Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS

Page 21

PARISH OF ST. CATHERINE.

THE CATHEDRAL.

THE cathedral church of St. Catherine stands in the southeast part of St. Jago de la Vega,* more commonly called Spanish Town, and occupies the site of the Spanish church of the Red Cross, which, together with an abbey, and another church, called the White Cross, was destroyed, at the capture of the town by Venables, in May, 1655.

On the outside of the west end of the cathedral tower, over the door, and under a pointed window, is this inscription, on a white marble tablet:

" D. 0. M.

This Church Dedicated to ye Service of Almighty God was thrown downe by ye dreadfull Hurricane of August ye 28th Anno Domini MDCCXII and was by ye Divine Assistance, through ye Piety and at ye expense of ye Parishioners, more beautifully and substantially rebuilt upon its old foundation in ye thirteenth year of ye Reigne of our most gracious Sovereigne Queen ANN and in ye Government of his Excellency the Lord Archibald Hamilton, in the year of our Lord MDCCXIV

Matthew Gregory, Esqr & Mr. Beaumont Pestell Church Wardens"

Below this, on another marble slab,

" THIS TOWER WAS ERECTED, And the above Tablet removed from the inner wall, In the year MDCCCXVII. His Grace the DUKE of MANCHESTER Governor. JOHN LUNAN, FRANCIS SMITH, Churchwardens."

*St. James of the Plains, so called from the patron saint of Spain, and its champaign situation. Long and Edwards agree in the probable correctness of the tradition, which ascribes its foundation to Diego, son of Christopher Columbus, about 1523, on the decay of New Seville, the former capital of the island, near the present village of St. Ann' Bay. Lewis, eldest son of Diego, was created Duke de Veragua, with the second title of Marquess de la Vega, derived from this town--Edwards' West Indies.


22 JAMAICA.

On the east wall is the following tablet of:

Benefactors to the Poor,

"Matthew Gregory Esq M. D. in the yr 1765, granted (under the direction of the Honble the Chief justice, the Honble the Custos of this Precinct, and the Revd. the Rector of S. Catherine as Trustees) a yearly income to the amount of £230 for the following benevolent purposes, viz To relieve any distressed Object of this island coming to St. Jago de la Vega, To bind out poor children to trades, and to portion orphan girls at Marriage.

Erected 1779

Honble R. Welch Esq Chief Jus:

Honble W. P. Browne Esq Cs Rm

Revd J. Lindsay D. D. Rr Treasr."*

.

TO THE MEMORY OF ANDREW ARCHDECKNE,ESQ., A NATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND, MANY YEARS BARRISTER AT LAW AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS TOWN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ISLAND. HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 17th DAY OF AUGUST, 1763, AGED 72 YEARS, LAMENTED BY HIS FRIENDS, AND REGRETTED BY HIS RELATIONS. HIS CHILDREN, IN TESTIMONY OF THE GREAT LOVE AND AFFECTION THEY BORE HIM WHEN ALIVE, AND IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS PATERNAL TENDERNESS, HAVE ERECTED THIS MONUMENT TO THEIR FATHER, FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR.

Arms, Argt., three chevronels Gu.

He was of Gleveny Hall, Suffolk, and married a daughter of Francis Love Beckford, Esq., of Basing Park. For an account of the ancient family of Archdeckne, vide Banks' Baronia Anglica Concentrata, and Journals of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Mr. Archdeckne was returned M.A. for this parish so early as 1718.

The city of Kilkenny appears, as well as Galway, to have had its own ten tribes," thus recapitulated:-

*By indenture, dated 22nd March, 1765, Dr. Gregory conveyed a house and land in Spanish Town to Mr. Edward Aldred, surgeon, upon trust for the Hon. Thomas Fearon, Chief Justice, the Hon. William Wynter, and the Rev. Samuel Griffith, rector of the parish, and their successors, "for and towards the maintenance and support of poor persons in or from any part of the said island, and in and for putting poor boys and poor girls apprentices in the said island, and for giving portions in marriage with any poor girls in or from any part of the said island." But in the year 1792, the House having fallen into decay, an Act was passed (33 Geo. III. c. 14) vesting the messuage and land in the Hon. William Jackson, Chief-Justice, the Hon. William Mitchell, Custos, and the Rev. Robert Stanton Woodham, rector, for the purpose of sale, and for investment of the remaining proceeds and the interest therefrom to the charitable purposes before mentioned.

Of the subscribers to this tablet were Richard Welch, Chief Justice, and William Patrick Browne, Custos. It is somewhat remarkable that of the numerous rectors of this parish there is not to be found a single memorial in the church or churchyard.


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 23

"Archdekin, Archer, Cowley, Langton, Ley, Knaresborough, Lawless, Ragget, Rothe and Shee."

Of these, " Archdekin " was of more note in the county than in the city.

According to Banks (Baronia Anglica Concentrata), the male line of Thomas le Archdekne (summoned to parliament, 14 Edw. II.) expired in the person of his grandson, Warine, who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Talbot, of Richard's Castle.

2.

JOHN ATKINSON, OBIT. 10th OF NOVEMBER IN YE 28th YEAR OF HIS AGE ANNO DO 16(83).

HERE LYETH INTERR'D THE BODY OF ITHAMAR THE WIFE OF THE HONBLE ROSE FULLER ESQ WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 22d DAY OF APRIL 1738 AGED 17 YEARS.

HERE LYETH INTERRED, THE BODY OF THE HONBLE RICHARD MILL, ESQ MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, RECEIVER GENERAL AND LATE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THIS ISLAND, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 16th DAY OF JUNE 1739 AGED 60 YEARS.

