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Antigua, Slavery and Emancipation in the Records of a Sugar Plantation, 1689-1907

This collection contains records pertaining to the Tudway family’s ownership of an Antiguan sugar plantation during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The papers cover the period from the early slave trade to the post-slavery economy. The combination of statistical ledgers and narrative correspondence provides a unique insight into the operation and eventual abolition of the slave trade in the West Indies. 

Note: This collection is accompanied by an online guide written by Dr Kenneth Morgan. 

The Tudway Papers are the most complete surviving records pertaining to an Antiguan sugar plantation. Both in their chronological coverage and subject matter they provide invaluable historical data

Kenneth Morgan, Brunel University

Insights

The 'Annual Pay Lists' include names, jobs, days worked and pay. 'Monthly Journals of Works Returns' do include letters from the plantation, though the handwriting is challenging to read.
These papers include descriptive records of how the plantation worked. Lists of slaves at Parham Lodge are joined by letters from the estate managers to the owner and financial returns.
Miscellaneous [items] including slave lists' holds registers of slaves' births and deaths from 1817 to 1826. The 'list of slave acquisitions' covers 1748-1767, and the receipts reveal who was buying goods from this estate.
Letterbooks and correspondence from England and Antigua' describe events affecting the estate. The 9th image in the correspondence from 1834 mentions concerns about slaves being freed.

Highlights

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Sugar Cane Experiments in the Leeward Islands

Report on experiments conducted at Antigua and St. Kitts in the Season 1905-1906. Issued by the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies. 1907 Part I: Experiments with Arieties...

Date:1905-1907
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F06

Accounts of Divers Persons, 1808

Handwritten records of amounts paid into accounts and balances of accounts, for various people listed by name.

Date:1808-1808
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F05

Bill Book, 1825

Handwritten reciepts for goods purchased from the estate, including prices, quantities, and names of purchasers.

Date:1825-1825
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F04

Receipt Book, 1824

Handwritten reciepts for goods recieved by the estate, including prices and quantities.

Date:1824-1824
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F03

List of Slave Acquisitions, 1748-1767

Includes forenames and prices for both individual slaves and batches of slaves.

Date:1748-1767
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F02

Parham Register of Slaves Including Birth and Deaths, 1817-1826

Date:1817-1826
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:F01

Monthly Journals of Works Returns from Parham Lodge,1826-1829

Includes correspondence recieved, details of work and transactions completed in the New Works, and bills of shipping, Dec 1826-April 1829.

Date:1826-1829
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:E28

Monthly Journals of Works Returns from Old Works, 1826-1829

Includes correspondence recieved, details of work and transactions completed in the Old Works, and bills of shipping, Dec 1826-May 1829.

Date:1826-1829
Contributor:Somerset Record Office
Identifier:E27
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