This blog post accompanies my publication Philippine - Book First: Children of the Sun. Here, the reader will find a host of original documents that formed the basis for the various stories in the books.
[WORK IN PROGRESS - WE WILL BE ADDING TO THIS BLOG POST!]
The genesis of Philippine was quite serendipitous. I was working on the story of the Philip family when, on 2 February, 2019, by happy coincidence, Peter Redhead got in touch with me from his home in the United States. He was curious about my story about "Jeanette, Free Negro Woman" on this blog. I was working with the secondary sources by Kit Candlin and Lorna McDaniel for my draft about the family, and passed these sources on to him.
Little did I know that I would have met a kindred spirit in Peter Redhead had been born in Grenada, and lived on Petite Martinique with his grandmother for a couple of years, who told him lots of stories about the Philips. Working in the world of academia in the US, and having done extensive research himself, he knew his way around archives that housed a plethora of original documents from the Caribbean islands.
In utter generosity of spirit, Peter Redhead did me—and the readers of Philippine—an amazing service. For over two years, he emailed me hitherto very little known scans of a large number of historical documents that he himself had painstakingly searched, found, decyphered and often translated from French, in numerous repositories in the US. All throughout the COVID lockdown, we corresponded. In what must have been hundreds of emails regarding the Philip family, so many of my questions were answered, mistakes by other researchers corrected, and needless to say, his cornucopia of documents caused me to re-write and re-write and RE-WRITE a lot of the text!
It was, to say the least, the most exciting and rewarding way to work on a book. Peter Redhead, along with my local editors here in Trinidad, read many of the early drafts, and having done so he often sent me additional information that would correct either details or even large aspects of the narrative. It became my ambition to incorporate all the facts that he sent me faithfully into the book, and they now form the structure of the work to which I applied my imagination in the interpretation of the history of those times, filling in characterisations, dialogue, plot etc.
Philippine, as the printed book, carries a QR code to lead to this blog post for readers interested in a selection of the documents from Peter Redhead's treasure trove. What follows are the visuals of the documents, with explanations as to their significance in the text, and where they formed incontrovertible proof of new insights into the Philip family, hitherto unknown to or misinterpreted by previous researchers.
Enjoy, and to my friend Peter Redhead many many thanks!" (Gérard A. Besson, 28 November 2022)
[Note: Gérard A. Besson died on 25 July 2023. His last books, "Philippine" Vols. 1 and 2 were published in September 2024]
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Page 364: "Then you, Edmund and the children departed for England. I understood. The investments. Property in London. Speculation on Lime Street. Investments in the wharves being constructed at the Port of London to accommodate the importation of sugar from the Ceded Islands, now in astonishing quantities. Investments made by Edmund and James Baillie with the proceeds of father’s loot they said would pay our way for another three generations and some. I left Cécile in charge of the house at Gran’Anse and moved to Petite Anse. You appointed Duncan Campbell, James Baillie and me to be your attorneys in charge of all the estates and all our affairs here on Carriacou, on Petite Martinique and in Grenada. Honoré sulked and became increasingly absent."
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Page 436: "The letter was written by a man who signed his name Magloire, whom Honorine had married. He was looking to see what they could get from us. The other letter was written on behalf of Venus Meillézande, who is originally from St. Vincent and whose child is called Betsy, who inquired if there was anything coming to her for the child, Honoré being dead these seven years. Our dear brother had, it would appear, relationships with both Anne and Venus at the same time, and from the ages of their children, who are now grown women!"
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Page 213: "You, Venus Meillézande, became my secret life. Everyone thought of me as sedate, careful, a good manager, trustworthy. I am all that, of course. It is my duty to be that way. Then there was you, Venus Meillézande. Evil woman-child."
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In 1807 Judith purchased Susannah’s lot in the family estate. Here Judith was still listed as being in the UK:
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In 1792 Judith Philip was mentioned in an indenture with Edmund Thornton:
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Page 425: "In 1793 she purchased Honore fils part of the family land in Petite Martinique. This might have been the last purchase she made before leaving to England. The decision to return to Grenada some nine years later in 1803 was taken when Edmund pointed out the diminishing returns from the plantations on Carriacou and in Grenada. It was only Petite Martinique that was doing well, mostly thanks to young Jean-Michel, Josèphe’s son."
