Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade (1791)/Witnesses

an

alphabetical list

of the

Names of the Witnesses

examined by the

Select Committee of the House of Commons,

on the part of

The Petitioners of Great Britain

for the

Abolition of the Slave-Trade.





BAILLIE (George, Esq.) resided 25 years in South Carolina and Georgia, first as a merchant, afterwards as a planter, and then as Commissary General of Georgia. He was in Jamaica also from about December, 1778, to February or March, 1779.— [III. [1] 181.]

Beverley, (William, Esq. Lincoln's Inn) was born in Virginia, and lived there the first 16 years of his life: he returned in 1786, and resided afterwards above two years in different parts of America.—[IV. 215.]

Botham, (Henry, Esq.) went to the West Indies in 1770, and, in about two years, visited all the islands, English and French, and was employed by Government in Grenada. He directed a sugar estate for a short time in the West Indies; but he carried on sugar works many years at Bencoolen in the East Indies.—[IV. 241.]

Bowman, (Mr. John) was in the African employ, from 1765 to 1776, mostly on the Windward Coast, as third, second, and chief mate. He was also eight months resident as a factor at the head of the River Sierra Leon, and seventeen or eighteen months at that of the River Scaffus in Africa.—[IV. 112.]


Clapham, (John, Esq.) was upwards of twenty years in Maryland.—[IV. 249.]

Clappeson, (Mr. Thomas) was at Jamaica in 1762 and 1763, and from 1768 to 1778, and from 1786 to 1789. For the first two years he was in the seafaring line, but the rest of the time as wharfinger and pilot.—[IV. 207.]

Claxton, (Mr. Ecroide) sailed in the Garland, for Africa, in 1788, as surgeon's mate, and there, on the Bonny Coast, commenced surgeon to the Young Hero slave-vessel.—[IV. 23.]

Cook, (Captain) of the 89th regiment, was in Barbadoes, St. Lucia, St. Kitt's, &c. in 1780 and 1781. [IV. 199.]

Cook, (Mr. Mark) arrived In Jamaica in 1774, and left it 1790; was three years in the planting business; the rest of the time as clerk and schoolmaster there.—[IV. 889.]

Coor, (Henry, Gent.) was in Jamaica fifteen years, ending in 1774, as a mill-wright, chiefly in Westmoreland, but did business in three other parishes. [IV. 69.]

Crew, (Robert, Esq.) is a native of Virginia, and always resided there till 1783.—[IV. 250.]


Dalrymple (Henry Hew, Esq.) was lieutenant in the 75th regiment, in garrison at Goree and on various parts of the coast, from May to the end of September, 1779. He was, on his passage to the West Indies, in a slave-vessel two months He was three times in the West Indies; in 1773 at Grenada six months; in 1779 and 1780 at Antigua, Barbadoes, Tobago, St. Lucia, and St. Christopher's; and, in 1788 and 1789, at Grenada, Cariacou, St. Vincents, and Tobago.—[III. 291.]

Davies, (The Rev. Mr.) resided at Barbadoes fourteen years, the three last learning the management of a sugar estate; he left it 21 years ago.—[IV. 185.]

Davison, (Baker) lieutenant of the late 79th regiment was in Jamaica from the middle of 1771 to the end of 1783, except a few months on the Spanish Main. He also practised surgery in Jamaica. [IV. 150.]

Dove, (Mr. William) was, in 1769, a voyage to the Coast of Africa for slaves. From 1774 to 1783 he resided at Boston and New-York.—[III. 100.]

Douglas, (Mr. John) boatswain of the Russel man of war, was one voyage to the Coast of Africa, for slaves in 1771.—[IV, 121.]

Duncan, (Mr. William) was in Antigua from January 1785 to July 1789, first as clerk in a store for six or eight months, afterwards as overseer for about two years and a half. The rest of the time he kept a store for himself.—[IV. 141.]


Ellison, (Mr. Henry) gunner of the Resistance man of war, was in the slave-trade from 1759 to 1770. He has been in many West India islands, particularly Barbadoes and Jamaica. He has also been many voyages to Virginia and Maryland, and often on the tobacco plantations while the slaves were at work.—[III. 361.]


Falconbridge, (Mr. Alexander, surgeon) was four voyages to Africa for slaves, from 1780 or 1781 to 1787. In the first he was taken at Cape Mount in the Tartar. The other three were regular voyages. [II. 581.]

Fitzmaurice, (Mr. William) was in Jamaica from June 1771 to March 1786, as overseer the last ten years, but the former part of the time book-keeper, except for the first six months when he was clerk to a store in Kingston.—[IV. 205.]

