James Duncan

From Convict Transportation
Jump to: navigation, search

Biography

Early Life

James Duncan’s date of birth is at present unknown. His uncle seems to have played a significant role in his upbringing, suggesting his parents died early. He may have married late, but based on his date of marriage and his own account of his years at sea, he was probably born in the 1730s.

His sister Jean married William Allerdice and they lived near Banff, which may suggest where James Duncan grew up. Her maiden name was Munro, which seems to suggest the adoption of a guardian’s name by one of them.

Marriage and Children

12 October 1763 – James Duncan married Ann Gibb at St George in the East. (Saint George in the East, Register of Marriages, London Metropolitan Archives, P93/GEO, Item 033)

Ann was born around 1740.

James and Ann had one surviving child, James Marriott Duncan. Among other things, he was left the use of his father’s counting house. James Marriott Duncan married Rebekah Smith at St Marylebone on the 18th of November 1824. (James Duncan Papers, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, hereafter James Duncan Papers)

Death

3 October 1803 – James died at Roehampton House (near Wimbledon).

September 1813 – Ann Duncan died at Roehampton House, aged 70. (The European Magazine and London Review, Volume 64, p.464)

Extended Family

Jean and William Allerdice

Jean Allerdice was James Duncan’s sister, and had been known as Jean Munro. She had an illegitimate son, who went by the name of James Smith, and in 1796 was a gunner in the Third Artillery at Fort William (Calcutta) in the East Indies.

Jean married William Allerdice of Pentiffy near Banff in Scotland.

Thomas and Susannah Gibb

Ann Duncan’s parents were Thomas and Susannah Gibb. They may well be the Thomas Gibb and Susannah Giles, who married at St Olave’s in Mile End Old Town on 7 June 1758, even though this was after the birth date of their son. This Thomas Gibb was a tailor (as was Thomas Gibbs, the son of Thomas Gibbs). (Saint Olave, Bermondsey, Composite Register: Marriages, Banns, LMA P71/OLA, Item 021)

They had at least two children, Thomas (possibly born 1750) and Ann (born around 1740).

Thomas and Margaret Gibb

There was a Thomas Gibb who was baptised at St Mary, Putney, on 21 January 1750.

Thomas Gibb and Margaret Streetin (or Streeton) married at St George in the East on 25 August 1772. James Duncan and William Streetin were witnesses. (Saint George in the East, Register of Marriages, LMA P93/GEO, Item 035)

Thomas and Margaret had a number of children:

Margaret Gibb was born in the parish of St George in the East on 20 February 1775. (Nonconformist Registers; Date Range: 1768 – 1797, Dr William's Library, Film Number: 816004)

Euphana Gibb was born in the parish of St George in the East on 21 May 1777. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

Ann Gibb was born in 1782 (on which, see below).

Thomas Gibb was born 25 July 1784 in the parish of St George in the East. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

Benaiah Gibb, born in the parish of St George in the East, 16 September 1787. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

Catharine Gibb, born 5 August 1790, in the parish of St George in the East. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

Sarah Gibb was born 25 January 1793 in the parish of St George in the East. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

James Duncan Gibb was born in December 1794, but he was declared to be a minor in 1813 when stamp duties were paid on his bequest from James Duncan.

In 1802, when James Duncan’s will was prepared, they were living in the Ratcliff Highway. In 1790, there was a Thomas Gibb, described as a tailor and salesman, living at 194 Ratcliff Highway. (Holden’s Directory)

In January 1803, when his son Beniah was apprenticed to Joseph Lachlan, Thomas was described as a slopseller. (LMA COL/CHD/FR/02/1353-1359)

Ann Gibb and Joseph Lachlan

Ann Gibb was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Gibb and Ann Duncan’s niece. Ann was baptised at St George in the East on 2 October 1782. Her mother’s name was Margaret. Margaret’s father’s name was William Streeton. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

Joseph Lachlan was son of Robert Lachlan of St Mary Whitechapel, and Duncan had taken him as an apprentice on 9 June 1789 (and thus, Joseph would have known Ann from when she was around seven years of age). Joseph Lachlan was born 18 June 1774, the son of Robert and Sarah Lachlan.

Joseph married Ann Gibb on 2 October 1800 at St George in the East. Ann was a minor and married with the consent of her father, Thomas Gibb. Euphrenia Gibb was a witness. (Saint George in the East, Register of Marriages, LMA P93/GEO, Item 039) A financial settlement was negotiated prior to the wedding. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

James Duncan Gibb

There were two men of this name, one the son of Beniah (or Benaiah) Gibb, the other the son of Thomas and Margaret Gibb.

The son of Thomas and Margaret was born 3 December 1794 in the parish of St George in the East. (Nonconformist Registers, Film Number: 816004)

He was left £100 under James Duncan’s will. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

Beniah Gibb

Beniah (or Benaiah) Gibb was Ann Duncan’s younger brother, who was apprenticed to Joseph Lachlan on 15 January 1803, shortly before James Duncan died. (LMA COL/CHD/FR/02/1353-1359)

But in 1802 when Duncan’s will was drafted, Beniah was living in Montreal in North America.

He married a woman named Sarah and they had a son James Duncan Gibb, who received £100 under Duncan’s will. He was still a minor in 1813 when stamp duties were paid on this bequest. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

On 5 February 1815, when his son Thomas was baptised at St George in the East, Beniah was living in Ratcliff Highway and working as a tailor. (St George in the East, Register of Baptisms, LMA p93/geo, Item 007)

Pedigree Chart

James Duncan Pedigree Chart.png

Early Career

Royal Navy

James Duncan was intended for a life in the Navy from when he was at school, and as he described it, he was ‘borne upon ships’ books’ from that time. Duncan did not recall what these were, since the records seem to have been kept by an uncle who had passed away, and the loss of the associated certificates. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

1762-63 – Duncan served in the Royal Navy (during the Seven Years War) and saw action in the Anson. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

Merchant Service

1763 to 1775 – Duncan was in command of a merchant ship, the details of which are not presently confirmed.

