Fragments (18^th/19^th Century)

By John D Ellis

It’s nice when you can tell the whole story but sometimes it isn’t possible and all you have is a fragment, insignificant in its own right but, combined with other fragments, they can contribute in a small way to a bigger picture.

Fragments are frustrating but can sometimes trigger further research and develop into something more significant.

Who was Henrietta Penelope Needham Lane?

The spa town of Bath in Somerset was very much second home to the fashionable ‘great and good’ of Georgian England. In July 1770, well-heeled readers of the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette consulting the ‘Died’ (deaths) column would have been informed of the passing of such luminaries as Sir Thomas Hankey, a Banker in the city of London. Also, of Alexander Commyns esq., at his house in Leicester Fields and Jonathon Bradley esq., in Harley Street, Cavendish Square. Finally,

“Miss Henrietta Penelope Needham Lane, an African Lady, said to have died worth 50,000l. at Islington”.^[1]Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 12^th July 1770. findmypast.co.uk

The Gentleman’s Magazine, whose news and commentary was aimed at educated members of the public, also included a reference to the death on the 5^th of July 1870 of

“Miss Penelope Lane, an African Lady, at Islington, worth 50,000l.”^[2]Urban, S.(ed). The Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Chronicle, Volume XL, for the year MDCCLXX. (London, 1770).

The sum of £50,000 was considerable even in 1770, equating to the purchasing power of approximately £11.6 million in 2023.^[3] It would appear that Henrietta Lane was a woman of substance, whose name was deserving of being written alongside (albeit after) Sir Thomas Hankey and Messrs Commyns and Bradley et al. Searches of both ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk, including the newspaper archives of the latter, provide three more references to Henrietta Penelope Needham Lane: One is a second newspaper report about her death (similar to the original).^[3]Derby Mercury, 13^th July 1770. findmypast.co.uk The second is a burial entry dated 10^th July 1770 for Henrietta Penelope Needham Lane, aged 20 years, at St Mary’s Church, Islington.^[4]London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812. London Metropolitan Archives (LMA). ancestry.co.uk There was no reference to ethnicity in the burial record, but this in-itself is not unusual and is indicative of the difficulties faced when attempting to trace the lives of ‘people of colour’ in the past. The third reference is her last will and testament, drawn up in June 1770 and naming John and Elizabeth Ball of Ludgate Hill, London as her main beneficiaries:

“I Henrietta Penelope Lane of Aldersgate Street, London, Spinster, so make my last will and testament as follows: I give to Gastroight Frederick of the Temple, London, Esquire two hundred pounds (and) three per cent Consolidated bank annuities. I give all my linen and wearing apparel to Mrs Elizabeth Ball, wife of Mr John Ball of Ludgate Hill, London and deliver all the rest and residue of my efforts of what nature or ________ after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses. I give to the said Mr John Hall for his own use and do appoint the said Mr Ball sole executor of this my will and hereby revoking all other will be me at any time……this to be my last will and testament. I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of June in the year of Our Lords One Thousand Seven hundred and seventy”.^[5]Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Index 1750-1800. December 1771. findmypast.co.uk Society of Genealogists, copyright Society of Genealogists. www.ancestry.co.uk

The will was witnessed by Joseph Well and John Emery, and subsequently ‘proved’ at London in December 1771. There was no reference to ethnicity in the Will, and certainly none to £50,000, the highest amount mentioned being £200 – approximately £46,600 in 2023. The reference to £50,000 may well have been a mistake that was simply repeated.

None of this helps us answer the question, who exactly was Henrietta Penelope Needham Lane?

Charles Dunbar of Exeter

From the Royal Cornwall Gazette, 21^st November 1829:

“Sunday morning, at No.4 Dix’s Field’s, the residence of his master, Charles Dunbar, a man of colour, aged 98 years, a faithful servant to Vice-Admiral Barton for thirty-six years, having attached himself to the Admiral by some conduct during an action in which they were engaged”.

Charles Dunbar, a man of colour, aged 98 years, a faithful servant to Vice-Admiral Barton for thirty-six years, having attached himself to the Admiral by some conduct during an action in which they were engaged.”

