Antigua And The Antiguans - free ebook by Mrs. Lanaghan

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Antigua And The Antiguans

Mrs. Lanaghan

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76 chapters

ANTIGUAAND THE ANTIGUANS:

ANTIGUAAND THE ANTIGUANS:

A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE COLONY AND ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE TIME OF THE CARIBS TO THE PRESENT DAY, Interspersed with Anecdotes and Legends. ALSO, AN IMPARTIAL VIEW OF SLAVERY AND THE FREE LABOUR SYSTEMS; THE STATISTICS OF THE ISLAND, AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES. “Sworn to no party, of no sect am I.”—Pope. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET. 1844. TO THE HON BLE ROWLAND EDWARD WILLIAMS, LATE CAPTAIN IN THE 10th REGIMENT OF HUSSARS, ONE OF HER

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

Although in the present day the writing of a preface may be considered almost a work of supererogation on the part of an author, since it is that portion of a work seldom or ever looked into, still, as custom demands the form, and there may be some among my readers who may desire to learn what first led me to undertake this work, I am induced to follow the fashion, more especially as on one or two points I am desirous of offering a few words of comment and explanation. Not being a native of the

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England.

England.

ANTIGUA AND THE ANTIGUANS, ETC. General Description of the Island—Appearance—Soil—Productions—Climate—Early history—Discovery by Columbus—Attempted settlement by Spaniards—Grant to Earl of Carlisle—Settlement by d’Esnambuc—Williams—Governor Warner—Account of Sir Thomas Warner, founder of the family. The Island of Antigua, one of the great Antilles, is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about twenty-five miles to the north-east of Montserrat, and forty miles north of Guadaloup

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CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.

In the year 1629, Mons. d’Esnambuc, the captain of a French privateer, made an attempt at a settlement, but the want of water drove him away after a very short stay; so short, indeed, that although a party of English settlers seem to have been upon the island, he did not remain long enough to discover them. The assertion, however, that English colonists were then on the island, rests solely on a tradition that William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, who interested himself greatly in the colonization

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The Legend of Ding-a-ding Nook.[5]

The Legend of Ding-a-ding Nook.[5]

Long did that beautiful lady gaze upon this scene: many thoughts did its loveliness conjure up—thoughts of her native land, its verdant hills and spangled dells, and all its towering cities. Present objects were fast fading away, when a splash of the waters was heard, and as her eye sought the ocean, a swift-gliding canoe came in sight. At this moment, the moon, which had been lately obscured, shone out with redoubled brightness, and she could plainly discover that the canoe contained about tw

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CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.

Rupture between France and England—War in the West Indies—Loss of Lord Francis Willoughby—Colonel Carden—Capture of Antigua by the French forces under M. de la Barre—Colonel Fitche—Restoration of Antigua by the Treaty of Breda—Death of Colonel Carden—Biographical notices. In 1665-6, England was engaged in a contest with Holland, Denmark, and France; and during that period, her colonies in the West Indies suffered greatly, particularly St. Christopher’s and Antigua. St. Christophe

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CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER IV.

Governors: Lord William Willoughby, Henry Willoughby—Arrival of Major, afterwards Lieutenant-General Byam, the progenitor of the family of that name—Biographical remarks—Partition of the Caribbee Islands—Sir William Stapleton—General Council and Assembly—Colonel Philip Warner—Expedition against the Caribs—Death of Indian Warner—Arrest and trial of Colonel P. Warner—Acquittal—Dampier’s account of this affair—Captain Southey’s History of the Indian Warner. After peace had b

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CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.

Governor Col. R. Williams—Biographical remarks—Towns of trade appointed—Antigua divided into parishes—Sir Nathaniel Johnson appointed captain-general and governor-in-chief—Colonel Codrington—Remarks upon this family—Invasion of Antigua by a French privateer—Attack upon Guadeloupe by the English—Expedition to St. Christopher’s—Gallant conduct of Colonel Williams and Colonel Willoughby Byam—Sir Francis Wheeler’s expedition—Wilmot and Lillingston’s expedition—Death of the

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CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.

Governor Colonel Christopher Codrington—Establishment of the first market—Accession of Queen Anne—Arrival of Admiral Benbow—Attack upon the island of Guadaloupe, in conjunction with the Antiguan troops—Bravery of Colonel Edward Byam—Arrival of Captain Hovenden Walker—Second attack upon Guadaloupe—Colonel Codrington quits the government—His death—Sir William Mathew—Hon. John Johnson. At the period of his father’s death, Christopher Codrington, Esq., the eldest son of the pre

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CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.