22 February 1766 – Navigation Pass 1075/1766 for the New Industry, James Duncan, a snow of 180 tons, from London to Antigua. Crew of 9/3. (TNA ADM7/92)

8 February 1768 – Date of the return of the above pass. (TNA ADM7/92)

5 September 1772 – Navigation Pass 330/1772 for the Anne, James Duncan, a ship of 230 tons, from London to Dominica and Carolina. 2 guns. Crew of 15/12. (TNA ADM7/98)

24 October 1774 – Date of the return of the above pass. (TNA ADM7/98)

20 October 1774 – Navigation Pass issued for the Anne, James Duncan. 2 guns, crew of 15/12. To Madeira and Dominica. (TNA ADM7/100, No.36/1774)

17 October 1777 – This is listed as the date of the return of the above pass. (TNA ADM7/100, No.36/1774)

1775 – At the outbreak of war, Duncan said that he ‘cut a ship of his own asunder, rebuilt and refitted her for war, under the name of the Rose, wholly at his expense, to the amount of eight thousand guineas and upwards’. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2) In another account, written in 1789, the cost was nine thousand pounds. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

He sailed her to the North American coast and over the next couple of years, according to his account, he took, burnt and destroyed fourteen of the enemy’s privateers and merchantmen. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

On her first cruise alone, in the first two months of the war, he sent into New York, four prizes. He burnt another, and engaged a large ship from 8 in the evening until 2 in the morning, and at daylight, after two hours’ close engagement, they were separated. (Footnote to ‘Verses Inscribed to Captain James Duncan’, a broadsheet with no date but after Duncan’s death in 1803)

Mid 1778 – Duncan in the Rose took the sloop Fox, in company with HMS Winchelsea. She was sold at New York Coffee House by William Richards Senior. (Public Ledger, 22 September 1778)

February 1779 – The Rose (or Rosebud) encountered an American merchantman, the General Mercer, and a four-hour battle ensured in which neither party gained the ascendancy. A self-serving American description of this encounter survives:

"Three days out from the Capes of the Chesapeake, a vessel hove in sight, and immediately stood for the General Mercer. As Captain Robinson’s prime object was to deliver his tobacco in France and use the proceeds to purchase a proper armament for his vessel, he made every effort to escape, but the stranger sailed too fast for him. A full moon and an unclouded sky enabled her to keep up the chase after darkness had fallen.

"At eight o’clock she was within hailing distance, and, running up the English colors, demanded: ‘What ship is that?’ Robinson showed his colors, and the Englishman ordered them lowered. Instead of obeying, the General Mercer gave him a broadside which brought down his foretopsail, cut away some of the rigging, and apparently threw him into confusion. The English vessel responded with her guns and a running fight was kept up until near midnight. Almost at the beginning of the fight the enemy discovered that the General Mercer had no stern ports, and thereafter manoeuvred for positions off the American vessel’s stern and quarters, where the latter could not return her fire.

"But with all her advantage of position, the English vessel was able to fire only one or two shots every half-hour. It was evidence of the confusion into which she had been thrown by the General Mercer’s first broadside. Taking heart from it [Joshua] Barney [the Mate] proposed to Captain Robinson that they cut a port in the stern, and bring up a long three-pounder from the gun deck. Robinson agreed, and it was accomplished about midnight without apparently having been discovered by anybody aboard the English vessel. She drew up close to fire her guns, and received discharge of grape that caused her to haul off in a hurry. She did not again come within gunshot that night.

"Morning revealed her as a brigantine of 18 guns, swarming with men. Several uniformed officers could be seen through her ports, and the Americans took her to be a British naval vessel. As a matter of fact, she was only a privateer and the uniforms had been donned for the purpose of striking terror into American hearts. It required more than epaulets and brass buttons to scare Messieurs Robinson, Barney, et.al., and when the brig came up close under the General Mercer’s stern with the intention of boarding, they were ready for her.

"The little three-pounder was loaded with grape. Lieutenant Barney and the quartermaster were serving it. At the last moment Joshua snatched up a crow bar and shoved it in the gun’s muzzle. As the English were preparing to board, Barney fired with such accurate aim that their foresails and all their weather foreshrouds were cut away. The loss of these supports compelled the Englishman instantly to wear, to save his foremast from going overboard. The maneuver gave Robinson an opportunity to rake her. He promptly came about and delivered a shattering broadside. The enemy did not return the attack, and the General Mercer resumed her voyage.

"Shortly afterward the privateer Rosebud, Captain Duncan, a brigantine of 18 guns and a complement of 95 men, limped into New York, where Duncan angrily charged the Americans with using langrage. That was Barney’s crowbar. Langrage, it might be explained, was the sea term for packages of nails, bolts and such, designed especially to damage a vessel’s sails and rigging. Its use had been outlawed by civilized nations at the time of the Revolution. In Barney’s own story, he unashamedly confesses to the crowbar.

