Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick English
Biography and letters of Lt Col Frederick English, Royal Engineers
Written from St Lucia, begun on 28th March 1835
The word ‘Creole’ appears here for the first time. It has been used in several senses over the years, but at this time it meant a person born free in the West Indies of non-native or mixed parentage of any race. Thus the description of a lady in letter 35 as ‘a fine french Creole’ means that she is white, but born in the West Indies.
All this ...
Not dated at the beginning; letter begun on 29 April 1835
English has received some more silhouettes with better likenesses – see letter 8. Perhaps the family have made their own this time.
Dominique, the French name for Dominica, lives on although the island had been under British rule since the Seven Years’ War.
Punishment of a servant by flogging seems brutal today, but we have to ...
Baron D’Yvoley’s estate was on the coast to the south of Castries. Poor roads and rocky terrain made sea the preferred means of access, as it would probably still be today.
A ‘pilgarlick’ is a bald-headed man, hence one to be pitied – that is, the lawyer; ‘Saffriere’ is Soufrière – literally ‘sulphur mine’ – the nearest town. ‘the Soufre’ is probably a volcano; the ...
No date at beginning of letter, probably begun on Sunday 24 May 1835
It seems that Kate has expressed concern about the irregularity of English’s letters, so he refers back to his journal of February to show that he was not at fault.
The mention of purchase money for Fred junior is a reminder that, having already bought his commission, it would be necessary to lay down more money for his ...
‘Maroon’ here means a picnic or camping trip into the country, but originally the maroons were escaped slaves who lived in uninhabited parts of the islands to evade the law.
My dear Kate
Your most agreeable letter of the 30th April I have read over and over again, in fact the whole dispatch was written in such superior spirits to what have reached me of late that I was quite enchanted. ...
Ange René Armand, baron de Mackau, a year older than English, was a veteran of numerous colonial battles. At this time, he was commander-in-chief of the naval forces of the Antilles and governor of Martinique. France had recognised the independent republic of Haiti, but the slaves in the remaining colonies had not been freed. It is not surprising, therefore, that Mackau wanted to see for himself ...
This letter is addressed to Mrs English at Catisfield rather than Wickham; it was sent by the packet from Dominica.
You will be astonished my dear Kate to observe my letter dated at sea, however so it is. Dominica is in sight and we expect to land there this afternoon. The history of this move will appear before you read to the third page. I have frequently surmised in my letters to you of late that ...
Diamond Rock is an outcrop at the southern extremity of the French island of Martinique. It was captured by the Royal Navy in 1804, enabling them to control the channel between Martinique and St Lucia, and to render the base at Port Royal unusable. The garrison was finally overcome by superior French forces in June 1805.
There is another reference here to young Fred’s promotion hopes, with ...
This letter is written from St Ann’s, headquarters of the garrison, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Bridgetown.
Guayra is a mystery. There are places of that name, but none where Sir Charles would visit.
If this sultry weather will admit of it I will write you in lively mood, but in truth it nearly overwhelms ever sense of spirit. A lassitude perfectly disgusting and not to ...
The first European colonies on the banks of the rivers Demerara and Essequibo were Dutch. In 1796, when the Netherlands were under French occupation, a British force seized the colony and founded British Guiana, naming the principal town Georgetown in honour of George III.
‘Captain O’Brien’ may be a reference to the late husband of Aunt O’Brien and father of Mary, but he had died in 1808.
My ...