made aukvvard play of it.
The company of artillery are said to be tolerably disciplined, bnt I
have not had any opportunity of seeing the performance of these
men, from the guns having unfortunately been suffered to remain in
the arsenal, or store-house, under the rubbish occasioned by the
falling in of the roof of that building. Such is the narrow policy of
cxxxvni
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
this government. It must be a matter of surprise to Britons, that
the people in power in the colony should so much nej^lect that best of
institutions for public safety, and internal protection, the Militia,
when the great disproportion of twelve blacks and colored persons to
one white is considered as now existing, and when it is observed that
eleven twelfths of the blacks are slaves, as are also many well informed
mungrels, mulattoes, and mestees, too often to unfeeling owners, and
■when it is remarked that at this particular period the people of Britain
seem almost determined on the abolition of the slave-trade to Afric.'a,
and may possibly extend their project to at least the amendment of
the slave-laws in the West-Indies, from a knowledge of which pro-
ceedings it is next to an impossibihty to keep them ignorant, it is but
reasonable to suppose, if the}' catch the idea that the people at home
favor their cause, a confidence may be raised in them, hitherto
unknown to the race, and the love of liberty, which I believe pervades
the heart of man, whether black or white, as the first and ruling
principle, might ins|)ire them to make a grand effort to throw oft the
yoke, under which thej- at present groan, and recover their natural
right, their libert_v. Now in such a case, and in such a cause, suppose
about twelve hundred men, almost as ignorant of military discii)line
as the negroes, opposed to forty thousand persons (for the women are
as capable as the men of enduring fatigue, and would, no doubt, join
in the cause) what ^vould be the consequence, but a dreadful carnage,
if not the total annihilation of the whites ! This observation does not
apply to Antigua onl}-, but to the other isles under the British
government, in the West-Indies, where the same disproportion reigiis,
from which I believe not one can be excepted but Barbadoes. It
therefore doth behove those in power, if only for the preservation of
their own lives and properties, to keep up a strict military discipline,
and endeavor also, by ever}' possible encouragement, to encrease the
number of white inhabitants. To adopt measures effective of preser-
vation from ill, is a duty imposed upon us by reason and common
sense, and reason and common sense forbid that any set of men should
turn a deaf ear to their dictates.
Letteb XL.
July 2G, 1788.
My remarks are closed : I have taken a passage on board the Sarah
and Ann, Capt. "William Farrer, bound for London, which will possi-
tively sail on the first of August. The pleasure which my imagination
paints, I shall experience, on seeing again my native country and
esteemed friends, is beyond the powers of my pen to describe. But
notwithstanding I dislike the manners and customs of this place, yet
I shall leave it with regret, for the tw-o following reasons : from
having enjoyed uninterrupted health ; and from having received much
kindness and civilit}' from many people here : May the}' ever prosper !
And wherever in the course of my letters, to you, I have mentioned
the follies and extravagancies of the inhabitants, of this island, in too
general terms, I must here beg leave to except the worthy, who are
many, from the least particle of censure on my part. I have been
drawing a picture, which may be compared to a landscape of extensive
view, wherein the beauties and deformities are so blended, as to make
it utterly impossible to separate them, v^ithout spoiling the effect of
the whole.
I shall bring with me a model of a mill and works, which will give
you a better insight into the manufac'turing of sugar and rum, than I
can possibly do by writing : They are the work of a negroe slave, and
are made of the cedar of this country.
I remain, etc., etc.
1789. List of Clergv in tlie Leewatd Islands.
1789, February 14. A committee wasform.ed for
entertaining Prince William Henry.
The following lists of Import & Export of slaves fur
14 years were enclosed with the Gov" letters: —
Imports.
Exports.
Tear.
VesseUs.
Tonnage.
Slaves.
Vessell
. Tonnage.
Slaves
1775.
. LS
906
1431
13
490
304
1776.
8
245
630
10
265
154
1777.
4
277
345
4
195
59
1778.
2
100
321
4
115
177
1779.
—
—
—
1
15
9
1780.
1
20
81
1
20
8
1781 .
1
100
210
1
2(1
78
1782.
5
470
1164
6
380
593
1783.
4
630
1491
7
510
590
1784.
. 11
1O50
2146
10
315
461
1785.
1
70
112
6
220
337
1780 .
li
420
952
5
170
136
1787.
(i
425
582
2
85
38
1788.
4
963
580
6
427
96
The free negros make writing clerks, taylors, etc., are
dissipated & lazy & think it an insult to be asked to work as
carpenters, coopers, etc.
Exports of Sugar & Rum.
Shipped.
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786
1787
1788
Hhds
Lbs. Pun. Rum. Tierces. Barrells.
3,382
579
164
1.633
163
245
3,518
662
65
846
86
14
8,408
1,260
746
3,364
48
24
15,102
1,603
1.854
4,832
142
107
3.099
1,391
970
938
472
144
18,370
1.868
3.260
7,077
1.575
1,459
17,295
1.993
3,005
7,297
362
287
16.072
1.895
4,005
5,787
262
475
19.147
2.729
1 fi-,0
6.791
318
147
14,256
1,910
1.010
6,165
275
107
Parishes.
S" Johns
S' Peters
S' Philips
S' Marys
S' Pauls
Incumbents.
J.as. Lindsey .
Fra. Massett .
Theoph. Xugent
Josiah Weston
Arth. Freeman
Filed Salary.
Es
in
atcd annual
Currency.
value
&
surplice fees
350
7(HJ
300
350
300
350
300
350
300
350
300
350
ij' Georges Jas. Coull
The Methodists have a large meeting-house at S' Johns.
The Moravians have 2 settlements, one at S' Johns the
other at English Harbour, but only negros attend their
meetings.
Aug. 29. H.M. packet " Antelope," .... touched at
Barbadoes, where accounts had been received of a very severe
drought at Antigua ; insomuch, that Government had beea
under the necessity of paying 40/. a day, for some time past,
to supply the garrison witli water.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 1138.)
October 22. Edward Byam, juii., was returned
for New North Sound vice William Dickinson.
November 22. Sir Thomas Shirley, Bart., writes
from Bridge Town, Barbados, that be arrived there
on the 21st inst., 28 days out from Falmouth. Cap-
tain Shipley, commanding the Engineers at Antigua,
is fortifying the Ridge, and they have built there a
cistern holding 300 tons of water, and additional stone
barracks for 800 men, so that there is now accommo-
dation for a whole regiment. The Assembly refuse
to contribute any further towards the fortification
there.
From 1 April 1788 to 30 September 1789, 458
vessels entered at St. John's and 433 cleared. Hon.
Charles Winstone, one of the Council, removed in
1783 to Dominica.
The Moravians baptized 507 negros at St. John's
and 217 at Grace Hill from Easter 1788 to Easter
1789. No rain fell during seven months. The crop
was destroyed and 5000 cattle perished. Only 12,500
hogsheads of sugar of 13 cwt. each were ex23orted.
This year a new road to Five Islands, protected by
piles, was constructed, in place of the old one
destroyed by the encroachment of the sea.
1790, January 14. Hon. Thomas Jarvis, having
produced a diploma, signed by Dr. William Allanby,
from the College of Physicians at Edinburgh, is
licensed to practise Medicine, etc. The grave of the
late Governor Burt is to be covered with a marble
slab enclosed with iron rails, and a bust and monu-
ment to be placed in St. John's Church.
April 8. George Redhead returned for New
North Sound vice Edward Byam, jun.
April. The Superintendent of the King's Botani-
cal Gardens at St. Vincent reports thus : — ■
Guiny Corn, Hokus sacdiaratus Linn., growing a very
usefull grain has been imported into Barbados & Antigua
some years past where it is now carefully cultivated as well
for negroe food k for Poultry as fodder for Horses & Cattle —
if planted in proper season the leaves & young stems may be
cut a number of times before it goes to seed which is in Nov''
& Dec'' — as the stems root sevei'al crops may be had from the
same plant.
The Home Government was at this time acting
very judiciously in endeavouring to promote the
cultivation of many useful plants not hitherto grown
in the West Indies, and experiments were being
scientifically conducted both at Kew and St. Vincent.
GEORGE III.
CXSXIX
May. Forty-eipflit convicts ari-ived to work on
the forts, but they were not liked, and a promise was
exacted that no more would be sent. English
Harbour was cleaned and deepened.
June 18. Governor Shirley acknowledges the
receipt of cotton seed from the Cuzerat country, and
will distribute it among the planters.
