The Black Soldiers of the 21^st Light Dragoons c.1799-1817

By John D Ellis

On Sunday, 5^th August 1804, the citizens of the town of Romford in Essex, whether going to church, chapel or about their business were witness to an event later described by the St James’s Chronicle as a “Phaetonic exhibition”.^[1]‘Phaeton’ was a figure in Greek mythology. It was also the name given to light, four-wheeled open carriage. Saint James’s Chronicle, 7th August 1804. findmypast.co.uk The Saint James’s … Continue reading

Six officers “…of the 21^st regiment of Light Dragoons, riding and driving six animals affixed to the phaeton, in the following order, viz. a mule, and a grey pony, as leaders, rode by their respective masters, a pair of blood horses in the body, drove by their proprietor; and the wheel pair by another officer, with the reins, seated in the phaeton in his regimentals, with a brother officer by his side. This curious cavalcade started from the Barracks, went full speed up the London Road to the ten milestone, back to Hare Street, and then returning through Romford, closed at the Barracks. It was preceded by two black trumpeters, (no doubt of the corps) dressed in dark great coats, one blowing a horn, the other wearing a large grey wig reversed, with a flapped hat. Although the inhabitants of Romford were called out to witness this single Sunday spectacle, not one of them knew or could divine the joke of it, the Commanding Officer of the regiment will probably endeavour to find it out.”^[2]Saint James’s Chronicle, 7th August 1804. findmypast.co.uk A ‘blood horse’ is a thoroughbred, or purebred horse, bred for racing. The 21st Regiment of Light Dragoons were raised in the north of … Continue reading

It is almost certain that the “exhibition” was the idea of a junior member of the Officer’s Mess of the 21^st.^[3]The 21st had been quartered in Romford since June 1804. They were providing aid to the civil authorities and guarding against French invasion. Prior to April 1804, they had been in Ireland. Hampshire … Continue reading Whether a dare, a wager or simply ‘high-jinks’ – it also certain that the Commanding Officer of the regiment, or more likely the Adjutant and Regimental Sergeant Major, did find out and that retribution was swift – not least for bringing the regiment into dispute.

 

So, who were the two un-named Black trumpeters? Luckily, for a regiment which had a relatively brief existence (1794-1819), four ‘Regimental Description Books’ survive for the period 1806 to 1821, and three of them provide physical descriptions facilitating the identification of ‘race’/ethnicity.^[4]TNA WO 25/289, WO 25/290, WO 25/291 and WO 25/292. Five Black soldiers can be identified serving in the 21^st Dragoons in the years 1799 to 1819, including three who were serving with the regiment when the “Phaetonic exhibition” took place in Romford: Trumpeters Andrew John Baptiste, Samuel Campbell and Samuel Thomas.

 

Trumpeter Andrew John Baptiste was born in the West Indies c.1780 (one source gives his birthplace as ‘Mandingo, Africa’). He enlisted in the 21^st in July 1799. On enlistment he was 5/3 and ¼” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A labourer by occupation, he was discharged, being invalided, at the Cape (South Africa), in July 1817. He is not recorded as being paid a pension, so it is likely that he was either simply discharged or received a gratuity. Sources: His surname was rendered as Babtiste and Bapliste. The Mandingo tribe, (also known as the Mandinka and Malinka), are a West African people found in parts of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. TNA WO 25/290 and WO 25/903.

 

Trumpeter Samuel Campbell was born in St Domingo c.1783. He enlisted in the 21st in October 1800. On enlistment he was 5/7 and ½” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, black hair and was a carpenter by occupation. A married man, he had probably met his wife Margaret (nee’ Roque), whilst the regiment was serving in Ireland. Their son, also named Samuel, was baptised in Woodbridge, Suffolk, when the regiment was quartered there in March 1805. He died in February 1812, serving in the latter stages of the 4th Xhosa War. Credit of £1/14s/1d was paid to his wife, Margaret, in Limerick, Ireland. Sources: TNA WO 25/289 and 290. Suffolk Baptism Index 1538-1911. Part 4. Entry No. 111/14. Suffolk Family History Society. findmypast.co.uk

 

Private La Fleur Crittee was born in Pon-di-Cherry, East Indies c.1779. (Puducherry, India). He enlisted in the 21^st in August 1805. On enlistment he was 5/11” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A servant by occupation, he died in November 1815, whilst the regiment was serving in the Cape (South Africa). Sources: Forename also rendered as La Flean, and surname as Cartter, Cretie and Crittie. TNA WO 12/1449, WO 25/290 and WO 25/903.

 

Trumpeter Samuel Thomas was born in St Vincent c.1778. He enlisted in the 21^st in March 1799. On enlistment he was 5/5” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. Invalided at the Cape (South Africa) in July 1817, he transferred to the Cape Cavalry. Discharged as a Trumpeter on a pension “being worn out”, in January 1821, he was described as being of “very good character”. Sources: TNA WO 97/1172, WO 25/290 and WO 25/903.

Trumpeter John Williams was born in Baltimore, USA c.1783. He enlisted in the 21^st in September 1806. On enlistment he was 5/6” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. A labourer by occupation, he was discharged in the Cape, (South Africa), in June 1817. Sources: TNA WO 25/290.