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Date(s)
- 31 March 1793 (Creation)
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1 item
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Joseph Munby, solicitor, was the son of Joseph Munby and Jane Pearson. He was born in 1804.. In 1827, he married Caroline Eleanor Forth . They had seven children:
- Arthur Munby b. c1829
- John Forth. Munby b. c1832
- George Frederick Woodhouse Munby b. c 1834
- Frederick J. Munby b. c1838
- Joseph Munby b. c1840
- Caroline Munby b. c1844
- Edward C. Munby b c1846
Frederick Munby and his wife, Elizabeth, had two children:
-Beatrice b. c1867
-John Cecil bc1876
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Dear Brother
War was declared on Saturday the 23rd Inst at St. Vincent & the other English Islands as soon as the Packet arrived from England. Governor Seton the Governor at St. Vincent is very strict with regard to the French that are upon the Island he has ordered all their Arms to be taken from them but they are to Muster equally the same as rest of Inhabitants but without Arms he further has ordered that every one that were of the late Unfortunate Kings Party to wear White Cockades and Black Crape around one of their Arms, from Accounts the Governor is a Brave Old Gentleman and he had proved himself as such as everything was in the greatest forwardness when the News arrived by Packet.
A Vessel came in the same Evening the War was Proclaimed at St. Vincent so that we commenced watching that Evening Mr. Slee and me take our Watches alternately the one the Fore Part of Night and the other the Morning Watch, several of the Weomen Children are sent of the Island, have sent great Part of my Cloaths to St Vincent (particularly my shirts) by Mr. Slee Housekeeper as in all probability this Island will be plundered the English Gentlemen are taking all the precautions they possibly can to prevent their being plundered as they have built Houses near a New Fort that is Erected ( and that Commands no less than 6 Bays) the Negroes will go up there to Sleep at Night when the White People will watch at the same place.
I wrote to you by Zephyr Captn Scott bound to London from St Vincent, he Sailed the 28th Last Month but as a declaration of War would take Place before he got to England he would run a great risk in being taken but in ease he slips them you will all have recived your Letter long before the Arrival of this have also wrote you by Captn Curry who has not Sailed on Account of War and will not until a Large Convoy goes together at Present the whole Crews of Different Ships & even the Captains are obliged to do Duty so I have taken the opportunity of sending you this by the Packet.
News arrived at St. Lucie a French Island some Days before it Arrived in Barbadoes, it is surprizing the French always have had the Start in every War they have engaged with the English in Conveying the Intelligence, by the Start they got in these present disputes it caused some of the First Sloops, Schooners &c that were in their Ports to be Captured there has also been some Vessels Captured in the Northward that were Becalmed under the French Islands.
On Account of this War it prevents me from going to Myrean and God Knows when I shall be able to go, Mr. Harris the Gentleman Mr. Slee took the Land off has taken all his Negroes to Grenada, there is not a Single Gun on Island and the whole of Inhabitants are Frenchmen and Creoles so that I flatter myself you will commend me for staying at Present on this Island for if I should take any Negroes there I shd stand a good chance of being Plundered, I think I am born to nothing but misfortune in being thwarted in every thing I expected I was perfectly happy in my Mind at the Idea of beginning to do something for myself, and now this War will at least prevent one form doing any thing of some time, Mr. Slee holds the Land on.
There being so many French People in this Island makes it very disagreeable I rather suppose Mr. Allardice has orders from the Governor of St. Vincent to watch them strictly and that if any gives themselves any Liberty with the English to take them up and send them to St. Vincent when Governor will secure them in a proper manner.
The Governor of Tobago a French Island has been for (word obscured by seal) past at St. Vincent being obliged to leave Island on (word obscured by seal) of disturbances the Inhabitants sent several Messages to him to resume his Government and that they would neither hurt him nor Inquire him in his property through them promises he went last Week to Tobago he had not been above 24 Hours on Island before they Murdered him and his Son, Several French Gentlemen are happy at the War thinking that Peace will be made amongst them in French Islands.
My Love to Mrs. Forth shall be obliged to her to save all your News Papers so that if I have any thing comes from Yorkshire they can be sent to me, in these Islands Books are very Valuable I flatter myself Mrs. Forth will thing (sic) it no trouble in preserving them for me.
My love to Brother Thomas, Mrs. Britton, Robt. &c kind Comps to all Friends, I find Lord Loughborough is made Chancellor & it is thought Lord Carlisle will accept the Seals, shall be glad of a Letter from you by Packet
I remain Dear Brother your ever affectionate Brother & most obdt Hble Servt. M Forth
Mr. Slee is well in Health he sends his love to Father & Mother and kind complements to you (word obscured by seal) bad Pen and haste.
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- English