MRP: October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO

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October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 22

Editorial history

13/12/11, CSG: Created page




Abstract & context


Captain Robert Bowen wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated October 1667.

He had written twice before, in letters dated April 14th 1667 and October 3rd, 1667. The first of these previous letters had been sent from Padstow [Plaistow], and the second was from London.[1]

The purpose of this short letter was to chase up a parcel of seventy-four diamonds which Robert Bowen had left in Surat with Sir George. In the meantime Bowen had sold the diamonds to the London merchant Christopher Willoughby. Bowen ruefully acknowledged that he had sold them at a loss.

Christopher Willoughby had himself written to Sir George Oxenden in April 1667 to enquire about the diamonds.[2]

The letter of October 1667 was similar to his letter of April 14th, 1667. It may have been sent as an insurance against the loss of the first letter, given the war with the Dutch, which made sea travel most uncertain.

Robert Bowen was on familiar terms with Sir George Oxenden, as were a number of mariners whose letters also survive. He signed off "your loving friend," and included news of Sir George's nephew, Charles Masters, who had returned from Surat in December 1665.

He was a highly experienced mariner. As the commander of the London, he was frequently employed by the English East India Company. Three voyages were made by the London under his command for the Company in the late 1650s and early 1660s. These were to St. Helena, Bantam and Pulau Run, and to Surat.[3]

The earliest reference to Robert Bowen in the court minutes of the EEIC may be in the early 1640s, when a Robert Bowen, Master's mate on the Mary is recorded having returned home.[4] Then in October 1643, a Robert Bowen was appointed as master of a small ship to go to the Coromandel coast for eighteen months. The contract was on unusual terms:

Robert Bowen is entertained as her master at 6/. per month, with an allowance of one hundred marks ' to carry forth with him ', on condition that he does not trade in any of the Company's commodities on his outward or homeward voyage, or from port to port, or for a greater sum than the said allowance, and that before departing he gives a list of the goods he intends to buy either to the Governor or to the Deputy. Bowen agrees to leave 300/. or 300/. in the Company's hands, for which he is to be allowed fifty per cent, profit on the return of the ship to be sent to Bantam. If the said ship miscarries, then principal and profit shall belong to the Company, and Bowen receive no benefit ; but if she shall arrive safely at Erith, on her discharge he shall be allowed at the rate of seven per cent, per annum. He also consents to spend two years in India after his arrival on the Coast.[5]

The ship is unnamed in the court minutes but may have been the Endeavour. An early nineteenth century secondary source describes the arrival of the Endeavour under the command of Robert Bowen at St. Augustine's Bay, where Bowen encountered the survivors of the wrecked Little William, a Courten Company ship. Bowen carried the survivors and to Madraspatam, impounding their salvaged gold bullion for the benefit of the Company.[6]

In August 1647, a Robert Bowen was made free of the English East India Company as an "auncient servant", paying forty shillings into the poor box.[7]

Then in March 1650, there is a record of a payment of primage and average to a Robert Bowen, for goods brought home in the Dolphin, a ship of which he was master.[8]

At the time of writing to Sir George Oxenden in 1667 he was probably over sixty years in age, and may have made his last voyage. He had recently remarried. His wife, Thomasine Dare, also a widow, was of Ratcliff, in Stepney, Middlesex, whereas he was of Plaistowe, Essex.[9] In the marriage allegations he had declared his age as "about sixty" and she as "about forty-three."[10] Thomazine Dare was probably from a family of Ratcliff mariners, there being a number of marriages of male Dare mariners from Ratcliff during this period. She may have had an earlier, shorter, marriage from October 1662 to Leonard Guy, a mariner of Shadwell.[11]

Captain Robert Bowen was mentioned by several other correspondents:

Sir William Ryder commented on the arrival of Captain Bowen's and other commanders' ships in a letter to Sir George Oxenden dated January 3rd 1665/66:

Shipes London & Royall Charles together with the American arrived in safty at the Isle of Weight about 3 weekes past and are now thankes be to God all well in our River of Thames but none of their Comanders as yet com up, soo my thoughts are to send downe unto Cap:t Bowen for the small things comited to his charge by your good sellfe on me & ffrinds[12]