"At her setting-out the Rosebud had been enthusiastically described in a New York newspaper as a ‘beautiful brigantine, admirably well fitted and manned, carrying 18-double-fortified 4-pounders, 60 good seamen and 35 marines’. She reported 47 killed and wounded in her fight with the General Mercer. Not a bad score for that undermanned ship with her 12 assorted guns fit for the junk pile." (Hulbert Footner, Sailor of Fortune, Naval Institute Press, 1940, pp.61-2)

Early March 1779 – Captain James Duncan, in the Rosebud, described as a ‘royal brig’ and ‘one of the finest and most powerful of the smaller British cruisers’, came into Sandy Hook, bringing with her the American brig, Young Achilles, Captain Augustine Picon. She was laden with tobacco on her way from Philadelphia to Bordeaux. The Rosebud carried 18 guns and a crew of 95. (William S. Horner, ‘This Old Monmouth of Ours’, Baltimore: Clearfield Company, Inc., 1990, p.62)

1779 – The Rose encountered a French fleet. In his account:

". . . off the Delaware he fell in with the French Fleet under the command of Count d’Estaing, who sent a frigate (named the Engageant) to order him into the Fleet and upon finding them to be French and come with a hostile design, Mr Duncan fully determined that the Rose should not add to the fleet of France. After receiving 3 broadsides from a ship double his force without firing a gun, [he] addressed his ship’s company (which from sickness and manning of prizes was reduced to the small number of 52 men able to do duty), the Rose mounting 22 six and 4 three pounders; the Engageant mounting 28 French twelve and 6 six pounders, and 350 men including troops. By promising them all his own share of prize money during the Cruize if they would stand by him till he either took or beat off the enemy (it then being almost calm and the body of the French Fleet not 3 miles distant, upon which the ship’s company to their great credit most readily consented with three cheers, saying they only wanted orders to begin. Mr Duncan still reserving her fire till he was almost on board, taking the best advantage of situation on the enemy’s quarter, commenced the action on his part, and continued at close fight (so close that the Rose fell on board the frigate and carried away her bowsprit) for the space of six hours and twenty minutes; at which period the Rose was sinking, and in that situation Mr Duncan was obliged to submit to so superior a force, with the pleasing reflection to himself, that his enemies had in that action but very little to boast of, for soon after the Rose was tow’d into the Fleet, she sunk under the Languedoc’s stern, and the frigate was so complete a wreck that she was always towed or attended by another frigate, [and] was at last obliged to be sent home for want of a dock in America to repair her, and afterwards it was reported she foundered on her passage near Brest, and only 40 of the crew saved." (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

It was later claimed by Duncan that Count d’Estaing said that Duncan gave the frigate two balls for one. (Footnote to ‘Verses Inscribed to Captain James Duncan’, a broadsheet with no date but after Duncan’s death in 1803)

A poem written by ‘T.B.’ – apparently in the last years of the American War – and published several times as a broadsheet:

Verses
inscribed to
Captain James Duncan,
of the
Rose-bud Privateer,
New York


Long has our Isle with martial fame been crown’d –

A truth the neighb’ring Gauls too oft have found,

When Henrys and Edwards, those bright sons of fame!

Wou’d crush their armies and destroy their name.

In later days, what noble deeds were done,

When great Eliza shone on England’s throne!

In Anna’s times, great Marlbro’ would disdain

To leave Gauls on the embattled plain.


Now turn our eyes to Second George’s days,

(My Muse too low is for such deeds of praise!)

‘When Chatham’s wisdom shone the guiding star,

‘Whose beams dispers’d the blackness of despair;’

When Hawke rush’d forth, tremendous to the sight

Of Gallic slaves, who then for once did fight.


In these our days, Despair seems all the cry,

Of prating patriots, who’re afraid to die”

Despair! – can English souls e’er know Despair!

(When Liberty’s their guide, the thunder of a war!)

Impossible! – Let Gaul our fury feel,

With hands unanimous and hearts of steel;

Let all our hero’s fight with Keppel’s fire,

Let just revenge exert our hero’s ire.


Duncan! to thee the Muse her tribute pays,

Just emblem of brave Grenville’s warlike days.

Duncan and Grenville seem in one fate allied!

But Duncan now lives! – Alas! poor Grenville died.

Grenville, the man who with his ship alone

Withstood the tempest of the Spanish Don,

Encompass’d! – by twenty ships and more,

He fought, and died for lov’d Britannia’s shore.

‘God guard my country and protect my Queen,’

He said, and died with patriot virtues mien.


So brave Duncan, when the Gallic fleet he view’d,

With which all Britain’s force was t’have been subdued,

Chose one with double strength his might to try,

If he should conquer and the other fly.

The battle now beings with rattling sounds,

Duncan now thunders! - D’Estaing rebounds!

For hours he fought ennobled by each stroke,

At length his guardian angel him forsook.

The Frenchmen did now their final efforts view,

Which fatal prov’d to Duncan and his crew:

Down to the deep the Briton’s vessel went,

The crew were sav’d, to be in prison pent.


But ransom’d now, he stems the seas again,

And victor now, he triumphs on the main!

Like the Rose-bud he shines serenely bright,

And none dare combat him – with equal might.


Duncan, whilst war her iron rod extends,

Do thou proceed to frustrate Gallic ends.