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In 1799 Judith purchased her brother Louis Philip’s share of the family estate while living in England.
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1807 Indentures mentioning Susannah and Judith in the island of Trinidad.
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Page 313: "She arrived as Nicolas was dictating his will to Edward Mathews. It was altogether most
alarming. Poor Nicolas, he died there before their eyes. His last words, as best as Josèphe could have made them out, were that he “loved her”. “Who?” Josèphe asked, but Nicolas didn’t or couldn’t answer, he then said that he could see the sea. It was a sad business, made tragic by the way we had grown apart. He died about a year after mother’s passing and was buried on the day before Christmas in St. George’s."
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Transcription of the Will of Nicolas-Régis:
Granade -
Au nom de Dieu Le père Le fils Le Saint Esprit ainsi soit-il; Je soussigné sous ma marque ordinaire, en présence des témoins aussi soussignés, déclare pour ses présentes avoir appelé un ami pour écrire mes derniers volontés, étant alité et retenu dans une chambre, sain de corps, d’esprit, et d’entement, j’ai jugé à propos (de) mettre ordre à mes affaires et faire les dispositions suivantes; incertain de ma dernière heure et avant que Dieu m’appelle au nombre de ses élus, j’ai dicté de ma bouche, pure et Franche volonté les dispositions suivantes, Comme étant né dans la Religion Catholique Romaine, j’entends qu’après mon décès mon corps soit Inhumé dans le cimetière de la paroisse où je décéderai sans aucunes pompes. Purement & simplement. Mes dettes payées, mes biens seront partagés dans l’ordre suivant.
La portion de terre de trente pieds français de façade sur environ quatre-vingt de profondeur sise et située rue de la croix de cette ville St George sera partagé par égale portion entre les enfants, nommés Edmond, Jeannette, et Madelaine actuellement à Londres, tous trois enfants de Judie Philip ma sœur naturelle de mère, La laissant mère tutrice de ses enfants jusqu’à majorité.
Ma portion de terre de l’habitation La Gran’ance du Carénage de l’Isle de Carriacou, Je la donne à Judie Phillip & à sa fille Rachelle. La terre de la petite Martinique dépendante de ce gouvernement sera divisée par égale portion aux enfants nommé Jean Mathieu fils de ma sœur naturelle de mère Suzanne Philip.
à Michel fils de Michel Philip aussi mon frère naturel de mère.
à Jeanne et Jean Jacque Fondringham fils & fille de Madelaine Philip, aussi ma sœur naturelle de mère.
Ses quatre portions de terre seront partagées par égale partie, et la Jouissance aux père et mères des dits Enfants jusqu’à leurs majorités. Comme Madelaine Philip ce trouve absente hors de l’Isle, Judie Philip la représentera à son absence pour les droits de ses dits enfants ; et en cas de mort, Suzanne Philip la remplacera, ou Michel Philip.
Les Nègres & Négresses au nombre de quatorze têtes qui sont sur la terre de la petite Martinique, seront partagés entre ses enfants de Madelaine, Michel, et Suzanne Philip, par égale portion au prix d’estimation.
Tant qu’aux meubles et effets à l’usage de ma personne, je les donne aux enfants mâles de Madelaine, Judie, Suzanne, et Michel Philip.
Et pour l’exécution du présent testament je nomme pour mes exécuteurs testamentaires Judie Philip, Suzanne, et Michel Philip. Clos le présent testament et passé en présence des témoins soussigné en la maison de Michel Philip située rue de la Croix paroisse de Saint George de cette Isle Grenade, telle sont mes dernières volontés à cinq heures après midi, le vingt troisième jours du mois de Décembre L’an du Seigneur mil sept cent quatre-vingt-neuf et dans la vingt neuvième année du Règne de notre souverain prince George trois Roy de la grande Bretagne, France, Irlande, défendeur de la foi X X X
Translation:
Grenada -
In the name of God The Father The Son The Holy Spirit so be it. I, the undersigned under my ordinary mark, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses, hereby declare that I have asked a friend to write my last will and testament, being in bed and confined to a room, sound of body, mind, and entement , I have judged it advisable to put my affairs in order and to make the following arrangements; uncertain of my last hour and before God calls me to the number of his chosen ones, I have dictated with my mouth, pure and frank will, the following arrangements; As being born into the Roman Catholic Religion, I intend that after my death my body will be buried in the parish cemetery where I will die without any pomp. Purely & simply. My debts paid, my property will be divided in the following order.
