History of the island continued--Sir Henry Hunks--Descent of
the Caribs--Legend of Ding-a-ding Nook--Arrival of the Ship
Nonsuch--Sir Thomas Modiford--Earl of Warwick, Captain-General
--Captain Edward Warner--Colonel Rich--Colonel Lake--Mr.
Everard--Sir George Ayscue--Colonel Christopher Reynall--
Invasion by the Caribs--Dissensions among the inhabitants--Copy
of Colonel Reynall's letter to Cromwell--Attack upon St.
Domingo and Jamaica--Major-General Poyntz--Grant of Antigua to
Lord F. Willoughby.
We will now return to the history of Antigua, which we shall
hereafter pursue, as closely as possible, in chronological order.
In 1639, Sir Henry Hunks paid Antigua a visit. This gentleman
(who was nephew to Lord Conway, Secretary of State) was the first
governor of Barbados with a regular commission; but upon his
arrival at that colony, Henry Hawley, the then acting
commander-in-chief, would not resign the government, and raised
so formidable a party, that Sir Henry Hunks quietly retired to
Antigua, where he remained from June to December; at which latter
period, he was installed in his government, according to the
instructions which he received from England.
In 1640, the English settlers were disturbed in their possessions
at Antigua by the Caribs, who made a descent upon the island,
pillaging it, and destroying everything that fell in their way.
After many lives being lost on both sides, the English were
enabled to repel their invaders; who, however, succeeded in
carrying away the governor's wife and her two children. It is
maintained by some authors, that the after fate of this
unfortunate woman was not known; but that everything the worst
might be imagined from the character of the Caribs, goaded on as
they were by the loss of their country.
There is, however, a tradition still extant in Antigua, which
most probably relates to this catastrophe. In the first years of
this island becoming an English colony, it was, of course, but
thinly peopled by Europeans, and consequently there was but
little force to repel any invasion. Parties of Caribs from the
different islands, particularly Dominica, used frequently to land
upon it, and distress the inhabitants. In these invasions, no
mercy was shewn, no quarter given, to the unhappy people who fell
in their power, and after a combat, numerous were the bodies left
upon the field of battle. Armed with their massive clubs and
sharp spears, at the end of which was inserted a fish-bone,
dipped in the poisonous juice of the lianas or the manchineel,
the Caribs were no mean foes. No sooner had they set fire to a
cluster of houses, or destroyed a field of tobacco, the chief
production of the island in those days, than they immediately
flew to their canoes, which were so fast in sailing, that before
the alarm had subsided in one part, they were burning and
plundering in another.[4] At that period, the house where the
governor resided was situated near Falmouth Bay; and in the
village itself the principal of the English settlers lived.
Government House, from its situation, was particularly open to
the attacks of the Caribs; and here the first part of the scene
took place, which gave rise to
The Legend of Ding-a-ding Nook.[5]
It was night. The wind, which had been blowing rather hard during
the day, as evening drew in, gradually sank, until about
midnight, the time when the legend opens, it was a dead calm.
Nothing was to be heard but the dull moaning of the waves, as
they broke heavily upon the beach, or, now and then, the distant
bark of a dog from the houses of the settlers, which, with the
natural fidelity of that animal, had followed his master to these
sunny islands, when he came in search of that fortune which his
native land denied him.
The family of the governor consisted of himself, his young and
beautiful wife, two lovely children, and his numerous domestics.
At an early period of this evening, his lady, with the warm
solicitude of a mother's love, had seen her infants safely
deposited in their cot; and with a mother's prayer for their
happiness upon her lips, watched beside them until the deepening
rose upon their cheeks, and their measured breathings, shewed
that they slept the quiet sleep of childhood.
Hours rolled on, and all beneath that roof sought their
resting-place--all but the governor's wife were quickly in the
arms of sleep. As if some "spirit of the night" had whispered a
hint of the sufferings she was fated to endure, an irresistible
feeling of melancholy hung over her. Sleep she could not; and to
allay the fever of her brow, she arose from her couch, and
throwing her robe around her, she opened the lattice. The scene
she looked upon was wild but beautiful. Dark masses of clouds
still hung about the heavens, and strove to hide the beams of the
rising moon; but she, "fair Cynthia," kept on her way in peerless
majesty, and shed on every object her mellowed light. The simple
houses of the English were visible amid the trees; above which
the stately cocoa-nut reared its head, its long pendant branches
perfectly motionless. On one side, the bay of Falmouth lay
stretched before the eye of the gazer, every snow-crested wave of
which could be counted; and on the other were the dark mountains,
except in the opening of the bay, where nothing was to be seen
but an extent of waters.