Forster, (Mr. Robert) was in every British island, except Jamaica, in all about six years, ending in 1778; the first four years he was apprentice in a store in St. John's, Antigua, the rest of the time a midshipman and second master and pilot of the King's brig Endeavour. He lived among the town slaves, and often went to collect debts, and visit managers in the country. When in the King's ship, he spent much of his time among them.—[IV. 129.]


Giles, (Mr. John) farmer, near Hay, Brecknockshire, was in Montserrat from 1757 to 1762, in Grandterre in 1763, in Grenada 1764 and part of 1765, in North America the rest of 1765, in St, Croix from 1774 to 1778. — [IV. 74.]

Giles, (Captain) of the 19th regiment of foot, was in Barbadoes, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Jamaica, from June 1782 to April 1790, except about 14 or 15 months in England.—[IV. 103.]


Hall (Captain) of the Royal Navy, was at Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands from 1769 to 1773, and from 1780 to 1782 at those places, and at Jamaica and St. Domingo.—[IV. 99.]

Hall (Captain John Ashley) now in the West India trade from London, was in the African trade from 1772 to 1776 inclusive. He made two voyages to Africa for slaves as third, second, and chief mate.—[II. 513.]

Harrison (M. D.) was upwards of ten years in Jamaica, from 1755 to 1765, and in America from 1765 to 1778, and in the medical line in both—[IV. 44.]

Hills (Captain John) of the Royal Navy, was at Goree and up the Gambia, as commander of his Majesty's sloop Zephyr, at the end of 1781 and beginning of 1782, in all about six months.—[III. 176.]

How (Anthony Pantaleo, Esq.) was in Africa in 1785 and 1786, chiefly on the Gold Gold, in the Grampus man of war, employed by government as a botanist.—[III. 219.]


Jackson (Robert, M. D.) went to Jamaica in 1774, and resided there four years, chiefly at Savanna-la-Mar, where he practised medicine. His profession led him daily eight or ten or more miles into the country. He has occasionally been in most parts of the island. He went also to America to join his regiment (the 71st) in 1778, with which he went through all the southern provinces.—[III. 54.]

Jeffreys (Mr. Ninian) Master in the Royal Navy, was at Jamaica in 1773, Tobago 1774. Jamaica 1775, Grenada 1776, Tortola 1779, as mate of a West Indiaman, and employed in taking off sugars from the different estates, but in 1782 Antigua, and St. Kitt's 1783, and at Jamaica a few days in 1784, in the Royal Navy.—(III. 231 )


Kiernan (James, Esq.) was in Africa in 1775, 1776, 1777, and 1778, to learn the nature of the trade, to carry it on. He resided on the R. Senegal.—[IV. 237.]


Lloyd (Captain Thomas) in the Royal Navy, was in the West Indies in 1779. He commanded his Majesty's ship Glasgow, and was burnt out of her in Montego Bay, Jamaica.—(IV. 147.)


Millar (Mr. George) gunner of his Majesty's ship Pegase, has been in Africa. His last voyage was to Old Calabar in 1767, in the ship Canterbury, Captain Sparkes.—[III. 385.]

Morley (Mr. James) Gunner of his Majesty's ship Medway, made six voyages to Africa, the first in 1760, the last in 1776. He has been ever since in the King's service. He has visited most parts of Africa from the beginning of the Gold Coast to Angola.—[III. 149.]


Newton (the Rev. John) Rector of St. Mary, Woolnoth, made five voyages to Africa; in the last in 1754 he was master of a slave ship. He lived on shore about a year and a half, chiefly at the island of Plantanes, at the mouth of the R. Sherbro.—[III. 137.]

Nicholls (the Rev. Robert Boucher) Dean of Middleham, Yorkshire, was born in Barbadoes, and resided there some years in his youth, and two years after he was of age, from 1768 to 1770, when in holy orders. In his last residence, he lived on a very large plantation, and observed the management of that and the surrounding estates.—[III. 326.]


Parker (Mr. Isaac) ship-keeper of the Melampus frigate, sailed in 1764 to the R. Gambia, and in 1765 to Old Calabar. He lived five months on shore, at New Calabar. He has been more than once in the West Indies, in Jamaica, Barbadoes, Antigua, the Grenades, &c.—[III. 122.]


Rooke (Major General) was in Africa, at Goree, from May 6, to Aug. 16, 1779.—[III. 45.]

Rees (the Rev. Thomas Gwynn) arrived at Barbadoes in the end of 1782, as Chaplain of his Majesty's ship Princess Amelia. During the six weeks he was there he visited the plantations within four or five miles of Bridge-town. He was between two and three months also at St. Lucia.—[III. 247.]