The portion of land thirty French feet frontage and about eighty feet deep situated and lying on de la Croix Street in this Town of St. George shall be divided equally between between the children, named Edmond, Jeannette, and Madelaine currently in London, all three children of Judie Philip my natural sister of (same) mother, leaving her as guardian of her children until they come of age.
My portion of the land of the dwelling La Gran’ance du Carénage of the Isle of Carriacou, I give it to Judie Phillip & her daughter Rachelle. The land of little Martinique depending on this government will be divided equally to the children named Jean Mathieu, sons of my natural sister of (same) mother Suzanne Philip.
To Michel son of Michel Philip also my natural brother of (same) mother.
to Jeanne and Jean Jacque Fondringham son & daughter of Madelaine Philip, also my natural sister of (same) mother.
Its four portions of land shall be divided equally, and the enjoyment to the fathers and mothers of the said Children until their majorities. As Madelaine Philip is absent from the Isle, Judie Philip will represent her in her absence for the rights of her said Children; and in the event of her death, Suzanne Philip will replace her, or Michel Philip.
The Negroes & Negresses, numbering fourteen heads that are on the land of little Martinique, will be shared between the children of Madelaine, Michel, and Suzanne Philip, by equal portion according to the estimated price.
Also the furniture and effects for my own use, I give them to the male children of Madelaine, Judie, Suzanne, and Michel Philip.
And for the execution of this will I appoint for my executors Judie Philip, Suzanne, and Michel Philip. Closed the present will and passed in the presence of the undersigned witnesses in the house of Michel Philip located in the de la Croix Street parish of Saint George of this Isle of Grenada, such are my last wishes at five o’clock in the afternoon, on the twenty-third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine and in the twenty-ninth year of the reign of our sovereign prince George three Kings of Great Britain, France, Ireland, defendant of the faith X X X
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1789 - Regis Philip, a free mulatto from the island of Petite Martinique, was interred in the public burying ground of the parish in the presence of William Jackson. In the will left by Nicolas Regis Philip he listed his sisters' and brothers' children, one of whom is highlighted here as Michel, son of Michel Philip. This son is Michael Maxwell Philip, who I write about in Book Third of Philippine.
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On the 24th day of December 1789, Regis Philip, a free mulatto from the island of Petite Martinique, was interred by Pere Felireino.
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Page 257: "In their father’s will was a bequest of several thousand pounds left to his mother Cathérine, who lived in France. At the time of his death, no thought had been given to fulfilling this instruction.
Jeannette wouldn’t hear of it, and it was simply put aside, especially when François brought news that Cathérine had died, that was six years ago."
Honoré Philip's Will:
Honoré Philip's Value in Land:
Honoré's Value in Slaves:
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Valuation of the slaves belonging to the Philip family on their plantation called La Trinité on the island of Carriacou. Done for the purpose of dividing the property amongst the heirs. (16th May, 1788)
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Page 275: " Judith was saying, “We can now fulfill father’s wish, which was that his mother, your grandmother, inherit the sum of money mentioned in his will. She is now dead, but many of his brothers
and sisters are alive and should receive what is legally their due. I wondered whether you would be interested to, you know, undertake the task."
Both Jean Pierre and his wife sold their share of his father’s estate to Honoré and Jeannette in 1777.
The rest of the estate was divided in 1788 among the eight other siblings.
Susanne Philip - Lot #1
Magdelaine Philip - Lot#2
Judith Philip - Lot#3
Honoré Philip - Lot #4
Michel Philip - Lot #5
Louis Philip - Lot #6
Joachim Philip - Lot #7
Regis Philip - Lot #8
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1777 - Jeannette and Honoré Philip Jr. purchased the share of Jean Pierre Philip in the estate of his father Honoré Philip Snr.
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1777 - Jean Pierre Philip's wife, Jeanne-Rose Chaubet, also signed the agreement for the sale of his share in the estate.