Then, when the peaceful olive-branch shall come,

Britannia’s self will honor thee at home.
(James Duncan Papers, Folder 6)

Duncan claimed that he lost £8,500 on the sinking of the Rose, since his agent had allowed his insurance to lapse six days before the action. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

1779 - Duncan was taken to Philadelphia as a prisoner of war, during which time, on his account, he lost another £7,800 or £8,000 worth of property in a fire in New York. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2; ‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

Naval Service

Late 1779 – On his release, he offered his services to Vice Admiral Arbuthnot and re-entered the Royal Navy and served on several vessels during the remainder of the war. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

In a separate account, he claimed that he re-entered the Navy on his own account and served as a Lieutenant for some time, ‘although borne on the books in a different quality, on account of deficiency of servitude and certificates, till the arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot on the American Station’, who, having heard of his record, took into the flagship, where he continued to act as Lieutenant. ‘When the Admiral moved his flag into another ship, Mr Duncan constantly went with him, on account of his intrepidity and knowledge of the coast’. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

October 1779 to May 1780 – Duncan claimed that he ‘had the good fortune to distinguish himself’ in the Battle of Charlestown, so that he was promoted to Lieutenant and subsequently to Master and Commander. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

In the other account, he wrote that he was:

". . . always employed on the most hazardous and fatiguing services, first in sounding and buoying off the bar, which he did so completely that it admitted a 50 gun ship to pass over without even touching, or the smallest inconveniency whatever, for which the Admiral appointed him a Lieutenant by commission to that particular ship (the Renown) although it was wholly out of his power to prove his time served agreeable to the rules of the Navy." (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

He was then sent to command the galleys in Wappoo Creek to cover the landing of Clinton’s army, where Duncan remained 22 days cannonading the town with four galleys, after which he received to join the Admiral with three of the galleys, which he completed that night through the fire of a line of warships from one end of Charlestown to the other – a mile in length. The Admiral was so pleased with his actions that he appointed him by commission to the flagship as a Lieutenant, for future promotion. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

7 May 1781 – He was appointed as Master and Commander (on merit only) and given the command of the Avenger which was only fit for port service. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

3 July 1781 – On leaving the station, Arbuthnot ordered a new ship to be purchased and fitted as a sloop of war and the command given to Duncan so that he had a chance of taking prizes. She was named the Rover. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

Duncan wrote that she was fitted out in 18 days, and undertook cruises out of New York. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5) She was under the command of Commodore Affleck, who hoisted his broad pennant on board. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

It is possible that Duncan had taken the Rover whilst serving on the Medea, but if so, why did Duncan not say so in his memorials?

July 1781 – He may be the Captain James Duncan who commanded the Medea frigate, which captured and sent into New York, the American privateer, Rover, of 16 guns and 80 men; the sloop, Kingsbridge, of 10 guns, from Providence; and the brig Good Intent, from Salem with lumber. Newspapers reported that he had sailed in chase of another privateer. (Edinburgh Advertiser, 14 September 1781)

Duncan manned the Rover at his own expense, ’by giving a bounty of three guineas to each able, and two guineas to each ordinary seamen, amounting in the whole (including the Lieutenant’s rendezvous expenses) to two hundred and thirty-one pounds, fourteen shillings sterling’. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

27 August 1781 – The Rover was shipwrecked on the Jersey coast, and Duncan lost money yet again. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

Rear Admiral Graves indicated his satisfaction with Duncan’s actions. Not being able to confirm Arbuthnot’s promotion for Duncan, he gave him the command of one of the first vacancies that occurred, over nine Lieutenants then on his quarter deck. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

Late 1781 – Rear Admiral Graves appointed Duncan to the command of the Conflagration fire ship, in a line abreast of the commander in chief. He was unable to follow the French Fleet, and went on a cruise for 14 days between the two capes of Virginia, but it being winter, the weather being rough, and the ship being fifty years old, she lost all her masts and foundered in a heavy gale about a hundred leagues east of land. Only one man was lost and the crew were picked up by a transport. Duncan was once again without means. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2; ‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

24 November 1781 – Duncan arrived at New York, and was cleared by the court martial. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

27 November 1781 to 3 December 1783 – On his return to New York, Duncan was appointed by Rear Admiral Digby to superintend naval hospitals on Long Island and Governor’s Island. He undertook a number of reforms, including the construction of new wharves and hospital buildings and the cultivation of a significant garden. One of the certificates he provided for this part of his career was one from Doctor Blane.

He later complained of the cost of maintaining a table for the officers during this period, for which he was not compensated. He was also inadequately compensated, and was born on the books of several ships for victuals. Duncan seems to have also had some responsibilities in these ships – the Jersey prison ship and the Rhinoceros guard ship. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

1783 – Duncan was apparently bankrupted, ‘occasioned by. . . having lost during the war £5,000 belonging to other people, and £12,000 and upwards’ of his own. He was assisted by one of his former Captains who gave him half of his own salary. (‘A State of Mr James Duncan’s Case’, 30 November 1783, James Duncan Papers, Folder 2)

4 December 1783 to 12 January 1784 – He returned home in the Astrea and was discharged on his return. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

26 April 1784 – Duncan wrote to Lord Howe the First Lord of the Admiralty from Queen Charlotte’s Row, Paddington, seeking compensation for the costs he had suffered during the war. (Mentioned, Duncan to Howe, 9 August 1784, Duncan Papers, James Duncan Papers, Folder 3)

9 August 1784 – Duncan was still living at 9 Charlotte Row, Paddington when he submitted another letter to Howe. He pleaded the want of the common necessaries of life for himself and his family. He had ‘lost an ample fortune and done it [in] services that few have imitated, otherwise I might have been rolling in the luxury of this kingdom as numbers are unjustly and this day caress’d by many and court’d by more’. (Duncan to Howe, 9 August 1784, Duncan Papers, James Duncan Papers, Folder 3)

16 November 1785 – Lieutenant James Duncan (presumably the same man) wrote to the Victualling Board. This was read on the 23rd of November, and the Board ordered that his account as pursuer of HM Galley the Viper be passed without loss of time. (TNA ADM111/104)

Business Profile

1784-86 – James Duncan wrote letters from the address of 9 Charlotte Row, Paddington. (James Duncan Papers)

