The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty (74 page)
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Authors: Caroline Alexander
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Morrison’s and Muspratt’s letters of character are published in Owen Rutter, ed.,
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931).
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931).
PROB 11/1301 establishes Cam’s Hall, Fareham, as the place of employment of Muspratt’s brother Joseph. Information on the Delmé family is found in Christine Bartlett et al.,
Titchfield: A History
(Titchfield, Hampshire, 1982). Information about Stephen Barney was kindly provided by the Portsmouth City Council, Museums and Records Service, taken from the Hampshire Directories of 1784 and 1792, Fareham sections; St. Peter & St. Paul, Fareham records; and Corporation records 1782-1788 (CF 18/2); and by the Isle of Wight Record Office (JER/BAR/3/12/45-48, 212). Barney’s house in Fareham is now the Lysses House hotel.
Titchfield: A History
(Titchfield, Hampshire, 1982). Information about Stephen Barney was kindly provided by the Portsmouth City Council, Museums and Records Service, taken from the Hampshire Directories of 1784 and 1792, Fareham sections; St. Peter & St. Paul, Fareham records; and Corporation records 1782-1788 (CF 18/2); and by the Isle of Wight Record Office (JER/BAR/3/12/45-48, 212). Barney’s house in Fareham is now the Lysses House hotel.
Captain Douglas’s career and tragic life are described in the
Naval Chronicle
25 (1811), pp. 353-82; and J. W. Norie, comp. and arr.,
The Naval Gazetteer, Biographer and Chronologist
(London, 1842), pp. 101 ff.
Naval Chronicle
25 (1811), pp. 353-82; and J. W. Norie, comp. and arr.,
The Naval Gazetteer, Biographer and Chronologist
(London, 1842), pp. 101 ff.
For Inglefield’s colorful biography, see Marshall,
Royal Naval Biography,
vol. 2, pp. 62- 70. An account of his travails at sea is given in John Nicholson Inglefield,
Capt. Inglefield’s Narrative, concerning the loss of His Majesty’s ship, the Centaur, of seventy-four guns: and the miraculous preservation of the Pinnace
(London, 1783). Byron’s borrowings can be seen in
Don Juan,
Canto II; verse LXI is quoted. Inglefield’s travails on the domestic front are chronicled in
New annals of gallantry: containing, a complete collection of all the genuine letters which have passed between Captain Inglefield, and Mrs. Inglefield; signed with their respective names, relative to a charge brought by the former against the latter, for partiality to her black servant. To which are added, the black’s affidavits, pro and con, and Mrs. Inglefield’s also, upon this extraordinary business. Likewise, the letters of Mr. Mills, man-midwife, of Greenwich, relative to his conduct since the
Royal Naval Biography,
vol. 2, pp. 62- 70. An account of his travails at sea is given in John Nicholson Inglefield,
Capt. Inglefield’s Narrative, concerning the loss of His Majesty’s ship, the Centaur, of seventy-four guns: and the miraculous preservation of the Pinnace
(London, 1783). Byron’s borrowings can be seen in
Don Juan,
Canto II; verse LXI is quoted. Inglefield’s travails on the domestic front are chronicled in
New annals of gallantry: containing, a complete collection of all the genuine letters which have passed between Captain Inglefield, and Mrs. Inglefield; signed with their respective names, relative to a charge brought by the former against the latter, for partiality to her black servant. To which are added, the black’s affidavits, pro and con, and Mrs. Inglefield’s also, upon this extraordinary business. Likewise, the letters of Mr. Mills, man-midwife, of Greenwich, relative to his conduct since the
suspicion of this strange connection
(London, 1785). Adm. 1/1988 contains correspondence relating to the
Centaur
and Inglefield’s letter on behalf of the pirates.
(London, 1785). Adm. 1/1988 contains correspondence relating to the
Centaur
and Inglefield’s letter on behalf of the pirates.