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1784 Documents (4 pages to follow)
Grenade
Soit notoire à tous qu’il appartiendra que l’an de grâce mille sept cents quatre-vingt-quatre, le vingt-sept jour du mois de janvier, du règne de notre souverain George trois, Roy de la Grande Bretagne France et Irlande, défenseur de la foi, &&&
Moi Joacin Philip, natif de l’Isle de la Grenade résidant actuellement sur l’ilet nommée Petite Martinique, un des Grenadins, fils naturel de feu sieur Honoré Philip et de Janete négresse libre d’une Part.
Et Rozalie négresse libre habitante de la paroisse Saint Patrix, stipulant pour et au nom de Jeanne Rose Darceuil sa fille mineure mulâtresse libre, habitante de la même paroisse, laquelle de son bon gré et franche volonté à ce présente et acceptante d’autre part.
Lesquels procédant du vouloir consentement et assistance savoir le dit Jouacin Philip, futur Époux, de Michel Philip son frère, d’Antoine Kaie Jean Marie Henriete Lapierre, de Gassien du Sablon, ses amis.
Et la dite Jeanne Rose Darceuil, future Épouse, assistée de Rozallie Darceuil sa mère, de J[ea]n François Medard Darcuil son frère, et autres leurs parents et amis
Grenada
Let all take note that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, on the twenty-seventh day of January, of the reign of our sovereign George three, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, & I, Joacin Philip, native of the Isle of Grenada currently residing on the island named Petite Martinique, one of the Grenadines, natural son of the late Honoré Philip and Janete, free negress on the one hand.
And Rozalie, free negress living in the parish of Saint Patrick, stipulating for and in the name of Jeanne Rose Darceuil her minor daughter, a free mulattress, living in the same parish, which of its good will and frank consent, to this present and accepting, on the other hand.
Which ones proceeding of willingness to consent and assistance, i.e. the said Jouacin Philip, future Spouse, Michel Philip his brother, Antoine Kaie Jean Marie Henriete Lapierre, Gassien du Sablon, his friends.
And the said Jeanne Rose Darceuil, future Wife, assisted by Rozallie Darceuil her mother, J[ea]n François Medard Darceuil her brother, and other their relatives and friends
Ont promis se prendre pour Mari et femme et de solenniser leur mariage en face de l’église le plutôt que faire se pourra, et lors qu’une partie en sera requise par l’autre à peine de tous défauts dommages et intérêts, ce sont les futurs époux associés par moitié pour être uns et communs en tous biens, meubles et conquêts immeubles, laquelle disposition les dits futurs époux entendent être entretenue et conservée même hors de pays de liberté pour ainsi stipuler, renoncent et dérogent expressément à toutes coutumes et un à ce contraires, ne seront tenus les dits futurs Époux des dettes et hypothèques faites et crées avant le dit futur mariage et si aucune s’en trouve elle seront payées et acquittées par & sur les biens de celui ou celle qui les aura faites et crées sans que l’autre en soit aucunement tenu, et pour le support des charges du présent mariage le dit Jouacin Philip futur Époux s’est constitué tous les biens qui lui sont avenus par succession de ses père et mère, en quoi qu’ils puissent consister pour être uns et communs dans la présente communauté, de même que tout ce qu’il pourra lui échoir.
Promised to be husband and wife and to solemnize their marriage in front of the church as soon as possible, and when one party will be required by the other under penalty of any defects, damages and interest, the future spouses have joined together in equal parts, to be one and common in all property, movable property and immovable acquests which provision the said future spouses intend to be maintained and preserved even outside countries of freedom to thus stipulate, renounce and expressly derogate from any customs and usage opposite to this, the said future Spouses shall not be held liable for debts and mortgages incurred and created before the said future marriage and if any are found they will be paid and regulated by & on the property of the person who made and created them, without the other being held to it in any way, and for the support of the charges of the present marriage
Jouacin Philip, the future Spouse, has constituted all the property which is to be given to him by the succession of his father and mother, in whatever form it may take to be one and common in the present community, as well as all that it may fall to him.
(Property acquired by one of the spouses during the course of the conjugal life, and which forms part of the common property (as opposed to the property of oneself).