1787-1790 – James Duncan rented land from John Copeland on Tower Hill with a rental value of £33 and an assessment of £3.3.0. (LMA, Land Tax Records, on Ancestry.com)

1790 – Broker listed at 3 George Street, Tower Hill, in Bailey’s, Holden’s and Wakefield’s Directories. (Ancestry.com)

2 & 7 June 1790 – Duncan offered ships to the Navy Board. Not wanted (in spite of the fact that a ship offered by Welbank Sharp & Brown was referred for survey). (ADM106/2633)

1791 – Broker listed at 3 George Street, Tower Hill, in Kent’s Directory. (at Ancestry.com)

17 October 1792 – A ship by the name of the Sovereign was contracted to the Navy Board by James Duncan, to carry naval stores from Deptford to Jamaica. Duncan was purportedly the owner of this ship. She came out of service in March 1793. (TNA ADM18/120/264)

19 October 1793 – James Duncan wrote to the EIC Court of Directors, advising that he had let the Indispensable, William Wilkinson Commander, 351 tons registered measurement to the Navy Board to carry stores and provisions to NSW, to be discharged 20 days after her arrival. He tendered to load sugars from Bengal to London at £12 per ton, of 20 hundredweight at the King’s beam, with two thirds pilotage and port charges at Bengal and the voyage home, 50 running days after the ship is ready to take in loading at Bengal and 30 running days for discharging in London. Demurrage £12 a day.

The ship was to mount 8 carriage guns, 6 pounders, and to be navigated with 10 men and boys per hundred tons registered measurement. The whole freight and demurrage to be paid 60 days after reporting at Customs House in London. (Minutes, 23 October 1793, India Office Records, British Library (hereafter IOR) B/117/467; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.611)

23 October 1793 – The Court of Directors considered the letter from James Duncan of the 19th and referred it to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/117/467; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.611) The Committee of Shipping considered Duncan’s offer and recommended she be employed. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, pp.611-612) The Court resolved that the Indispensable be employed to bring home a cargo from Bengal on stated conditions. (IOR B 117/472; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.613)

11 December 1793 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors, noting that the sole proprietor of the Indispensable, Mr Daniel Bennett, for whom he acted as agent, had approved the charter party. The Court of Directors read the letter from James Duncan of this date. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.620; Minute of this date, IOR B/118/578)

11 June 1794 – James Duncan tendered the Prince of Wales, 450 tons, to the EIC to bring home a cargo of sugar, saltpetre or other goods from Bengal, at £17 a ton. (IOR B/120/771-2) [This is not the ship used in the convict trade.]

11 November 1794 – James Duncan tendered the Prince of Wales, 450 tons. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.779)

12 November 1794 – The Court of Directors read Duncan’s offer of the Prince of Wales. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.779)

28 November 1794 – James Duncan to the Committee of Shipping, following his earlier letter of the 11th instant. He added that the Prince of Wales had been tendered to the government to carry stores. If accepted, he offered her to the Company from Bengal at £17 per ton and from China at £16 per ton. She had already been surveyed by the King’s surveyors and approved. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, Appendix No.1667, p.922) The Committee of Shipping read the offer of the Prince of Wales by James Duncan and ordered her to be surveyed. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, pp.796-7)

13 December 1794 – James Duncan wrote to the EIC offering the Sovereign, 380 tons, to bring home teas from China to the extent of her chartered tonnage and so much more as was convenient and safe, at £16 per ton, the Company paying customary duty and charges in China, the ship being intended to be let to government to carry stores to NSW. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.806)

17 December 1794 – Duncan’s offer of the Sovereign was read. Referred to Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/120/885; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.806)

20 December 1794 – The terms formally offered on the 23rd must have been communicated to Duncan early. On this date James Duncan wrote to the EIC Directors signifying that the owners of the Sovereign agreed to the ship on the terms offered (see below under 23rd), provided that if the ship be prevented from arriving in Bengal in time to load for the season, a loading be provided for her as early in the following season as may be convenient. (IOR B/120/916)

27 January 1795 – The Ships’ Ledgers give this as the date of the charter party for the Sovereign. James Duncan was the broker and George Storey the Master. £8 per ton for 353:7:1:4 tons. However, there is a later note in lighter ink stating that this ship was to be paid £9 per ton for the number of tons landed. (TNA ADM108/148/368)

1795 – Duncan leased a property in the ward of Tower Without from William Mount Esq., with a rental of £70 and an assessment of £6.14.2. (LMA, Land Tax Records, at Ancestry.com) It seems likely that this was at 37 Great Tower Hill, a property he purchased the following year.

6 June 1795 – Michael Hogan to James Duncan:

"As you were so good as to sign a respondentia bond with me this morning as collateral security for money borrowed by me on goods on the Marquis Cornwallis, amount £1,420 principal and premium (?), and as by the tenor of that bond you may become answerable for the above amount (for which I only have received value and not you) in case the ship should exist and not return within 36 calendar months.