M. Slab, with a brass plate on which are engraven armorial ensigns; Arms, Ermine a fess (or) between 3 pheons (argt.); Crest, A pheon. These are a narration of the arms assigned to Atkinson or Atchinson of Newark and Yorkshire. (Burke's Genl. Arm.)

3A.

C.Y. MR. FRANCIS ARCHER DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 8th OF FEBRUARY 1824 AGED 35. (Ten verses follow)

FRANCIS ARCHER appears to have been of an Irish family, connected with the Commissariat department of the army. There were other families of this name in Jamaica during the 17th and 18th centuries, viz. 1. Archer from Swindon, co. Wilts; 2. Archer of Wexford; 3. Archer of Wicklow; 4. Archer of Essex; 5. Archer from Barbados, but previously from Suffolk (Q. Bury St. Edmund's and Sudbury?).

3 B.

TO THE MEMORY OF ANNA MARIA ALDRED DAUGHTER OF DANIEL BROADBELT ESQR. AND ANNA MARIA HIS SPOUSE AND WIFE OF MR. EDWARD ALDRED SURGEON WHO DIED IN CHILDBED ON THE 21st DAY OF DECEMBER 1761 AGED 19 YEARS AND SIX DAYS. THIS STONE IS ERECTED AND INSCRIBED BY HER AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND (Verses).

It appears* that a Mr. Rigby Pennoyre Broadbelt was a trustee to a deed executed in Jamaica in favour of a Mrs. Elizabeth Crowder Nixon, &c.

M. Monument, sculptured; On a bat's wing a skull.

* See advertisement in the Times To Genealogists, &c. Address care of Mr. F. May, 9, King Street, St. James', London. (1867.) (4-2)


JAMAICA. 24

Captain Rigby, of whom a beautiful mezzo tint portrait still exists, was an officer of the Navy on the Jamaica station, but for some reason a veil has been drawn over his memory. (See proceedings of his trial.)

4

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF CHARLES ATDKINSON ESQ: A GENTLEMAN THAT BY A GENEROUS AND PUBLIC SPIRIT, PURCHASED NO INCONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS OF HONOUR, TO HIS GOOD EXTRACTION, BEING SECRETARY SUCCESSIVELY TO THE HONOURABLE SR. THOMAS LYNCH, AND THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VAUGHAN. THRICE IMPLOYED IN FORRAIN NEGOTIATIONS HE ACQUIT HIM SELFE WITH HONOUR AND PUBLICK SATISFACTION. AFTER ALL, BEING READY TO EMBARK ON AN EMBASSY FOR ENGLAND WAS SEIZED BY AN INVIDIOUS AND MALIGNANT FEAVER UNDER A PAROXISME WHEREOF HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOVEMBER YE 20th. ANNO AETATIS SUAE, 31 SALUTIS 1678.

B. M. Arms, Ermine on a fess, 3 pheons. Crest, A pheon. (These are the arms assigned to Atkinson of Newark.)

5.

WILLIAM ASSAM DIED IN 1730 IN HIS 45th YEAR. HIS WIFE MARY "LATE THE WIFE OF LAWRENCE PEAT" DIED 1734, IN HER 76th YEAR.

B. M. Slab; Arms, A fess between three asses passant. . . . .

6.

RICHARD BATTY, ESQRE DIED APRIL I0th 1796 AGED 53 YEARS THROUGHOUT THY SHRINE BENEVOLENCE ENDEAR'D! AFFECTION'S TRIBUTARY LAMP IS REARED; YET VAIN THE RECORD WHICH THE SCULPTUR'D STONE WOULD RAISE TO THOSE PREEMINENTLY KNOWN HIS STERLING WORTH AND VIRTUES STAND CONFEST GRAVED ON THE WORTHY AND THE VIRTUOUS BREAST.

W. and gray M. Sculp. J. Bacon, London, 1798.

On this monument is represented a female figure leaning over an altar tomb, on which appears in relief, a pelican feeding her young, &c. The deceased was Cust. Rot., and Member of Assembly for " Vere " parish.

7.

HERE LYETH BURRYED ELIZABETH BEESTON DAUGHTER OF SR. WILLIAM BEESTON KNT. (PRESENT GOVERNOR OF THIS ISLAND) BY ANN HIS WIFE, WH0 DYED YE 18 OF AUGUST ANNO DI. 1693 AND IN YE 18 YEAR OF HER AGE.

B. M. Slab.


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 25

WILLIAM BEESTON, "Gent.," who had obtained large grants of land in Liguanea from Lord Windsor in 1662, was returned a member for " "Cagua" (the present Port Royal), in the first Assembly of the island, 20th Jan., 16634. He was four times elected Speaker of the House, viz., 9th April, 1677 ; 4th September, 1677 ; 3rd September, 1678, and 19th August, 1679, having been each time returned for Port Royal. Journals. He was distinguished in that office, by his resistance to the attempt of the Governor, the Earl of Carlisle, to enforce " Poynings law " (of Ireland) on the island; and his successful vindication of the privileges of the Assembly is fully detailed in the histories of Long, Edwards, and Bridges. On the 9th of March, 16923, having been knighted by William III., he arrived at Port Royal with the commission of Lieut.-Governor of the island. In this situation he repelled a formidable invasion from St. Domingo, under Du Casse, who, after some predatory attacks about Port Morant, landed 1500 men in Carlisle Bay, but was compelled to retreat to his ships, with a loss of 700 men, after several encounters with the militia of the island, in July, 1694. In 1701 Sir William was appointed Governor, which office he held about one year, when he was superseded by Major-General Selwyn.

