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Frances Delaroche married Philemon Galindo (SEE Delaroche 1). She disappears from the scene and he marries again. In 1836 he was persuaded by Juan Galindo, a son from a later marriage, to be Commandant of Bocatoro. This was not a succesful enterprise, but he did go there with a couple of 'stopovers' in Jamaica. He took with him another son, Philip aged 13, as a clerk, and this son kept a journal which survives. See "Jamaica Despatch and New Courant" No. 1192 (Kingston 12 May 1836) p3.
A Journal of my first voyage across the Atlantic.
January 6th. Wednesday. Started from home at half past 6 o'clock a.m. a very cold morning, arrived at the London bridge docks at a half before 9, went on board a Gravesend Steamer, and arrived at the end of the grave at a quarter before 12 landed and while we were walking up the town, my Father met with an old acquaintance, who shewd him an inn to go to; my Father made a-very bad dinner, and I had none, because the steamer made me feel sick: went to bed at 8 but just as we were getting in, a dog ran out from under the bed, my Father called the maid and made a great noise about it, slept very well.
(March)8th.- Passed Altavela in the night, the Capt called me in the morning and gave me and all the passengers a dose of salts.
9th. March. A black pilot in a canoe (the first I had ever seen) came on board.
10th.- Saw the blue mountains of Jamaica. Anchored in Morant Bay, the appearance of which was blooming and beautiful.
llth.- Found that the long boat was going ashore, I asked the Capt leave to go with it which he granted me. I landed for the first time in the land of Columbus! where I saw thousands of cocoa nuts growing on the trees and I bought oranges 8 for 3d, they were the best I ever had tasted and full of juice and the cocoa nuts were 4 for 3d and there was in each of them near a pint of milk, which was very refreshing, after viewing the place I returned on board, about 11 a.m. weighed anchor for Port Royal, where we arrived and dropt anchor about 2 p.m. my Father wanted to go ashore at Kingston which is 7 miles but the Capt said he had better remain on board until Monday morning.
13th. Sunday. Weighed and dropt anchor higher up the harbour opposite to Fort Augusta which mounts 365 heavy cannon. Lost my cap.
14th.- A canoe with 5 or 6 Negroes and Mulattoes came along side, my Father agreed to give them a dollar to take us to Kingston, put all our luggage into her, took leave of the Crew who all shook hands with me and rowed to KINGSTON the capital of Jamaica, here we landed about 10 a.m. my Father got a dray and took our things to the Commercial tavern, I never was so astonished in my life, when I first saw all the black people, boys quite naked; and mean and women felons with chains round their necks carrying loads and wheeling barrows. it is a large town and very populous, some of the Streets (which are all straight) a mile long, after having a glass of lemonade, we went to Mr. Foresights, where I was treated like a prince, we then returned across the race course. My Father sent me to find his brother James. which I did and brought him to my Father who knew him directly, James did not know, nor would he believe it was my Father, for he said he had been killed 12 years ago !! we all dined together, afterwards took a walk about the town, James took us to his house Mrs. Dights where my Father agreed to go the next day, as he was told what great expences he must pay at a tavern, had our supper and went to bed, the bed rooms are all open, no curtains, no bed clothes but a sheet! My Father had a tub of water and we both washed ourselves; we soon found out what it was to be bitten by mosquitoes!!
15th. March. Rose early, took a walk to the Market and bought a pineapple for 3d, returned to breakfast, James came to us and he and I went to fetch a dray and took all our things to No. 12 in Dukes Street, my Father paid the bill which amounted to £2.12.0 currency, not one day!! the bed was 10s; after dinner I had a game of cribbage with James, and after we played at forfeits, our company consisted of 4 young ladies and 3 young gentlemen went to bed about 11 an excellent bed room: bit shockingly by mosquitoes!
16th, Rose about 8, had our breakfast, after which my Father and I were busy copying his letters: I had the same amusement as the evening before.
17th, Rose about 7. went to the beach to look for a vessel going to Bocatoro, there was one, and the owner said at first that he would take my Father, but he afterwards shuffled out of it, returned to our dinner, which was some fried and boiled fish, with some beef steaks, after which I went to the market place to buy a pine apple etc. returned and went to bed.
18th, Took a walk and saw the Theatre which is a wooden building about the size of the City theatre in London.
19th, James took my Father and I to a very good bathing place and gave me a good pen knife.
20th. Sunday. Rained very fast, so that the Streets were full of water, caused by the rain from the mountains which runs through the town into the sea.
21st. Went to the beach and found another vessel going to Bocatora, my Father settled with the owner, who said he would take us for 3 doubloons but my Father told him he would only give him 2, which he agreed to. A doubloon is £5.6s.8d currency and £3.4.0d sterling; had dinner with James and the lady of the house. I eat some yams which is in taste like a potato, but much larger weighing above 10 lbs.
22nd. Sent all our things on board the sloop Little William Capt Brock, which was built at Cowes in England as a pilot boat.
23rd. Busy in getting our sea stock of provisions on board, as we had to find our own provisions, took our dinner, bid our friends good bye and parted: James was not to come until my Father wrote for him. Slept on board bit all night by mosquitoes and cockroaches.
24th. March. At Port Royal all day with my old friend Morison.
25th. Weighed anchor about 12 at noon, the Capt is a very good man.
Philemon Galindo's first marriage is at Delaroche 1.]
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