Cheeke, Russell Tipping families: Archer of Tanworth

Description

Please note: this record includes an archaic, offensive term for Black people. It also details their enslavement, as does this catalogue entry.

Francis Bond president [of the Council of Barbados], John Gibbes, John Farmer, George Lillington, George Andrews, John Bromley, Patrick Meirs [Mein] to Admiral Russell.

Letter.

With regret and sorrow they announce the death of His Excellency Col. Francis Russell on the 7th day of the last [altered from 'this'] month, he having been taken with a malignant fever on the Monday before thought to have been received on board the Bristoll where he was the preceding week. Search among his papers by Capt. Jonathan Langley produced no written will 'or the footsteps of any', and Langley petitioned to have the administration of his estate, Col. Robert Bishop having sworn that this was Col. Russell's expressed wish. Administration was granted on security of £15,000, it being thought that the estate was worth about 5 or £6,000. The [enslaved people], (whereof Col. Russell had about 50), are by the law of the place made real estate, and therefore descend to the heir and do not go to the executor as chattels: he had no land in Barbados, but they have heard of a grant he had of a plantation in St. Christopher where General Codrington commands. The body was put into lead and now lies in a vault in the Church beside Lady North until further instructions, The funeral will be at the island's charge and with all respect and honour, and as was done for Lord Willoughby.