"To relieve you from such possible responsibility, I now request and direct you, as agent for that ship outward and homeward freight, to reserve in your own hands from the one third part of her outward freight which you will receive on certificates that will be sent to you from New South Wales, the above amount, £1,420, until her safe arrival in the port of London or until you hear of loss, which God forbid, of ship and cargo, in which latter case the obligation or bond is of course void and of no effect and you will then please to pay the sum reserved as your security for signing this bond to such gentlemen as I shall hereafter direct you, being with many thanks, &c." (Michael Hogan Family Papers, Typed copy, Mitchell Library, MLMSS7359, LB-102)

9 August 1795 – Michael Hogan (on the Marquis Cornwallis) to the Board. The Polyphemus and the Santa Margaretta go as convoy. He fears the delay will prevent his reaching China [in time] and asked that the Directors of the East India Company might be asked to allow him to take on a cargo at Bengal, where he will certainly call if too late for China. He had received 24 more convicts than the number first stipulated and 9 Defenders, at the request of the Irish Government and Mr Bristow. For these, he requested Mr Duncan be paid agreeable to his charter with Mr Bristow and agreement with the sheriff of Dublin, which he transmits. He requested at the same time that the allowance for demurrage be paid for him to Mr Duncan, on whom he had drawn largely to support his ship, thus fully manned, detained so long. They would sail that evening. (TNA ADM108/36/154)

- Hogan to James Duncan:

"Enclosed I have the pleasure of sending you the resident agents certificate of our having acted conformably to charter party. Also my charter with him for carrying a surplus number of convicts, two thirds of the freight which you will please receive from the Transport Bard, as well as necessary money for 260 persons now on board to be landed at New South Wales, I have been at a very great expense here and have been under the necessity of drawing bills on you to a considerable amount, which I request you will honor.

"I have written to the Board requesting their paying you the whole or part of my demurrage and, as I rely much on their just and honourable dealings, I have reason to hope my request will be granted (enclosed is a copy of my letter to them, the whole of which I trust you will support). By it you will observe my intention of going to Bengal in case of losing my season to China (tho I am yet rather sanguine in saving my passage). The ship is in good order and is as well manned as any one in Europe, and I am determined to strain a point to get to China.

"I have written to Mrs Hogan and told her you would pay her all the money of mine you may have after paying the bills I have drawn on you, which I request you will, and that you will receive it from the Board as soon as possible. On your receiving my certificate from Botany Bay, you will reserve in your own hands £1,400 of the money due on them and pay the rest to Mrs Hogan.

"I will stop at Madeira if possible and take on board six pipes of the best wine which I will bring home with the greatest safety and with great pleasure for the Commissioners.

"The signal is out for sailing and I assure you I never saw one that I am more happy to attend to.

"PS: Since writing the above, the sheriffs of Cork, who have brought nine Defenders alongside, have entered into an agreement that the Board will pay at the rate I have agreed with Mr Bristow for the other surplus twenty-four, the amount freight of these nine persons. You will also receive £195-10, the other third £97-10 on the Botany Bay certificates being produced. The certificate for the necessary money is also annexed to Mr Bristow’s charter for your guidance. I am now underway – 6 o’clock." (Hogan Papers, LB-105)

20 August 1795 – Duke of Portland (via King) to Transport Board. He desires the conveyance to Botany Bay of about 100 female convicts, with provisions for the voyage and about 9 months afterwards. (TNA ADM108/36/196)

21 August 1795 – The Transport Board asked Mr Duncan to provide the requisite shipping. (TNA ADM108/36/196)

24 August 1795 – James Duncan tendered the Fanny, 300 tons, to carry female convicts to NSW at £22 each, with the usual allowance of 14d(?) each per month necessary money. 20 days to lies in the river after each ship is ready and 20 days to discharge at NSW. To be convoyed to Latitude 42ºN Longitude 18ºW. To wait for the convoy only 24 hours when the wind is fair. ⅔ of the freight to be paid on the ship quitting Deptford. Demurrage at £12 per day. Government to fit up the bulkheads and bed places and to provide provisions and clothing. Freight at £8 per ton for all stores and provisions exceeding the quantity for use of the convicts on their outward passage. (TNA ADM108/36/232)

4 September 1795 – James Duncan had written to the EIC Court of Directors, concerning the Indispensable engaged to carry convicts to NSW, tendered to bring home a cargo of teas from China at £16 a ton (and £8 surplus tonnage), with demurrage of £12 a day. The Company to pay port charges in Canton. Referred to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/121/588; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.912)

1 October 1795 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, indicating the owner of the Indispensable acceded to the Court’s proposals to charter the ship now bound for NSW to carry female convicts, to bring home teas from China at £16 per ton (and £8 for surplus tonnage), with the addition of a clause that the Company pay the duty at Canton and allow freight for the usual and necessary quantity of iron kentledge. (IOR B/121/712; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.915)

7 October 1795 – The Court of Directors read Duncan’s letter of the 1st and referred it to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.915)

9 October 1795 – EIC’s Committee of Shipping reported to the Court on the letter of James Duncan of the 1st. The ship to be taken up in every respect on the same terms as the Young William, no allowance to be made for the freight of kentledge. The Court of Directors approved the recommendation. (IOR B/121/718; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.916)

1796 – James Duncan, pattern-maker, is listed as owning 37 Great Tower Hill, as well as being the occupier. (LMA London Poll Books, at Ancestry.com)

From this year, he is listed as a property owner on Tower Hill. He had purchased the property he had previously been renting. (LMA Land Tax Books, at Ancestry.com)

15 May 1796 – Hogan to James Duncan from Port Jackson:

"The date of my arrival here will convince you it was impossible to save my season for China. I therefore determined at the recommendation of Governor Hunter to go to Bengal to load home which I hope will meet the approbation of those who have anything to do with the ship. It is unnecessary for me to say more to you on this subject or by this opportunity as I shall be able to send you letters from Madras that must come to hand some months before this can reach [you] in which I shall be fully explanatory.

"I have the satisfaction of enclosing you vouchers as per following list. In case of death or accident to me, you will be able to pass my accounts to enable you to recover my freight. I have charged Government with six hogsheads of vinegar which I have expended as per certificate.

"I am now off the Head of Port Jackson intending to stop an hour at Norfolk Isle to oblige Government by landing dispatches and a few bad characters.