Ross (Hercules, Esq.) resided from 1761 to 1782 chiefly in Jamaica, and occasionally in Hispaniola. He was in every parish in the former island.—[IV. 252.]

Ross (Captain Robert) was from 1762 to 1786 in Jamaica. He was for three years and a half a book-keeper, and afterwards an overseer on three estates. He then commanded a company of Rangers for six years. In 1775 he settled a property of his own, and resided on it from 1781 to 1786.—IV. 63.)


Savage (John, Esq.) resided in Carolina from 1729 to 1775.—IV. 247.]

Scott (Captain Alexander) of the Royal Navy, was from Senegal to C. Coast in his Majesty's ship Merlin, in 1769. He has also been in the West Indies.—[IV. 178.]

Simpson (Lieut. John) of the Marines, went out in his Majesty's ship Adventure, and was on the Coast of Africa, chiefly from Settra Crue to Accra, in 1788 and 1789.—[IV. 40.]

Smith (Captain John Samuel) of the Royal Navy, was in the West Indies in 1772, 1777, and 1778, for above a year altogether.—[IV. 136.]

Storey (Lieut. Richard) in the Royal Navy, was from 1766 to 1770, on every part of the Coast from S. Leone to the R. Gabon.—[IV. 3.]

Stuart (the Rev. James) visited many of the West India islands, English and French, in 1778 and 1772, when he returned to America. He had a 20 year's acquaintance with the condition of slaves upon that continent.—[IV. 175.]


Terry (Mr. John) was in Grenada from 1776 to 1790, the first seven or eight years as an overseer, then a manager [2].—[IV. 107.]

Terry (Mr. Matthew) was four years in Dominique as book-keeper and overseer, one at Tobago as land-surveyor, in the King's service, and seven in Grenada, ending in 1781, as a colony surveyor.—IV. 82.]

Thompson, (Captain Thomas Bolton) of the Royal navy was second lieutenant of the Grampus in 1784, 1785, and 1786, and commanded his Majesty's ship the Nautilus in 1787, in carrying out the Black Poor to Sierra Leon, where he was from the beginning of May, to the end of September.—[III. 167.]

Tottenham, (Major-General) went out to the West Indies in 1779, with four regiments under his command. He was about twenty months in Barbadoes, and some time at St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Eustatius.—[III. 125.]

Towne, (Mr. James) carpenter of his Majesty's ship Syren, made two voyages in 1760 and 1768 to the Isles de Los, and Grand Cape Mount. In the first he was between seven and eight months on the coast as a boy; in the second, as carpenter, he staid more than six months.—[IV. 15.]

Trotter, (Thomas, M. D.) surgeon in the Royal navy, was a voyage in the African slave-trade, from Liverpool, in 1783, as surgeon of the Brookes, Captain Noble. He was ten months on the coast. [III. 80.]


Wadstrom, (Charles Berns, Esq.) Chief Director of the Assay Office in Sweden, was in Africa near three months, in 1787 and 1788, with Doctor Spaarman, engaged by the King of Sweden to make discoveries.— [III. 18. & 19.]

Wilson, (Captain Thomas) of the Royal Navy, was between five and six months in Africa, between Cape Blanco and the River Gambia, in 1783 and 1784, as commander of his Majesty's ship Racehorse: he was sent out to embark the troops and stores from Goree.— [III. 3 & 4.]

Wilson, (Mr. Isaac) surgeon in the navy, made one voyage to Africa in the Elizabeth, Smith, from London. He sailed the 10th of May, 1788, and returned 6th December, 1789.—[II. 561.]

Woodward, (George, Esq.) is both an owner and mortgagee of property in Barbadoes, where he resided in 1782 and 1783, and was also there in 1777 —[IV. 233.]

Woodward, (Mr Joseph) was in Barbadoes in 1788, 1789, and 1790.— [IV. 230.]

Woolrich, (Thomas, Esq.) was in the West Indies from 1753 to 1773; but in the interim took three trips to England, and two to America; he was in the mercantile line, chiefly at Tortola. He was also occasionally at Barbadoes, Antigua, and St. Kitts.—[III. 264.]


Young, (Sir George) captain in the Royal navy, was four voyages to Africa, in 1767, 1768, 1771, and 1772, from Cape Blanco to Cape Lopez, including every English settlement, and some Dutch. [III. 205.]

  1. The Evidence, according to the method in which it was printed for the House of Commons, is divisible into four Parts: the Roman Capitals therefore shew the part in which the Evidence of the person is to be found, and the Figures the Page where it begins.
  2. The chief person who superintends a sugar estate, is called in Jamaica the overseer, and in the Windward Islands the manager, where the driver is often called overseer.