October 21. Daniel Hill, jun., Esq., returned for
St. John's Division vice Joseph Lyons Athill deceased.
£8610 sterling or £15,068 currency was this year
spent by the Leo-islature in fortifying Dow's Hill
near English Harbour.
C" 1790. In the fertile Island of Antigua, there are a
number of salt-petre spots of land, which are great eye-sores
and prove very detrimental to the owners ; no remedy has
yet been found for this evil .... Francis Martin, Esq., on
the Diamond Estate in the above Island, informed me, that
some years ago, seven acres and one fourth made forty-eight
hogsheads of sngar, of an exceeding good quality ; this is
the greatest yielding I ever knew. This little plantation is
esteemed among the first in Antigua. The estate of Lang-
ford Level, Esquire, in the division of Pope's-Head, in a
good year, has made four hundred and twenty hogsheads of
sugar, and this year it has fallen short near four hundred,
merely from the baneful effects of dry weather, and the
borer.
Sir "William Codrington's property has made near eight
hundred hogsheads less ; But, speaking generally, I am
informed, the whole Island has fallen short, near eighteen
thousand hogsheads if not more. On the above properties
every attention was given, and the works are amongst the
first in that Island, in every respect.
I was unfortunately too late in going to this Island,
there were only a few estates at work ; amongst which were,
two of Sir John Laforey's, under the care of John Harvey,
Esq., the estate of Alexander Willock, Esq., inspected by
Henry B. Lightfoot, Esq., those of Bertie Entwisle, Esq., Sir
John Ogilvie, Bart, (managed by William Ogilvie, Esq.), and
Bandies, under the charge of Langford Lovel, Esq., ....
(' A Treatise of Planting,' by Joshua Peterkin, St. Kitts,
1790.)
1791. List of the Council.
Date of Mandamus.
Edward Byam, President . 1770 May 10
John Gray .... 1773 Dec. 11
W" Mackinnen . . . 1773 Dec. 11
Martin Byam . . . 1774 May 9
Sir John Laforey, Bart. . 1779 Nov. 24
Robert Jeaffreson . . . 1779 Dec. 11
Chas. "Winstone . . . 1781 April 30
Sir John Ogilvy, Bart. . . 1782 Mar. 7
Thos. Norbury Kerby . . 1783 Nov. 10
Wm. Gunthorpe . . . 1783 Nov. 24
Lockhart Puissell . . . 1783 Dec. 22
James Nibbs . . . 1784 Sep. 15
John Horsford . . . 1784 Sep. 16
Tho. Jarvis . . . . 1785 July 4
Sam. Byam Athill . . 1787 Mar. 6
1791. The Duke of Richmond orders the sus-
pension of all work on fortifications because the
Assembly have refused to purchase the necessary
lands.
January 8. Petition of Alexander Dow that
Dow's Hill has been taken by the coirntry and
fortified, and asking for indemnity. It has been
valued at £5824 currency or £3328 sterling.
January 14. Chief Justice Burton is recommended
to be of the Council.
Feb. 13. The Hon. Tho. Jarvis writes, "The borer
rages more than ever. Sir Thomas goes home in Barge,
& leaves his government for an abler head."
May 18. His Majesty has accepted Sir Thomas
Shirley's resignation.
May 19. Samuel Redhead was retui-ned for New
North Sound vice George Redhead, sen., resigned.
James McGillwray petitions for licence to practise
Medicine, etc., and the Assembly having appointed
Dr. Jonas Langford Blizard and Dr. Richai-d Scott
Byam to examine him, they reported on 9 June as
to his unfi^tness, and the petition was rejected.
May 27. The commissioners have left this Island,
having previously examined the Officers inspecting the
AVorks at the Ridge with more rigidness than was at first
expected.
September 21. William Woodley, now at St.
Kitts, to be Captain-General, etc., vice Shiiley
resigned.
1792, January 18. Governor Woodloy has taken
the " Farm," Dr. James Athill's, at £800 a year.
January 19. Rowland Burton takes his seat at
the Council. The Council and Assembly forward an
address to the King, reciting that owing to the dry
weather, the ravages of insect in the canes, and bad
trade there is so much distress that many of the
inhabitants have gone and settled at Trinidad ; they
therefore petition that one or two ports may be
declared fi-ee.
List of all the officers at Antigua.
Hon. Edw"! Byam, Treasurer & Judge of the Admiralty
Court.
Hon. John Gray, J. P., Master & Examiner in Chancery.
Hon. Thos. Jarvis, J. P.
Hon. Sara. Athill, J.P. & Surgeon to Great George Fort.
Hon. Tho. Freeman, J.P.
Hon. Row. Burton, Chief Justice & Chief Baron of
Exchequer & Registrar of Deeds.
Hon. Baptist Looby, Assistant Justice, L* Col. of Forts
& Puisne Judge of Exchequer.
Hon. Tho. Warner, Assistant Justice & J.P., Maj' of
Dragoons, Judge Advocate of Militia.
Hon. W™ Mackinnen, Assistant Justice.
Hon. John Burke, J.P., Solicitor Geni, & Gov' of Fort
James.
Rev. Jas. Lindsey, Arth. Freeman, John Frye, Cha.
Kerr, & Jn" Lavicount, Esq™% J.P.'s.
Philip Hicks, Esq., J.P. & Lieut. Col. of the Blue Reg'.
Boyce Ledwell, Esq., J.P. & Capt. of Johnsons Point
Fort.
Sam. Harman, Esq., J.P. & Adjutant Gen> of Forts.
James Athill, Esq., J.P. & Surgeons mate to Great
George Fort.
Sam. Martin, Esq., Collector at S' Johns & J.P.
Sam. Auchinleck, Esq., Collector at Parham.
W™ Jervis, Esq., Comptroller of S' Johns.
Rob. Clogstown, Esq., Dep. Naval Officer.
W" Entwisle, Esq., Searcher for S' Johns.
M"' Rich. Wright, W John Scholes, l AVaiters for S'
M'' Jn° Payne, & M'' Rob' Mack, J Johns.
M' Tho. Hawes, Waiter for Falmouth, M'' Corn.
Halloran, AYaiter fur Old Road, M-- Nich. Symes, AVaiter for
AVilloughby Bay.
AV™ Blizard Jarvis, Esq., Capt. of Fort James & Waiter
for Bermudian Valley.
W Rich. Chapman, AA^aiter & Searcher for Parham, M"'
Geo. Crump for Parham.
cxl
THE HISTOllY OP ANTIGUA.
M'' Tlio. Winter, admeasurer of ships.
Ricli. Bfiwman, Esq., Coroner.
.lohn M''Connell, Esq., Post Master.
Ricli. Scott Byam, Esq., Pliysician Gen' to Militia.
D'' Alex. M'^Pherson, Jn" Hill, Anthony P-rowne, & .las.
Doig, Esq'=-% Lieuts.
D"- Pat. Doig, Capt. Lieut., & James Hill, Capt. of
Grenadiers.
Jn° Symes, Lieut., Tho. Scotland. liieut. of Grenadiers,
& Hen. Jarvis, Ensign in the Blue Reg'.
W"' Mathews, Arthur Bull, & Tho. Hanson Halloran,
Esq™, Notaries Public.
Tho. Osborne, Esq., Major of Forts.
Walt. Colquhoun, Esq., Gunner of Monks Hill.
M'Jas. Robinson, sub-gunner & fire-master of Fort James.
Tho. T. Wise, Esq., adjutant of Fort James.
D' Arthur Robertson, Physician to Fort James.
Dan. Hill, Sen., Esq., Capt. of Great George Fort.
Tyrrell Herbert, Esq., Capt. of Fort Byam.
M'' W'" Bridgewater Thomas, Jl aster gunner of Fort
Byam.
M'' Sam. Carter, gunner of Johnsons Point Fort.
W'" Graveuor, Esq., Capt. & gunner of Queens Battery.
Tho. Ottley, Esq., adjutant of Fort George.
Andrew fuly Quinlan, Major, Rich. Hunt, Capt., W"
Richardson, Jn" Symes, Jn° Allan, Ben. Merchant, Ale.x.
Dow, Jas. Gibson, Lieuts., & King Pittman, Ensigns in the
Red Regt.
Jn" Day, I.,ieut. of the Independent Company >t
Interpreter.
Cha. Gordon, Capt. & Adjutant of the Red Reg'.
W"' Hen. Levingston, Capt., Rob. Farquharson, Capt.
Lieut., & Tho. Allen, Lieut, in the Independent Company.