Long did that beautiful lady gaze upon this scene: many thoughts
did its loveliness conjure up--thoughts of her native land, its
verdant hills and spangled dells, and all its towering cities.
Present objects were fast fading away, when a splash of the
waters was heard, and as her eye sought the ocean, a
swift-gliding canoe came in sight. At this moment, the moon,
which had been lately obscured, shone out with redoubled
brightness, and she could plainly discover that the canoe
contained about twenty armed men, and was quickly followed by
another, with even more than that number. Who could these
strangers be? was the first thought; and what their business at
such an hour? Were they Caribs? And one more glance at their wild
forms, and the dreadful truth rushed across her mind, that they
were coming to storm the house. Soon she awoke her husband, and
told him her fears; the domestics were aroused and armed, and the
house put into a posture of defence.
The canoes were now no longer to be seen; and even the lady was
inclined to ask, Could it be one of those wild vagaries of the
imagination? when suddenly the war-cry was heard, and, with
dreadful imprecations, a party of Caribs bounded into sight.
Terrible was the fight that succeeded, and many a corse strewed
the ground. At length the Caribs were obliged to retreat; but,
alas! they carried with them all that was dear to the governor--
his wife and children. The Caribs, hotly pursued, made for the
place where they had directed their canoes to wait, under the
charge of some of their friends, dragging the unhappy lady and
her two babies with them. Frightened by the wild looks of the
Indians, and suddenly awakened from its slumbers, one of the
little innocents commenced crying bitterly, which its distressed
mother, at the command of her conquerors, vainly endeavoured to
still. After walking, or rather running, for some distance, they
had almost reached the sea-side, when one of the Caribs, more
ferocious than the rest, and thinking that the cries of the child
would perhaps lead their pursuers to the spot, caught the baby by
the feet, and swinging it around his head, at one blow dashed out
its brains upon a neighbouring rock.[6] This deed committed in
sight of its parent, the lady and her remaining child were rudely
hurried on, until, the beach gained, they were thrown into one of
the canoes; and the whole party embarking, they pushed out into
the ocean.
The governor, finding they had escaped, proceeded on board an
armed vessel, and immediately sailed in pursuit of the enemy. The
morning that succeeded that disastrous night was one of West
Indian beauty; not a vapour was abroad; the sky was one deep,
lovely blue, and the sea looked like fluid light. Seated upon the
high poop, anxiously did the governor scan the waters in hopes of
seeing the canoes; but nothing met his eye--not even a speck
appeared to raise his hopes. Hour after hour passed away, but no
sight of the fugitives; night drew on, and the breeze died away;
the sails flapping heavily against the mast bespoke another calm.
How tedious seemed those hours of darkness--how fervently was the
morning wished for; but just before dawn the wind sprung up, and
soon after the mountains of Dominica appeared in sight. Slowly
but surely the vessel glided on, every eye watching for some
trace of the lost ones, when, in the opening of a little bay, two
empty canoes were discovered. Could these be the same they were
in quest of? was the anxious query; and if so, where could their
owners be? Orders were given to let go the anchor, and prepare
the boats; and in a short time the governor and his party, all
well armed, were landed upon the beach.
A beaten path led up to the mountains, and it was determined to
pursue it in hopes of it leading to some dwelling, where they
might obtain information. As it proceeded, however, it became
more and more intricate, guava bushes, aloes, and the prickly
pear, grew thickly together, while different species of parasites
conspired to render the path more impervious. In some places it
was almost obstructed by these various bushes, interspersed with
larger trees, so that the companions of the governor were for
returning, supposing no one could have passed that way lately.
But he was determined to proceed a little further; and had just
stretched out his hand to sever with his sword the overhanging
boughs of an acacia, when suddenly he made a start, his heart
beat almost to bursting, and, unable to speak, he pointed to his
amazed followers a portion of white taffeta hanging to one of its
sharp thorns. This, he felt assured, must have been torn from the
robe of his wife; and, consequently, that was the road her
conquerors must have carried her. Upon further search among the
rank and tangled grass, in hopes of discovering prints of
footsteps, marks of blood were observed. These led to further
inquiries. Could they have murdered her there? But no; had such
been the case, greater quantities of blood would have marked the
deed. Perhaps she might have been wounded, and placed in some
concealment near. Again they proceeded, guided by the drops of
blood, until, coming to an abrupt turn of the path, about a dozen
Caribs' huts lay stretched before them, and their fierce inmates
lolling around the open doors.