Charles Dunbar, aged 90 years of Dix’s Field, was buried at St Sidwell’s Church, Exeter, Devon on the 18^th of November 1829. The church was destroyed during the ‘Exeter Blitz’ of 1942.

Vice-Admiral Robert Barton (c.1752-1831) saw much service. In the mid-1790s he commanded HMS Lapwing in the Caribbean. That may have been the time that Charles Dunbar, “attached himself to the Admiral” with the inference being that Charles was a Royal Navy rating. Robert Barton and his family resided at Dix’s Field in Exeter and at Burrough House, Devon.^[6]Sources: Royal Cornwall Gazette, 21st November1829. findmypast.co.uk Also: morethannelson.com/officer/robert-barton/ For the burial see: Devon Burials, South West Heritage … Continue reading

Thomas Scott of Gainsborough, 1742-1835

From the Stamford Mercury, of the 13^th of November 1835:

At Gainsburgh (Gainsborough), on the 7^th inst., aged about 88, Thomas Scott, well known in that town and the neighbourhood as Black Tommy. He was for many years an itinerant vender of black ink and matches and was the most harmless man. He was a native of the Malabar coast, (now the state of Kerala, India) when he was brought when very young by an officer of the East India Company’s service and employed as his waiting boy: of his country or language he had no recollection.

Thomas Scott aged 93 years, was buried at All Saints Church, Gainsborough on the 10^th of March 1835. He had been a married man, and as such left behind a widow, as several newspapers reported. From the Stamford Mercury of the 29^th of April 1836:

SHORT COURTSHIP. – A few days ago, a disconsolate Benedict (a newly married man who had long been a bachelor), of Pilham, tired of single blessedness, waited upon the widow of a late well-known character, Black Tommy, at Gainsburgh, wishing to speak with her a few words. Of course, he was desired to walk in. After a short colloquy, the business of the gentleman was broached: he wanted a housekeeper and had been recommended to her. “Well,” replied the dame, “what family have you?” “Oh, only for myself.” “But what houseroom have you?” “Oh, as to that, I have a sitting-room and one bedroom.” “Ah, but where am I to sleep then?” “Why, I was thinking that we better be married first.” After a little consideration, a bargain was struck, and on Monday morning last the happy couple were joined in the holy bands of matrimony.

Sarah Scott married Ezra (Erza) Whitelam at All Saints Church, Gainsborough on the 25^th of April 1836. In 1841 Sarah Whitelam, aged 80 years was living alone in the village of Pilham, Lincolnshire. A “Pauper” she had been born in the county of Lincolnshire. Sarah Whitelam is believed to have died in 1845.^[7]Sources for Thomas Scott: Stamford Mercury, 13th November 1835. findmypast.co.uk England Deaths & Burials, 1538-1991. Lincolnshire Burials. Lincolnshire Archives. Index © IRI. Used by permission … Continue reading^[8]Sources for Sarah Scott: Stamford Mercury, 29th April 1836. findmypast.co.uk Also in: Bell’s Weekly Messenger, 1st and 2nd May 1836. Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser, 7th May 1836. Leamington … Continue reading

Edward Bennaway of Sunbury on Thames, 1775-1842

Edward Bennaway (Benaway) was born on the French owned island of Martinique c.1775. Nothing is known of his origins, but he was described as “a man of colour” with a “dark” complexion, so it likely he was of ‘mixed heritage’. He enlisted in the 1^st Life Guards at Westminster on Christmas day 1802. (The 29^th of January 1803 was also given). After basic training, he is likely to have spent most of his service in the band of the regiment, undertaking ceremonial duties in London.

Private Edward Bennaway was awarded an out-pension of 1s per day on the 24th of August 1827, having completed his period of service. On discharge he was 52 years old, 6 feet 0″ tall with grey hair, black eyes and was described as “a man of colour”. He was a fisherman by occupation and his conduct had been “extremely good”.