"This goes by the Reliance to the Cape in September to be forwarded; more particulars goes on the Supply under care of your old acquaintance Mr Com’y Palmer who professes very warm wishes for your health and prosperity, as does your much obliged and very sincere friend and servant."

List of vouchers per Reliance:

No.1 Account of provisions received.

No.2 Account of expenditure of provisions.

No.3 Copy of the convicts rations.

No.4 Certificate of arrival.

No.5 Receipt for beef and pork.

No.6 Receipt for anchors, chains and looms.

No.7 Receipt for casks, hoops, bags and jars.

No.8 Receipt for provisions unexpended.

No.9 Receipt for convicts.

List of vouchers per Supply:

No.1 Account of provisions received.

No.2 Account of provisions expended.

No.3 Account victualing book

No.4 Surgeon’s Certificate victualing.

No.5 Ensign’s Certificate commanding troops.

No.6 A survey on provisions.

No.7 A copy of the ration.

No.8 A Certificate of arrival.

No.9 A receipt for beef and pork.

No.10 A receipt for anchors, chains and looms.

No.11 A receipt for casks, hoops, bags and jars.

No.12 A receipt for surplus provisions.

No.13 A receipt for convicts.

(Hogan Papers, LB-113)

9 June 1796 – The EIC Ships’ Ledgers gives this as the date of the charter party for the Ganges with James Duncan. Convicts at £22 per head, and children at £11 per head. Freight at £8 per ton. Demurrage at £20 per day. (TNA ADM108/148/370)

8 July 1796 – Transport Board to Lieut. Rains (Deptford). He was to survey and report on the Britannia, offered by Mr Duncan to carry 200 convicts to NSW. (TNA ADM108/37/24)

26 July 1796 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, tendering the Britannia, Thomas Dennett, 499 tons, copper sheathed, laying at Deptford, at £16 per ton, with £8 per ton surplus tonnage. 40 days at China for loading, and 30 days in the River for discharging. Demurrage of £20 per day, with the Company to pay port dues in Canton. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.1985, p.1119)

17 August 1796 – The Committee of Shipping read a letter from James Duncan dated the 11th stating that he was willing for the Britannia to be engaged on the same terms as the Duff. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1131)

- The Court of Directors accepted the Committee’s recommendation and resolved that the Britannia, 499 tons, engaged to carry convicts from Ireland to NSW, be taken up to bring home a cargo of teas from China on the terms settled with the Duff on 3 August. (IOR B/123/547; IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1131)

1797-98 – Duncan again listed as owner and occupier of property in ward of Tower Without. In another version of this tax assessment, he is assessed for a house (£58 and £5.3.-) and for coach house, stable, yard & shed in George Yard (£12 and £1.1.6). (LMA Land Tax Books, at Ancestry.com)

3 January 1797 – The Transport Board advised Mr King that they could immediately engage a passage for 50 or more women to NSW, at the rate of £22 per head and half price for children. Her name was the Lady Shore. She was of 300 tons and James Duncan was the broker and she could receive convicts almost immediately. (TNA ADM108/19/63; TNA HO42/40/417)

10 March 1797 – James Duncan to the EIC, offering the Lady Shore, James Willcocks Commander, 482 tons, to bring home a cargo of teas at £16 per ton measured tonnage and £8 per ton surplus tonnage. She was the Lady Shore, James Wilcocks, 482 tons, copper sheathed, lying at Deptford. (Appendix No.2168, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1297; IOR B/123/1272)

22 July 1797 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, tendering the Barwell, 796 tons, to the EIC. She had been taken up by government to carry convicts to NSW, and was tendered to bring home a cargo of teas, on the same terms as the Lady Shore, let on 10 March last. (IOR B/125/403; IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.2219, p.1329)

15 September 1797 – William Ramsay, the Secretary of the East India Company to Alexander Whitehead of the Transport Board. He had laid before the Court of Directors a letter from Mr James Duncan forwarded on 24 August, stating that he had made a contract with the Transport Board for the Barwell in expectation of receiving the same freight home from China as all other ships on similar service. They had resolved to allow the Barwell freight of £16 per ton measured tonnage and £8 per ton for surplus tonnage, the owners making reasonable allowance upon honour for any savings of insurance or seamen’s wages during the voyage from war prices.

He had been ordered to signify that the Court believed that the Company were subjected to more than their proportion of the freight of ships carrying convicts and stores to NSW, and they had resolved that in future, the agreement between the Company and individuals for ships employed in the above service will not be concluded on the same terms, although the Company would readily comply with the wishes of government in giving them a cargo home on an equal participation of the whole freight. (TNA T1/791/278; TNA HO35/18)

20 September 1797 – James Duncan wrote a letter to the EIC this date, advising that the owners of the Marquis Cornwallis had a contract to carry provisions to the Cape of Good Hope and were in treaty with the Duke of Portland to carry cattle from the Cape to NSW. They were seeking a return cargo from China. His Grace being out of town, the necessary forms of office could not be gone through in time to make an official communication. The ship was to be commanded by one of the Company’s regular officers. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.2238, p.1339; IOR B/125, p.526)

- The Committee of Shipping read the letter from James Duncan and resolved that the Court had on several instances, from motives of accommodating the public, agreed to give such a loading to NSW ships, however they did not think it advisable to extend this practice further. (IOR L/MAR/532, p.1293)