8.

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF COLL. JOHN BOURDEN BORNE IN THE CITY OF COLRAIN IN THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND, IN YE YEAR 1633 ONE OF HIS MAJESTIES COUNSELL OF JAMAICA, AND SOMETIME PRESIDENT A LOVER OF JUSTICE A LOVING HUSBAND A FAITHFUL FRIEND AND A GOOD MASTER DYED THE 18th DAY OF AUGUST 1697

BOURDEN* was first returned to the Assembly as Member for Vere, 26 April, 1675. He afterwards represented St. Catherine in five Assemblies. He was then called up to the Council, where, resisting the Arbitrary measures of Christopher (Monk) 2d Duke of Albemarle, he was displaced by that Governor, but restored, on the accession of William and Mary, Feb. 22, 16889. On the death of the Governor, William (O'Brien) 2d Earl of Inchiquin, Jan. 16, 1691, the Government devolved upon the President of the Council, John White, who was killed at Port Royal, in the earthquake which destroyed that place, June 7, 1692; when Bourden succeeded to the presidency of the Council, and, as President, to the chief command of the Island. In the latter he was superseded by Sir William Beeston, who arrived at Port Royal as Lieut.-Governor, on March 9, 16923.

B. M. Slab; Arms, 3 hautboys, 2 and 1, between as many crosses crosslet.

*There was a Governor of the Bermudas between 1612 and 1622, of this surname, but whether of the same family as the above, is uncertain.


26 JAMAICA.

9.

HERE LYES THE BODY OF SAMUEL BERNARD, ESQRE., CHIEF JUSTICE OF THIS COUNTREY FOR THE SPACE OF TEN YEARS, IN WHICH TRUST HE ACQUITTED HIM SELF AS BECAME A JUST AND PRUDENT MAGISTRATE, TO HIS OWN HONOUR THE GOOD OF YE COMMUNITY AND YE SATISFACTION OF ALL HONEST MEN HE DYED MARCH YE 29th 1695, IN YE 59th YEAR OF HIS AGE.

B. M. Slab; Arms, On a bend, 3 escallops. In the Sinr. Ch. a mullet.

10.

HERE ALSO LIES THE BODY OF JOHN THE SON OF THOMAS BERNARD WHO DIED JULY 24th 1720.

HERE ALSO LIES THE BODY OF SAMUEL ELDEST SON OF THE SAID THOMAS BERNARD ESQR. WHO DIED NOVBR. YE 17 1720 AGED 2 YEARS AND 11 MONTHS.

M; Arms, Argt. on a bend az., 3 escallops of the field; impaling checquy, arg and gu. a saltire ermine. Crest, a demilion arg. holding in his jamb a serpent sable.

11.

MARY WIFE OF THOMAS BERNARD ESQR. WHO DIED AUGUST 13 1724, IN THE 25th YEAR OF HER AGE.

12.

(All on the same.)

HERE LYES INTERR'D THE BODY OF THE HONBLE COLLL. PETER BECKFORD LATE PRESIDT. OF YE COUNCILL, SOMETIME LIEUT.GOVR. AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THIS ISLAND, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE YE 3d APRIL 1710, IN THE 67th YEAR OF HIS AGE.

ALSO THE BODYS OF WILLM THE SON OF GEORGE BECKFORD, LATE OF EALING, IN YE COUNTY OF MIDDX, ESQ WHO DYED YE 11th DECR 1708 IN THE 18th YEAR OF HIS AGE. AND PHILLIS THE DAUGHTER OF PETER BECKFORD YE YOUNGER ESQ WHO WAS BORN YE 21st OF MAY 1708 AND DYED THE 28th DAY OF JULY FOLLOWING.

ALSO THE BODY OF PETER BECKFORD ESQR SON OF THE HONBLE COLLLL. PETER BECKFORD ESQR WHO DIED THE 23d OF SEPTEMBER 1735 IN THE 62d YEAR OF HIS AGE.

LIKEWISE THE BODY OF PETER BECKFORD ESQ. JUNIOR HIS SON, WHO DYED THE 16th OF AUGUST 1737 IN THE 32d YEAR OF HIS AGE.

W. M. Arms, On a chev. betw. 3 martlets, an eagle displayed. Crest, A heron's head erased, holding a fish in its bill.

On the death of Governor Major-General Selwyn, on April 5th, 1702, when the Legislature was sitting, Colonel Beckford, who had a dormant Commission of


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 27

old date, caused himself to be proclaimed Lieutenant Governor. In his speech to the Assembly he said, " I have gone through most of the offices of this island, though with no great applause, yet without complaint," and Bridges adds, "He carried on the business in a manner which redeemed the pledge he had given." He was succeeded in the office of Lieutenant Governor by Lieutenant General Thomas Handasyde, the same year. The cause of his death is thus graphically described by Bridges. " During a warm debate in the Assembly, on June 8, 1711, on the right of adjournment for a longer period than de die in diem, Peter Beckford, the Speaker (son of the President), repeatedly called to order, and was at length compelled to enforce it by adjournment. But irritation had gone so far that, when he rose to quit the chair, the Members drew their swords and held him there while the obnoxious questions in debate were put and carried. The doors were barred; the uproar was alarming; and the Speaker's father heard the disturbance in the Council Chamber. He recognized the voice of his son crying aloud for help, and rushed into the Governor's apartment. Thomas Hanasyde seized his, sword, ordered the sentinels to follow him, forced the door of the Court House, and dissolved the Assembly in the Queen's name. But the fray was fatal to the elder Beckford; in his agitation his foot slipped, and he was precipitated down the staircase, and the effects were deadly on his aged frame. His personal property amounted to £478,000, and his real estate to as much more!"