In 1841 Edward Benaway (sic) was residing on Sunbury Common in Surrey. He was 67 years of age, an Army Pensioner and had been born in ‘Foreign Parts’. Living with him was Lucy Benaway, also aged 67 years and born in ‘Foreign Parts’. Edward Bennaway died of consumption on 13^th June 1842 and was buried at St Mary’s Church, Sunbury on Thames, his age was recorded as 70 years and his occupation was shown as ‘soldier’. Lucy had been present at his death, she was illiterate and marked the death certificate with a cross. She herself died in June 1847 and was buried at St Mary’s Church, Sunbury on Thames. (Her age was similarly recorded as 70 years).^[9]Sources: The National Archives (TNA) WO 25/871, WO 97/1, WO 117 and WO 120/20. 1841 England, Wales and Scotland Census. Sunbury. Middlesex. HO 107/718/15/29/13/2787. findmypast.co.uk Church of … Continue reading

William Heywood

From the Leeds Intelligencer, 7^th March 1780:

Saturday died at Liverpool, in the 79^th years of his age, Thomas Crowder, Esq; formerly a Jamaica merchant, where he acquired a large fortune; and on Tuesday last died, his faithful Black Servant, who had served him upwards of twenty years.

William Heywood “a black servant to Thomas Crowder, Esq. deceased, (of) Water Street” died on the 29^th of February and was buried at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool on the 2^nd of March 1790. (‘Our Lady and St Nicholas’ in the parish of Liverpool). The church is one in which a number of baptismal, marriage and burial records belonging to the Black population of Liverpool have been identified, including George Wise a Nova Scotian veteran of the Peninsula Campaign.

Thomas Crowder of Liverpool (1701-1780) was one of the founder members of the ‘African Company of Merchants’ in 1752. As such he was involved in the trade in enslaved people. He died on the 26^th of February and was buried at the Church of St Nicholas, Liverpool on the 1^st of March 1780.^[10]Sources: For William Heywood see: Leeds Intelligencer, 7th March 1780. findmypast.co.uk Bishop’s Transcripts. Dr/2/59. Liverpool, Lancashire. Lancashire Archives. ancestry.co.uk For Thomas … Continue reading

John Hodges, Army Out-Pensioner and Cooper of Lancaster, 1790-1837

John Hodges was born at “Prented Peter” (Pointe-a-Pitre) on the Island of Guadeloupe c.1790. Between 1809 and 1835 he served in the 3^rd Lancaster Militia (1809-1819), then the 1^st Royal Lancashire Militia (1819-1835). In the former unit he was “a drummer and musician in the band” and in the latter a drummer. He was discharged as a drummer on an out-pension from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in October 1835, due to a reduction of the militia staff. On discharge he was 5 feet 8 and ½” tall, 45 years old with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion (he was also described as “a man of colour”). A cooper by occupation, he signed his discharge papers, suggesting that he was signature literate (his discharge papers were witnessed by John Brockbank, Mayor of Lancaster).

After discharge at Lancaster, he lived locally and his death in July 1837 was reported by the Kendal Mercury:

Since our last, at Lancaster, John Hodges, drummer of the R.L. Militia, aged 45;…

His death certificate states that he died of consumption, aged 47 years, on the 12^th of July 1837. The death was reported to the registrar the following day, by a Thomas Dodson, a Tailor of Mary Street, Lancaster. John Hodges was buried at the Priory Church of St Mary (now Lancaster Priory), on the 16^th of July 1837. It was noted that he was 45 years of age and a Roman Catholic.^[11]Sources: The National Archives (TNA) WO 97/1100/23 and WO 116/44. Kendal Mercury, 22nd July 1837. findmypast.co.uk Lancaster Burials, 1837. Lancashire Burials, 1832-1839. PR … Continue reading

George Edward Doney of Cassiobury House

From the Sun (London), 7^th September 1809:

On Monday, at Cashiobury-House (Cassiobury House, Watford), the seat of the Earl of Essex, George Donney, a black servant belonging to his Lordship, who had lived in the family upward of 4 years.

George Edward Doney was buried at St Mary’s Church, Watford on the 8^th of September 1809. He was described as a “Widower, Negro Servant to the Earl of Essex”. A search of both ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk has failed to find further reference to George Edward Doney or any relatives.