Et en même faveur et contemplation dudit Mariage le Sieur Darceuil Cloziér ici présent et de sa bonne volonté a fait don et donation à la dite Jeanne Rose Darceuil de la somme de huit mille livres argent courant de ces Isle, laquelle somme ledit Sr Cloziér s’oblige de payer en nègres bestiaux ou argent aussitôt après la célébration du présent Mariage ; Et lorsque ledit Philip Futur Époux recevra les droits et constitution de la dite future Épouse il sera tenu de les reconnaitre et assigner sur tous ses biens présents et avenir pour les rendre et restituer le cas de restitution avenant à qui de droit appartiendra,
le dit Sr futur Époux a doué et doue la dite future Épouse de la somme de quatre mille livres à valoir et prendre sitôt qu’il aura lieu sur tous les biens du dit futur Époux sans être tenu d’en faire demande en Justice, et pourquoi le dit futur Époux les lui hypothèque dès ce jour,
le préciput sera réciproque de la somme de deux mille livres argent courant comme dessus en argent ou meubles de la future communauté au choix et option du survivant, en outre pour le futur Époux, ses armes, son cheval, et linge à son usage, et pour la dite future Épouse ses bagues et Joyaux, son buffet garni, linge et hardes à son usage,
And in the same favor and contemplation of the said Marriage, the Sieur Darceuil Cloziér here present and with his good will made a donation to the said Jeanne Rose Darceuil of the sum of eight thousand pounds of current money of these Isle, which sum the said Sr Cloziér undertakes to pay in negroes, cattle or money immediately after the celebration of the present Wedding; And when the said Philip Future Spouse will receive the rights and constitution of the said future Spouse he will be required to recognize them and assign them on all his present and future property to return them and restore, the case of restitution amendment to whom it belongs,
the said future Husband endowed and endows the said future Spouse with the sum of four thousand livres to be worth and take as soon as it takes place on all the property of the said future Husband without being required to make any legal claim, and for what purpose the said future Husband mortgages them to her from this day on,
The préciput shall be reciprocated by the sum of two thousand current livres as above in money as well as silver or furniture , from the future community to the choice and option of the survivor, in addition for the future Husband, his weapons, his horse, and his laundry, and for the said future Wife his rings and Jewels, his buffet furnished, used clothes for his use,
(Dower is a provision accorded by law, but traditionally by a husband or his family, to a wife for her support in the event that she should become widowed; verb: endow.
A person’s right to deduct, before any partition, a sum of money or certain property from the mass to be partitioned. )
S’il est vendue ou aliéné des biens propres à l’un ou à l’autre des dits futurs Époux remploi en sera fait en autres immeubles pour servir et tenir lieu de propre à celui ou celle dont les propres auront été aliénés, et s’il ne suffisent à l’égard de la dite future Épouse remploi en sera fait sur les effets et meubles de la dite Communauté arrivant à la dissolution de la dite future Communauté sera loisible à la dite future Épouse de l’accepter ou y renoncer ; en y renoncent reprendre franchement et librement tout ce qu’elle aura apporté, même ses douaire et préciput tel que dessus.
En foi de quoi les dites parties contractantes ont signé et apposé le sceau de leurs armes en présence des témoins et amis soussignés le jour et an que dessus
Joachim Philip (LS)
Jeanne Rose Darceuil (LS)
Michel Philip, Jean F. Medard, Germain, Antoine, Philip Charles Clozier, Charles Chantemel, H. F Desmages, Gassein Du Fablon, Duval, Darceuil, Pelage Felix, Louis F. Medard, Jean Clitandre, Jean Leandre, Charles Andre, Francois Clotaire, L. Cloter, Philip Charles Clorzie, temoins.
If the property of either of the said future spouses is sold or alienated reuse will be made in other properties to serve and replace the property of the person whose own property has been alienated, and if they are not sufficient with regard to the said future spouse, reuse shall be made of it on the effects and furniture of the said Community arriving at the dissolution of the said future Community, would be free to the said future Wife to accept or renounce it; by renounce it, to take back frankly and freely all that it has brought, even her dower and preciput as above.
In witness whereof, the said Contracting Parties have signed and affixed the seal of their arms in the presence of the undersigned witnesses and friends on the day and year as above
Joachim Philip (LS)
Jeanne Rose Darceuil (LS)
Michel Philip, Jean F. Medard, Germain, Antoine, Philip Charles Clozier, Charles Chantemel, H. F Desmages, Gassein Du Fablon, Duval, Darceuil, Pelage Felix, Louis F. Medard, Jean Clitandre, Jean Leandre, Charles Andre, Francois Clotaire, L. Cloter, Philip Charles Clorzie, witnesses.