Alex. Dover, Col', Jn° Rose, Jun., & Tho. Kentish,
Capt', Dan. Hill, Jun'', Capt. Lieut., Rob. .\nderson, Sam.
Lynch, Edw. Jones, Hen. Pearson. Jn" Wickham Mayer,
Lieuts., & Jn" Bott, quarter master in the Artillery.
Tho. Rogers, Esq., Capt. of a Squadron of Dragoons.
M'' Hen. Thomas, auctioneer.
Campbell Brown, Esq., Com'issary Gen'.
All the above take the oaths.
Sir "William Young, Bart., paid Antigua a short
visit, landing at the Old Eoad on Saturday, January
28. He wrote in his diary on January 30 : —
Went to S' John's, a large, & in many parts a well built
town, & the church an excellent building, as is likewise the
town or court house ; but the town itself has the appearance
of ruined trade & deserted habitancy. The country for 12
miles, from the old road plantation to S' John's, is open,
with very few trees or even shrubs, but beautiful in its swells
of ground, scarcely to be called hills, spotted with buildings,
& varied with inlets of the sea opening in different points
of view; high but infructuous cultivation cover every acre.
The roads are excellent, & every thing speaking the civilisa-
tion, art, & toil of man ; but nature answers not. Under
the drought all fails : heat, with little or no moisture,
generates nothing. Partial rains have this year, as often
before, given hope to the planter for his canes, & to the
negro for his provisions ; but the season has again failed, &
their hopes are blasted. The whole is a picture of disap-
pointment, in land, beast, & man. The negro houses are
excellent, & many of them are stone ; but no in-doors
can give the face of comfort & contentment, if all is wanting
beyond the threshold.
The negroes having little or no provisions from their
gi-ounds, are fed by allowance from the planters, many them-
selves in distress, which scants their allowance. On estates
in good condition, it is 12 quarts of corn, with 2 or 3 pounds
of salt provision per week.
(Edwards' ' Historical Survey of St. Domingo,' p. 282.)
August 1. Several plantations were destroyed by
a hurricane.
December 13. Bertie Entwisle called to the
Council by Governor Woodley.
Daring the 3'ears eighty-nine, ninety, and ninety-one,
so little rain fell in the islands of Saint Christophers,
Antigua, Nevis, and Montserrat, as to abridge their crops of
sugar near two-thirds in quantity. Saint Christopher, whose
medium produce is about seventeen thousand hogsheads,
made upon an average, for the last three years, little more
than six thousand. Antigua has been still more roughly
treated. (' The Case of the Sugar Colonies 1792,' p. 37.)
Negros have advanced in price from £12 to £15 a
head since the peace. Before, they sold at £42 or
£43, now they sell at £55 to £60 sterling. Freight
outward has risen ~ since the late war. Lumber
formerly brought from America fetched £4 5s.
currency a thousand ; it is now £10 13s. Flour, rice,
and fish have risen in almost equal proportions.
1793, February. Governor Woodley writes that
the French aristocrats from Guadaloujje have fled to
the English Islands ; Monsieur D'Arote, the late
Governor of Guadaloupe, is at St. Kitts, and there
are 3000 French emigres ready to take up arms for
England.
March 1 . Petition of Andrew M'^Clure, to pi'actise
Medicine, etc. Dr. Samuel Athill and Dr. Nathaniel
Marchant are ordered to report thereon. Robert
Farquhar was returned for Willoughby Bay vice Dr.
Thomas Fairburn resigned.
March 7. War was declared against France. Of
2420 Methodists only 36 were whites.
April 15. Tobago surrendered to Admiral Sir
John Laforey.
1793. In May H.M.S. "Experiment" arrived in English
Harbour from Grenada, in the greatest distress, having lost
almost all her men by fever. An artificer belonging to the
ordnance, who had gone on board, and slept in a blanket
belonging to one of the dead men, was seized with the fever,
and died in a few hours. The infection by means of this
blanket, which was carried on shore to the ordnance
quarters, with the wearing apparel of the deceased, as part
of his property, was communicated to the whole detachment
of artillery, and from them to the 31st regiment, then on
garrison duty. A boat's crew of the " Solebay " frigate were
sent on board the " Experiment" to assist in working her
into the harbour; they caught the infection and all died.
They had communicated the disease to the crew of their own
ship, of whom 200 perished. The contagion was carried to
S' Johns. (Dr. Chisolm on Fevers, quoted by Dr. Coke,
vol. ii., p. 419, and Southey.)
June 12. John Stanley, Esq., President of St.
Kitts, wi-ites : " Gov'' Woodley died 2 June last at
S' Kitts," and that he has taken on the government.
The English were unsuccessful in their I'ecent attack
on Martinic[ue.
October 4. J. Balfour writes from Curzon Street
recommending for a seat in the Council his near con-
nection Mr. John Otto-Baijer, sou of the late Presi-
dent of that name.
October 9. President Stanley has called up to the
Council Thomas Freeman, the late Speaker, and Wil-
liam Mackinnen, jun. He has learnt that there is a
severe outbreak of yellow fever now raging at
GEORGE III.
cxli
Grenada, which was iinpovted from Sierra Leone.
One hundred cases have ended fatally in the shii^ping
there, most of which terminated within 20 hours.
He forwards a list of estates at Guadaloupe, belonging
to French Eoyalists, which had been sequestrated by
the revolutionists ; their revenue averaged between
50 and 150,000 livres each per annum.
On October 24 a writ was issued for St. John's
Division vice Benjamin Ireland deceased, and on the
27th Edward Byam, jun., was retui-ned for Old North
Sound and Abraham Redwood for Popeshead.
December 31. There is gi'eat mortality in the
21st Regiment stationed at the Ridge under the
command of Colonel Graham.
1794, March 20. Mr. Joseph Weston, Mr. Adam
Ogilvie, Mr. John Harris, Mr. James Watson, jun.,
and Mr. Thomas Edwards to join the Troop.
Martinique surrendered to Sir Charles Grey and
Admiral Sir John Jervis on March 22, St. Lucia on
April 4, and Guadaloupe on April 21.
Sir John Jervis writes f i-om Martinique that Fort
St. Louis and Fort Royal were stormed on 20 March,
Fort Bourbon then surrendered, also the Morne
Fortunee on 3 April, and by 22 April all the French
Islands had been captured by us.
June 21. Two hundred French Royalist refugees,
with 300 slaves, arrived at St. John's.
September 18. Samuel Harman to be of the
Council : Major-General Leigh is expected as the new
Captain-Genei'al. The English troops under Sir
Charles Grey are at present occupying a portion of
Guadaloupe.
October 2. Mr. Charles M. Ledeatt, Philip D.
Harris, and Henry Donovan to join the Troop.
November 13. Richard Scott Byam and Samuel
Watkins take the oaths and their seats at the Council
Board. President Stanley writes that the Hon. Wil-
liam Mackinnen died on his passage to England in
June last.
1795, January 9. The government of Guadaloupe
is offered to President Stanley.
January 17. From a list that was taken of the
French emigres from Guadaloupe, now residing at
Antigua, it appears that there were 112 men, 144
women, 197 children, and 969 slaves.
President Stanley left for England, and his first
letter to Ministers was dated 1 November from
Falmouth.
From 1795 to 1800 inclusive the various Presi-
dents omitted to forward copies of the Minutes of
the Council and Assembly to the Secretary of State.
1796, May 25. St. Lucia re-captured by General
Sir Ralph Abercrombie.
July 7. Archibald Esdaile, President of St. Kitts,
writes that His Excellency Major-General Leigh's
health is bad, and that he sailed for England on the
3rd instant, leaving the government in his hands.
Sep. 25. In the Island of St. Christopher, the Hon.
Archibald Esdaile, president of that island, master in
chancery, judge of the admiralty, and (in the absence of
Major-gen. Leigh) commander of the Leeward islands.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' 1797, p. 164.)
Sep. 29. At Antigua, where he had been for some
months on account of his health, his Excellency Henry Hamil-
ton, esq., governor of the island of Dominica, etc. {Ibid.)
October. John J. Thomas, President of St. Kitts,
writes that Archibald Esdaile* having died he has
succeeded him.
October 5. Spain declared war against England.
December 14. A meeting was held in London
this day for the purpose of organizing combined
opposition to Wilberforce's slave bill then before the
House. The following Members of Parliament, who
were all owners of West Indian estates, attended : —
Sir Rich. Gamon. M'' Lewis. Lord Lavington.
M'- Nesbitt. M"' Colhoun. M"- M^Douall.
