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,