In less than a minute all was confusion. Confident that this was
the party who had stolen his wife, the governor rushed upon them
furious with passion. Nothing could resist his power; Carib after
Carib lay stretched by the prowess of his arm; and springing over
his prostrate foes, the anxious husband entered the principal
hut, which he had observed was carefully guarded throughout the
fray. A well-known voice called his name, an infant's cry of joy
saluted his ear, and, bursting open an inner door, his weeping
wife was in his arms, and his darling child clinging around his
knees. It took but little time to quit that spot, and retrace the
mountain path. The drops of blood he had seen were occasioned by
his wife's shoe coming off, and the rugged ascent cutting her
tender feet, upon her journey to the Caribs' huts. The boat was
quickly gained, and in a few minutes they reached the ship, and,
unfurling the sails, they sought the shores of Antigua, where
they arrived in safety.
Hitherto all was well. Happy in again seeing her husband, and
knowing herself and child were safe, that lady still took
comfort, although mourning the untimely fate of her other
darling. But this did not last long. Other thoughts arose in her
husband's breast--thoughts too horrible to mention.
"Oh! what dreadful minutes tells he o'er,
Who dotes, still doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves."
In vain his poor unhappy wife protested she was pure.
"Jealousy is a green-eyed monster,
That doth mock the food it feeds upon;"
and by its whispers drove him, who was the affectionate friend
and protector, to be the harsh and implacable tyrant. No longer
enjoying the society of his wife, he determined to get rid of
her; and for this purpose built a keep in Ding-a-Ding Nook, and,
conveying his wife hither, left her to wear away her life in
hopeless misery.
------
This is the legend; and well might that Nook be selected for such
a place of seclusion, for it is a valley completely shut in by
the surrounding mountains, and open only to the sea. I have heard
another version of this story, which says, the governor and his
lady parted by mutual consent, and that it was her wish to have a
house built in that spot. Surely, if this was the case, she must
have had the taste of an anchorite.
Between the period of Mrs. Warner's abduction and the year 1666,
the Caribs carried away the wives and children of many of the
respectable settlers. Among them, we find mentioned Mrs. Cardin
and children, Mrs. Taylor and children, Mrs. Chrew and children,
Mrs. Lynch and children, Mrs. Lee, wife of Captain Lee, and many
other females. Mrs. Lee was detained prisoner for three years,
after the Caribs had murdered her husband, and many other
Englishmen, the truth of which is attested by the following
extract from a letter written by J. Daniel, auditor-general to
the expedition under Pen and Venables, to Oliver Cromwell,
lord-protector of England, dated 3rd June, 1655:--"Mrs. Lee, wife
of Captain Lee, was carried away by the Caribs, and kept prisoner
three years at Dominica, her husband and many English
slaughtered." This statement immediately dispels the hypothesis
(which some writers have entertained) of Captain Lee being the
erector of the keep at Ding-a-Ding Nook; and, consequently, fixes
more firmly the truth of Mrs. Warner being the heroine of the
preceding legend.