The second Peter Beckford, son and heir of the first, was elected Member of Assembly for Port Royal in 1704, and in the next Assembly, 1705, was chosen for three parishes, St. John, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth, but made his election for the last. He continued to serve as a Member in every Assembly of the island until his death-in the earlier Assemblies generally for St. Elizabeth, in the latter for St. Catherine. As Member for the former parish he was five times chosen Speaker, viz., 29th December, 1707, when he was also returned for three parishes; January 4, 17089; 11th April 1711; 26th November, 1713; and 17th September, 1716. He was also Comptroller of his Majesty's Customs in this island. On the 3rd of February, 1730, he gave "for a school and poor housekeepers" in this parish £2000. He married Bathshua, daughter of Julines Herring, Esq., of this island, and in the " Gentleman's Magazine" for December, 1735, he is said to have died worth £300,000.

Besides the "Peter Beckford, Esq., junior," who was M.A. for Westmoreland in 1728, the Speaker left a daughter, Elizabeth, wife of the second Earl of Effingham, and mother of the Governor of this island; and also a son, William, the celebrated Lord Mayor and M.P. for the City of London, who, in his second mayoralty made the memorable reply to George III., on May 23,1770, which the citizens thought so worthy of commemoration as to inscribe it on a most magnificent monument in their Guildhall. Medals were struck on the occasion, having on their obverse the head of "WILLIAM BECKFORD, ESQ., LORD MAYOR OF London," in a large wig, with the civic robe and chain. On the reverse a female figure, seated on a pile of books, one of which is opened, and inscribed " MAGNA CHARTA," her right hand holding "the balance," and her left a staff, with the cap of liberty thereon; motto, "TRUE TO HIS TRUST." On


28 JAMAICA.

the exergue, " 1770." He married Maria, daughter and coheir of the Honourable George Hamilton, second surviving son of James, sixth Earl of Abercorn, by whom he had issue William Beckford, Esq., author of " Vathek " (which he wrote and published originally in French, and afterwards translated into English), and proprietor of Fonthill. In right of his mother, who was descended in a direct line from James, second Lord Hamilton, by Mary Stuart, his wife, eldest daughter of James II. of Scotland, Mr. Beckford bore, under grant of the Earl Marshal, in addition to his paternal coat (Per pale gules and azure, on a chevron argent, between three martlets or, an eagle displayed sable), on a bordure or, a double tressure flory counter flory, gules, as. in the arms of Scotland. William Beckford, of Fonthill, had by his wife (daughter of the Earl of Aboyne) a daughter, Susanna Euphemia, who married the 10th Duke of Hamilton, and was grandmother of the present Duke.

His cousin, William Beckford, Esq., formerly of Somerly, in Suffolk, was the gentleman to whom Brydone addressed his very amusing " Tour in Sicily and Malta," and was himself the author of " Remarks on the Negroes in Jamaica," I vol., 8vo., 1788, and "A Descriptive Account of Jamaica," 2 vols., 8vo., 1790. Another of this family was author of "Thoughts upon Hare and Fox Hunting."

[For other notices of this family see the " Peerages " of Ancaster, Rivers, &c.]

13.

NEAR THIS PLACE LIES THE BODY OF JOHN BLAIR ESQR. ONLY SON OF THE LATE COLL JOHN BLAIR ESQR. DECEASED WHO DIED THE 22D DECR. 1742 AGED 26.

(On the same,)

HERE LIES NIDEME, THE WIFE OF JOHN BLAIRE, ESQR AGED 29 YEARS, DIED YE 5th MARCH, 1707.

Arms, A chevron between three roundles, all within a border. Crest, A (love rising. Motto, " Virtute tutus."

On the same.)

HERE LIES THE BODY OF JAMES HAY, ESQ., ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE GRAND COURT, AGED 39 YEARS, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 7th DAY OF OCTOBER, 1735.

THE Blairs of Jamaica are supposed to have been descended from the family of Balthyock, Perthshire; this, however, is a mere conjecture, the first of the family in the island having been John Blair, a Darien refugee, who, in 1701, was elected Member for St. Thomas in the East, and filled many other offices of trust.

Arms, On a cross five scallops. Crest A lion rampant.


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 29

14.

HERE LYES INTERR'D THE BODY OF ELIZABETH THE LATE WIFE OF JOHN BLAIR ESQR WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 7th OF 7BER 1721 AGED TWENTY SEVEN YEARS LIKEWISE THEIR FOUR CHILDRN, JOHN, THOMAS, CHRISTIAN AND MARY HERE ALSO LIETH INTERR'D YE B0DY OF THE HONBLE JOHN BLAIR ESQR. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE YE 27th DAY OF JUNE 1728 AGED 60 YEARS.

W. M. Monument; Arms, On a cross five escallops. Crest, A lion rampant.

THE Honourable Colonel John Blair (see epitaphs of his first Wife and son, already transcribed), was a surgeon, and one of the Scotch colonists of Darien.

There is a large collection of interesting wills and administrations of many of these Darien refugees, preserved in the Register House, Edinburgh, some of which would repay the trouble of publishing.

15.

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF HEARCEY BARRITT, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 5th DAY OF MARCH 1726 IN THE 76th YEAR OF HER AGE.

B. M. slab; Arms . A chevron between three eagles' talons [Q. lion's jambs] erased and reversed. Crest, A talbot's head erased, collared.

HENRY BARHAM, SEN: ESQR. DIED 1726 IN HIS 56th YEAR.

