Barbados

Every statement above that rests on a checked claim carries a small number; the numbers lead here. Each entry gives what is claimed, how far the record supports it, and where it comes from.

1. Barbados was governed by a Captain General and Governor in Chief, or in his absence by the President of the Council as Commander in Chief, together with a Council and a General Assembly, which enacted the island's laws. The printed Acts of Assembly carry acts made by James Kendal, Captain General and Chief Governor, passed 17 December 1690; by Ralph Grey in the same office, passed 6 April 1699; and by William Sharpe, President of Her Majesty's Council and Commander in Chief, in an act reciting June 1706. Robert Lowther was Governor of Barbados on 30 December 1715, when he wrote to the Council of Trade and Plantations from the island. The remainder of the run from 1690 to 1727, the continuity of English possession and the date on which Barbados became a Crown colony in the strict legal sense are not established here. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes and state papers: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy: "Be it Enacted by his Excellency Colonel James Kendal, Captain General and Chief Governor of this and other the Charibbee Islands", the act "Pass'd the 17th Day of December, 1690"; "Be it Enacted by his Excellency the Honourable Ralph Grey, Esq; Captain General and Chief Governor of this and other the Charibbee Islands", the act "Pass'd the 6th Day of April, 1699"; and "Be it Enacted by the Honourable William Sharpe, Esq; President of Her Majesty's Council here, and Commander in Chief of this and other the Charibbee Islands to Windward of Guardeloupe, the rest of the Honourable the Members of Her Majesty's Council, and the Assembly of this Island", in an act reciting a matter of June 1706. For Lowther, Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Barbados, 30 December 1715, Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 28, 1714-1715, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1928), no. 715, read on British History Online, signed "Ro. Lowther"
2. Barbados legislated for the government of its enslaved people by a succession of statutes. A Supplemental Act to a former Act intituled An Act for the better Ordering and Governing of Negroes bore date 21 April 1676; and An Act for the Governing of Negroes was passed on 8 August 1688 under Edwin Stede, His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief, its last clause repealing all acts theretofore made concerning or any ways relating to the governing of Negroes. The 1661 date of the first such act, the re-enactment of 1682, the code's transmission to the laws of Jamaica, Carolina, Antigua and Georgia, and the population return of 33,184 enslaved to 21,309 white in 1673 are not established here. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy. No. 329, "An Act for the Governing of Negroes", enacted "by the Right Honourable Edwin Stede, His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of this and other the Charibbee Islands, the Honourable the Council, and General Assembly of this Island", and "Pass'd the 8th Day of August, 1688", with the closing clause "That all Acts heretofore made concerning or any ways relating to the Governing of Negroes, Enacted before the Date of this Act, shall be Repealed, and are hereby Repealed to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever"; and the recital in a later act of "A Supplemental Act to a former Act, Intituled, An Act for the better Ordering and Governing of Negroes, bearing Date the One and twentieth Day of April, One thousand six hundred seventy and six"
3. On coming into Carlisle Bay, Richard Ligon found twenty-two good ships riding at anchor with boats plying to and fro under sail and oar, carrying goods from place to place as quick and numerous as he had seen below the bridge at London. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 1756-1759
4. Ligon records that within a month of his arrival the inhabitants of the island and the shipping alike were so visited by the plague, or a disease as killing, that the living were hardly able to bury the dead. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 1761-1766
5. Ligon gives Carlisle Bay as the harbour where most of the ablest seamen put in and, following the most voices among them, places it at thirteen degrees and thirty minutes of northern latitude. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 2000-2003
6. Ligon places the town at the most inward part of Carlisle Bay and says it is called the Bridge, from a long bridge made at first over a little nook of the sea that was rather a bog than sea. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 2009-2012
7. Ligon judged the siting of the town a mistake, the ground within the land lying lower than the sea banks so that the spring tides flowed over and remained, making a great part of that flat a bog or morass to which he attributed much of the sickness. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 2020-2028
8. Ligon reckons that about a hundred sail of ships visit the island yearly and are fed while they lie in the harbours on the native victuals grown there. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 3073-3077
9. Ligon lists the commodities the ships brought to the island as servants and slaves, both men and women, horses, cattle, asses and camels, utensils for boiling sugar, and all manner of working tools. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 3082-3084