Sir Cha. Bunbury. M'' Petrie. M'' G. Ellis.
Mr Cha. Ellis. M-- G. W. Thomas. Sir. G. Webster
M"' Barham. M"' B. Edwards. Vassal.
Sir W" Young. M'' Lushington. M'' M. Tudway.
M'- Manning. M"' Mitchell. Sir G. Thomas.
M'- Praed.
1797, February 14. President Thomas writes that
Captain Molloy is dead, who held the office of Regis-
trar-General in the Admiralty, and was Naval Officer-
General of these Islands, so he has appointed his
brother James Thomas in his place.
May 11. Robert Thomson, President of St. Kitts,
writes that President Thomas died on 15 April, and
that he has taken on the supreme command.
1798, Antigua, Jan. 28. On the 13"^ inst. died, at
English Harbour, Charles Peterson, Esq., first Lieutenant of
his Majesty's ship Perdrix. This event was occasioned by
a dispute between the deceased and Lord Camclford, upon
the right of commanding at English Harbour. Ld. C. com-
manded his Majesty's sloop of war, the Favourite, by virtue
of an order or warrant from Admiral Harvey ; and M^ P.
(though an older Lieutenant than Ld. C.) had lately served
on board that ship under his command ; but having been
removed to the Perdrix, and Ld. C. not having a commission
as master and commander, M' P. being then at English
Harbour, supposed himself to be the commanding officer,
and under that idea issued some orders to Ld. C. which were
answered by other orders from Ld. C. to M-^ P. Upon W
P.'s refusal to obey these orders, a Lieutenant with a party .
of marines were sent to put him under arrest, and M'' P.
prepared for resistance, and ordered the crew of the Perdrix
to arm in his defence. But before any conflict took place,
Ld. C. arrived, went up to M'' P. demanded if he would obey
his orders or not ; and upon being answered in the negative,
he immediately shot him dead upon the spot. An inquest
was taken by the Coroner the next day ; but the Jury, not
being willing to take upon themselves the determination of
the question upon whom the command at English Harbour
had devolved, found only that deceased had been shot by
Lord Camelford in consequence of a mutiny. A Court-
Martial has since been held on board his Majesty's ship
Invincible, in Fort Royal Bay, by WiUiam Cay ley, Esq.,
Captain of his Majesty's ship Invincible, and Senior Captain
of his Majesty's ships and vessels in Fort Royal Bay, Mar-
tinique, President ; Captains J. Mainwaring, Charles Ekins,
Richard Brown and Alexander Burrowes.
The Court being duly sworn, proceeded to try Lord
Camelford ; and having heard the whole of the evidence
adduced on the occasion, and what the prisoner had to offer
in his defence, and maturely and deliberately weighed and
considered the same, and being fully sensible of the necessity
• In the churchyard of St. Thomas, Middle Island, St. Kitts :
" Sacred to the memory of the Hon. Archibald Esdaile, Esquire, late
Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands. Died Septr. 25'' 1796,
Ul." .
cxlii
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
of prompt measures in cases of mutiny, were unanimously of
opinion that " the very extraordinary and manifest dis-
obedience of Lieutenant Peterson, both before and at the
instant of his death, to the lawful orders of Lord Camelford,
the senior officer at English Harbour at that time, and the
violent measures taken by Lieutenant Peterson to resist the
same, by arming the Perdris's ship's company, were acts of
mutiny highly injurious to the discipline of his Majesty's
service. The Court do therefore unanimously adjudge, that
the Right Honourable Lord Camelford be honourably
acquitted ; and he is hereby honourably acquitted accord-
ingly." (' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 345.)
Lord Camelford fell in a duel with Capt. Best in March
1804.
In 1794 there were eigMeen Members of Council
at Antigua, and of these Charles Winston resides
at Domiuica ; John Horsford, Lockhart Russell,
Thomas Freeman, and William Mackinnen are dead.
March 2. At a meeting of the General Council
at St. Kitts thei-e were present Richard lies. Presi-
dent, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas J. Cottle, William
Woodley, Sir Patrick Blake, Bart., James Athill,
John Taylor, Edward B. Wyke, Esqrs. By their
printed journal it seems that the members of the
General Council were all appointed by the Captain-
General under his hand and seal. The oldest Coun-
cillor by seniority always took the chair. The
members of the General Assembly were elected by
each local assembly from among their own numbers,
and there were five sent up from each island. They
were called together at the present time to consider
the late resolution about slaves which had been
agreed to by the House of Commons on 6 April 1797,
A forced abolition of the slave trade had been aban-
doned, but they were advised to take all possible care
of their slaves, so that they might increase by propa-
gation and not by importation from Africa. Leprosy
also was veiy ju-evalent among the blacks. They
drafted an Act to suspend the 4^ per cent. duty.
On 21 April 1798 they drew up and passed a
lengthy Act for the improvement of the condition of
slaves, usually styled the " Amelioration Act." This
was the outcome of a resolution of the House of
Commons passed on the 6th April 37 George III.,
having for its object the abolition of slave traffic
with Africa (which caused a great waste of human
life), and the general improvement of the social
condition of the negros, so that there might be a
natural increase in their numbers by the preponder-
ance of births over deaths. By this Amelioration
Act it was enacted that slaves should receive certain
fixed rations, that they were to have allotments close
to their huts, aud that they could not be worked
before five a.m. nor after seven p.m., an allowance of
two and a half hours for meals being also deducted.
Any owner found guilty of ill-treating his slave was
to sufPer fiue or imprisonment ; and his slave could be
sold. All iron collars and chains were declared
illegal. Owners were to be compelled to provide for
medical attendance, etc., and to erect a hospital.
Slaves were to be encouraged to live together as hus-
band and wife, and a five dollar premium was offered
for each child born.
Their Lordships despatched pressing letters to
several members of the Antiguan Council who had
outstayed their leave, to which the foUowiug replied :
Bertie Entwisle writes from Tavistock Street 13
March that he intends returning to the Island.
William Mackinnen, from Exeter 14 March, will not
return. Martin Byam, 15 March, desires extension
of leave. Sir John Ogilvy, at Edinburgh 16 March,
win not return.
July 28. Lord Lavington writes from Argyll
Street to the Duke of Portland (shortly after his
stay with his Grace at Bulstrode) offering his services
as Captain-General.
December 21. Having heard of the reported
despatch of the 8th West India Regiment to Antigua,
James Athill the Speaker, on behalf of his colleagues,
addresses Lieut.-General Bowyer, and informs him
that the people entertain great abhorrence for the
black troops. The Council indorse this in their
letter to President Byam, and consider that " we
ought not to lose a single moment in attempting to
avert this abominable evil." They say further that
the men of the Black Regiment are totally un-
acquainted with our language and customs, have no
idea of religion, are in a barbarous and uncivilized
state, and might overpower the whites. Lieut.-
General Bowyer replies that Antigua has eight com-
panies of the 59th and two of the 60th, and politely
refuses to countermand anything. 37,808 slaves in
Antigua valued at £40 each equals £1,512,320.
1799. The United Brethren have in the Island of
Antigua three settlements ; one at S' Johns, another called
Grace Hill near Monks, and the third Grace Bay in Old
Road Town. The Negroe Congregation under their care
consisted at the beginning of 1798 in all 3 Places : —
Out of 7,070 Adults.
1,.526 Children.
8,51)6 Baptized.
969 Candidates for Baptism.
1,540 New People.
Total sum 11,105, besides those who appear now and then.
Upon the whole have been baptized since the beginning
of the Mission in 1756 up to this Date according to our
Church Books : —
3,933 Men.
5,676 Women.
2,'l78 Children, viz. -[ J'^^j ^P^^"
' ' I 1,124 Gms.
11,787
S* Johns, August 1'' 1798, Henry Christian Tsehirpe,
Minister of the Church of the United Brethren.
An Account of the Number of Negro slaves in Com-
munion with the Methodists in the Island of Antigua : —
Communicants . . 635
Baptised Adults . . 2115
Ditto Infants . . . 1320
4070
Antigua, 13"^ October 1798, John Baxter, Superintendent
of the Methodists in Antigua.
1799, January 20. Lord Lavington to be Gover-
nor.
April 10. On account of the large crop this year
and the scarcity of British shipping. President
GEOEGE III.
cxliii
Thomson Las allowed six months' trade with Ameri-
cans so that our colonists may barter sugar for
lumber and provisions.
June 6. The Act passed by the Legislature of
the Islands to admit all Eoman Catholics to equal
rights with Protestants is disallowed.
