Jamaica marriage settlement, 1792 - 1970
Scope and Contents
The document, dated 5 April 1792, deals with the provision to be made for Richard Welch, Junior, and Alice Anne Preston on the occasion of their marriage. It gives particulars of the estate provided in the settlement and its enslaved persons. There is an accompanying letter from Professor Mollie Cottingham to D.H. Simpson, R.C.S. Librarian, 10 January 1970 (6 pages), giving the background to the document and the links between the Cottingham family and the Welch family. Simpson's reply, 19 January 1970, is also included (1 page).
Dates
- Creation: 1792 - 1970
Creator
- Welch, Richard, 1770-1809 (Person)
- Preston, Alice Anne, d. 1847 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
On conservation grounds, and to avoid further physical deterioration, the indenture is not available for consultation.
Biographical / Historical
Richard Welch, Junior (1770-1809), was the son of Richard Welch, Senior, who inherited the Hyde Sugar Estate in the Parish of St Thomas, Jamaica, in 1781. Welch senior (d. 1782) was Chief Justice of Jamaica from 1779. Welch junior was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and practiced as a barrister-at-law. He married Alice Anne Preston (d. 1847) was the daughter of the Revd Nathaniel Preston of Swainstone, Co. Meath. Source: Vere Langford Oliver (ed.), 'Caribbeana' volume 5 (1919), pp. 220-221; Legacies of British Slave Ownership: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146635659.
Extent
1 folder(s) (1 folder) : paper
Language of Materials
English
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The indenture is damaged, showing historic rodent damage causing loss along the folds. The vellum is brittle and the indvidual sheets are difficult to unfold. The accompanying 20th century correspondence is in good condition.
Former / Other Reference
MSS 73
Other Finding Aids
Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 144.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented by Professor Mollie Cottingham, University of British Columbia, 1969.
General
This collection level description was created by RAS using information from Donald Simpson's R.C.S. catalogue.
Originator(s)
Welch, Richard, fl 1792; Preston, Alice Anne, fl 1792
Finding aid date
2004-01-14 16:00:02+00:00
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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