Governor Colonel Daniel Parke—His birth-place and parentage—His actions at the battle of Holchet and Blenheim—His arrival at Antigua—Dissensions with the Antiguans—Complaints against him sent to England—Results of the applications at the court of Queen Anne—Tyrannical behaviour of Colonel Parke—Events of the 7th December, 1710—Death of Colonel Parke. The year 1706 is celebrated in the annals of Antigua as that in which that abominable and atrocious governor, Daniel Parke, arriv

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CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.

Governor Walter Hamilton—Walter Douglas’s Disturbances—Complaints against him sent to England—Queen Anne recalls him, and reappoints Walter Hamilton—Lord Viscount Lowther—John Hart—Lord Londonderry—Lord Forbes—Colonel William Crosbie. After the death of Colonel Parke, the government, of course, devolved upon the lieutenant-governor of Antigua, John Yeamans, until such time as despatches could be forwarded to Nevis, where General Hamilton, who was next in command to the late capta

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CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER IX.

Governor William Mathew—Insurrection of the Negroes—A Legend of the Ravine—Punishment of the Conspirators. In 1730, William Mathew, Esq., the lieutenant-governor, succeeded to this government, vacant by the non-acceptance of Lord Forbes and General William Crosbie; and, in the first year of his appointment, fresh regulations were made for the payment of such slaves as suffered death for crimes, according to the ancient custom of the island. The affairs of Fort James were also looked into.

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CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER X.

Governor William Mathew—Sir George Thomas, Bart.—James Verchild—Honourable William Woodley—Sir Ralph Payne—Hon. Craister Greathead—General Burt—The circumstances of his death—Sir Thomas Shirley, Bart. After the suppression of the insurrection related in the last chapter, it was resolved in future to keep a better watch over the negroes, and be more strict in the government of them. Slaves were not to be allowed to congregate about the streets of St. John’s; and if they refused to

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CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.

Governors: William Woodley—John Stanley—Major-General Charles Leigh—Archibald Esdail—John S. Thomas—Robert Thomson. In 1792, William Woodley, Esq., was again appointed commander-in-chief; and, soon after his arrival, the increase of the importation of white servants was again taken into consideration. Antigua had never reckoned a large population of whites; indeed, from various causes, they were continually decreasing. This could not be attributed to the want of encouragement given to

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CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.

Governors: The Right Honourable Ralph Lord Lavington—William Woodley—James Tyson—John Julius—Hugh Elliot—Sir James Leith—Henry Rawlins—S. Rawlins—Major-General Ramsay. In 1801, the Right Honourable Ralph Lord Lavington was re-appointed to the office of commander-in-chief, to the gratification of the Antiguans, who, as before remarked, were so pleased with his government in 1771, when he was Sir Ralph Payne. Lord Lavington came to Antigua about the latter end of January; and soon

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CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.

Governors: Sir Benjamin D’Urban—Sir Patrick Ross—Sir Evan Murray McGregor—Mr. Light—Sir W. G. MacBean Colebrooke—Major McPhail—Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy. After the death of Major General Ramsay in 1819, his gracious majesty George III. appointed Sir Benjamin D’Urban to the vacant government, who arrived at Antigua in the following year, 1820. During the administration of Sir Benjamin D’Urban, the census was taken, when the population was found to consist of 37,031 souls—viz., 40

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CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.

My first voyage to Antigua—Visit upon deck—The booby’s welcome—Nearer approach—Harbour of St. John’s—The Black Pilot—North Sandy Island—Wreck of the mail-boat—Dangerous navigation—Long Island—South Sandy Island—Panoramic views from the vessel’s deck—Light winds—Disappointment made pleasing—Anchorage for the night Having noticed the most important of its historical events, I must now be allowed to give some description of the appearance of Antigua, and of my first visi

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CHAPTER XV.

CHAPTER XV.

The extent of Antigua—Opinion of some planters—Want of agricultural labourers—Emigration not always profitable to the negroes—“Seizar’s” letter upon the subject—Return of emigrants—Soil of Antigua—Geological matters—Petrifactions—Climate of Antigua—“Yellow fever”—Beautiful evenings—the appearance of the heavens—Evening visitants. Antigua, as already shewn in another part of this work, contains about 60,000 acres: of which, probably, four-fifths are in a state of cultiva

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CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.

Scenery of Antigua—Pilgrimage to “Tom Moore’s Spring”—The Goddess Mnemosyne—Fig-Tree Hill—The “Bower of Bliss”—“Old Road”—The Strand—The cross sexton—The parochial school—Old Road Church—Tomb of Col. Williams—Moravian settlement—Salt ponds—Copses—“Crab Hill”—Sandy Valley—The Valley Church—The rising moon—Arrival in town—Night, and night dreams. With respect to the scenery of Antigua, it is said to be neither “grand nor magnificent,” that “its mountains are t

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CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.