Elizabeth Dallison, Sir George Oxenden's sister and London agent, reported in March 1665/66 that Captain Bowen had delivered a small packet of diamonds to the Customs House on Oxenden's behalf:

The little Box of Dymonds w:ch you sent marked TW:AM: Cap:t Bowen delivered to the East India comp:a who have been very xxxxx upon your Acco:tt & freely gave mee an order for Y:m Nothing wanting now only y:e Clearing the Custom[13]

John Mascall, a respected and trusted friend of the Oxendens, thanked Sir George for a token he had received via Bowen:

S:r I am herewith to render yo:w mine & my Wifes thankes for you token sent by Cap:t Bowen which was punctually deivered accoring to your Direction[14]

Sir George Smith mentioned Captain Bowen in a letter dated March 1665/66. This was in the context of the return of an adventure he and Sir William Ryder had sent out earlier to Surat:

that Small adventure K:S: what was sent out by S:r Will:m Rider and my selfe yo:w now Returne by Cap:t Bowen which is very well[15]

Sir Henry Oxenden, Sir George's elder brother, wrote to Sir George in April 1665/66, having spoken with Bowen about prospects for the outward sea voyage to Surat:

the Danes have seased o:r English shipps in Copenhagen, your shipp is given by many for lost, there is 30 given to Insure her Cap:t Bowen told me tis allmost Impossible she cann come to you[16]


Suggested links


See 14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto
See 3rd October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, London


To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL


Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but required checking

[BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 22]

[f.22]

S:r George Oxinden & Hon: ffreind

Sr

I was in good hopes by ye last suratt shipps to have recvd my small box of Dymonds left in yo:r worps hands contayning seventy 4 dimonds but I soppose it was yo:e love & Care to me y:t yo:w sent y:m not being the times were dangerous but now peece being concluded I doe desire they may be sent unto M:r Christopher Willoughby[17] unto whom I have sould y:m although to losse: therefore for ye future disposure of y:m pray observe his order not already present but remaine

Yo:r loving ffreind
Rob:t Bowen

Charles Masters[18] rememb his duty to yo Wors: & ye rest
of his relations

JO RB


Notes

1640-1643


"[October 4, 1643] As the small ship designed for the Coast will be ready to be launched within a fortnight, the Court orders provisions to be supplied for her sufficient for eighteen months, and that she shall carry forty men. Robert Bowen is entertained as her master at 6/. per month, with an allowance of one hundred marks ' to carry forth with him ', on condition that he does not trade in any of the Company's commodities on his outward or homeward voyage, or from port to port, or for a greater sum than the said allowance, and that before departing he gives a list of the goods he intends to buy either to the Governor or to the Deputy. Bowen agrees to leave 300/. or 300/. in the Company's hands, for which he is to be allowed fifty per cent, profit on the return of the ship to be sent to Bantam. If the said ship miscarries, then principal and profit shall belong to the Company, and Bowen receive no benefit ; but if she shall arrive safely at Erith, on her discharge he shall be allowed at the rate of seven per cent, per annum. He also consents to spend two years in India after his arrival on the Coast."[19]


1644-1649


"[August 20, 1647] The freedom of the Company is bestowed upon Christopher Willoughby, Thomas Gee, John Millett, Adam Lee, and Robert Bowen, who are ' auncient servants ', each paying 40s. to the poor-box."[20]

"Robert Bowen, master of the Dolphin, requests to be allowed to make the fourth payment of his adventure in this Voyage in India in rials of eight ; this is refused, and so Bowen, on the Committees' proposal, agrees that it shall be paid from the interest on the money he is leaving in the Company's hands. On consideration of the abuse suffered by the Company through private trade, the Committees order letters to be written to the masters of the Dolphin and
Bonito requiring them to command their boatswains to keep a strict account of all goods taken in and out of their vessels, on pain of forfeiting their wages and suffering such other punishment as the Company can legally inflict. These letters are ordered to be read at the mast before all the ship's company."[21]


EEIC 1650-1654


"[March 13, 1650] Robert Bowen, who came home master of the Dolphin is given a gratuity of 20/. for primage and average of the goods brought in that ship."[22]


