1693 Jamaica Rare Document, 6 Months after Devastating Earthquake

1p handwritten legal document signed by John Bourden (1633-1697), then President of the Council of the English colony of Jamaica, as "John Bourden" at center right. Probably signed in Spanish Town, Jamaica (the island's newly established capital following the June 1692 earthquake), on January 3, 1692/3. (The dual dating represents the date in both Old Style and New Style.) On watermarked cream paper. Bearing an embossed paper and wax seal at upper left. Inscribed overall in a secretarial hand. Expected folds including some minor splits. A few chipped edges and edge darkening. Else very good to near fine. 8.875" x 14.25". Accompanied by a copy of Karst de Jong's scholarly article entitled "The Life of John Bourden" [Irish Migration Studies in Latin America 8:1 (2012), pp. 87-98].

John Bourden was a Protestant Irishman who probably emigrated to the British-controlled island of Jamaica in the late 1650s. Over the next four decades, Bourden acquired a large plantation, served as a militia officer, and obtained a seat on the Council. This legislative body was comprised of elected members who advised the colonial Governor. According to historian de Jong, Bourden held a seat on the Council almost uninterruptedly between the late 1670s and his death in 1697.

Bourden served as President of the Council in the months following a horrific earthquake that irrevocably transformed the island's landscape. On June 7, 1692, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Port Royal, causing the subduction of approximately 2/3 of the city into the sea. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed 2,000 outright and an estimate 3,000 died from injuries and disease in the following days. As President of the Council, Bourden doubtlessly managed issues relating to the clean-up and rebuilding.

Our document relates to a dispute between two Port Royal merchants. Was Captain John Agard, the deadbeat buyer listed as deceased, killed in the recent earthquake?

In full, with untouched spelling and punctuation:

"The Deposition of Thomas Tudor aged nineteene years or therabouts, taken before the Hon:ble John Bourden Esq:e President of their Maj:ties Council of this their Maj:ties Island of Jamaica ec this Third day of January Anno Dni: 1692/3

This Deponent being swornd upon the holy Evangelists oayths That sometime in the month of May last past Hee this Depn:t by Comand of his Master Mr Rich:d Jackson of Port Royall merch:t Delivered to Cap:n John Agard late of Port Royall afores:d merch:t dent Sundry Goods and Merchandizes to this Depon:ts certaine knowledge to the Value of betweene fifty and sixty pounds which the s:d Richard Jackson sold to the s:d John Agard And that this Depon:t doth not know that ye s:d Richard Jackson hath recd any part of ye value of the same But on the Contrary believes that the said Goods remain (& are yett) unpaid for. Hee this Depon:t being aprentice to & kept then the s:d Rich:ds Books (at ye time of ye delivery of ye s:d Goods) And which hee still Continues to doe And further this Deponent sayth not…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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