June 11. Pi'esident Thomson writes that he has
appointed John Burke (who has been Solicitor-
General 14 years) Attorney-General vice John Stan-
ley deceased, and Thomas Tuckett, a King's Counsel
of the Leeward Islands, Solicitor-General vice John
Bm-ke. Mr. Robert Clogstown to be searcher at St.
John's vice William Entwisle deceased.
June 26. The Act passed by the General Council
and Assembly doing away with the 4i per cent, duty
is disallowed this day. The Melioration Act is now
in force and works well.
July 1. The Secretary of State writes to the
President to at once stop trade with the Americans,
and severely censures him.
September 12. The President has called up John
Horsford to the Council. From 1 January 1797 to
31 December 1799, 1330 negros had been imj^orted
to St. John's and 392 exported. Eight thousand
three hundred hogsheads of sugar exported.
1801, Janiiary 17. John Otto-Baijer takes his
seat at the Council.
February 12. Lord Lavington arrived.
February 15. At a meeting of the Assembly
there were present : —
Hon. Jas. Atliill, Speaker.
Jn° Ronan. Ja" x\thill. Edw. Jones.
Philip Hicks. Kean B. Osborn. And. Edwards.
The. Kirwan. W"" Shervingtou. Oliver Y. Ash.
Dau. Hill, Jun. Val. Horsford.
Tho. Scotland. Walt. Colquhoun.
Absent : Hon. Jn° Burke, Hon. Jn° Taylor, Alex.
M<^Pherson, TV" Lockbead, & Paul Horsford, Esq'■=^ ^
Olf the Island: Hon. Nath. Marchant, R. 0. Athill,
T. D. Harman, Jn» Frye, Tho. "Warner, & Tho. Osborn.
Lord Lavington says that the Minutes of the
Council, from neglect on the part of the various
Commanders in Chief, have not been sent home for
several years past, a matter which he intends to
immediately rectify.
February 26. Dr. Michael Hodges presents his
diploma and is licensed.
March 6. Robert Colquhoun returned for St.
John's Division vice Thomas Osborne deceased.
Mar. 24. His Lordship writes " On the Evening of
Monday the 16* the General and Admiral sail'd from S'
Johns Road in the Leviathan of 74 Guns, with the South-
ampton of 32, Andromache 32, Calcutta (en flute) 44,
Drake 16, two Tenders of 10 Guns each, two Troop Ships,
and the Army Brig. Their Troops consisted of about 400
Men of the 8'" West India Regiment, of more than that
Number of the Buffs, of about 100 of the eS"", of the same
Number of the 11'", of as many of the 57'", and of about 100
of Artillery, besides the Marines of the Squadron and a
Portion of Seamen. On the 20"' Instant the Proselyte
arriv'd here, having under her Convoy ten Transports, con-
veying the first Battalion of the Royals, and the 64"' Regi-
ment, consisting of above 800 Men each; and on the 2P''
the Coromandel brought hither from Trinidad the 2"^ West
India Regiment, consisting of 400 Men under the command
of Colonel Carmichel. To each of these Bodies of Rein-
forcement I gave the secret Rendezvous which the Admiral
left with me. Gen' Trigge & Admiral Duckworth com-
manded.
May. Proposals made to build a government
house.
June 8. By Letters Patent, dated 12 August 41
Geo. III., Barbuda was again leased to .Christopher
Codrington and trustees for 50 yeai's.
June 13. The sums voted from the four Islands
to Lord Lavington, which have hitherto amounted to
£2600 a year, have been now augmented to £5000 a
year. Mr. Johnson, who was Commander in Chief
before Sir Thomas Shirley's arrival, emigrated later
to Trinidad then to St. Lucia, where he now holds a
subordinate post in the Custom House. President
Byam forwards his memorial to the Secretary of
State asking for a salary. The Lieut.-Governor, who
holds the commission, lives in England, does nothing,
and draws €200 a year. Petitioner, on the other
hand, who has heavy duties to perform, became
President on 7 April 1789, and was first a Councillor
on 30 November 1769.
July 16. Henry Hodge was returned for Dickin-
son's Bay vice Thomas Warner resigned. The
Assembly refer to " £3000 lodged in the hands of
Thomas Oliver, Esquire, of London, for the purpose
of procuring a new Silver Coinage for this Island."
August 13. Thomas D. Harman, returned for New
North Sound, is sworn. Anthony Brown is Agent.
September 10. John Duncombe Taylor was
returned for Belfast vice William Lockhead resigned ^
also Thomas Coull for Old Road vice Paul Horsford.
By an Act, dated at St. Kitts 8 June 1795, £600 a
year is paid as salary to the President Edward Byam.
October 29. John Lavicount was returned for
Old North Sound vice John Frye resigned. Archi-
bald Dow's eleven aci'es at the Ridge with the tene-
ment, etc., have been valued at £8345 currency.
They have been taken over for fortification.
November 30. His Lordship held a grand recep-
tion in St. John's Church, where he invested Lieut.-
General Sir Thomas Trigge and Rear-Admiral Sir
John Duckworth with the Insignia of the Bath.
An account of this appeared in the ' Antigua Journal '
for 8 December. Colonel Valentine Horsford, Hon.
Colonel James Athill, Hon. Colonel Gunthorpe, Hon.
Colonel Kerby, and Brigadier-General Edward Byam,
attended the ceremony as Aids-de-camj) to the
Governor.
1802, March 27. By the treaty of Amiens Spain
ceded Trinidad to England, and the latter gave up
Tobago, Martinique, and St. Lucia to France ; but
the compact was broken within a few months and
the war continued. It is decided by the Assembly
that a large haU, with two rooms over, shall be added
to the Governor's official residence, the " Parsonage
House."
July 1. The late President, Robert Thomson, is
dismissed from the Council of St. Kitts, and the Rev.
Samuel W. Hannan, a native of Antigua, appointed
in his place.
cxliv
THE HISTORY OP ANTIGUA.
November 1. Preliminaries of peace witli France
signed.
Dec. 17. Lord Lavington writes: A most inveterate
Yellow Fever which was some time ago unfortunately intro-
duced into this Island by Two Transport Ships in his
Majesty's Service, and against which no human Prudence
nor precautionary Foresight could provide, has, since my
last letter to your Lordships of the 3'-'' of November, raged
into an irresistable Violence in this unhappy Island, and its
desolating Progress has carried off many of the most valuable
and respectable Inhabitants of it.
Few persons who have been attacked by this fatal
Malady have escaped almost immediate Death.
The Church bells which announ'd the Number of its
Victims were tolling almost continually from Morning till
Night until Orders were given to suspend the Ceremony, in
Order to prevent the Horror of this hourly Mortality from
reaching the Ears of those who were labouring under the
Disease, but had not arrived at the last Stage of it. The
Emerald Frigate, on board of which I was a few Weeks ago
on the Point of embarking for the Purpose of visiting the
leeward Parts of my Government, was suddenly invaded by
the Pestilence, and lost two of her Lieutenants, Three of her
Midshipmen, and Seventy of her Crew. My own Family
remained for a considerable Time unhurt by the Contagion,
and for a while, I fondly flattered myself would escape it ;
but it at length reached the Government House, and suc-
cessively swept away every white Person whom I brought
with me from England, for different Situations in my Family.
It has not spared those who were most immediately about my
Person. A faithful and attached Servant who had been the
constant Attendant on my Person for the hist Nineteen
Years, sunk under the Disease a very few Days ago ; and
Yester Morning he was followed both by my principal and
confidential Secretary (after scarcely two days' illness)
and (at as short a notice) by the last surviving Servant of
my Family, who had the entire care and Direction of all my
household affairs. On 29 Dec. the Epidemic was abating.
Daniel Mackinnen visited this his native island
during- the autumn. He published in 1804 ' A Tour
through the British West Indies,' in which pages
55 — 75 are devoted to a description of his stay here.
1803, January 31. His Lordship writes that the
yellow fever has vanished after three months' dura-
tion. From the military returns made there are in
garrison here of the Royal Artillery 32, 39th Eegi-
ment 465, 11th West India Regiment 184; total 681.
In February M'' Thomas Richardson, a Methodist
missionary, made the following report of the state of that
sect in Antigua : The society in .\ntigua consists of about
4000 Blacks and Midattoes, including a very small number
of Whites. In the congregations in the towns the proportion
of Whites is not more than 1 to 40. In S' .lohn's we have
a commodious chapel, which is geueraUy crowded with hearers.