To return once more to our chronological record. In 1647, the
ship "Nonsuch," Captain Middleton, owner, arrived at Antigua,
which gave the name to Nonsuch Harbour, having anchored in that
port. This was one of three vessels which had been fitted out
from England by Colonel, afterwards Sir Thomas, Modiford, in
order to form a plantation in this island. During the passage,
the "Achilles," the larger vessel of the expedition, of 300 tons
burden, William Crowder, owner and master, parted company with
the "Nonsuch," which proceeded to Antigua alone. The "Achilles,"
after being out at sea for many weeks, put into Barbados in
distress, being infected with a disease which caused great
mortality among the men. During Colonel Modiford's stay at
Barbados, it was represented to him how far more advantageous it
would be to purchase an estate in that island, already planted,
and from which immediate emolument might be derived, than to
proceed to an infant colony, where he would have to undergo all
the fatigues and privations incident upon establishing a
plantation. Colonel Modiford, listening to this advice, purchased
the half of an estate for 7000l., an immense sum at that day, and
thus constituted himself a Barbados planter, instead of adhering
to his first resolution, of becoming a settler of Antigua. Sir
Thomas Modiford afterwards removed to the newly-gained English
colony of Jamaica, of which island he was appointed governor in
1663, and where he resigned his breath in 1679. The Earl of
Warwick had been appointed captain-general of _all the West
Indies_ in 1643, but he does not appear to have assumed the
command; for, in 1648, after the demise of Sir Thomas Warner, we
find Colonel Rich become governor of St. Christopher's, Colonel
Lake[7] of Nevis, and Colonel Edward Warner of Antigua. How long
this latter gentleman retained his situation is uncertain; but,
about the year 1651-2, a Mr. Everard is mentioned as holding the
government of the leeward West India islands. An official
document, however, written in the year 1655, speaks of a
gentleman of that name as governor of St. Kitt's only.
Antigua, among most of the other colonies in this quarter of the
globe, refusing to acknowledge the rights of the Protector, Sir
George Ayscue was sent with a squadron to reduce them. This
island soon yielded to the Commonwealth's banner, and Colonel
Christopher Reynall was appointed governor, instead of the
individual who had so daringly withstood the parliamentary power.
In 1654, the Caribs again made a descent upon Antigua; but the
English were enabled to repel their invaders, and effect such
slaughter among them, that but few escaped to tell the tale. This
victory appears to have intimidated the Indians; and for the next
two or three years, the island had rest from their relentless
invasions. About this period, Antigua was a prey to great
dissensions between the governor and the governed. Complaints
were forwarded by the inhabitants to Barbados, praying the
governor of that island to use his influence in endeavouring to
put a stop to their internal distractions. On the other hand, the
Governor of Antigua, Colonel Christopher Reynall, wrote to the
Lord Protector, imploring his Highness to take the island under
his more particular command, and, by his authority, quell the
disaffections which had so unfortunately crept in among them. The
following letter from the Governor of Antigua, and the extract
from one written by Daniel Searle, Esq., Governor of Barbados,
are taken from "Thurloe's State Papers":--
Copy of a letter from Christopher Reynall, Governor of Antigua,
to the Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell.
"May it please your Highness,
"Upon the reducement of these parts in that expedition of Sir
George Ayscue's employ, I was by him and the other commissioners,
then empowered and commissioned to be _governor_ and
_commander-in-chief_ of this island of Antigua, in relation and
obedience to the Commonwealth of England, which, to the best of
my endeavours, I hope in my instrument, I have faithfully
performed; in the progress of which my employ being, I have
received by several advice, that it was and is thought meet, and
so established by the Great Council and Estate of England, with
your Highnesses consent and acceptation, that the government of
our nation and dominions remain in yourself as Lord Protector; a
thing most acceptable to me, who do most faithfully wish your
Highness and the Commonwealth welfare and happiness; and, in
manifestation thereof, have cheerfully acknowledged and submitted
to all such mandates or expresses which hath hitherto come in the
name of the Lord Protector. But in our private consultations,
considering of _many spirits amongst us_, doubting their
satisfactions have not attained the title of our ...... or
......; according to our desires and intentions, lest an
ill-affected party should presume to take an advantage thereby in
pretending, as some have already given out, that there were no
power of government, but all as libertine, until a new commission
came from your Highness; which, by that means might endanger the
place to a confusion and ruin: so render us incapable of that
service we desire to perform to your Highness and the
Commonwealth. The place of itself (if encouragement and small
help were afforded) being of consequence, by reason of the
fertility of the soil, and exceeding all others settled in these
parts, in convenient and safe harbours--I, in relation to the
promises and my loyalty to your Highness and the Commonwealth, do
prostrate my humble desire at the feet of your Highness's care
and justice, as so far to take up the people and place into your
consideration, as to give such orders and directions as may put
us not only in the condition of walking inoffensively, but also
as we may be serviceable to your Highness and the Commonwealth,
which is the hearty desire of
"Your most obedient subject and servant,
(Signed) "Christopher Reynall.
"From the Island of Antigua, in the parts of America,
"Aug. 20th, 1654."