B. M. Slab; Arms, on a fess betw. three boars statant ; a fleur de lis betw. two ducks, close. Crest, A heron among reeds, close.

17

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE HONBLE WILLIAM BLAKE ESQR. SPEAKER OF THE HONBLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. HE DIED 24th JANUARY 1797 AGED 56 YEARS.

Stone Slab.


JAMAICA. 30

DURING the illness of Samuel Williams Haughton, Member for Hanover, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Blake, was twice elected pro tempore. He was reelected for Westmoreland in the Assembly of 23rd March, 1790, and on the death of Mr. Haughton, (by a fall from his horse in August, 1793) Mr. Blake was unanimously chosen Speaker, 22nd October, 1793. He was again elected for Westmoreland, and again unanimously chosen Speaker on Oct. 28th, 1796. He was succeeded in that high office by Donald Campbell, Esq., Member for St. George, who was elected 25th July, 1797.Journals of House of Assembly.

In 1755 we find the will of Nicholas Blake, of Jamaica, and in it mention made of his brother Benjamin, and his son Nicholas Allen Blake, &c.

In 1766 is recorded the will of Samuel Blake, in which occur the names of his sons and daughters Joseph, William, Samuel, Bonella, and Margaret.

The will of Nicholas Allen Blake, the nephew of Nicholas as above, is dated July 16, 1789, and contains bequests to his son Matthew Gregory Blake, his brother William, and his cousins the Burkes of Loughrea, in Ireland.

A few years earlier, in the will of Benjamin William Blake (1785), his nieces are named Jane Gregory and Helen Haughton, his brother-in-law Samuel Williams Haughton, and his brothers William and Nicholas Allen Blake, &c.

The first entry of this name in the parish registers of Jamaica is in 1671, and in 1717 is recorded the birth of Benjamin, the son of Benjamin and .......Blake. In 1743 is recorded the marriage of Alexander Blake* and Hagar Williams (probably daughter of Williams of Carowena [Carawina]); and still later, in the Hodges family the baptism of an Alexander Blake Hodges, the nephew of Robert Francklyn Hodges, who married a daughter of the Hon. Hugh Lewis (Ch. Justice).

Robert Francklyn Hodges, younger, of Maxfield, was so named after a Mr. Francklyn, who married his aunt, Margaret Blake.**

In so extensive a family as that of Blake, it is natural to suppose that even uncommon surnames will be frequently adopted instead of ordinary Christian names, to distinguish individuals ; but when we find a double combination of this description, we attach more importance to the coincidence (?).

A reference to the pedigree of the Allens of Blackwell Grange, and a comparison of the names of Blake and Burke therein, suggests some connection with the family of Blake in Jamaica; and if so, of necessity it appears with that of Barbados, in the

----------------------------------

*It may not be unworthy of attention, that in no other but the Taunton Blake pedigree, is the name Alexander Blake to be found. Colonel Williams, of Carowena married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel John Guthrie. On his decease, she married (1735) Colonel Richard Haughton. The above (Hagar) was, however, not the daughter of this Colonel Williams.

** This gentleman's seal, now in the possession of Ana Archer, wife of Rev. John Campbell, Rectory, St. Thomas in the Vale, bears on one side the initials J. F. ; on the other a ship in full sail ; and on the third, Arg. on a bend engrailed gu., between two dolphins naiant embowed, three lions' heads erased, of the first.


31 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

seventeenth century, and of another family of the name in Ireland, one of whose members, Nicholas Blake, is described as of Barbados at the period to which we allude.

On referring, however, to the registers of Andover, we find that Nicholas Blake of that town was also of Barbados; while in the will of the wife of Nicholas Blake of Barbados (1663), we discover that her husband was also of " Bishop's Mead, near Craford, Kent.".

Leaving, however, such branches of this family out of the question, and turning to the pedigree of Benjamin, Nicholas, and Alexander, three of the younger brothers of the celebrated Admiral Blake,* we find very strong presumptive evidence of its being represented in Jamaica; and this is probable, moreover, from the interest which Cromwell took in his valuable insular acquisition; and the date on the tomb of Alexander Blake, at Eaton Socon, 1690, brings the record of the Taunton family close upon modern times.

It is probable that there were two families of Blake in Jamaica, which became united in one, about the commencement of the eighteenth century.

The will of Elizabeth Blake, wife of Nicholas Blake, merchant, of London, entered (Barbados) Oct. 26, 1663, states:" I bequeath unto my son Nicholas my land, called Bishop's Mead, in the parish of Craford, county of Kent, and bought of Wm. Borman, and to his half-brother my son John Wilson, my cousins John Blake and Nicholas Prideaux, &c. Witnesses: Nicholas Prideaux, H. Turvile, Thomas Mortimer, and Hercules Tervile" (sic).

(Vide also the Baronetage; and Pedigrees of Blake at the Heralds' College and Brit. Mus., "Notes and Queries," &c. Very extensive private collections of Blake records exist.)

The name is probably identical with that of Black, and therefore has had various centres of origin;" although, so far as we know, its earliest appearance was in Hampshire and Wilts, whence all the, other recorded branches are assumed to have been derived.

In Hardiman's History of Galway," (Dublin, 1820,) we find the following remarks :" This family is of British extraction, and although the name seems derived from the Saxon Blae, a colour; yet Debrett, in his 'Baronetage,' says, 'they are traditionally descended from Ap Lake, one of the Knights of King Arthur's Round Table'(!). Nothing ought to surprise us after such an announcement.