George Capel-Coningsbury (1757-1839) was the 5^th Earl of Essex (1799-1839). His first wife, Sarah Thompson (nee’ Bazett, 1759-1838), had been born on St Helena, which may provide some clue as to the origins of George Edward Doney but his gravestone tells a different story.

George Edward Doney c1758 – 1809 worked as a servant for 44 years at Cassiobury House. The inscription on his gravestone reveals that he was captured from Gambia as a child and sold into slavery

Poor Edward blest the pirate bark that bore His captive infancy from Gambia’s shore To where in willing servitude he won Those blest rewards for every duty done.

Kindness and praise, the wages of the heart, none else to him could joy or pride impart, And gave him, born a pagan and a slave, a freeman’s charter, and a Christian’s grave.

The Earl and his wife resided in the ancestral home of the Earls of Essex at Cassiobury House, Cassiobury Park.^[13]Sources: Sun (London), 7^th September 1809. findmypast.co.uk Family Transcriptions © Hertfordshire & Population History Society. Hertfordshire Burials. findmypast.co.uk

John White, Black Servant to the Duke of Wellington

From both the Morning Post and New Times (London) of 22^nd July 1825:

Yesterday morning, a Jury was assembled at the George Tavern, Vauxhall Bridge Road, before RICHARD CARTER Reg-Coroner for Surrey on the body of John White (not St John), a man of colour, late in the service of the DUKE OF WELLINGTON, who was unfortunately drowned.

George Penny being sworn, stated that he was the third coachman to the Duke of Wellington; he and the deceased had spent the evening of Tuesday last at Vauxhall Gardens. On leaving there, about four o’clock on Wednesday morning, they procured a boat from the stairs to the Westminster Bridge. On deceased getting into the boat, being a little elevated, he fell over, but was soon get in again by assistance of himself and the waterman: the deceased then proposed to bathe, when he and the waterman requested him not; he, however, began to pull off his clothes, and declared he would have a swim. Witness then said to the waterman if he will go into the water let him. The deceased was one of the best swimmers in the world and told the waterman he apprehended not the least danger. Witness, at the request of the deceased, then pulled off his neckerchief. On being stripped, he plunged out of the boat head foremost, and witness never saw him afterwards; indeed, he considered, from his activity in the water on former occasions, that he would have seen him rise again in the centre of the river. Witness could not believe he was drowned, and kept rowing about for a considerable time, endeavouring to find him, but ineffectually. The deceased was dragged for, and the body found about two hours after the occurrence happened. Witness had frequently seen the deceased swim, and play most wonderful antics in the water, that astonished all who had seen him, which induced him (witness) to consider he could not be drowned. The deceased was in liquor, and that he believed was the occasion of his death.

Joseph Groves, a waterman, deposed, that he was in the boat with the deceased and last witness; he did not know whose servants they were; the deceased was not dressed in livery; he was to row them to Westminster Bridge. They both stepped into the boat, when the deceased got up and pushed the boat from a pile, by which he fell overboard upto his knees in water; he then got in the boat again, and instantly began to undress himself to bathe, saying he would shew them (meaning several persons who were laughing at him on shore) what he could do under water, and then jumped head foremost into the river and kept under the water some time. Witness saw deceased swimming about a boat’s length off, but before he could reach him, he suddenly sank and did not rise again; the lapse of time could not have exceeded one minute. Witness for an hour and a half-kept rowing about or the body, which was discovered about six o’clock in the morning near the second half of Vauxhall Bridge and picked up in a fisherman’s net. Witness has no doubt his death was occasioned by accident, and in no other manner. The deceased was a little in liquor.

The Jury, after hearing the above evidence, unanimously returned a verdict of – “Accidentally Drowned.”

The Steward of his Grace the Duke of Wellington was in attendance making arrangements for the unfortunate deceased’s funeral. The situation which the deceased filled was assistant under the Duke’s butler.

The News (London) reported that when the body was retrieved “…a cut was discovered on the forehead, which was probably the cause of the accident”. So it is likely that he struck his head when plunging into the water “head foremost”, became incapacitated and drowned. Apparently, the year 1825 had a particularly warm summer during which many people took to the water to cool down. The Birmingham Journal of the 23^rd July 1825, which also reported the death of John White, revealed that “numerous fatal accidents from bathing have occurred during the last week, in all parts of the country”.