EEIC 1655-1659


"[September 22, 1658] Nathaniel Yates and Robert Bowen each receiving an equal number of votes for the post of master in the new ship, choice herein is deferred. The question whether the Governor shall be allowed to vote on any matter and also to have a casting vote is largely disputed, but no decision is come to."[23]

"[September 24, 1658] Robert Bowen is entertained as commander of the new ship, and Benjamin Gosnall as master of the Peter and Jane ; the monthly salary to be given to each is to be settled by the Committee for Shipping. The latter vessel, having been lately bought for 1,100/., is to be at once repaired and dispatched for Bantam and so home again ; and certain Committees are requested to victual and fit out both vessels.[24]

"[October 6, 1658] Captain Robert Bowen is allotted a salary of 10/. a month and Benjamin Gosnall 8/. a month, as commander and master in their respective ships."[25]

"[January 5, 1659] Order is given for 6,000/. in coin and bullion to be carried in the London to Surat. Allowance to Captains Bowen and Mason for fresh provisions and for primage and average. Captain Prowd to provide a hoy and send the lime and other provisions for Guinea into the Downs to the Coast Frigate. Resolved that the London touch at Cape Verd Islands, or some place near, to procure necessaries for planting, but not stay more than three days. Sir James Drax and Captain Broakhoven to give directions for drawing up a commission and instructions for Captain Dutton to plant and fortify St. Helena."[26]

"[February 7, 1659] A letter is read from Captain Bowen, advising the Court that the London was detained in the Downs after her consorts (twenty-one sail of ships), on pretence that she had some coin and bullion on board for transportation without licence ; hereupon some Committees are entreated to petition his Highness and the Council for prevention of the like abuse in the future, and that those who acted in this matter may make satisfaction for any detriment the Company may sustain by it."[27]


EEIC 1660-1663


"[October 3, 1660] Calicoes, drugs, etc., to be priced in readiness for the sale. Captain Bowen is desired to see that the London is quickly fitted."[28]

"Captain John Hunter, Agent for the English East India Company, and Captain John Dutton, appointed Governor for the Island of Pulo Run, arrived at the said island the 11th of March, 1662, with a commission from the English East India Company, and letters from the States-General of the United Provinces, all tending for the peaceable surrender of the said island unto the English Company, according to a contract lately passed in Europe between the two Companies with the approbation of the King of Great Britain and the States-General of the United Provinces. Yet notwithstanding all this, and the offer of the said Captains to produce their authority, with all other persuasions they could possibly use, the Dutch Governor persisted in an obstinate denial to surrender the island...

This protest, dated aboard the London in Pulo Run Road, was delivered unto Governor Joan Van Dam by Nathaniel Owen and John Dale, and is subscribed by John Hunter, John Dutton, Robert Bowen, John Gosnall, William Mainestone, and William Lymbre."[29]

"[May 23, 1663] They have ordered the sum of 50/., disbursed by Salesbury, according to the account signed by Robert Bowen, master of the London, to be paid to Daniel How."[30]


Marriage allegation, Robert Bowen, widower, aged abt. 60


"[1666] Nov. 19. Robert Bowen, of Plastowe, Essex, Mariner, Wid:r, ab:t 60, & Thomasine Dare, of Stepney, Midd., Wid., ab:t 43; at Stepney or Bowe, Middx."[31]

"[1662] Oct. 9 Leonard Guy of Shadwell Marriner & Thomazin Dare of Stepnie, M.L. from Chancellor of London."[32]

"[1666] Nov. 20 Robert Bowen of Plastow in Essex Mariner &: Thomazin Dare of Ratcliff, W., L.V.G. from Chancellor of London"[33]

"[1669] Nov. 25 Jefferie Dare of Ratcliff Mariner & Rebecca Terry, M."[34]

"[1671] July 10 John Utber of Ratcliff Mariner & Elizabeih Dare, M., L.L."[35]

"[1671] Nov. 2 . Thomas Dare of Blackwall Mariner & Martha Davis of Popler, W."[36]

"[1676] Sept. 7 Steward Dare of Rateliffe Mariner & Margaret Lee of Popler, M., L.B.L."[37]