The extract from Governor Searle's letter, dated from Barbados,
Nov. 7th, 1655, and addressed to Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector,
&c., is as follows:--
"Some addresses have likewise been made unto me, by Mr. Jos. Lee,
Mr. Benjamin Langham, and Richard Farley, inhabitants of Antego,
in behalf of themselves and the people of that colony, concerning
some distractions among them, and the present unsettled and
desturbed condition of that colony. But finding I have no power
to take cognizance of anything of that nature, without the bounds
of this colony, without a special order from your Highness, I
have transmitted their complaints, and the state of the matter in
difference betwixt them and the governor going off, which your
Highness will here receive."
In 1665, Antigua joined with Barbados, St. Christopher's, and
Nevis, in levying troops to join the intended expedition of
Admiral Pen and General Venables, (of which accounts had been
received from England,) in their projected attack upon St.
Domingo--an island at that period under the power of Spain, but
which Cromwell was very desirous of obtaining. From the copy of a
State paper, it appears, however, that upon the arrival of the
Commonwealth fleet, the Governor of Antigua, Christopher Reynall,
represented to the commanders of the expedition, the disastrous
state of the island, from the frequent, and particularly the
_late_, molestations of the Caribs;--a fact so clearly presented
to Pen and Venables, that they would not lessen the force of the
place, by impressing any of its inhabitants for soldiers. They,
therefore, remained only two days at Antigua, during which period
they proclaimed the Protector with great pomp; and then proceeded
to St. Christopher's, and the other leeward islands, where they
procured a sufficient complement of men. I am sorry, however,
that an historian of great fame states, "the troops raised in the
West Indies were the most profligate of mankind."
As Antigua did not eventually join in this expedition, it will be
sufficient to remark, that the attack upon St. Domingo was very
disastrous; for, although upon the first approach of the English,
the Spaniards left their town and fled into the woods, the troops
did not follow up their advantage. Venables allowed the soldiers
to disembark, without a guide, ten miles from the capital; and,
wandering about without any fixed purpose for the space of four
days, they gave the Spaniards time to recover themselves from
their alarm, and, rushing from their place of concealment, they
fell upon the English, who were almost dead with fatigue and
hunger, killed six hundred of them, and drove the remainder on
board their vessels. In order to atone for their indiscretions,
the English commanders resolved to proceed against Jamaica, also
under the dominion of Spain, and which island immediately
surrendered to the English flag, without a blow being struck in
its defence. Colonel Doyly being appointed governor of the new
gained colony, with about 3000 land forces under his command, and
a fleet of men-of-war under Vice-Admiral Goodson, Pen and
Venables prepared to return home. Landing the West India troops
at their respective islands, the commanders sailed for England;
but, upon their arrival, they were both sent to the Tower, for
their failure upon St. Domingo, entirely owing to their want of
proper conduct as English officers.
Upon the Restoration, Antigua held out for the Commonwealth, as
strenuously as in 1651 it had opposed the pretensions of
Cromwell, and for this cause, Charles II. appointed Major-General
Poyntz, a former deserter from the Parliamentary power, to act as
governor, which situation he filled until 1663, when Lord Francis
Willoughby, of Parham, obtained a grant of the entire island from
Charles II. as a reward for his eminent services in the cause of
that monarch; and Major-General Poyntz retired to Virginia.
During the period this latter gentleman resided at Antigua as
governor, he owned and planted an estate called by him Cassada
Garden, a title which it still bears.
------
[4] The following extract alludes to the invasions of the Caribs
(Rochfort's Histoire des Antilles, published at Rotterdam, 1665,
tome 4, page 310):--"Les Caraibs ont fait des descent dans les
isles de Montserrat, d'Antigoa, et en d'autres qui sont occupées
par les Anglais, et après avoir brulé quelques maisons, et pillé
quelques meubles; ils ont enlevé des hommes, des femmes et des
enfans, qu'ils ont conduit à la Dominique et à St. Vincents."
[5] An estate in Antigua called by that name.
[6] This rock is still pointed out upon an estate, called
Patterson's, belonging to the Hon. John Athill.
[7] The proper appellation of this gentleman (according to the
authority of E. S. B------, Esq.) is Colonel _Luke Stokes_; but,
from an orthographical error of the French historian, _Du
Tertre_, he has been handed down to posterity as Colonel _Lake_.
He afterwards removed to Jamaica at the head of a small party of
English settlers, where he died in 1659, universally esteemed for
his virtues and honourable actions.