The seasons at Antigua—Heavy rains—Long droughts—The water-merchant—A fortunate shower—Drought in 1837—Desolate appearance of the country—Famishing cattle—Definition of “ fine rains ”—Anecdote—Heavy shower—Joy—Earthquakes—1835—Meteors—Dressing for the ball—The alarm—The ball-room—Hurricanes—Devastations. The seasons at Antigua may be divided into the wet and dry . The wet season generally commences in July, and continues, with intermissions, until October; a

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CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Description of the town of St. John’s, the capital of Antigua—Situation—Arrangement of the streets—Hucksters—Houses—Springs—Small shops—Stores of the retail dealers—Grog-shops—Merchants’ stores and lumber yards—Definition of lumber—Auction sales—Scotch Row and Scotchmen—Incongruous display of goods—Fire in 1797—Ruins—Fire in 1841—Its devastations. St. John’s, the capital of Antigua, is situated on the west side of the island, and contains about 979 houses. It is

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CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.

Description of the church of St John’s—Period of its erection—Present site—Panoramic views—Form of structure—Length and breadth—Interior—Decorations—Monuments—Organ—Tower—Bells—Clock—Churchyard—Tombs and sepulchral inscriptions—An acrostic—“Adam and Eve!” The first place of public worship erected in St. John’s was the parochial church, commenced in 1683-4. It was a small wooden building, standing about sixty yards further to the south than the present church; and,

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CHAPTER XX.

CHAPTER XX.

Court-house—Bazaar—Arsenal—Police-office—Government-house—Barracks—House of correction—Gaol—Methodist chapel—Methodism, its rise and progress in Antigua—Moravian chapel—Rise and progress of the Society of United Brethren—Scotch kirk. After the church and churchyard of St. John’s, the next public building which calls for attention is the court house. This, as before stated, was erected in 1747, William Lowry being the mason, and Duncan Grant the carpenter. Who these worthi

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CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.

Morning—Institutions—Daily Meal Society—Its rise and progress—Lazaretto—Destitute Females’ Friend Society—Its origin and purpose—Friendly societies—Bible Society—Missionary associations—Temperance Society—Juvenile Association—Ladies’ Clothing Society &amp;c.—Banks—Library Society. Another morning is come—a bright glorious morning: the sky is as deeply blue as the breast of the kingfisher, except where here and there a snowy pyramid of clouds mounts slowly up the

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CHAPTER XXII.

CHAPTER XXII.

Early rising and “Jamie Thomson”—Journey to English Harbour—Windmills and Don Quixote—Groups of negroes and their equipages—All Saints’ chapel of ease—The “Hamlet”—Village of Liberta—Grace Hill—Patterson’s and Prince William—English Harbour market—Streets and dwellings—Commissariat’s store and government tank—Dockyard—The superintendent—Stores and storehouses—Engineer’s workshop—Blacksmith’s shop and blowing machine—Limes and roses—Recollections of England—L

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CHAPTER XXIII.

CHAPTER XXIII.

ZULMIERA, THE HALF-CARIB GIRL. A Legend of the Savannah. The sun was rapidly sinking in the west, but its declining beams only threw upon every object a richer tone of colour, as a party, consisting of three persons, emerged from a small shrubbery, and halted upon the brow of a shelving hill. The foremost of the party was a man who probably verged upon the mellow age of fifty; but his eagle-eye, and stalwart frame, told that his years sat light upon him. He was what would have been termed a hand

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CHAPTER XXIV.

CHAPTER XXIV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LEGEND. It was a calm, delicious, West Indian night. The moon shone in all her glory, bathing lawn and lea, upland and woodland, in her silvery light. The waters of the creek we have already noticed were rife with beauty; and the waves of the far-off ocean, as they dashed in measured cadence on the beach, broke musically upon the listener’s ear. A stately figure, enveloped in a dark mantle, glided from behind a screen of lime and coffee trees; and gaining the open ground, loo

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CHAPTER XXV.

CHAPTER XXV.