Nothing is known of John White’s origins or whether he did indeed accompany the Duke of Wellington on campaign. Initially, several newspapers referred to him as ‘St John’ although whether that was in error or if that was his ‘in-service’ or previously enslaved name is unknown.

John White almost certainly worked at Apsley House, the lease for which Wellington purchased from his brother (the Marquess of Wellesley) in 1817. Apsley House remains the seat of the Dukes of Wellington, although since 1947 has also been a museum. The website for museum contains a page detailing domestic life at Apsley House during the nineteenth century.

John White was subsequently buried at St-Martin-In The-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, Westminster.

The Duke of Wellington

Arthur Wellesley (Wesley, 1769-1852), later the 1^st Duke of Wellington is one of the most significant figures in British military history. His victories in India, the Peninsula Campaign and most famously at Waterloo facilitated Britain’s establishing an empire. As an aristocratic British Army officer it would have been unusual if he did not have a Black servant. Dr Michael Taylor describes Wellington as “…the most ardently pro-slavery politician of the 19^th century…” standing “four-square behind the West India interest.”^[14]Sources: Morning Post and New Times (London) both of 22nd July 1825. findmypast.co.uk For John White: Birmingham Journal, 23rd July 1825. Coventry Herald, 29th July 1825.  The News (London), 25th … Continue reading

William Stephenson of Jamaica and Alnwick

Deaths: At Alnwick, on the 31^st ult. (January), William Stephenson, better known under the name of “Billy the Black,” a native of Jamaica, and formerly belonging to the band of the Northumberland Local Militia.

William Stephenson, aged 60 years of Green Batt, was buried at St Michael’s Church, Alnwick on the 1^st of February 1832.^[15]Sources: Newcastle Chronicle, 4^th February 1832. findmypast.co.uk Northumberland Burials 1777-1890. Durham University Library. findmypast.co.uk

Matthias Wildherb

From the Lincolnshire Chronicle, 4^th February 1842:

A man, who stated he was a native of Jamaica, and named Matthias Wildherb, was brought up in charge of the police, for wandering about the streets begging alms of almost every person he met; he was committed to prison to hard labour for one month.

No date was given for Matthias Wildherb’s admission to Boston Gaol, but it appears that he died before the Lincolnshire Chronicle went to press on the 4^th February 1842.

From the Lincolnshire Chronicle, 11^th February 1842: Deaths. In Boston Gaol, on Thursday the 3d inst., aged 69, Mathias Wildherb.

Matthias Wildherb of Boston Prison was buried at St Botolph’s Church, Boston on the 4^th of February 1842. Nothing is known of his origins or how he came to be in Lincolnshire. There are no further references to him on either ancestry.co.uk or findmypast.co.uk^[16]Sources: His forename was also rendered as Mathias and his last name as Wildbert. Lincolnshire Chronicle, 4th February 1842. Lincolnshire Chronicle, 11th February 1842. findmypast.co.uk Lincolnshire … Continue reading

A Royal Navy sailor named ‘Bob’

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Black soldiers and ratings had either anglicised or comedic/ironic names, although the former were much more common than the latter. One Royal Navy rating born in Africa was simply named ‘Bob’. A diminutive of ‘Robert’ and a common name, it is not known whether it was given him to ironically (‘Bob’ was a name frequently given to enslaved males in the Caribbean) or if he selected it for himself. However he came to be named ‘Bob’ he retained the name, and thus every interaction he had with officialdom must have involved a conversation about his single name. He probably became somewhat of a bureaucratic nightmare in an institution in which conformity was the norm. This might of course, have been what ‘Bob’ intended.