10. An Act concerning Ships, and the Duty of the Master or Merchant upon their Arrival, with the Appointment of the Impost of Powder and Tunnage, bearing date the first day of July 1663, required every master to present himself to the Governor or President, obtain a licence, certify his ship's voyage and lading, make entry and give security of two thousand pounds sterling in the Secretary's Office in St. Michael's Town before he traded or landed goods. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file barbados_acts_1721.txt), lines 16863-16889
11. Governor Kendall wrote from Barbados on 22 August 1690 that the island was the beautifullest spot of ground he ever saw, that the people were very industrious, and that sugar, cotton and ginger were the three staple commodities but sugar was what they depended on. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 13, 1689-1692, ed. J. W. Fortescue (London, 1901), August 1690, no. 1,034, Governor Kendall to Lords of Trade and Plantations, Barbados, 22 August 1690, read on British History Online (library file csp_v13_pp301-317.txt)
12. Ligon describes a plantation of five hundred acres with a dwelling house, an ingenio, boiling house, filling room, cisterns, still house and curing house, stables, a smith's forge and rooms for provisions, carrying ninety-six Negroes, three Indian women with their children and twenty-eight Christians. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 1820-1826
13. Ligon writes that for eight months of the year the weather is very hot, yet not so scalding but that servants, both Christians and slaves, labour and travail ten hours in a day. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 2134-2137
14. Writing of a cross set up on the island, Ligon reproaches the planters who, rather than lose the hold they have of the enslaved as slaves, will deny them the benefit and blessing of being Christians. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 6061-6065
15. At the Council of Barbados on 18 December 1688 the Lieutenant-Governor delivered the Assembly three bills, for securing possession of negroes, to regulate outcries, and to prevent depopulation of the island. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared council minutes: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 12, 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, ed. J. W. Fortescue (London, 1899), read on British History Online (library file csp_v12_pp620-623.txt), December 1688, no. 1,953, Minutes of Council of Barbados, 18 December 1688, Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 105-109
16. Ligon reports it conjectured by those long acquainted with the island that there were not less than fifty thousand souls upon it besides Negroes. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Period printed description: Richard Ligon, A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes (London, 1657), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file ligon1657.txt), lines 3305-3309
17. Governor Kendall wrote on 22 August 1690 that a recent tax on negroes made their numbers exceed six hundred thousand and that the whites were not above twenty thousand men, women and children, a pair of figures no other paper read for this record supports. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 13, 1689-1692, ed. J. W. Fortescue (London, 1901), August 1690, no. 1,034, Governor Kendall to Lords of Trade and Plantations, Barbados, 22 August 1690, read on British History Online (library file csp_v13_pp301-317.txt)
18. The Barbados act on piracy recites that several colonies and plantations of King Charles II in America had been lately infested by a dangerous sort of people called pyrates, enemies not only to His Majesty's settlements but of all mankind. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file barbados_acts_1721.txt), no. 306, How Pyrates and Felonies done upon the Sea shall be tried and punished, preamble, lines 15336-15341
19. That act was made by Sir Richard Dutton, Captain General and Governor in Chief of this and other the Charibbee Islands, with the Council and General Assembly, so that offenders might be proceeded against according to the statute of the twenty-eighth year of Henry VIII. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file barbados_acts_1721.txt), no. 306, enacting clause, lines 15376-15380
20. The act provides that persons brought prisoner to the island for treason, felonies, pyracies or other offences upon the seas, or in any creek, haven or bay in or about the island, be enquired of, heard, tried and determined in the island as if the offences had been done upon the land. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file barbados_acts_1721.txt), no. 306, first clause, lines 15383-15391
21. Conviction under the act carried pains of death and the loss of lands, goods and chattels, and the act was passed in December 1684. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Printed colonial statutes: Acts of Assembly, passed in the island of Barbadoes, from 1648, to 1718 (London, 1721), read in the Internet Archive copy (library file barbados_acts_1721.txt), no. 306, closing clause and date of passing, lines 15402-15408
22. At the Council of Barbados on 15 May 1688 the King's letter of 22 January concerning pirates was read and the proclamation ordered to be published. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared council minutes: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 12, 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, ed. J. W. Fortescue (London, 1899), read on British History Online (library file csp_v12_pp539-550.txt), May 1688, no. 1,758, Minutes of Council of Barbados, 15 May 1688, Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 85-89