In Parham, distant about 8 miles, we have another, which is
well attended ; & also a dwelling house, with other con-
veniences for the preacher. At Willoughby, 8 miles from
Parham & 15 from S' Johns, they are going to build a
chapel. Besides these places of worship the pi-eachers get
large congregations in Negro houses in all parts of the
country ; but they are obliged to lodge & board at their own
expence. There are in the island 6 or 8 local preachers,
besides several coloured women, who are very useful &
possess considerable abilities for prayer & exhortation. The
women in S' Johns hold public meetings every week. I
once got into a corner where they Could not see me, & was
astonished at their eloquence & unction. Their abilities far
exceed those of most of the women I have heard speak or
pray in England ; and, what is better still, they are patterns
of genuiue piety. (Southey).
April 8. Vast quantities of base coin have been
introduced here from England and America. The
Legislature hope to obtain a silver and copper coin-
age for this island.
May. W. A. Mardenbrough is the present Soli-
citor-General of these islands. Lord Lavington
complains that President Robert Thomson refuses to
account to him for his moiety of what has accrued
in the way of fees, etc., before his arrival, but claims
the whole. The Secretary of State decides that
during the absence of the Captain-General one
moiety only of all fees and perquisites belongs to the
Commander-in-Chief for the time being, and the
other moiety must be paid to the former.
June 22. St. Lucia was captured by Commodore
Sir Samuel Hood and General Grinfield. Tobago
surrendered to them on 30 June, and in September
Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice.
July 15. Owing to the death of the Hon. B.
Entwisel and the departure of the Hon. Samuel
Athill the Governor has appointed Mr. James Athill
the Speaker, Mr. Thomas D. Harman, and Mr. John
Lavicount to seats at the Council. Mr. Edward
Byam Wyke, the second member in seniority of the
Montserrat Council, having removed to Antigua, has
resigned. The old Members of Assembly have all
been re-elected. It has been the custom to dissolve
them every seven years.
July 30. Letters of Marque are to be issued
against the Batavian Republic.
Upon the 5th of September H.M.S. "Emerald "
fell in with thirteen armed schooners with 700 troops
from Guadaloupe, destined to attempt the destruction
of the dockyard at Antigua. She captured three of
them, and drove the rest back under their own
batteries. Sugar had attained very high pi-ices
during the four previous years, and was highest in
1798.
November 7. A swoi'd of £200 value is voted to
Captain James O'Bryen of the " Emerald " for
cutting out three privateers at Guadaloupe on 5 Sep-
tember last, which prevented the French executing
their proposed descent on English Harbour.
1804, January 1. Military returns : Royal Artil-
lery 52, 1st Battalion Royals 206, 64th Regiment 249,
70th Regiment 425, 4th West India Regiment 128,
total 1060.
In June the Methodist missionary at Antigua reported
the numbers in society on that island to be 22 Whites &
3516 Blacks & people of colour, & that not less than 300
had died during the year. He says : We had scarcely any
rain for 5 months ; I am obliged to ride 3 miles to get water
for my horse. (Southey.)
1805. The French fleet which surprised St. Kitts
on 5 March consisted of one 120-gun ship, four
74's, and three 44's. They took from Basseterre
£18,000 and £8000 currency in cash in return for
not plundering the town ; at Nevis they took £4112
currency; and at Montserrat £7500 currency.
GEORGE III.
cxly
Admiral Messery and General Lagrange were their
Commanders.
May 1. Lord Lavington invests Commodore Sir
Samuel Hood with the Order of the Bath. He sends
home a list of the French ships under Admiral
Villeneuve, and of the Spanish under Admiral
Gravina, which have on board from 10 to 16,000
troops.
June 8. The whole of the enemy's fleet uuder
Admiral Villeneuve was off St. John's this day. Lord
Lavington had hastily mustered 500 men during the
preceding night, as a landing was hourly expected.
H.M.S. "Netley" arrived with the disastrous intelli-
gence that the fourteen ships with the produce of
Antigua to the value of £300,000 had been captured
by the French fleet on the 8th instant. Lord Nelson,
who was in close pursuit of the French, anchored off
St. John's on the 13th instant with twelve line of
battle ships, shortly after their departure, and,
refusing to waste time in landing, wrote to Lord
Lavington from on board the " Victory," expressing
" his determination not to lose one Moment in
pushing after the Enemy," and his persuasion " that
they were gone to Cadiz and Toulon, flattering them-
selves with the Hopes of getting Egypt, dui-ing his
Absence, which they should not do if he could help
it." Nelson then disembarked 2000 troops. H.M.S.
"Kingfisher" sloop and H.M.S. « Osprey " fell in
with the thirteen Antiguan ships which were in the
company of five French frigates. The enemy was
seen to set fire to all of them, and the "Kingfisher"
and " Osprey " then hastily retired. There has been
no year of abundance since 1799. John Lillingston
Pownall, son of John Pownall, Provost -Marshal-
General of the Leeward Islands, deceased, for himself
and his brother George Pownall, petitions about the
fees. Their patent was dated 7 June 11 George III.
on the death of Richard Phelps, Esq. Only 3200
hogsheads of sugar exported. Population, 3000
whites, 1300 free coloured and blacks, 36,000
slaves.
1806, January 9. The Legislature send an
address to the King on receipt of the joyful news
of the glorious victory at Trafalgar, and express
their grief at hearing of the death of the heroic Lord
Nelson.
July 3. The whole of the Leeward Islands fleet
and convoy weighed from under Brimstone Hill,
St. Kitts, at twelve noon, and the French squadron
with four large two-deckers hove in sight at one p.m.
Our ships were not discovered and escaped, but had
they delayed sailing by a few minutes their capture
would have been inevitable. Mr. Thomas Donovan
and his son George rendered themselves very ob-
noxious by writing home and slandering the Courts
of Judicature. Their statements were considered by
all sides to be false and libellous.
July. Real'- Admiral Sir A. Cochran has been
invested with the Insignia of the Bath by Lord
Lavington. From a list of the Council it seems that
Robert Jeaffresou had been absent since July 1792,
WiUiam Gunthorpe since 1802, James Nibbs since
1799, Samuel Harman since 1794, and John Horsford
since 1800.
The mandamus for Thomas Duberry Harman to
be of the Council bears date 25 December and that
of John Lavicount 26 December.
Table of the Prices, Charges, and
Weight of Sugar. (' Bryan
Proceeds of a Hundred
Edwards,' vol. v.)
a)
•n
S)
U
<U
Si
•^tA
d
Cj
O. U
S5
'3
ti^
1
13
%^.
II
3
V7i
;g
li
* ■£
0H
•a
- c
0,9
N F
u
o
... ja
« 5
s
u
H
<0
"S a,
o
A
a
fe
^1
s.
s.
s.
1.
*.
i.
I.
1791 .
55
67
12
8
20
46
30
1792 .
57
69
12
8
20
48
31
1793 .
58
70
12
12
24
46
29
1794 .
39
54
15
12
27
27
17
1795 .
62
77
15
12
27
49
32
1796 .
63
77
15
12
27
44
32
1797 .
64
81
17
13
30
51
33
1798 .
66
86
19
13
32
53
34
1799 .
55
75
20
13
33
41
26
1800 .
54
74
20
13
33
40
26
1801 .
44
64
20
14
34
30
19
1802 .
34
54
20
14
34
20
13
1803 .
43
67
24
10
34
33
21
1804 .
53
80
26
14
40
39
25
1805 .
49
76
27
14
41
34
22
1806 .
41
08
27
15
42
26
16
1807, February 28. Hastings Elwin is appointed
Advocate-General vice Burke resigned. Mr. Elwin
is of a respectable family in Norfolk.
March 25. Act passed by the House of Commons
for the abolition of the slave trade.
August 13. William Woodley, President of St.
Kitts, writes that Lord Lavington died at Antigua
on the 1st instant, and he has taken on the govern-
ment.
August 18. At a meeting of the Assembly there
were present : —
Hon. Jn" Taylor, Speaker.
Jn° Burke.
Jn" Ronan.
The. Kirwan.
Dan. Hill, jun.
K. B. Osborn.
Edw. Jones.
0. Y. Ash.
Hen. Hodge.
Tho. Coull.
Rich. L. Nanton.
L. L. Hodge.
Jn" Hall.
Sam. Warner.
John Javvis.
John Hanney.
Tho. Rogers.
Jas. Gilchrist.
Hastings Elwin.
W" Lee.
Mead Daniel.
Tho. Jarvis.