CONCLUSION OF THE LEGEND. The morning after this eventful meeting rose fair and bright. Bridget and Zulmiera, seated at an open window, inhaled the sweet breeze, while they bent over their embroidery frames; and the fair Englishwoman was giving a description of her own far-off land, when, gazing in the direction of the before-named copse, Zulmiera espied a white feather glancing for a moment above the tops of the trees, a well-known signal indicating the presence of Raphe de Merefield. Framing a

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CHAPTER XXVI.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Towns: Falmouth—Church and churchyard—Mangroves and acacias—Black’s Point—Bridgetown—Willoughby Bay—Its site and decoration—The superintendent of the Wesleyan schools—School-room—Methodist chapel—The Memoras—St Philip’s church—Beautiful views—Parham—Its derivation and site—St Peter’s church—Churchyard—The new church—Methodist chapel and school-room. In the year 1675, six towns were appointed in Antigua as places of trade—viz., St. John’s, Falmouth, Old Road,

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CHAPTER XXVII.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Forts and fortifications—Temporary ones—The present forts—Fort James—Its situation and approach—Rat Island Battery, its appellation, lunatic asylum, and flag-staff—Goat Hill—Steep ascent—Schools in St. John’s. It might be imagined that where nature has done so much for her favourite isle in the way of barricading it, by giving to Antigua a bold rocky coast, art , in the shape of forts and batteries, would be less called for. This, however, is not the case; the island coaster meet

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Remarks upon the aboriginal Americans—Suppositions of various authors—Caribs—Arrowawks—Ferocity of the Carib—Complexion—Dress—Ornaments—Dreadful revenge—Wars-Chiefs—Severities practised—Feasts—Remarks upon paganism—Anthropophagi—A traveller’s tale—The Carib’s opinion of death—Religious tenets—Altars—The burning Carib. It may perhaps be proper to remark, that although this work has been entitled, “Antigua and Antiguans,” still, as I have commenced its history f

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ANTIGUAAND THE ANTIGUANS:

ANTIGUAAND THE ANTIGUANS:

A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE COLONY AND ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE TIME OF THE CARIBS TO THE PRESENT DAY, Interspersed with Anecdotes and Legends. ALSO, AN IMPARTIAL VIEW OF SLAVERY AND THE FREE LABOUR SYSTEMS; THE STATISTICS OF THE ISLAND, AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES. “Sworn to no party, of no sect am I.”—Pope. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET. 1844....

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CHAPTER XXIX.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Caribs have often been likened to the ancient Jews in some of their customs; but they did not follow that peculiar people in abstaining from blood, as they frequently drank that of the Arrowawks in their inhuman festivals. It is true, they refrained from eating many kinds of flesh, which were generally reckoned luxuries by others; but “if it was from religious motives, we are nowhere sufficiently informed,” as Goldsmith justly observes. Their greatest treat, however, was human flesh, which t

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CHAPTER XXX.

CHAPTER XXX.

Negroes: Their introduction into the New World—Bartholomew Las Casas—His intercessions in favour of the Indians—Cardinal Ximenes—Origin of the slave trade—Its adoption by the English government—Character of slavery—Mental degeneracy—Instances of superior faculties among the Negro race—Juan Parega—Phillis Wheatley—Ignatius Sancho—His letter to the Rev. L. Sterne—Slavery in its early days—Punishment of the negroes in 1736. In furtherance of my plan, of commencing from t

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CHAPTER XXXI.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Negroes: Palliations, but not excuses , for former cruelties—A harsh planter—Crimes of slaves—The little negroes’ dinner-hour—A character—Negroes’ want of thought—Bartering their weekly provisions—Pilfering—The Rock Dungeon—A Tortolian slave-master—The murdered slave—Branding—Slave cargo—Remarks upon slavery—A good slave-master—A kind attorney—Negro gratitude. When I undertook this work, I laid down for myself one uniform rule, the propriety of which my readers mu

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CHAPTER XXXII.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Negroes: The assertion that negroes are careless of all domestic ties confuted by anecdotes—“Shadows” of negro character—Excuses for them—Conversion to Christianity—Belief of the Africans that after death they shall return to Africa—Instance of it—Africans and Creoles—Superstitions—Obeah. Since writing the preceding chapter, it has been represented to me, that I have painted slavery in too gloomy colours, particularly the parting of husband and wife, parent and children, by sale;

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CHAPTER XXXIII.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Negroes: Superstition—Trials by ordeal—Flower-fence—Bible and key—A way to recover stolen property—Charm to prevent a scolding tongue—Jumbies—A night’s adventure—The soldier’s last jump—Jumbies calls—Betsey, the nurse—The haunted house—A cure—The drowning boys—The murdered woman—The jumby’s revenge. In the former chapter I endeavoured to give some description of the doctrine of Obeah. There are also several mysterious rites current among the negroes on which they re

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CHAPTER XXXIV.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Seeming paradoxes explained—Negro suspicion—Instances of it—Stealing—Its various characters—Leasing—The dead canaries—Broken promises—Idleness—Negro wages—Their present lot—Domestics. In continuing my “shadows” of negro character, methinks I hear my good readers cry out, “Why, here is nothing but paradoxes. In a former chapter the negroes were all and everything, but now it appears the tables are turning, and, Proteus-like, assume another shape.” Stop a little, my kind frie