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Acte de liberté de la négresse Jeannete et de ses enfants par le Sr Philip du 22 mai 1762
Act of freedom of the negress Jeannete and her children by Sr. Philip of May 22, 1762
Par devant les notaires royaux en la Isle de la Grenade et Dépendances, y résidants, ville du Fort Royal paroisse St Jacques soussignés.
Fut présent le sieur Honoré Philipp négociant demeurant en cette ville susdite paroisse. Lequel en conséquence et relativement à la permission qui lui a été accordée par son Excellence Monseigneur Scott Ecuyer lieutenant-colonel dans les armées de sa Majesté Britannique gouverneur en cette Isle et Dépendances par son Ordonnance du Jour d’hier, étant en suite de la requête a lui présentée par ledit sieur comparant, qu’il a représenté, et qui demeure jointe et annexée aux présentes pour recours et justification, a par ces présentes volontairement de son bon gré franche et libre volonté et pour les causes insérées en la dite requête, donné et donne en la meilleur forme que donation puisse se faire et valoir, franche et entière liberté à la négresse Jeannette fon de Nation, son esclave âgée de quarante-huit ans et a ses enfants mulâtres nommés Honoré âgé de dix ans, Régis âgé de huit ans, Magdelaine âgée de cinq ans et Louise âgée de deux ans tous créoles, représentés ici par leur mère, icelle présente et autorisée en tant que besoin est du dit sieur Philipp son maitre, acceptante tant pour elle que pour ses dits enfants la dite liberté, pour par elle et ses enfants en jouir ainsi que de droit.
In front of the Royal Notaries in the Isle of Grenada and Dependencies, resident there, city of Fort Royal parish St. Jacques undersigned.
Present was Sir Honoré Philipp, a merchant residing in the aforementioned parish. Who, in consequence and relatively with the permission granted him by His Excellency Lord Scott Squire, Lieutenant Colonel in the armies of His British Majesty Governor in this Isle and Dependencies by his Ordinance of Yesterday’s Day, being in pursuance of the request presented to him by the said sir appearing, whom he represented, and which is attached and annexed hereto for recourse and justification, has hereby voluntarily of his own free and frank good will and for the causes set forth in the said request, given and gives in the best form that donation can be made and asserted, frank and complete freedom to the Negress Jeannette Fon of Nation, her forty-eight year old slave and to her mulatto children named Honoré, aged ten, Régis, aged eight, Magdelaine aged five years and Louise aged two years, all Creoles, represented here by their mother, present and authorized as needed, is of the said Sir Philipp her master, accepting for her and her children the said freedom, for & by her and her children to enjoy it as well as by right.
The Fon people, also called Fon nu, Agadja or Dahomey, are today the largest ethnic group in Benin found particularly in its south region; they are also found in southwest Nigeria and Togo.
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Page 78: "‘Know all Men by these Presents that I, Honoré Philip, Baker, in the Parish of Saint George and Island of Grenada aforesaid owner do fully freely and absolutely enfranchise manumit and make free my black woman servant commonly called or known by the name of Jeannette and I hereby release and forever discharge her the said Jeannette of and from all manner of servitude and slavery whatsoever hereby giving and granting unto the said Jeannette as far as I lawfully may or can all the privileges and advantages of a free born subject of France whereof the said Honoré Philip have hereunto set my hand and seal on the twenty-second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two.’ Jeannette, free Negress, will you have me as your husband?”