Captain Bertie’s meager record is given in Marshall,
Royal Naval Biography,
vol. 1, p. 195; and in an obituary in
Gentleman’s Magazine,
May 1824, pp. 459ff. His meeting with Jane Austen is recorded in her letters; see Deirdre Le Faye, ed.,
Jane Austen’s Letters,
3d ed. (Oxford, 1997), p. 117.
Royal Naval Biography,
vol. 1, p. 195; and in an obituary in
Gentleman’s Magazine,
May 1824, pp. 459ff. His meeting with Jane Austen is recorded in her letters; see Deirdre Le Faye, ed.,
Jane Austen’s Letters,
3d ed. (Oxford, 1997), p. 117.
James Modyford Heywood’s biography is found in
Gentleman’s Magazine,
April 1798, p. 356; important details are also found in A. Aspinall, ed.,
The Later Correspondence of George III,
vol. 1 (Cambridge, 1962), pp. 15-16. Evidence of Heywood’s relationship and close friendship with Richard, Earl Howe is found in his will, PROB 11/1305, of which Lord Howe was named as executor. The royal visit of 1789 is described by Fanny Burney in
Diary and Letters of Madame D’Arblay, edited by her niece,
vol. 2 (London, 1843), p. 56; and in the local press, see for instance
Exeter Flying Post,
August 27, 1789. Details of the colorful life of Sophia Heywood Musters are given in a short description of the Musters family found in the Norfolk Record Office (HMN 5/235/4-8). This famous beauty was painted by Reynolds, Romney, and Stubbs; a portrait of Mr. Musters and his wife on horseback was later returned to Stubbs by the jealous husband with the request that Sophia, whom he believed to have been unfaithful to him, be painted out. Stubbs complied and, until restored, this painting showed a stable lad leading a horse with a vacant side saddle (
John and Sophia Musters Riding at Colwick Hall,
dated 1777, by George Stubbs; in a private collection).
Gentleman’s Magazine,
April 1798, p. 356; important details are also found in A. Aspinall, ed.,
The Later Correspondence of George III,
vol. 1 (Cambridge, 1962), pp. 15-16. Evidence of Heywood’s relationship and close friendship with Richard, Earl Howe is found in his will, PROB 11/1305, of which Lord Howe was named as executor. The royal visit of 1789 is described by Fanny Burney in
Diary and Letters of Madame D’Arblay, edited by her niece,
vol. 2 (London, 1843), p. 56; and in the local press, see for instance
Exeter Flying Post,
August 27, 1789. Details of the colorful life of Sophia Heywood Musters are given in a short description of the Musters family found in the Norfolk Record Office (HMN 5/235/4-8). This famous beauty was painted by Reynolds, Romney, and Stubbs; a portrait of Mr. Musters and his wife on horseback was later returned to Stubbs by the jealous husband with the request that Sophia, whom he believed to have been unfaithful to him, be painted out. Stubbs complied and, until restored, this painting showed a stable lad leading a horse with a vacant side saddle (
John and Sophia Musters Riding at Colwick Hall,
dated 1777, by George Stubbs; in a private collection).
That James Modyford Heywood read Peter’s letter from the Cape to Lord Howe is evident from Peter John Heywood’s letter to his son Peter of December 15, 1788, MNHL MS (AP 122 [4th]—33[a]); this letter also contains Mr. Heywood’s version of the events between himself and the Duke of Atholl. Howe’s letter to Captain Curtis of September 8, 1792, is in HO 119 Howe; Richard, Earl Howe to Sir Roger Curtis, Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.
COURT-MARTIALDay-to-day events are taken from the contemporary press and logs of the
Hector
and
Duke:
Adm. 51/448 and Adm. 52/3097 contain the captain’s and master’s logs of the
Hector;
Adm. 51/265 and Adm. 52/2985, the same of the
Duke.
Hector
and
Duke:
Adm. 51/448 and Adm. 52/3097 contain the captain’s and master’s logs of the
Hector;
Adm. 51/265 and Adm. 52/2985, the same of the
Duke.