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CHAPTER XXXV.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Negroes: “Shadows” continued—The crime of murder—Instances of it—Hon. Sam. Martin—Giles Blizard—Adam Ogilvie. The next crime I have to mention, in this continuation of dark tints, is murder. This dreadful act, however, I am happy to say, is not very common now; in these days they seldom embrue their hands in human blood; but in former years, years of moral darkness, the negroes used frequently to suffer death for the Obeah practice of poisoning, or in some other way taking the lives of

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CHAPTER XXXVI.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Negroes: The crime of poisoning—Instance of it—Murder of Mr. Brown—Love and jealousy—The end of unlawful love—Infanticide—Incendiarism—A late instance of it—Polygamy—Disregard of marriage vows. After having given a short sketch of the murder of Mr. Blizard and Mr. Ogilvie by their slaves, it was my intention to have entered more fully into the cases of poisoning which in days gone by have occurred in this country. But in looking over the dreadful catalogue of such crimes, I fin

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CHAPTER XXXVII.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Negroes: A little change for the better—“Shadows nursed by night retire”—Respect to age—Filial affection—Generosity—Their kindness to the poorer class of whites—Cleanliness—the opposite vice—Behaviour at church—A black exhorter—Reading and writing—An anecdote. I am happy to find that at length I have got over the most prominent vices of the negroes. I must say I have a great love for my species, of whatever shade they may be, and I would at any time rather have to paint the

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CHAPTER XXXVIII.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Negroes: Their amusements—Natural ear for music—Singing—Dancing—Subscription routs—Christmas balls—The ball-room decorations—Ball dresses—Gentlemen’s appearance—Ladies’—Politeness—Supper, and the supper-table—The morning after a ball—Cards of invitation—The “good night.” We have now to mention the amusements of the negroes, and their conduct in their hours of recreation. The blacks have a remarkable ear for music, and consequently are particularly fond of singing. Ind

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CHAPTER XXXIX.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Negroes: Fondness for “Nancy stories”—Negro loquacity—Their signification of the word “cursing”—Markets—Confusion of tongues—Weddings—The drive to church—Wedding banquet—Blushing brides—Funerals—“Wake nights”—Funeral procession—Christening—High-sounding names. After dancing, I think the next favourite pastime of the negroes, particularly among the younger ones, is to collect together upon a fine moonlight night, and talk “Nancy stories,” (which, as before remarked, gene

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CHAPTER XL.

CHAPTER XL.

Negroes: Further sentences upon “dress”—Sunday transformations—The black cook and his metamorphosis—Christmas waits—Negro houses—The mode of building upon estates—Town negro houses—Architecture—The mode of moving houses. I have in so many places made reference to the style of dress adopted by the negroes, that to bring it under a particular head may be deemed superfluous. And yet I cannot let it pass without saying something more upon this subject. I must own I was very much surp

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CHAPTER XLI.

CHAPTER XLI.

Negroes: Occupations—Agricultural labourers—Black sailors—Their excessive gormandizing—The hungry captain’s disappointment—Black cooks—“Melted butter”—A receipt for a cookery book—The obtrusive fish—Grooms and “house boys”—An old planter’s opinion—Concluding remarks. After mentioning the recreations, dress, and general habits of the negroes, it may be necessary to give some account of their principal occupations. By far the greater part of the black population, as will be s

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CHAPTER XLII.

CHAPTER XLII.

Negroes: Employment of the women—Washing—A scene at the pond—Conversations—The sea-side—“Water frolic”—Hucksters—“Damaged flour”—Female porters—Masculine appearance of some of the females—Indelicacy—Their mode of carrying burdens. Having given a short sketch of the manner in which the generality of the negro-men employ their time, it will be proper also to mention the occupation of the females. Many of these still follow the employment to which they have been habituated fro

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CHAPTER XLIII.

CHAPTER XLIII.

Negroes: Exterior appearance—Difference of expression—White negroes (Albinos)—Description of one—Black and white negroes—Negroes’ “bulls and blunders”—Exchange is no robbery, or the lost specimens—Negro politeness—Negro tongue—Inebriation—Concluding remarks It is now necessary to make some mention of the exterior appearance of this large bulk of the population of Antigua, the blacks. As most persons are aware, the distinguishing features of the negro tribe are thick lips and

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CHAPTER XLIV.

CHAPTER XLIV.

Remarks upon free system—State of affairs before emancipation—Trials and casualties—Improved price of land—Sugar estate during slavery—Benefits of emancipation in the moral state of the colony—Benefits arising to the planter—Pretended illness among the negroes—Propositions in their favour—Decrease of crime—Hopes indulged—“The first of August.” After dwelling so long upon the gloomy subject of slavery, it is pleasing to turn to the more cheering prospects of the country unde

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CHAPTER XLV.