" In 1651 Government caused a map of this county to be made, and on the third sheet are, amongst others, the Arms of Blake, and also, with other inscriptions, the words ('Marilandiae, Carolinae, Verginiae, et Jamaicae,' being on the second sheet with the name Marline) on the third sheet : 'Bermude, Barbude, Montserrat, et Sancti Christophore.'

It way be incidentally noticed that the late representative of this family, the Rev. H. J. C. Blake (descended from Humphrey Blake), possessed the sword, and an interesting original portrait of the great Admiral. The Admiral died in August, 1657, and his epitaph is given by Pettigrew.


JAMAICA. 32

The peculiar baptismal name (probably in compliment to some Spanish family) of Bonella , seems to have been peculiar to certain families intermarried in Jamaica. Bonella Hodges, mother to (Pennant) first Lord Penrhyn, (sec " Peerage,") gave her name to the Blakes, Haughtons, Vassalls, and Archers. Through other ramifications it passed into the families of Scarlett, &c.

From Pedigree of the Rev. J. H. C. Blake.

Humphrey Blake [s. of Robt. & Margt., of Bridgewater] had, by his w. Sarah Williams, 14 sons, & 1 dau.

The sons were in the following order [see Ped. Her. Coll. & Harl. MSS., 1141]:-

1. Robert; 2. Humphrey; 3. William; 4. George; 5. George; 6. Nicholas 7. Samuel; 8. Edward; 9. John; 10. Thomas; 11. ob. inf. 12. Benjamin. 13 . .......; 14. Alexander.

Robert, the celebrated Admiral, 1st son, died s.p.

Humphrey, 2nd son, left issue, and was represented by the late Rev. J. H. C. Blake.

George, 4th son, ob. inf.

George, 5th son, had issue male: Benjamin.

Nicholas, 6th son, had issue male : Nicholas (viv. 1695), and the latter had 1. Alexander; 2. John; 3. William.

Samuel, 7th son, had issue male: 1. Samuel; 2. Robert.

John, 9th son, died s.p.

Alexander, 14th son. Admiral Blake's uncle, Benjamin B., m. 1614, Elizabeth, d. of Sidrach Blake, Stepney, Middx.

18.

HERE LYES INTERR'D MR. GERALD BERMINGHAM OF THE NOBLE AND ANTIENT FAMILY OF ATHENRY OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND HE WAS A MAN OF STRICT VIRTUE AND PRUDENCE ; FAITHFULL TO HIS TRUSTS AND SINCERE IN HIS FRIENDSHIPS, TO WHOSE MEMORY HIS RELICT MRS. ANNE BERMINGHAM ERECTED THIS MONUMENT. HE DIED DECEMBER THE 11th 1742 AGED 48 YEARS.

B. M, Slab; Arms, Per pale indented two spears' heads paleways, points up. Crest, A goat's head erased. Motto, "Tout au Rien."

HERE was a great feudal family of this name, a branch of which settled in Ireland.

The Barony of Athenry de Bermingham was the premier Barony of Ireland, and fell into abeyance on the death of Thomas, Earl of Louth, the 22nd Baron. in 1799, when the Earldom of Louth became extinct.

The Berminghams and Barnewalls were two powerful families, at an early period, in the South East of Ireland. The Barony of Kingsland in the latter, was restored in the person of a Dublin hotel waiter, but is again dormant.


33 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

There was a branch of this family, as may be seen by reference to the Inquis. P. M. of Leinster, which was twice intermarried with that of Archer of Kilkenny, at an early period ; hence their coat being now quartered with others of note in the armorial achievement of The O'Shee of Garden-Morris family. (Vide Notes and Queries," 1867, voce O'Shee.)

19.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF FRANCIS RIGBY BROADBELT ESQRE. M D WHO IN HIS PASSAGE THRO' THIS PROBATIONARY STATE WAS EMINENTLY DISTINGUISHED FOR PURITY OF SENTIMENT, INTEGRITY OF LIFE AND THE EXEMPLARY DISCHARGE OF EVERY RELATIVE AND SOCIAL DUTY AND WAS EQUALLY RESPECTED AND BELOVED AS A PHYSICIAN AND AS A MAN. HE WAS BORN OCTOBER 9th 1746; AND DIED DECEMBER 9th 1795 THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HIS SON FRANCIS RIGBY BROADBELT 1799.

W. M.; Arms, Gu. three bendlets wavy or. Crest, A double headed eagle displayed sa. Motto, "Altius ibunt, qui ad summa nitantur."

J. Bacon Sculpt. ."

On this monument, the Genius of Medicine is represented supporting a figure of Hope, beside an altar, on which is sculptured the parable of the Good Samaritan, and beneath is the following couplet:

"When the physician shares the patient's pain, Medicine may well our fainting hope sustain."

Dr. Broadbelt, junior M. of C., gained the silver medal of the Med. Soc. London, Feb.23, 1795.

20.

THOMAS YE SONN OF THOMAS BRAY DIED 1699 AGED 7. ELIZABETH BRAY BORN FEBRUARY 1698/9 DIED DECEMBER 1699. Stone Slab.

SUSANNA WIFE OF THOMAS BARRITT ESQ. DIED JANUARY 14, 1727/8 IN HER 36th YEAR, AND FOUR OF THEIR CHILDREN THOMAS, THOMAS, SUSANNA, AND HEARCEY ELIZABETH HIS SECOND WIFE DIED 1740 AGED 47.

THE families of Barrett, Hodges, Haughton, and Molton were connected with each other by various intermarriages.

The poetess, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was of this family, having been a sister of the late Mr. Barrett, of Cinnamon Hill, Par. Trelawny.

B. M. Slab; Arms chevron between three lions' jambs erased. Crest, A talbot's head erased, collared and langued [see p. 29.]