En conséquence le dit sieur Philipp a mis et met la dite négresse Jeannette et ses enfants susnommés de ce jour à l’avenir, hors de ses mains et puissance et iceux affranchis et libres de tous services, esclavages, et redevances même sous prétexte de patronage, pour par la dite Jeannette et ses enfants Honoré, Regis, Magdelaine et Louis, jouir faire et Disposer de leurs personnes, acquérir des biens, et avoir action en leur nom comme les autres affranchis des Isles se dessaisissant à cet effet le dit sieur Philipp de tout droits noms et prétentions qu’il pouvait avoir sur la dite Jeannette et ses enfants susnommés de tout quoi il a été accordé acte au dit sieur Philippe, et à la dite Jeannette par les dits notaires et pour faire insinuer les présentes au Greffe de la Juridiction Royale de cette Isle et partout ailleurs qu’il appartiendra les parties ont constitué leur procureur le porteur d’expédition des présentes auquel ils en donnent tout pouvoirs, et d’en requérir acte car ainsi & promettant & obligeant le dit sieur Philipp renonçant & fait et passé es Etude, aux écritures d’Audin l’un des notaires soussignés qui a retenu la présente, en la susdite ville et paroisse où le dit Sieur Philipp et la dite Jeannette se sont transportés et a le dit sieur Philippe signe avec les dits notaires et non la dite Jeannette qui a déclaré ne le savoir de ce enquise suivant l’ordonnance ce jourd’hui vingt-deux du mois de May l’an mil sept cent soixante-deux du matin, après lecture faite ainsi signé sur la minute Philippe, Casenave N[otai]re Royal, et aubin N[otai]re Royale soussigné Aubin n[otai]re Royal
Consequently the said Sir Philipp has put and puts the said negress Jeannette and her above-mentioned children from this day to the future, out of his hands and power and these freed and free of all services, slavery, and charges even under the pretext of patronage, for & by the said Jeannette and her children Honoré, Regis, Magdelaine and Louis, to enjoy, make and dispose of their persons, to acquire goods, and to have action in their name like the other freedmen from the Islands, relinquishing for this purpose, the said Sir Philipp of all rights, names and claims that he could have on the said Jeannette and her aforementioned children, of all that has been granted deed to the said sir Philippe and to the said Jeannette by the said notaries and to have herewith insinuated to the Clerk’s Office of the Royal Jurisdiction of this Isle and everywhere else it will belong, the parties have appointed their prosecutor to be the bearer of the dispatch of the present to whom they give full powers, and to request a deed for thus & promising & obliging the said Sir Philipp renouncing & made & passed on to the Law Firm, the writings of Audin one of the undersigned notaries who has retained hereto, in the aforementioned city and parish where the said Sir Philipp and the said Jeannette went and the said Sir Philippe signed with the said notaries and not the said Jeannette who declared not knowing about this inquiry according to the ordinance this twenty-second day of the month of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two in the morning, after reading so signed on the minute Philippe, Casenave Royal Notary, and Aubin Royal Notary undersigned Aubin Royal Notary
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Suit la teneur de la Requête.
A Mr Scott, dont l’original est annexe à la minute des présentes
A son Excellence, son Excellence Monseigneur Scott Ecuyer lieutenant-colonel dans les armées de sa majesté Britannique Gouverneur de l’Isle de la Grenade et dépendances
Honoré Philippe demeurant en cette ville a l’honneur de vous représenter Monseigneur qu’il désire récompenser les services essentielles qu’il a reçu de la négresse Jeannette son esclave, fon de nation, âgée d’environ quarante-huit ans dans les fréquentes maladies qu’il a essuyé en cette Isle il ne le peut faire qu’en lui procurant sa liberté ainsi qu’à ses enfants au nombre de quatre et c’est pour y parvenir qu’il a l’honneur de vous supplier Monseigneur qu’il vous plaise accorder à la dite négresse Jeannette et a ses quatre enfants nommés Honoré, Regis, Magdelaine, et Louis, depuis l’âge de deux ans jusqu’à celui de dix ans, la liberté que votre suppliant déclare leur donner sous votre bon plaisir Mon Seigneur, pour par eux en jouir aux prérogatives des autres affranchis de ces Isles : Ordonnez en conséquence que la dite liberté sera Enregistrée avec ces présentes en la forme ordinaire, pour être exécutée et avoir effet selon la forme et teneur. Grace que le suppliant espère de votre Excellence Monseigneur et il continuera de faire des vœux pour la conservation de votre Illustre personne. Signé a l’original Philipp et plus bas est écrit
Following is the content of the Request.
To Mr. Scott, the original of which is annexed hereto.