CHAPTER XLV.

A chapter on colour—Gradual removes from the negroes—Middle classes—Personal appearance—Devotions at their mirrors—Style of dress—Chapel belles—Passion for dress—Home and home scenes—The young men—Extreme officiousness—Higher classes of colour—Coloured Hebes—The chapel tea-party—Gastronomy and speeches—Wesleyan bazaar, and lunch-table—Gastronomic relics. In commencing this “chapter on colour,” it may, perhaps, be deemed unnecessary for me to mention, that there ar

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CHAPTER XLVI.

CHAPTER XLVI.

Prejudice—Its former and present character—An act of resentment—The “Prejudice Bell”—Exclusion of persons of colour from offices of trust and polished society—The dawn of better days—The assertions of some authors contradicted—Domestic character of the coloured gentry—Hospitality—A day at a coloured gentleman’s country-house—Dwellings—Marriages—Great suppression of illicit connexions within these last few years—Funerals—A scene of riot in former days—Provincialisms.

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CHAPTER XLVII.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Grades among the pure in blood —Aristocrats—The tribe fungi —An overseer’s duty—Managers and attorneys—Pickings and gleanings—Managers’ wives and managing ladies—Aristocratic shops—“My daughters”—Education—“Field days” of the militia—The Antiguan aide-de-camp. As in commencing my chapter on colour, I deemed it necessary to mention the different grades and gradations among that olive-tinted race; so in writing upon the white population of Antigua, it will be first proper to

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CHAPTER XLVIII.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

The pure in blood—Aristocrats of the higher order—Law, physic, and divinity—Merchants and planters—Proprietors’ dwellings—A day at a country-seat—Gastronomy—Beef—“Mary Swift”—Mutton—Pork—Turtle and City aldermen—Christmas. Having, in the preceding chapter, glanced at the “rise and progress” of the mushroom part of the aristocracy, it may be deemed requisite for me to enlarge upon the merits of those members of that body who, to present high bearing, add the claim of good

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CHAPTER XLIX.

CHAPTER XLIX.

The pure in blood—Places of amusement—The theatre—“Romeo Coates”—Jugglers and rope-dancers—Maroon parties—Shooting season—The Creole beauties—Dress—“The lords of the creation”—Fops and foppery—Business hours—Scene at the Antigua post-office—Auction sales—Militia doings—The gallant dragoon—Guard-nights. There are but few places of public amusement in Antigua; no malls, or parks, or Kensington gardens,—no morning concerts, Colosseums, or exhibition-rooms,—no “Al

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CHAPTER L.

CHAPTER L.

Zoology—Rabbits—Rats—Horned cattle—Horses—Mules—Asses—Sheep—Goats—Domestic animals—Whales—Thrasher—Grampus—Porpoise—Shark—Anecdote of the Young Creole—Death of the sailor-boy—Remora—Pilot fish—Dolphins—Jew fish—Stingray—Corramou—Beautiful colours displayed in fish—Parrot fish. In an island like Antigua, destitute of every wild animal of larger growth than a rabbit or a rat, it may be deemed risible to talk about its zoology; but as that word embrac

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CHAPTER LI.

CHAPTER LI.

Zoology: Orb-fish—Echinus, known to the ancients—Hippocampus—Trumpet-fish—Toad-fish—Sea-blubber, and galley-fish—Sea-polypus—Cat-fish—Crabs, oysters, &amp;c.—Turtle—Land-crab—Soldier-crab—Lizards—Guana—Wood-slave—Scorpions—Centipede—Snakes—Tarantula—Cockroach—Caterpillars and butterflies—Ants—Bats—Aquatic birds—Land birds—Humming bird—Anecdote. Among the curiosities found about the shores of Antigua, are, first, the orb-fish, sea-porcupine,

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CHAPTER LII.

CHAPTER LII.

BOTANY. In commencing this chapter upon botany, I deem it proper to mention first the forest trees, confining myself to those vegetating in Antigua. As, however, it will be necessary to insert the botanical names, as well as their classifications, and wishful of throwing as much interest into the subject as possible, I have, along with my own observations upon these beauties of the creation, consulted other and more efficient botanists. It must be remarked, that nearly all the West Indian trees

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CHAPTER LIII.

CHAPTER LIII.

Government—Governor-in-Chief—Council—Assembly—Government officers—Judicial officers—Ecclesiastical establishments—Schools—Fortifications and military defences—Revenue—Exports and imports—Population returns. Antigua is the usual residence of the captain-general and governor-in-chief of the Leeward Islands; and in his absence, the oldest member of council, who is styled president, acts as his deputy. But in case of the death of the governor, or his removal from the office, ac

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Supplemental Chapter.