The transcription of the court-martial of the mutineers is found at Adm. 1/5330. These records were published by Owen Rutter, ed.,
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931); this was reprinted by the Notable Trials Library—with an introduction by Alan Dershowitz (Birmingham, Ala., 1989).
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931); this was reprinted by the Notable Trials Library—with an introduction by Alan Dershowitz (Birmingham, Ala., 1989).
Stephen Barney, Muspratt’s lawyer, also published a partial, less accurate transcript,
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794).
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794).
Several books outlined court-martial protocol, including a work by one of Peter Heywood’s advisers: John Delafons,
A Treatise on Naval Courts Martial
(London, 1805). This manual uses incidents from both Bligh’s court-martial of 1790 and that of the
Bounty
mutineers as instructive examples.
A Treatise on Naval Courts Martial
(London, 1805). This manual uses incidents from both Bligh’s court-martial of 1790 and that of the
Bounty
mutineers as instructive examples.
Hood’s opinion that the defendants should be tried together is found in Adm. 1/1002. Distinguished members of the audience attending the trial are cited by
The Star
•
Daily Evening Advertiser,
September 19, 1792.
The Star
•
Daily Evening Advertiser,
September 19, 1792.
Biographical information on John Fryer’s family was kindly supplied by Mike Welland, from parish records in Wells-next-the-Sea.
John Hallett’s travel expenses are found in Adm. 106/2217.
For John Smith’s continued service with Bligh, see Edward Christian,
A Short Reply to Capt. William Bligh’s Answer
(London, 1795), p. 6 (reprinted in facsimile by the Australiana Society, Melbourne, 1952).
A Short Reply to Capt. William Bligh’s Answer
(London, 1795), p. 6 (reprinted in facsimile by the Australiana Society, Melbourne, 1952).
The record of the court-martial on Captain Edwards and the officers of the
Pandora
is found at Adm. 1/5330.
DEFENSEPandora
is found at Adm. 1/5330.
The atrocities of the French Revolution are reported in the
Times,
September 12, 1792; the influx of refugees reported in articles of September 14 and 15.
Times,
September 12, 1792; the influx of refugees reported in articles of September 14 and 15.
The age of Joseph Coleman is a vexed question. Adm. 36/8013, the muster of the
Discovery,
records his age as twenty-five in March 1776; Adm. 36/10744, the muster of the
Bounty,
as thirty-six in August 1787; Adm. 35/298, the muster of the
Calcutta,
as forty-eight in 1795; and Adm. 6/271, a hospital record, as forty-eight in January 1793. I have chosen to follow the age stated in the muster of the
Bounty,
which is at least consistent with that of the
Discovery.
Discovery,
records his age as twenty-five in March 1776; Adm. 36/10744, the muster of the
Bounty,
as thirty-six in August 1787; Adm. 35/298, the muster of the
Calcutta,
as forty-eight in 1795; and Adm. 6/271, a hospital record, as forty-eight in January 1793. I have chosen to follow the age stated in the muster of the
Bounty,
which is at least consistent with that of the
Discovery.
The superiority of written testimony is stated in John McArthur,
Principles and Practice of Naval and Military Courts Martial: with an appendix illustrative of the subject,
4th ed., vol. 2 (1813), pp. 161-62.
Principles and Practice of Naval and Military Courts Martial: with an appendix illustrative of the subject,
4th ed., vol. 2 (1813), pp. 161-62.
Early versions of Peter Heywood’s defense, entitled “The Defence of Peter Heywood at a Court Martial held on him & others on board H. M. Ship the Duke at Portsmouth September 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th 1792,” are found in “Correspondence of Miss Nessy Heywood,” E5. H5078, the Newberry Library, Chicago; and MNHL MS 09519/2/1. A slightly more polished version was published in Edward Tagart,
A Memoir of the Late Captain Peter Heywood, R.N., with Extracts From His Diaries and Correspondence
(London, 1832).