34 JAMAICA.

The name John Baret, 1463, St. Mary's, Bury St. Edmunds, occurs in Pettigrew's work.

22.

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF COLONEL ROBERT BYNDLOS HE DYED THE 16th DAY OF JUNE 1687 IN YE 50 YEAR OF HIS AGE.

HE was one of the original members of the first General Assembly, and subsequently of the first " Council."

By his wife, Anne-Petronella, daughter of General Edward Morgan and his wife, daughter of Baron Pollnitz, he had a daughter, who married Thomas Beckford, grandson of Colonel Peter Beckford.

There was a baronetcy in the family of Bindlosse of Borwick, which became extinct, on the death of Sir Robert Bindlosse, in 1688.

G. M. Slab; Arms Per cross, fesswise indented ..on a bend, a rose between two martlets...Impaling a chevron between three bucks' heads cabossed.

Crest, A sagittarius.

23.

WILLIAM BALDWIN ESQR. DIED 17 JULY 1755 AGED 54,ALSO MARY HIS WIDOW WHO DIED 12th APRIL 1760 AGED 68.

M. Tablet Arms, Arg. three oak branches, slipped, leafed, and fructed ppr.

24.

HERE LYETH BURIED YE BODY OF CAPT WALTER BREAREY SON TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPLL MR. BREAPY LATE LORD MAYOR OF THE CITTY OF YORKE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE YE 29th DAY OF NOVEMBR ANO DOM 1681.

B. M. Slab.

25.

MR THOMAS BREWSTER SENR. DIED 1701 IN HIS 33d YEAR. SAMUEL HIS SON DIED 1721 IN HIS 29th YEAR. JOHN BREWSTER SON OF JOHN & GRANDSON OF THOMAS BREWSTER DIED 1733 AGED 8/12. MRS JOYCE RAISBECK FORMERLY WIFE OF THOMAS BREWSTER DIED 1734 IN HER 71st YEAR. SAMUEL SON OF


35 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

JOHN BREWSTER, DIED 1737 AGED 10 YEARS. MRS JOYCE BREWSTER, DAUGHTER OF JOHN BREWSTER DIED 1737 AGED 14 YEARS.

W. M. Slab.

THE Brewsters are frequently mentioned in connection with the affairs of New England in the seventeenth century. (S. P. 0.) They were also numerous in Barbados, where they intermarried with the family of Archer.*

There was a family of Raisbeck at Stockton, of which was Thomas, (temp. Carl. II.) who married Sarah, daughter of the Rev. T. Stapylton, son of Miles Stapylton, Auditor to Cosins, Bishop of Durham (temp. Carl. II).

See also Notes in Misc. Gen. et Herald., July, 1870, (No. 4), on the family of the celebrated Maj.Gen. Skippon.

26.

HERE LYETH INTERR'D YE BODY OF FRANCIS BLACKMORE ESQ ONE OF HIS MATIES COUNCIL OF JAMAICA AND SON OF SIR JOHN BLACKMORE OF QUANTRIX HOUSE IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET KT WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 24th DAY OF OCTOBER 1697 AND IN YE 39th YEAR OF HIS AGE

B. M. Slab; Arms . On a fess between three Moors' heads, as many crescents. Crest, An arm embowed, grasping a lance with a swallowtailed pennon.

27.

HERE LYETH INTERR'D THE B0DY OF MAJOR GENERALL JAMES BANNISTER LATE GOVERNOR OF SARRENHAIM WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE l0th OF NOVEMBER ANO DOMI 1674 IN THE 50th YEARE OF HIS AGE.

 

THE colony of Surinam was granted by Charles II. in 1662, to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, and Lawrence Hyde (afterwards Earl of Rochester), second son of the great Lord Chancellor Clarendon. In 1664 the English captured the New Netherlands, the present New York, from the Dutch. In 1667 Surinam was taken by surprise by the Hollanders, under Captain Abraham

----------------------------------------

*Parish Register, Barbados. Richard Brewster and Sarah Archer married in 1681. Brewster is also named in the will of Edward Archer, of St. Philip and St. Lucy, 1693.


JAMAICA.36

By treaty, in Criuvon, but retaken the same year by Commodore Sir John Harman.

1673-4, it was finally agreed that Surinam should be the property of the Dutch, in exchange for the province of New York.

Major-General Bannister appears to have been President of the Council of Jamaica in 1671, his name being first on the list of that body, as given by Sir Thomas Lynch, on August 20; and he is the first named of the Council to John Lord Vaughan, appointed by Charles II., April 3, 1674. The 51st Article of the Instructions to that Nobleman, dated 3rd December, 1674, says, "Whereas we are now providing for the removal of such of our subjects from Surinam, as shall desire to transport themselves from thence under our obedience, in pursuance of the articles made at the surrender of that colony, our pleasure is, that for the encouragement of such of our said subjects, as shall be willing to remove from Surinam, you receive and use with kindness as many of these as come to Jamaica, and take care that they be furnished with provisions and other necessaries at a moderate rate, until they shall be able to get or procure them themselves, and that you proportion out to them twice as much land as used to be granted to other planters coming thither." Accordingly, in 1675, about 1200 persons from Surinam arrived in Jamaica, and were located in that district in the parish of St. Elizabeth, which still retains the name of " The Surinam, Quarters." General Bannister was murdered by a " Mr. Burford, who was tried and hanged for it. Stedman's Narrative, Appendix to Journals, and Bridges' Annals.

