MRP: 2nd November 1667, Letter from Thomas Freeman to Sir GO, London

From MarineLives
Jump to: navigation, search

2nd November 1667, Letter from Thomas Freeman to Sir GO, London

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 47

Editorial history

13/12/11, CSG: Created page






Abstract & context


It is unclear who the correspondent Thomas Freeman was. From the tone of the letter, Freeman knows Sir George Oxenden, and he mentions a cousin Warde, who appears to be out in the East Indies. Since reference is made by Freeman to having sent out cloth and to having received returns in diamonds, it is likely that Thomas Freeman was a merchant.

Some data are available, but without any evidence to tie the data to the letter writer. For example, a Thomas Freeman was chosen a committee of the English East India Company in 1644, under the governorship of William Cockayne.[1] Furthermore, there are several candidate wills for a Thomas Freeman, but no decent evidence to help further.[2]



Suggested links



To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL



Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but requires checking

[BL, MS. XX, XXXX, f. 47]

S:r George

Hon:d S:r some days past came to my hands yo:e of ye 25th of september 66 by ye S:t George & ye inclosed acco:tt of ye sale of my cloth & ye investm:t of ye mony into rough diamonds ?don:ta p:stones w:ch I have received from Cap:t Ford[3] for w:tch I returne yo:e worp:s hearty thanks for all yo:e noble kinde favours in my business & ye truth is S:r w:t yo:w write me in ye fore pt of ye xxx is very noble & great deale of reason; on yo:e side yo:e words had reason to be served,

I may thank my Cozen Warde[4] y:t I had not my returns severall years past for hee write me himselfe y:t if he would have given yo:w under his hand to serve yo: worp: from XX my exertions he might a had ye mony to invest it into ye same yt is come now praised be God, our great plague & Warrs & ye fireing of our City hath caused Diamonds to be in very little esteem there will bee but a small matter got by y:m, by shipps next ?March I shall be able to say more, soe w:th presentm:t of my service & due respects

I remaine yo Worps: humble servant to Command, Th:o ffreeman



Notes


Thomas Freeman

"[December 12, 1649] Thomas Brightwell and Thomas Hussy accepted as securities for 744l., being the 60l. per centum division in pepper for the Fourth Joint Stock of John Ellwayes; also Thomas and Samuel Browne for 670l., for the division on the adventure of Thomas Freeman."[5]



Possible primary sources


PROB 11/375 Hare 1-47 Will of Thomas Freeman, Haberdasher of Saint Michael Queenhithe, City of London 06 March 1684

PROB 11/380 Cann 52-107 Will of Thomas Freeman, Merchant Taylor of London 23 July 1685
  1. 'A General Court of election, July 3, 1644' (Court Book, vol. xix, p. 189), in in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 31
  2. PROB 11/375 Hare 1-47 Will of Thomas Freeman, Haberdasher of Saint Michael Queenhithe, City of London 06 March 1684; PROB 11/380 cann 52-107 Will of Thomas Freeman, Merchant Taylor of London 23 July 1685
  3. Captain Ford was XXXX. See Missing faces
  4. The identity of Cousin Warde is not known
  5. 'A Court of Committees with the Committees for the Second General Voyage, December 12, 1649' (Court Book, vol. xx. p. 339) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 385