A Memoir of the Late Captain Peter Heywood, R.N., with Extracts From His Diaries and Correspondence
(London, 1832).
Byrn’s service record is outlined in Adm. 73/2, his admission form for entrance to Greenwich Hospital. The muster of the
Robust,
Adm. 36/8495, confirms his service with Lieutenant Inglefield. That he was held in irons throughout the voyage of the
Gorgon
is stated by James Scott (Sargeant of Marines),
Remarks on a Passage to Botany Bay, 1787-1792
(Sydney, 1963), from the original manuscript held by Dixson Library, SLNSW, MS Q43; see entry for April 5, 1792.
Robust,
Adm. 36/8495, confirms his service with Lieutenant Inglefield. That he was held in irons throughout the voyage of the
Gorgon
is stated by James Scott (Sargeant of Marines),
Remarks on a Passage to Botany Bay, 1787-1792
(Sydney, 1963), from the original manuscript held by Dixson Library, SLNSW, MS Q43; see entry for April 5, 1792.
For Morrison’s stint as a
taio
of a chief, see James Morrison, “Journal on HMS Bounty and at Tahiti, 1792,” ML, ZML Safe 1/42, pp. 140 ff.
taio
of a chief, see James Morrison, “Journal on HMS Bounty and at Tahiti, 1792,” ML, ZML Safe 1/42, pp. 140 ff.
The article describing the uncommon caliber of men on the
Bounty,
written by an unidentified officer of the
Brunswick,
appeared in
Gentleman’s Magazine,
December 1792, pp. 1097-98.
Bounty,
written by an unidentified officer of the
Brunswick,
appeared in
Gentleman’s Magazine,
December 1792, pp. 1097-98.
The baptismal record of Charles Norman, son of Charles and Mary Norman, is found in the archives of Holy Trinity Church, Gosport. Bligh’s letter to Norman’s brother is found with other documents of the court-martial, in Adm. 1/5330 and in Owen Rutter, ed.,
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931).
The Court-Martial of the “Bounty” Mutineers
(Edinburgh, 1931).
Bligh’s indulgent remarks about Ellison were made in his letters to Duncan Campbell, cited in “Voyage Out.” Christian’s calling Ellison a monkey is in Edward Christian’s “Appendix” to Stephen Barney’s
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794), p. 74, note.
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794), p. 74, note.
The description of North Shields is taken from William Whellan & Co.,
History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland
(London, 1855), pp. 467ff. That McIntosh’s mother ran a public house is stated by Edward Christian, “Appendix,” p. 62. Bligh’s letter to Mrs. Tosh is found in the court-martial documents, as cited above.
History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland
(London, 1855), pp. 467ff. That McIntosh’s mother ran a public house is stated by Edward Christian, “Appendix,” p. 62. Bligh’s letter to Mrs. Tosh is found in the court-martial documents, as cited above.
William Muspratt’s baptismal certificate is found in the Bray parish records, in the Berkshire Records Office. London Guildhall Records, MS 21543, p. 27, indicate that John Muspratt, William’s father, was admitted to the Bray almshouse on June 8, 1781. Evidence of John Muspratt’s suicide is found in the coroner’s account book, in the Berkshire Records Office, noting the day of death as December 6, 1786; and an article in the
Reading Mercury,
December 11, 1786.
Reading Mercury,
December 11, 1786.
William’s brother Joseph married a Rebecca Fryer less than a year after the court-martial in nearby Fareham; “Fryer” is not a Fareham name; there is, however, a Rebecca Fryer in the family of the
Bounty
’s master—a relative who accompanied John Fryer to Portsmouth, there to meet William Muspratt’s brother? This would be too delicious. . . .
Bounty
’s master—a relative who accompanied John Fryer to Portsmouth, there to meet William Muspratt’s brother? This would be too delicious. . . .
Burkett’s earlier service on the
Hector
is confirmed by Adm. 36/10544 and Adm. 35/758.
Hector
is confirmed by Adm. 36/10544 and Adm. 35/758.