Supplemental Chapter.

Since the foregoing pages have been written, many and great events have occurred in Antigua. St. John’s, the capital of the island, has been raised to the dignity of a city, by the mandate of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, (as announced by official letter of his excellency the governor-in-chief, Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, K.H., dated 10th November, 1842;) the church constituted a cathedral church and an episcopal see; and our former worthy archdeacon has become the Right Rev. the L

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No. 2.

No. 2.

GENEALOGY OF THE WARNER FAMILY. William Warner , of Framlington, co. of Suffolk, Esq., the representative of an ancient and distinguished family in that county, m. Margaret, dau. of Geo. Jermingham, co. Suffolk, Esq., by whom (among other issue) he left a son, Sir Thomas Warner , first English governor, and colonizer of many of the West India Islands, and who, for his energetic exertions in extending his majesty’s dominions in the American seas, was graciously complimented, and had the honours o

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No. 3.

No. 3.

MEMORIAL OF THE WINTHORPE FAMILY. This gentleman (Samuel Winthorpe, Esq. of Antigua) was the son of John Winthorpe, of Groton Hall, co. Suffolk, Esq., by his wife, Margaret, dau. of Sir John Tindall, Knt., master in Chancery, and ancestor of the present Chief Justice Tindall. Mr. Winthorpe’s family had early embraced the Protestant religion, and were among the most stanch supporters of that creed; and in those dark days, when Popery once again reared its head in England, the grandfather of this

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No. 4.

No. 4.

GENEALOGY OF THE BYAM FAMILY. Lieut.-Gen. William Byam was descended in a direct line, on his father’s side, from Caradoc Vraich Vras , Earl of Hereford, Lord of Radnor, one of the knights of the celebrated Round Table of King Arthur, ( a.d. 540,) who himself sung his praises, emphatically styling him one of the “Pillars of Britain.” He was founder of a dynasty of princes not extinguished till after the Norman invasion, when Blethin, the last of the regal order, was slain by Bernard Newmarch, ne

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No. 5.

No. 5.

Copy of the Grant of Land to Col. Philip Warner, after the Restoration of Antigua to the English Crown, in 1667. William Lord Willoughby of Parham Capt n Generall and Chief Governor of Barbados and the rest of the Caribee Islands, To all whom these presents shall come greeting—Whereas the King’s most excellent Majestie hath by due Conquest regained to himself y e sole and absolute right and propriet unto and in y e said Island of Antigua and every part thereof. The said Island having been late

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No. 6.

No. 6.

A Remonstrance of the inhabitants of the island of Antigua why they soe very earnestly craved authority and commission from his Excellency, William Stapleton Captain General and Governor in chief, in and over all his Majesties Leward Cariba Islands in America. To kill and destroy the Indians inhabiting in y e Island of Dominica and likewise for y e craveing ayde from the neighbouring Islands under his Excellency’s command which was promised us. It is to well knowne as well to y e inhabitants of

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No. 7.

No. 7.

GENEALOGY OF THE WILLIAMS FAMILY. The family of the Williams’ trace their colonial descent from — Williams , Esq., who was supposed to have emigrated from England under the auspices of William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and, by tradition, is said to have been the first Englishman who set foot in the Island of Antigua. He planted and settled the family estate at Old Road, and dying, left a son, Rowland , colonel in the army, and the first white child born in the colony, about the year 1632. He fu

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Nos. 8 & 9.

Nos. 8 & 9.

GENEALOGY OF THE CODRINGTON FAMILY. One of the great ancestors of the Codrington family was John de Codrington, grandson of Geoffrey Codrington, standard-bearer to Henry V., 1415; he afterwards purchased the manor of Wapeley in 1455, living to the great age of 112; died in 1475. From this source descends the family of Codrington connected with Antigua. Geoffrey Codrington , of Codrington, co. Gloucester, left issue a son, Robert, of the same place, and also of Sodbury. Robert had issue three son

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No. 10.

No. 10.

GENEALOGY OF THE MATHEW FAMILY. The family of the Mathews originally came from Glamorganshire, (where they were one with the Mathews, Earls of Llandaff,) emigrated to the West Indies, from Cornwall, in the Heraldic Visitation for which county, in 1622, they are mentioned. The lineal descent of the present branch of the family, from the first settler of the name, may be traced in the following manner—viz., Abednego Mathew , of Pennetenny and St. Kew, co. Cornwall, born in 1629, was a colonel in

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No. 11.

No. 11.

List of the Members of the House of Assembly at the time of the death of Governor Parke, copied from the Original Returns....

