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Archiver > CARIBBEAN > 2003-05 > 1051984472


From: Tim Anderson <>
Subject: Re: slave John EDWARDS & BUTLER Betty's Hope
Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 13:54:32 -0400
References: <118.22d98f20.2be46253@cs.com>


A book, entitled "Codrington Correspondence" catalogs over 500 letters
having to do with estate matters of the Codrington holdings in Antigua
and Barbuda. Betty's Hope was the main estate on Angtigua and the
Codringtons virtually owned the whole of Barbuda at one time.
In this book are two letters written by John Edwards. The following
is the complete information contained in the book. John Edwards was a
slave of Codrington's in Antigua and wrote the next two letters.
Letter dated Dec. 26, 1814 from John Edwards to Christopher
Codrington: Seeks to purchase his freedom and still remain in the
Codrington's employ
Letter dated October 23, 1815 from John Edwards to Christopher
Codrington: A grateful letter of thanks endorsed by Codrington "my
servant when in Antigua whom I manumited. C.B.C"

The only thing that I omitted above were the postal markings and the
rate paid to send the letters. I find the book a very good reference
but that is all that is there on John Edwards. The correspondence
runs out about 1840 and so no possible information on CD Butler.
Tim


On Sat, 3 May 2003 00:07:50 +0000 (UTC), wrote:

>I'm interested in any information on Betty's Hope as my paternal grandfather,
>Charles David BUTLER, was born there ca. 1890's. Also of interest are the
>letters pertaing to slave John Edwards, as I have EDWARDS ancestors from
>Barbuda. Unfortunately, the few vital records I've found for Barbuda are
>mixed in with those of Antigua making research a slow process.
>Andrea
>
>In a message dated 5/2/2003 4:42:13 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> writes:
>> "Two letters in 1814-15 from a slave John Edwards seeking to buy his
>> freedom in the first letter and sending thanks in the second -- the
>> second letter endorsed by "CBC" [Christopher Bethell Codrington]
>> 'My servant when I am in Antigua whom I manumitted'

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