23. At the Council of Barbados on 18 December 1688 payment was ordered for the gunner of Denmark fort. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared council minutes: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 12, 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, ed. J. W. Fortescue (London, 1899), read on British History Online (library file csp_v12_pp620-623.txt), December 1688, no. 1,953, Minutes of Council of Barbados, 18 December 1688, Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 105-109
24. Johnson opens his chapter on Bonnet by calling him a gentleman of good reputation in the island of Barbadoes, master of a plentiful fortune, who had the advantage of a liberal education and the least temptation of any man to that course of life. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, read in the Project Gutenberg text 40580, with The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates behind it, library text lines 2775-2781
25. In the arraignment as it is printed he is named Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, late of Barbadoes, mariner. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, read in the Project Gutenberg text 40580, with The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates behind it, library text lines 3105-3113
26. Johnson relates that Bonnet fitted out a sloop of ten guns and seventy men entirely at his own expense and sailed from Barbadoes in the night-time. Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, read in the Project Gutenberg text 40580, with The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates behind it, library text lines 2790-2792
27. Jonathan Bull, commander of the ship Christiana of Boston, deposed at Antigua on 17 January 1718/19 that on 5 December he was taken and plundered off Barbados by a pirate brigantine of twelve guns and about ninety men commanded by Edward England, and that an hour before they had taken and sunk a sloop belonging to Col. Lesley of Barbados, a force John Bois of the Wade frigate contradicted at the same place on 24 February with twenty-six guns, four swivel guns and about 130 white men besides about 50 Spaniards, negroes and Indians. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 30, 1717-1718, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1930), December 1718, 11-19, no. 797 iv, deposition of Jonathan Bull, Antigua, 17 January 1718/19, read on British History Online (library file csp-col-v30-pp404-424.txt)
28. Bull further swore that the night following his own taking the pirates took a vessel bound to Barbados from Guinea with 250 enslaved people aboard. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 30, 1717-1718, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1930), no. 797 iv, deposition of Jonathan Bull, commander of the Christiana of Boston, Antigua, 17 January 1718/19
29. John Bois, carpenter of the Wade frigate, deposed at Antigua on 24 February 1718/19 that the same commander, Edward England, had twenty-six guns and four swivel guns and about 130 white men with about 50 Spaniards, negroes and Indians, a count that cannot stand with the twelve guns and about ninety men Jonathan Bull had sworn to on 17 January. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 30, 1717-1718, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1930), no. 797 ii, deposition of John Bois, carpenter of the Wade frigate, Antigua, 24 February 1718/19
30. Johnson relates that a Bristol galley then lying in the harbour was fitted out with twenty guns and eighty men, there being then no man of war upon that station, together with a sloop of ten guns and forty men, the galley commanded by Captain Rogers of Bristol. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), chapter of Captain Bartho. Roberts and his crew, read in the Project Gutenberg text 40580 (library file gut40580_johnson_general_history.txt), library text lines 6860-6863
31. Johnson states that Roberts got clear and could never endure a Barbadoes man afterwards. Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), chapter of Captain Bartho. Roberts and his crew, read in the Project Gutenberg text 40580 (library file gut40580_johnson_general_history.txt), library text lines 6878-6880
32. Governor Worsley wrote to the Council of Trade and Plantations from Barbados on 24 November 1723 that he had heard the complaint of Sir Richard Davers against four members of Council. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 33, 1722-1723, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1934), November 1723, no. 754 and no. 754 i, Governor Worsley to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Barbados, 24 November 1723, read on British History Online (library file csp-col-v33-pp355-372.txt)
33. In dismissing the petition Worsley wrote that it had been proved by the minutes that the councillors complained of had consented to several Acts of Government which Mr. Lowther was censured for. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, volume 33, 1722-1723, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1934), November 1723, no. 754 and no. 754 i, Governor Worsley to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Barbados, 24 November 1723, read on British History Online (library file csp-col-v33-pp355-372.txt)