Possible primary sources

TNA


PROB 11/344 Bunce 1-53 Will of Peter Bowen, Commander of His Majesty's Ship Leopard 16 February 1674
PROB 11/350 Bence 1-54 Will of George Bowen, Mariner of Saint Olave Southwark, Surrey 10 April 1676
PROB 11/381 Cann 108-165 Will of Peter Dare, Mariner of Ratcliffe, Middlesex 17 October 1685
PROB 11/439 Pyne 133-177 Will of David Bowen, Mariner of Saint John Wapping, Middlesex 17 August 1697
PROB 11/457 Noel 124-162 Will of William Dare, Mariner of Lower Shadwell, Middlesex 20 September 1700


Possible secondary sources


Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899)
  1. ↑ 14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto; 3rd October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, London
  2. ↑ April 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
  3. ↑ This is the footnote text
  4. ↑ This is the footnote text
  5. ↑ 'A Court of Committees with the Mixed Committees, October 4, 1643' [Court Book, vol. xix, p. 58), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1640-1643 (Oxford, 1909), pp. 356-357
  6. ↑ 'Anglo-Indian society in former days. No. II.', in The Asiatic Journal and monthly register for British India and its Dependencies (XXXX, 1836), pp. 44-47
  7. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, August 20, 1647' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 140), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 219
  8. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, March 13, 1650' (Court Book vol. xx, p. 504), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1913), p. 28
  9. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 124; George John Armytage, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the vicar-general of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1660 to 1668, vol. 3 (London, 1892), p. 194
  10. ↑ George John Armytage, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the vicar-general of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1660 to 1668, vol. 3 (London, 1892), p. 194
  11. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 111
  12. ↑ 3rd January 1665/66, Letter from William Ryder to Sir GO, Bethnall Green
  13. ↑ Pre-17th March 1665/66, Letter from Elizabeth Dalyson to Sir GO
  14. ↑ March 1665/66, Letter from John Mascall to Sir GO, London
  15. ↑ March 1665/66, Letter from George Smith to Sir GO
  16. ↑ 1st April 1666, Letter from Sir Henry Oxinden to Sir GO
  17. ↑ Christopher Willoughby, London Merchant. See letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir George Oxenden in which Willoughby discusses at length the missing diamonds: April 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
  18. ↑ Charles Masters returned from Surat in December 1665. His mother, Ann Masters wrote to her brother, Sir George Oxenden, on March 10th 1665/66, telling him of Charles' return. See 10th March 1665/66, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, London
  19. ↑ 'A Court of Committees with the Mixed Committees, October 4, 1643' [Court Book, vol. xix, p. 58), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1640-1643 (Oxford, 1909), pp. 356-357
  20. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, August 20, 1647' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 140), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 219
  21. ↑ 'A Meeting of the Committees for the Second General Voyage, December 3, 1647' (Court Book, vol. xxii, p. 42), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), pp. 247-248
  22. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, March 13, 1650' (Court Book vol. xx, p. 504), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1913), p. 28
  23. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, September 22, 1658' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 134), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 285
  24. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, September 24, 1658' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 135), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 286
  25. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, October 6, 1658' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 137), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), pp. 287-288
  26. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, January 5, 1659' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 165), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 305
  27. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, February 7, 1659' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 176), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 310
  28. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, October 3, 1660' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 297), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1660-1663 (Oxford, 1922), p. 42
  29. ↑ 'Protest against the Governor and Council of Banda for non-Delivery of Pulo Run, March 20, 1662' (Public Record Office : CO. yy, vol, viii, no, 128), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1660-1663 (Oxford, 1922), pp. 190-191
  30. ↑ 'The Company to Hugh Salesbury [at Portsmouth], May 23, 1663' (Letter Book, vol. iii, p. 261), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1660-1663 (Oxford, 1922), p. 315
  31. ↑ George John Armytage, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the vicar-general of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1660 to 1668, vol. 3 (London, 1892), p. 194
  32. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 111
  33. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 124
  34. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 129
  35. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 143
  36. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 144
  37. ↑ Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, The marriage registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, vol. 2: 1640-1696 (Canterbury, 1899), p. 156

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