Bob was born in Africa c.1794-1796 and awarded an out-pension of £24 per annum by Greenwich Hospital in August 1815. His records described him as both “a Black” and “a Blackman” and reveal that he had lost a leg and half of the foot from his remaining leg. His last ship had been HMS Tenedos, which between 1812 and 1815 had seen action off the eastern coast of the USA during the ‘War of 1812’. In January 1815, the Tenedos had been part of the squadron that captured USS President outside of New York harbour, and it is likely that Bob received his wounds as the two ships exchanged broadsides shortly before the President struck their colours. His pension, which would have equated to approximately 1s/4d per day exceeded the average daily wage of a labourer (1s per day) and reflected the severity of his life changing wounds.

He was admitted as an in-pensioner of Greenwich Hospital in June 1838. At that time, he was married with one son and a labourer by occupation. No place of residence was identified.

In 1841 Bob was an in-pensioner of Greenwich Hospital and 45 years of age.

Bob died at Greenwich Hospital and was buried at Greenwich on the 25^th of October 1842. His age was given as 48 years and he was described as “a Black pensioner”.^[17]Sources: The National Archives (TNA) ADM 6/276 and 6/299. TNA 22/263, 22/276, ADM 22/289, ADM 22/302, ADM 22/368 and ADM 22/405. ADM 72/59. ADM 73/59 and ADM 73/68. TNA/RG/4/1675. 1841 England, Wales … Continue reading

Freeman Johnson, a Black Merchant Seaman, 1825-1848

From the South Eastern Gazette, 25^th April 1848:

CORONER’S INQUEST.- On Saturday last an inquest was held at the Lunatic Asylum, Barming-heath, before F.F. Dally, Esq., on the body of Freeman Johnson, a man of colour, aged 23, who had been an inmate of the Asylum since the 11th inst., having been sent from the Greenwich union house. It appeared that the deceased was in a very weak state, when admitted, and was found by Robert Jones, a keeper, at about nine o’clock on the evening on the 13 th , quite dead, with his face hanging over the side of the bedstead, and blood oozing from the mouth and nose. He was last seen alive by George Baker, a keeper, at about half-past six on the same evening, when he refused his supper, but said he was in no pain. Dr Huxley, who had made a post-mortem examination, deposed that the deceased was suffocated by the flow of blood arising from a rupture of one (of) the vessels of the lungs, which were much diseased. Verdict accordingly.

Freeman Johnson was born at Nassau in the Bahamas in 1825. He registered as a British Merchant Seaman either in 1845 or sometime shortly after.

Freeman Johnson was interred at All Saints Church, Maidstone on the 18^th of April 1848.^[18]Sources: TNA BT114/12. findmypast.co.uk South Eastern Gazette, 25^th April 1848. findmypast.co.uk Burial: Maidstone All Saints burials, 1838-1907. Kent Burials. findmypast.co.uk

Mr Thomas Fowler of Lindfield, 1790-1853

From the Brighton Gazette, 24^th February 1853:

Died, on Saturday last, after a long and protracted illness, Thomas Fowler, a man of colour aged 63. He was born in that inhuman trading quarter, the western part of Africa, near Sierra Leone, in the province of Guinea, where himself and about 160 natives were, by stratagem, feloniously kidnapped, and taken on board the “Slaughter”, home tender, confined in a filthy dungeon, huddled together like closely penned sheep, on starving rations, and then transferred to the slave market in the island of Jamaica. Here it appears, that the deceased, then aged 14, with many other youths from the same vessel, were ranged in a row and sold to different purchasers. Thomas fell into the hands of an honourable and humane gentleman, of the name of Thomas Fowler (hence the name of the negro boy), who was Captain of an English vessel laying in the harbour taking in her freightage, bound for London, on board which he was employed as a cabin boy, and he arrived in the Thames in the year 1804. In a visit to a grocer’s shop in Ratcliffe, on an errand for his master, he fortunately fell in with an enquiring friend, who entered into conversation with him respecting his bondage. This interview, to use Thomas’s own words, was the golden moment of his life; for he had not the remotest idea that the world could have produced such a great philanthropist as he found in the enquirer, the late William Allen, who lost no time in procuring his liberty, and having arranged with Captain Fowler, Thomas entered his service, where he continued until the decease of that Christian gentleman, in the year 1845, when by the will he was left a comfortable weekly allowance for the remainder of his life. He was married; but his wife and an only daughter have been dead some time.