Major-General J. Bannister was murdered by a Mr. Charles Burford, who was tried and convicted on the 2nd December, 1674, and hanged three days afterwards. The executioner, Edward Hackett, died the same day. (Vide Reg. of St. Cath. Parish, Jamaica.)

28.

HERE LYETH INTERRED THE BODY OF MRS. MARY LEWIS WIFE OF MR SAMUEL LEWIS AND DAUGHTER OF MAJOR GENERALL JAMES BANNISTER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 2d OF JANUARY ANO DOMI 1676-7 IN THE 18th YEARE OF HER AGE.

THAT DEATH MIGHT HAPPY BEE TO LIVE LEARN'D I THAT LIFE MIGHT HAPPY BEE I HAVE LEARN'D TO DYE.

B. M. Arms, Chequy on a fess, three leopards' faces ; impaling a cress fiery. Crest, A griffin's head erased, ducally gorged.

29.

ALEXR MACGREGOR MURRAY BURGE THE INFANT SON OF WM AND HELEN GRACE MURRAY BURGE DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 16th OF JUNE 1822 AGED 7 MONTHS AND 3 WEEKS.


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 37

(Also)

BENJAMIN MILWARD BURGE DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 16th JUNE 1819, AGED 23 YEARS.

(Also)

WILLIAM LEE BATSON BURGE THE INFANT SON OF WILLIAM AND HELEN GRACE MURRAY BURGE DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 19th NOVR 1819 AGED ELEVEN MONTHS AND THREE WEEKS.

C. Y.

THE first two were sons of the Attorney General the third and fourth, brother and daughter of the same.

30.

Ab.) ALEX. BAYLEY ESQ. OF WOODHALL ST DOROTHY D. 14 JULY 1832, IN His 60th YEAR.

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF COLONELL THEODORE CARY, ONE OF THE SONNES OF COCKINGTON HOUSE IN DEVONSHIRE, BROTHER TO SR HENRY CARY CAPTAINE OF HIS MATIES FORT AT PORT ROYALL, ONE OF HIS MATIES COUNCIL, AND ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE GRAND COURT IN JAMAICA. HE DIED JUNE 26th 1683 IN YE YEARE OF HIS AGE 63.

HE was also brother to Robert Cary, author of Paleologia Chronica, born at Cockington.

For an elaborate and interesting genealogy of this family, see the Herald and Genealogist, from which periodical the following is extracted :

" William Cary of this family had a daughter, who was married to Dr. William Helyar, and was buried in Exeter Cathedral, July, 1607. Dr. Helyar was a divine of some eminence, and claimed (I presume through his wife) kinship with Queen Elizabeth. At any rate he was her Majesty's chaplain, and probably through her, if not directly from her, received his other important preferments. He seems to have been a great pluralist in an age of pluralism, and enjoyed a prebendal stall both at Exeter and Chester, the archdeaconry of Barnstaple, the treasurership of Chelsea College, and various livings in Devon and Somerset. He died in 1645, and was, I think, buried in Exeter Cathedral ; but at East Coker, in Somersetshire, he founded an almshouse and built a handsome residence, Coker Court, which his descendants have occupied in succession to the present day. The archdeacon's eldest son, Henry Helyar, formed a second connection with the Cary family. According to the Visitation of Somerset, 1672 (confirmed by Cole's Escheats), he married in 1621, Christian, daughter of William Cary of Clovelly, co. Devon, and by her had several children, amongst whom


38 JAMAICA.

was Cary Helyar, who migrated as a merchant to Jamaica, and there died, in 1672, aged 39. His monument is in the church of Spanish Town in that island, and in the same church is another to Colonel Theodore Cary, 'one of the sons of Cockington House, co. Devon, brother to Sir Henry Cary, a judge of the Grand Court.' He died in 1683, aged 63, and was therefore contemporary with Cary Helyar; and, it is not unreasonable to conjecture, was related to him. There can be little doubt that Colonel Theodore Cary was one of the younger sons of George Cary of Cockington, of whom Prince says, that his 'youngest sons became soldiers of fortune, and died, I think, beyond the seas, without issue.' This last statement is perhaps open to question, as the MS. I have quoted records the marriage, in 1676, of Colonel Theodore Cary with Dorothy Wale; and, in 1679, of Penelope Cary with Thomas Edward.

The immediate cause of the rapid rise of the Cary family is to be found in its close connection with Queen Elizabeth. William Cary (second son of Thomas Cary of Chilton Foliot) married Mary Boleyne, sister of Queen Anne, and aunt of Queen Elizabeth. From this marriage descended the Earls of Dover and Monmouth and the Barons Hunsdon while from Sir John Cary, William's elder brother, came the Viscounts Falkland, whose fame is well preserved in the annals of our country."

B. M. Slab; Arms, On bend three roses, a mullet. in sinister chief for difference.

32.

MR. JOHN CHILDERMAS DIED 1699 AGED 33: RACHAEL OB: 1720 AET 15 ; & SEBRAN LARSON HER FATHER OB. 1725 AET 50.

IN the journal of the House of Lords, 17th August, 1660, mention is made of the "Bill for Naturalizing Renee de Sebran, an infant of 8 years." Sebran Larson was governor of the Spanish Town gaol, &c.

B. M. Slab sculptured dove and olive branch.

33.

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF JANE COOPER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1749, IN THE 86th YEAR OF HER AGE

G. M. Slab.

PERHAPs related to the family of Major Christopher Cooper, who lost his life in Jamaica, as appears by the petition of his widow in 1656. (Cal. S. P.)

34.

CHRISTIAN DAUGHTER OF RICHARD AND MARY CASTELL DIED 1720 IN HER 13th YEAR.

W. M. Slab.


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