Off the Island : Andrew Edwards, W™ Briuton, Jn" D.
Taylor.
Thomas N. Kerby offers to sell his house and
land to the public for £13,000 currency, also to add
certain buildings to the Parsonage House.
September 8. President Woodley has nominated
John Woodley as Solicitor and Proctor-Geueral of
these islands vice William Anthony Mardenborough
deceased.
September 17. The Legislature vote 1000 guineas
for the erection of a monument to the late Lord
Lavington in St. John's Church.
November 25. Samuel Otto-Baijer was returned
for St. John's Division vice John Duncombe Taylor
resigned.
Dec'' 3. M' Tho. Sinclair writes from Antigua &
reminds their Lordships that they had recommended him as
Solicitor Gen' but he finds that M'' Jefferson (never Knighted)
had ceased to be a judge these 1 5 years, M"" Jas. Athill having
in 1792 been appointed his successor. M'' Elwyn is Lord
Lavingtons Executor. The Chief Justice has nosalary, the fees
for writs & warrants may be £300 a year. Lord Abercorn
is his patron.
cxlvi
THE HISTORY OF ANTIGUA.
The Council of Antigua object to the President
of St. Kitts being always next in command. In
vol. xlv. B. T. Leeward Islands is bound a copy of the
Antiguan Almanack, printed at the Gazette Office
on the Parade, 40 pages.
1807. The following clergy are now on the island : —
Sam. Harman Rector of S' John's
Fra. Massett „ S' Peter's.
Geo. Collins „ S* Phillip's.
Josiah Weston „ S' Mary's.
Arthur Freeman „ S' Paul's.
James Coull „ S' George's.
Nath. Humphreys is Private Sec. to the Capt. Gen'.
Paul Horsford, Hastings Elwin, & Oliver Yeamans Ash, are
King's Counsell for these Islands. The L' Gov'' is L' Col.
Rob. Mathews. Jn° Taylor, Speaker.
December. The Danish Islands of St. Thomas,
St. John, etc., taken by us.
1808. The following account of a visit to Antigua in
July of this year may prove interesting. It is taken from
' A Voyage in the West Indies,' by .John Augustus Waller,
Surgeon R.N. : —
The brig sent to convey me to the commander-in-chief
was called the Pultusk : she returned immediately to Tortola,
and remained there two clays to complete her watering, when
we sailed for Antigua. This vessel had been a French
privateer, and was accounted the fastest sailer on the station;
she had, in consequence, been very successful. As she was
to undergo a repair, we proceeded to English-harbour, where
the only dock-yard of importance on this station is
established. This harbour is large, and deep enough to
admit ships of any size, although the entrance is so narrow,
that they are obliged to be warped in. It is agreeably
situated, surrounded on all sides by lofty hills covered with
shrubs. On the top of the ridges to the right and left as
you enter, are spacious and commodious barracks ; and at
the bottom of the harbour, which winds in a very picturesque
manner round the projecting promontories, stands the Naval
Hospital, on an elevated but not well-chosen spot. There
is no town here, though this arsenal is the principal one on
the station, and a number of men-of-war are constantly here
for repair. The principal town (St. John's) is on the west
side of the island, about twelve miles from this place : the
squadron was at this time lying there, though the Admiral
with his staff were at English-harbour. Ships of war
seldom come here but for the purpose of refitting, as this is
one of the most unhealthy spots in the West Indies ; at
least, there are more seamen die here every year than in the
whole Leeward Island station besides, with the exception of
Barbadoes. The sicuation itself is unhealthy, being so sur-
rounded that the ventilation is impeded, and the heat
becomes intolerable. Indeed, there seems to be no spot in
these countries but what is from time to time visited by the
yellow fever, which renders them the grave of Europeans.
But the causes of fever here are accumulated : the men are
employed at severe labour in the dock-yard beneath a verti-
cal sun ; and in spite of the severest discipline, find the
means of procuring rum at an easy rate a temptation no
sailor can withstand. If they see a single individual of sober
habits fall a victim, it is a sufficient argument to them that
temperance is no security, and they may as well enjoy the
luxuries while within their reach. When the ships are under
repair, the crews are crowded all together into a long build-
ing called the Capstan-house, which, notwithstanding all the
precautions taken to insure ventilation and cleanliness, has
ever been a hot-bed of disease. So.f atal has English-harbour
proved to our seamen, that the commander-in-chief, Sir
Alexander Cochrane, who has always evinced the utmost
sobcitude for the health of the men, has given strict orders
with respect to this place. No captain is to go in here unless
by positive orders ; and the ships that prove sickly are fitted
with all possible dispatch, and sent out to sea, where they
become very soon healthy. It has been in contemplation to
remove the hospital, as a much greater proportion of men
were found to die here than at Barbadoes. The present
situation has a swamp to windward of it ; and many men
have never been affected with the fever until sent to the
hospital with some other complaint. The projected removal
to a height which enjoys the sea-breeze, is certainly very
desirable. The chief surgeon. Dr. Cummins, had very
recently fallen ; his successor, Mr. Hardy, an amiable
and accomplished young man and a profound scholar, had
just settled himself there. He had been four years in the
country as surgeon to the Jason frigate ; and he told me
that, during all that time, he had never felt even a headache.
A few weeks after my departure he too sunk under this
dreadful visitation. Whole ships' companies have been swept
off twice over, during their repair at this pestiferous station.
As the squadron was to proceed immediately to Marie
Gallante, I took a passage in a store-ship to S* John's, where
the ships were anchored at a considerable distance from the
town ; and, as we sailed early the next morning, 1 had no
opportunity of visiting it. I was informed, however, that
it was more regular and handsome than any of the other
English towns in this country. The island of Antigua is
the most considerable of the Leeward Islands; it is of much
greater extent than even Barbadoes, and is highly cultivated.
The rum produced here is equal to that of Jamaica, and is
in great esteem throughout the islands. There is no doubt
but the head-quarters of the station would be fixed here ;
but that the island of Barbadoes is situated so far to wind-
ward of all the rest, as to afford the greatest facility of
sending immediately any military aid to any of the other
islands. The packets likewise from England arrive there
for the same reason, and take the Leeward Islands in their
way home.
March 3. Robert Colquhouu was returned for
Belfast.
March 31. Captain James O'Bryen, E.N., owing
to the abolition of the slave trade, applies to have
100 negros apprenticed to him for fifteen years, as
he has purchased an estate at Antigua, and quotes
as a precedent that Admiral Sir Alexander Cochran
was granted 100 for his estate at Trinidad.
The Government of the Leeward Islands is worth
£4000 sterling per annum, including house rent
made up thus : —
Net.
Home Salary £1200 c. estimated £850
Island Salaries £5500 c. „ 2750
Chancery fees & perquisites . . 500
£4100 steriing.
Barbados is worth jgI050 sterling a year more.
Antigua currency is ^ sterling.
May. An Antigua paper communicates the following
distressing accident : — While the Circe frigate lay in Fal-
mouth Harbour, one of her boats upset ; when Lieutenant
Howes, a seaman, and a woman, were drowned. Fourteen
other persons, officers, seamen, and women had the good
fortune to escape, the accident occurring near the ship. At
break of day next morning, a centinel discovered two sharks
devouring the bodies of the unfortunate Lieutenant and sea-
man ; when the boats immediately put off, and with difficulty
rescued their remains in a state of sad mutilation from the
voracious fish. Those of the unfortunate woman were
searched for in vain. The bodies of Lieut. Howes and the
seaman were decently interred.
(' Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 453.)
GEORGE III.
cxlvii
July 4. Peace with Spain declared.
October 26. The draft commission for Hugh
EUiot to be Captain-General is approved by the King,
and a warrant ordered to be prepared.
1809. List of officers and their fees.
John Woodley, a barrister, is Procurator Gen' of the
Leew'' Islands, worth £450 c. or £236 st. a year.
A. P. Molloy, Naval Officer, has £1050 c. a year by fees.
His Deputy pays £840 c. for the office. Clerk hire amounts
to £60 c, & the nett receipts to the Deputy are £150 c. or
£75 St.
A waiter in the Customs gets £35 st. a year payable out
of the H per cent. duty.
Josiah Martin, in England, Collector of S' John's, was
appointed July 1795 by the Board of Customs by warrant
fi-om the Treasury for life. £500 st. a year is paid to the
previous holder, who became superannuated in 1795 after 20
years' service.
James Chalmers, Surveyor Gen', no salary, fees about
£88 c, is Manager of the Pasture Estate of Tho. Langford
Brooke called the "Old Plantation."