John Millward’s biography is drawn from parish records of Stoke Damerel, Plymouth, which records both his own christening on June 15, 1767, and the marriage of his parents, Henry Millward, a mariner “lately discharged from H.M.S.
Ocean,
” and Mary Simmons, widow, on March 18, 1762, in the Dock Chapel. John Millward’s trade as a sailmaker is recorded in Adm. 102/271. Descriptions of Stoke Damerel of the time are found in Daniel and Samuel Lysons,
Magna Britannia: Being a Concise Topographical Account of the Several Counties of Great Britain,
vol. 6 (London, 1822)—Samuel Lysons, incidentally, was a friend of William Bligh.
SENTENCEOcean,
” and Mary Simmons, widow, on March 18, 1762, in the Dock Chapel. John Millward’s trade as a sailmaker is recorded in Adm. 102/271. Descriptions of Stoke Damerel of the time are found in Daniel and Samuel Lysons,
Magna Britannia: Being a Concise Topographical Account of the Several Counties of Great Britain,
vol. 6 (London, 1822)—Samuel Lysons, incidentally, was a friend of William Bligh.
The account of the Heywood family’s reaction to Peter’s sentence and all correspondence between Nessy and other members of the Heywood family, including that of Aaron Graham, are taken from the “Correspondence of Miss Nessy Heywood,” E5. H5078, the Newberry Library, Chicago.
Information about James Heywood’s naval career is found in Adm. 36/11467 and Adm. 36/12747, which show him as a twenty-nine-year-old master’s mate on the
Caesar,
Captain Nugent, in 1795.
Caesar,
Captain Nugent, in 1795.
Peter’s letter to Dr. Patrick Scott is held by the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (A GC/H/26/2).
Reports of the conclusion of the court-martial appear in a great many papers; see, for example, the
Times,
September 18, 1792; the
Hereford Journal,
September 26, 1792; the
Reading Mercury,
September 24, 1792; and the
Observer,
September 23, 1792.
Times,
September 18, 1792; the
Hereford Journal,
September 26, 1792; the
Reading Mercury,
September 24, 1792; and the
Observer,
September 23, 1792.
Aaron Graham’s marriage to Sarah Dawes is confirmed by Guildhall Library Doc. MS 10091/135; and Sir Henry Tempest’s will, Ref. PROB 11/1613, 386 ff., the latter also giving proof of her relationship to Sir Henry.
The admission of Coleman and Byrn to Greenwich Hospital is confirmed by Adm. 73/2, Adm. 73/5, Adm. 73/38, Adm. 6/271, and Adm. 2/1136. The later activities of McIntosh are mentioned in Edward Christian’s “Appendix” to Stephen Barney,
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794), p. 62.
Minutes of the Proceedings . . .
(London, 1794), p. 62.
Muspratt’s petition is discussed, with quotations from the Admiralty’s legal briefs, by Bonner Smith, “Some Remarks About the Mutiny of the Bounty,”
Mariner’s Mirror,
22 (1936), pp. 200-237. The muster of the
Hector
shows that Muspratt was discharged, in theory to the
Royal William,
on February 10, 1793, the day before his reprieve—although the ship’s papers show no record of Muspratt.
Mariner’s Mirror,
22 (1936), pp. 200-237. The muster of the
Hector
shows that Muspratt was discharged, in theory to the
Royal William,
on February 10, 1793, the day before his reprieve—although the ship’s papers show no record of Muspratt.
Information about the post-court-martial movements of the various ships is found in ship’s logs and the local press; see, for example, the
Times,
September 26 and 28, 1792.
Times,
September 26 and 28, 1792.
Records of punishment are found in the logs of the ships: for the
Hector,
Adm. 51/448; the
Brunswick,
Adm. 51/112; the
Bounty,
Adm. 55/151.
Hector,
Adm. 51/448; the
Brunswick,
Adm. 51/112; the
Bounty,
Adm. 55/151.
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