The records held on findmypast.co.uk make identifying the Thomas Fowler and his family relatively easy: In 1841, Thomas Fowler, aged above 20 years and born in “Foreign Parts”, was living in Lindfield with his wife Mary, aged 48 years and born in the county of Sussex, and daughter Rebecca, aged 7 years and born in the county of Sussex.

The will of William Allen refers to Thomas Fowler as ‘an African’. The will instructs the executors “upon further trust to divide the residue of my wealth and personal estate and effects into shares of two pounds”. Thomas and his wife were awarded ‘one share’ of the kitty (about £200 in today’s money). Other servants received similar amounts. To put this into context, various nephews were awarded two shares.^[19]PROB 11/1991/16

Thomas Fowler was not the only person of African ancestry to reside in Lindfield: Towards the end of the eighteenth century, Richard Gordon, described as “a negro” was living in the village. During the 1820s, Thomas Smith a farmer of ‘mixed heritage’ and his family briefly lived in the village.

Mary (Ann) Fowler died in 1846 and Rebecca Fowler died in 1848. In 1851, Thomas Fowler, aged 68 years and a British Subject born in Africa, was living in the High Street, Lindfield and was a sweet seller by occupation. A Thomas Roe Fowler, aged 71 years, died in Lindfield in February 1853.

Neither the ship “Slaughter” nor Thomas Fowler, a ship’s captain, can be identified. William Allen (1770-1843) was a prominent Quaker chemist, educationalist, social reformer and abolitionist.^[20]Sources: For Thomas, Mary and Rebecca Fowler see<em> findmypast.co.uk </em>Also <em>Brighton Gazette</em>, … Continue reading

John Hilliar of Laverstock, 1791-1848

From the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 22^nd January 1848:

Jan.18, at Laverstock, the well-known cook, Hilliar (a man of colour), who for many years was in the employ of the late Dr Finch, surviving his old master but a few days. He was very much attached to his master, and it is generally believed that the death of Dr Finch hastened his dissolution.

John Hilliar was born sometime between 1783 and 1791, although it is not known where and whether he was of African or Asian origin. He is believed to have married Elizabeth Scammell at St Edmund’s Church, Salisbury in March 1818.

A groom by occupation, at the time of the marriage he was resident in Laverstock. In 1841, John and Elizabeth Hilliar were residing in Laverstock: John was 50 years of age, and a servant born in “Foreign Parts”. Elizabeth was 40 years and had been born in Wiltshire. They had eight children, all born in Wiltshire: Mary, aged 20 years. Elizabeth aged 20 years. Amelia aged 15 years. Jane aged 15 years. William aged 11 years. Henry aged 8 years. Frederick aged 5 years. George aged 2 years. In November 1842, another daughter was born, Ellen Louisa Scammell Hilliar. Unfortunately, Ellen Hilliar died in 1844.

Apart from the obituary, it has not been possible to identify any other reference to John Hilliar’s culinary skills. John Hilliar died in Laverstock on the 18^th of January 1848, being interred five days later. Dr William Finch (1777-1848) had indeed predeceased him; dying on the 7^th of January 1848 and being interred on nine days later. It is likely that both men were laid to rest in the grounds of the Church of St Andrew, Laverstock.^[21]Sources: For John Hilliar (also rendered as Hilliard, Hillier, Hillierd and Hillyard), see: Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 22nd January 1848. Wiltshire Independent, 27th January 1848. Devizes and … Continue reading

Miss Elizabeth Madden of Cheltenham, c.1754-1844

From the Sun (London), 2^nd February 1844, but quoting an earlier entry in the Cheltenham Examiner:

SUDDEN DEATH.- An inquest was held on Monday, before J. Barnett, Esq., Coroner, at the Bee Hive Inn, on the body of Elizabeth Mudden, a woman of colour, born in Africa. It appeared in evidence that she had been for the last 87 years a servant in the family of her late mistress, Mrs Arbuthnot, of No.15, Montpellier Villas, having entered the family when only five years old. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God”.- Cheltenham Examiner.