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No. 12.

No. 12.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF GOVERNOR PARKE. It may not be uninteresting to some of my readers to peruse a copy of the will of that unhappy man, Governor Parke: it is here inserted. It is worthy of notice, that anxious as Col. Parke was to perpetuate his name, it has become utterly extinct. The latter sentence of his will was written upon the morning of the very day in which he met his fate:— “In the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel Parke, Capt.-Gen. and Chief Governor, &amp;c., of all the Leewar

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No. 13.

No. 13.

ACCOUNT OF THE MACKINNON FAMILY. This Dr. Mackinnon (mentioned page 81, vol. 1,) was the second son of Lacklin More Mac’kinnon, chieftain of the powerful Highland clan of the Mac’Kinnons. He was the founder of the Mackinnon family in Antigua; and as his estates in that island are still in the hands of his representative, Wm. Alex. Mackinnon, Esq., a short account of that gentleman’s lineal descent, from the celebrated Dr. Mackinnon, may not prove superfluous. Genealogy. Dr. Daniel Mackinnon , of

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No. 14.

No. 14.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE NEGRO INSURRECTION OF 1736. “ His Excellency and Council to the Gentlemen of the Assembly, “ Gentlemen — “I think fit to lay before you a remonstrance I have received from the justices who have examined into the intended insurrection of the negroes. I could not forbear remarking to this board the grateful sense I have of this great service, and have found here every member as moved as myself. I cannot doubt but the Assembly will give a public testimony of their satisfacti

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No. 15.

No. 15.

GENEALOGY OF THE THOMAS FAMILY. The family of Sir George Thomas is certainly of Welsh extraction, and, by tradition, came from Glamorganshire, and still possess considerable property in Antigua. The first of the name in the island was William Thomas , of Bristol, Esq., who afterwards emigrating to Antigua, became a member of the legislature of that island, and in such capacity signed the “Remonstrance,” drawn up in the case of Col. Philip Warner, in 1676. He married, at St. Augustine’s, Bristol,

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No. 16.

No. 16.

GENEALOGY OF THE CARLISLES AND LAVINGTONS. The first of the Carlisle family of whom we find any record, was Richard Carlisle , who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Conyers, and had issue, Thomas Carlisle , who m. Anne, dau. of — Bussell, Esq. of co. Somerset, and had, among other children, Francis Carlisle , of Mells, in Somerset, and who was included in the Heraldic Visitation of that county for the year 1623. He m. a lady whose name is not on record, but who was alive in 1663, when her son bequea

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No. 17.

No. 17.

GENEALOGY OF SIR CHARLES AUGUSTUS FITZROY. William Crosby , brigadier-general, col. of the Royal Irish, equerry to the Queen of George II., appointed governor of the Leeward Islands, and afterwards of New York, in 1730, [ 86 ] m. Grace, the sister of George Montague, Earl of Halifax, and dying 10 March, 1736, left issue by her a dau., Elizabeth , who m. 1st, Lord Augustus Fitzroy, second son of Charles, second Duke of Grafton, [ 87 ] and 2ndly, James Jefferys. She dying 21 Dec. 1788, left by her

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No. 18.

No. 18.

GENEALOGY OF THE WILLOUGHBY FAMILY. The Willoughby family trace from a long line of noble ancestors, the first of whom known in England was Sir John de Willoughby , one of the followers of William, Duke of Normandy, who, on the conquest of England, gave to him the lordship from him called Willoughby, in Lincolnshire; and from this Sir John, we pass to his descendant, in a direct line, Sir William de Willoughby , who, the 54th of the reign of Henry III., was signed with the cross, as the phrase t

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No. 19.

No. 19.

GENEALOGY OF THE MARTIN FAMILY, OF GREEN CASTLE. — Martin , colonel in the army. He emigrated to the West Indies, and became proprietor of an estate at Surinam, at which colony, soon after the Restoration, he swore to having been present at Charing Cross, London, when Charles, Prince of Wales, was proclaimed King, under the title of Charles II., and when his proclamation was read, commanding all persons then in office to continue so until further notice. This gentleman is said to have been, unde

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No. 20.

No. 20.

GENEALOGY OF THE FREEMAN FAMILY. The lineage of the Freeman family may be traced from Arthur Freeman, of Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London, and of Antigua, Esq., who espoused Dorothy, relict of George Symes, Esq. of Antigua, (by which marriage the estates called “Freeman’s,” in Antigua, now in possession of Inigo-Freeman Thomas, Esq., came into that family,) and had issue a son, Thomas, who m. Rebecca, dau. of Col. Wm. Byam, ( see Byam’s Pedigree ,) and by her had, i. Arthur , of whom hereafter. ii.

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