Kichard Weston Nauton, Notary Public, about £200 c.
a year by fees.
John Lillington Pownall, Provost Marshal Gen', £2700 c.
from fees. The Deputy is Tho. Berkeley, whose rent is
£400, other expenses £700 c. John Roberts has a lease
from Tho. Berkeley. Net receipt to Jn" Roberts £1200 c.
The clerks baibffs jail fees, etc., all have to be paid.
Anthony J. P. Molloy, Naval Officer. His Deputy is
Hastings Elwin. The Deputy for Antigua is John Roberts.
Gross receipts £1350 c. Rent to Hastings Elwin £850 c.
Clerk costs £100. Nett receipts to John Roberts £400 c.
John Taylor, Speaker, is now aged 64.
Tho. Norbury Kerby, Casual Receiver, £507 c.
Rowl'' Burton, Registrar, £700 c. gross. Clerk and rent
of house cost £380. Net proceeds £320 c.
The Treasurer & Collector of Impost is Tho. N. Kerby,
£560 c. net, £727 c. gross.
EdW Jones, Powder Officer, £320 c.
Coroner, Paul Horsford, £300 c. in fees.
Marshal of Vice Admiralty Court, Hon. Geo. Villiers by
patent. His Deputy, John Roberts, £2628 c. less £203 c.
for expenses, f go to the patentee, ^ to John Roberts.
Judge of Vice Admiralty Court, Edward Byam, Esq.,
£3200 c, no value in peace.
Secretary & Clerk of the Crown, Rob' Aberdein of Egham
Hill, gross £1500 c. Deputy is R. W. Nanton. f go to
patentee, ^ to R. W. Nanton. Expenses are £400 c. The
nett shares are £840 & £330.
Master & Examiner in Chancery, Jas. Athill, £2538 c.
gross, less £300 for expenses, nett £2238.
Attorney General John Burke, £190 c.
Chief Justice, Rowl'' Burton, who was admitted to the
Bar of King's Bench in Westminster Hall in 1772 or 3,
£500 c. in fees.
President £600 c. salary.
February 24. The capture of Martinique by
Lieut. -General George Beckwith and Sir Alexander
Cochran announced.
April 7. James Tyson, President of St. Kitts,
now Commander-in-Chief, writes that WiUiam
Woodley left on 15 March.
September. John Julius, President of St. Kitts,
writes that President Tyson died on 7 September,
and that he has taken on the government. Hugh
Elliott, late Minister at the Court of Sicily, writes
that he was gazetted April 1807 to the government
of Barbados, and to please the King exchanged to
the government of the Leeward Islands in Septem-
ber 1808.
1810, Februaiy 6. Guadaloupe captured by
General Beckwith and Sir A. Cochran.
August 14. Governor H. Elliott writes that he
landed to-day from H.M.S. "Thalia" at English
Harbour, and that the Assembly have voted an
increase of .£1000 currency to his salary.
August 23. The Assembly having now sat for
seven years apply through their Speaker Daniel Hill
to be dissolved.
Great publicity was given this year to the case of
Edward Huggins, Esq., of Nevis, a wealthy planter
and owner of 600 slaves. Several eye-witnesses
swore that they had seen some of his negros receive
from 200 to 365 lashes each in the market-place.
Mr. James W"ebbe Tobin took up the case against
him, and Mr. Huggins was put on his trial for
murder, but acquitted by the jury. Mr. Huggins,
sen., had two sons Edward and Peter, both planters,
and the President of the Council was his son-in-law.
Lady Lavington was this year voted £300 a year.
The Assembly was shortly afterwards dissolved.
S' Johns Town.
1810. Sep. 20. New Sessions,
John Taylor
\V"' Brinton
John Hall
Paul Horsford
?^°' ?ll^ c ■■ is* Johns Division.
Sam. Otto-Baijer |
fd.VA°'lyke I- Dickinsons Bay.
W|afn'er'^ } New North Sound.
Mead Home Daniell J' Nonsuch.
Tho. Kirwan Five Islands.
J^^Krds ! Old North Sound.
i^l^nB^^C^horn [ Wa.oughby Bay.
John Ronau | T>„if„„4.
Tho. Spencer Edwards I »eiiast.
Tho. CouU { Old Road, Bermudian Valley,
Rich'' L. Nanton | & New Division.
Edw^'joneT "^ I Falmouth & Rendezvous Bay.
Sam. Warner was chosen Speaker.
October 25. Dr. Thomas Gillan was returned for
Falmouth vice Edward Jones deceased. Dr. Coke
published this year his history of the West Indies
and of the missions carried on there by dissenters.
Pages 410 — 463 of vol. ii. are about this island.
1811, February 28. The Records were ordered
to be deposited in the Armoury or Guard-house.
Montserrat had gone down very much in popu-
lation during the last forty years, and more so in
proportion than the other islands. There were in —
Whites. Slaves.
1772 . . 1314 9834
1788 . . 880 8285
1811 . . 444 6735
In March the West Indians were startled to hear
that the Hon. Arthur Hodge of Tortola had been
guilty of murdering several of his slaves. He was
put on his trial for five murders, and it was proved
that he had poured boiling water down the throats
of two female slaves who died, as had three others
who were beaten to death. Governor Elliott ordered
Mr. Paul Horsford, the Solicitor-General, down to
cxlviii
THE HISTORY OE ANTIGUA.
Tortola to prosecute the prisoner, who was ably
defended by Mr. William Musgrave, a King's Coun-
sellor there. A verdict of guilty was brought in,
and Mr. Hodge was hanged on the 8th of May.
The correspondence relating to this affair was ordered
by the House of Commons to be printed on 26 June.
Aug. We have very distressing accounts of damage done
to the shipping, by a hurricane which visited a number of
the Leeward Islands on the 7"' and S"" ult. At Antigua,
his Majesty's ship Gloire lost her mizea-mast, and threw
several of her guns overboard ; his Majesty's brig Guachapiu,
of 12 guns, sunk at her moorings ; several large merchant-
men, and about thirty small vessels on shore ; the ship S'
Andrew liilged, and cargo lost ; the Braganza and Specula-
tion on sliore, but expected to be got off.
('Gentleman's Magazine,' p. 181.)
Governor Elliott's despatch to the Earl of Liver-
pool of 21 November 1810, containing some vei7
disparaging remarks about the inhabitants and
officials of the Leeward Islands, was read in the
House of Commons, and raised much anger at St.
Kitts; the Assembly of which island wrote on 25
September 1811 denying his statements, and accusing
him of libel. The Legislatures of the other islands
were equally incensed, and the Governor became an
object of such distaste that it is probable this hastily
penned dispatch led to his resignation.*
In December Clement Caines, Esq., of St. Kitts,
was expelled from the Assembly of that colony for
perverting justice.
1812, January. Paul Horsford and Nathaniel
Donaldson are Coroners. George W. Ottley is now
of the Assembly.
May. The monument to Lord Lavington has
arrived, and the Assembly agree about the inscription.
September 17. Thomas Kirwan, Thomas CouU,
Robert French, and Joshua Dyett are sworn J.P.'s.
October 15. George Ledeatt was returned for
Dickinson's Bay vice Edward Byara Wyke deceased.
Nathaniel Humphreys is Clerk to both the Council
and Assembly.
There were this year seven male and fourteen
female missionaries iu the service of the United
Brethren.
Return of slaves at Antigua from 25 January
anuary loll :
—
1807
30,282
1808
31,184
1809
30,409
1810
29,595
1811
28,317
Governor Elliott states that the slave trade was
abolished on 1 May 1807 ; that the return already
made for this year is 30,568 ; that about 400 more
were at English Harbour ; and that 484 have been
manumitted since 1807 ; which gives a total of
31,452, or 1170 increase by births only. Many people
positively stated that the slave population could not
* There was in all probability a good deal of truth in Governor
Elliott's strictures, and for this reason, that the older planter
families had mostly left the islands and resided in England, their
estates being managed by Attorneys and others, who were not
always men of the nicest honour ; this state of affairs was more
prevalent at St. Kitts than elsewhere.
be kept up by propagation ; that the death rate was
in excess of the birth rate ; and that the abolition of
the slave trade would ruin the colonies ; hence the
great desire evinced by His Excellency to so manipu-
late his figures as to shew a surplus of births. It is
probable that a good deal of smuggling of slaves
went on long after 1807, which would tend to stultify
all returns.
This year another so-called outrage was announced
at Nevis. Mr. Edward Huggins, 
Open Library