To His Excellency, Excellency Lord Scott Squire Lieutenant Colonel in the armies of His Britannic Majesty Governor of the Isle of Grenada and Dependencies
Honoré Philippe living in this city has the honor of representing you, Lord, whom he wishes to reward for the essential services he received from the Negress Jeannette, his slave, Fon de nation, aged about forty-eight years in the frequent illnesses he has suffered in this Isle he can only do so by procuring her freedom as well as that of her children, four in number, and it is to achieve this that he has the honor of begging you Lord that you please grant the said negress Jeannette and her four children named Honoré, Regis, Magdelaine, and Louis, from the age of two to that of ten years, the liberty that your supplicant declares to give them under your good pleasure My Lord, for & by them to enjoy the prerogatives of the other freedmen of these islands: Order accordingly that the said liberty shall be registered herewith in ordinary form, to be executed and to have effect according to form and content. Grace which the supplicant hopes of Your Excellency Lord and he will continue to make wishes for the preservation of your illustrious person. Signed in the original Philipp and below is written
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Nous George Scott Ecuyer lieutenant-colonel dans les armées de sa Majesté Britannique Gouverneur de l’Isle Grenade et ses Dépendances
Permettons au Sieur Honoré Philippe d’affranchir sa négresse nommée Jeannette et ses quatre enfants nommés Honoré, Régis, Magdelaine, et Louis et de passer l’acte du dit affranchissement par devant le premier Notaire requis en mentionnant les âges de Chacun des dits esclaves pour le dit acte a nous rapporté être confirmé en la manière ordinaire Donné au Fort Royal de la Grenade le 21 mai 1762 signé a l’original Geo Scott. Collationné Aubin N[otai]re Royal
Nous George Scott Ecuyer lieutenant Colonel dans les troupes de sa Majesté, Gouverneur de l’Isle de la Grenade et dépendances.
Vu le placet a nous présenté par le sieur Honoré Philippe Négociant en cette ville aux fins d’affranchis sa négresse nommée Jeannette et ses quatre Enfants nommés Honoré, Régis, Magdelaine & Louis, La permission par nous accordée au d Sieur ce jour de passer l’acte de d[it]. affranchissement pourra nous rapportés être confirmés l’acte de Donation de liberté fait par le d[it] sieur Philippe au Rapport de M[aitre]e Aubin & son confrère en la date de ce dit Jour, à la de. Nommé Jeannette âgée de quarante-huit ans & à ses quatre enfants nommés Honoré âgé de dix ans, Régis âgé de huit ans, Magdelaine âgée de cinq ans & Louis âgés de deux ans, tous quatre mulâtres & mulâtresse. Nous en vertu des pouvoirs à nous départis avons confirmés et confirmons le dit acte de donation des libertés ci-dessus daté.
We George Scott Squire Lieutenant-Colonel in the armies of His Britannic Majesty Governor of Grenada and its Dependencies
Let us allow Sir Honoré Philippe to emancipate his negress named Jeannette and her four children named Honoré, Régis, Magdelaine, and Louis and to pass the deed of the said emancipation in front of the first required Notary Public mentioning the ages of each of the said slaves for the said deed reported to us to be confirmed in the ordinary manner Given at the Royal Fort of Grenada on May 21, 1762 signed in the original Geo Scott. Collated Aubin Royal Notary
We George Scott Squire Lieutenant Colonel in the troops of his Majesty, Governor of Grenada Island and Dependencies.
Considering the placet presented to us by sir Honoré Philippe Merchant in this city for the purpose of freeing his negress named Jeannette and her four Children named Honoré, Régis, Magdelaine & Louis, The permission by us granted to the said Sir this day to pass the act of the said freeing could be reported to us to be confirmed the act of Donation of liberty made by the said Sir Philippe to the Report of M. Aubin & his colleague on the date of the said Day, to the aforementioned Jeannette aged forty-eight & her four children named Honoré aged ten, Régis aged eight, Magdelaine aged five & Louis aged two, all four mulatto & mulattress. We, by virtue of the powers vested in us, have confirmed and confirm the said deed of gift of liberties above dated.
From Latin placer, “please”, a request.
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Jeanne Rose Chanbet was the wife of Jean Pierre Philip and a very interesting woman. The most recognised area on the island of Petite Martinique, “Madam Pierre”, was named after her. She was a daughter of Dorothée Chanbet, a free black woman from St George’s. The document from 1777 below shows their relationship and race.
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1762 - Jeanette, Honoré Philip's slave aged forty-eight years and his mulatto children named Honoré aged ten and Regis of eight years, Magdelaine aged five and Louise aged two years....
From this document, Jeanette was born around 1714, since the document was written in 1762 and entered in the records in March 1, 1787.
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