The records held on findmypast.co.uk facilitate identifying Elizabeth Madden (as Mudden was rendered): In 1841, Elizabeth Madden, aged 80 years, not born in the county (of Gloucestershire) and a female servant, was living at an address on Pittville Parade, Cheltenham. Also residing at the address were: Ann Pheby (Phoebe) Kirtland, 40 years of age, of Independent Means and born in Ireland. Louisa Lindrego, 50 years of age, of Independent Means and born in Ireland. Hannah Owen, 25 years of age, a female servant by occupation and not born in the county.

An Elizabeth Madden aged 90 years (suggesting that she was born in 1754, a date closer to that suggested by the obituary) was interred at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham (now ‘Trinity Cheltenham’) on the 1^st of February 1844.

The “late Mrs Arbuthnot” referred to, whose family Elizabeth Madden had “entered…when only five years old” was probably Susanna Arbuthnot (nee’ Bingham, c.1778), the first wife of Alexander Arbuthnot (1768-1828), Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora in the Church of Ireland. Susanna Bingham was the daughter of a General Bingham, and niece to Charles Bingham, the 1^st Earl of Lucan. Susanna Arbuthnot must have died by 1819, because in that year Alexander Arbuthnot married for a second time: To Margaret Phoebe Bingham, the late Susanna’s cousin. The circumstances surrounding the ‘entry’ of Elizabeth into the Bingham family, and her status therein, remain unknown.^[22]Sources: Sun (London), 1st February 1844. Sun (London), 2nd February 1844. findmypast.co.uk1841 England and Wales Census. Class: HO107; Piece: 353; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Cheltenham; County: … Continue reading

John Thompson of Liverpool

From the Liverpool Albion, 11^th March 1833:

“On Sunday, the 3^rd instant, deeply regretted, John Thompson, for 37 years the faithful servant of John Thompson, Esq., Chatham Place, Edge Hill”.

Additionally:

“…aged 52, John Thompson, a man of colour, for many years a faithful servant of Mr Thompson, of Edge Hill, by whom he was highly respected”.

John Thompson, aged 51 years of Chatham Place, was buried at the Church of Saint Mary’s, Edge Hill (now known as ‘All Saints’) on the 7^th of March 1833.

Nothing is known of the origins of John Thompson, nor the circumstances of him becoming servant to John Thompson, Esq. of Chatham place or his legal status (vis-a-vis enslaved or free) within the household.

More is known of John Thompson, Esq. of Chatham Place, Edge Hill because he was identified by the ‘Centre for the Study of Legacies of British Slavery’ as being the owner of properties in Jamaica, including

“…the sugar estate called Eden in the parish of St George with the ‘negroes’ on it, which had been in co-partnership with Daniel Steele but which he then owned outright; a coffee estate called Lancaster in St George; and a building on Port Royal Street in Kingston…”

The ’Former British Colonial Dependencies, Slave Registers, 1813-1834’ record that in June 1823 the Lancaster Plantation in St George, owned by John Thompson, had over 120 enslaved people existing on it.

The same registers reveal that the Eden Estate in St George, owned by John Thompson, had over 240 enslaved people existing on it. Names and physical descriptions were provided for many and trade (both purchasing and selling) and premature death was openly referenced.

John Thompson was apparently in the habit of naming enslaved males after himself, or allowing it to be done on his behalf, including:

• Moses alias John Sale Thompson. Negro (mixed heritage individuals were described as ‘Mulattoes’). 51 years. African (meaning he was born in Africa). Purchased at public sale in Kingston in September 1822; and
• Ben alias John Thompson. Negro. 2 and ½ years. Creole (meaning he was born in the Caribbean). Born to Nelly alias Jennett Borrowdale. (There is a Borrowdale Valley in Cumbria).

In June 1823 the property in Port Royal owned by John Thompson had 17 enslaved people existing on it.

John Thompson, Esq., of Jamaica and Chatham Place died in 1834 aged 65 years.^[23]Sources: Liverpool Albion, 11th March 1833. findmypast.co.uk For the burial see: Lancashire Burials, 1813-1842. 283-EDG-4-1. Liverpool Record Office. findmypast.co.uk … Continue reading