11 October 1797 – Duncan wrote to the East India Company advising that, since the Court of Directors had declined loading the ship, the owners of the Marquis Cornwallis consented to her proceeding from NSW to Bengal, to be sold. In this letter, Duncan said that the government had been disappointed in the Company’s refusal of a contract. He added in a footnote: ‘It will be a great favour for the Court’s speedy answer, which will enable the Transport Board to govern themselves thereby.’ (TNA HO35/18; Appendix No.2248, IOR L/MAR/532, p.1342)

- The Court of Directors reported receiving this letter, failing to mention the part about the government’s disappointment. Referred to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/125, p.567; IOR L/MAR/532, p.1293)

- The Committee of Shipping read the letter from Duncan, and the report by Joseph Cotton written in August. Upon several motions, they resolved that Mr Duncan’s request be complied with, provided the owners gave sufficient security that no Europeans, excepting the ship’s company, be carried to India in this ship without permission of the Court of Directors, and that no Europe goods be landed from her in India. Directions were to be transmitted to the several Presidencies in India that no cargo was to be laden on this ship for Europe. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1297)

- The same day the Court gave its consent ‘provided the owners give sufficient security that no Europeans excepting the ship’s company be carried to India in this ship without the permission of this Court, and that no Europe goods be landed from her in India’. Directives were to be sent to the several Presidencies that no goods were to be laden on this ship for England. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1298; IOR B/125, pp.571-572)

13 October 1797 – The East India Company responded to Duncan, agreeing to allow the Marquis Cornwallis to proceed to Bengal to be sold, provided the owners gave sufficient security that no Europeans, except the ship’s company, would be carried in her to India without permission of the East India Company and that no European goods be landed in India from her. (Attached to Duncan to King, 6 December, TNA HO35/18)

28 October 1797 – Victualling Board advised that other provisions were now required at the Cape. Mr Duncan was asked concerning their conveyance in the Marquis Cornwallis. (TNA ADM108/50/8)

28 October 1797 - Michael Hogan, Portsmouth, to Messrs David Scott & Company, London.

"Being now on the eve of leaving England, permit me to recommend my concern to your consideration and attention and let me assure you that every act of yours in any thing that belongs or concerns me will be considered by me as an act of my own.

"My ship the Marquis Cornwallis, now in London (the charge of which with all her stores is delivered over to Mr Crichton) is entirely at your disposal, either to employ or sell her, as you may think most to my advantage. In either case, I shall be perfectly satisfied with what you determine on, but the latter I would prefer if possible (without making too great a sacrifice) that you may reimburse yourselves for the large advances made by you on my account.

"Knowing the qualities of the ship (if moderately well managed), that she must make money when other ships her age under similar circumstances will sink large sums, and that she is now, with the expense of from two to three thousand pounds outfit, capable of performing any voyage, I should consider anything under 10,000 guineas much too little for her in her present state, copper and everything included. This is the lowest sum that I would possibly consent to part with her for, unless there never was a prospect of employing her. Even letting her on freight to the Cape to be broke up, there would yield nearly that sum. However, as I know you will do more for her that I could do, were I on the spot, I only wish to mention the lowest sum that I would be glad to have for her and that from motives already expressed and a wish to close a concern, though advantageous it has been, that has given me many hours of pain for the last six years. The season coming round may enable you to dispose of her to greater advantage than I promise myself. Failing that, and that you get her employed, I would recommend Mr Charles Munn to your notice to command her, or should you have occasion for a person of his description for any ship of your own, I would take upon myself to say that he is a young man of capacity and integrity, without friends, further than those he has made by strict attention and proper discharge of his duty. I shall send to Mr Crichton a memorandum of what I conceive would be necessary in her outfit, but not meaning to control his ideas under your directions.

"There are at Mr Kelly’s Academy in Finsbury Square two young gentlemen that have sailed with me a considerable time, Thomas Studdent and William Hogan [not a relation]. I would wish Studdent to go as Third Mate and Hogan as nominal Fourth, unless a Third Mate’s berth could be procured for him any where else. They are both very capable of that situation, but not of higher, till further experience justifies their promotion. Studdent has been with me since 1792, the other since 1795, which together with ties of friendship for their parents, interests me much in their welfare, more particularly as they are both very deserving, promising young men. Mr Kelly will have an account against me for them which I request may be paid. Should the ship be sold and no chance of either of them going in her, I would hope that some provisions may be made for them in some of the early extra ships of the season.

"There are several small sums of money due me from different quarters which is promised to be paid in to you. I also expect remittances from New South Wales and Norfolk Island which I hope you will receive by the first ship from thence. Herewith I send my letter and voucher to Mr Duncan for your part usual that he may get freight from government and the Company to pay in to you. You will observe the amount of the bills I was under the necessity of drawing on him for the payment of part of her outfit last voyage. All the rest he is to pay you and furnish you with a proper account of her freight, demurrage and all charges, including necessary money, and from the commencement of her way and till the final close of it now with Government, copy of which you will kindly forward.

"PS: I would prefer giving the Commander of a ship five or even 10 pounds additional pay per month than allow him to have the privilege of carrying passengers." (Hogan to David Scott & Company, 28 October 1797, Hogan Papers, LB-130)

1 November 1797 – Hogan to William Lennox (at David Scott & Company):

"In answer to the part of your letter of yesterday relative to the Marquis Cornwallis, I have first to observe that I am sorry and surprised Mr Duncan should think or say that I intended to let the ship to government at the Cape for £5 per ton when they were not able to procure a Company cargo home for her. At the time when the Directors refused the letter from the Treasury, I acquainted the Board with it. The members then sitting were Mr Serle and Captain Otway. They expressed their surprise and offered me £7 per ton for what the ship would carry on condition that I would take it without their having any trouble with the Court of Directors. In consequence of that offer, application was made to the Directors for leave to let the whole ship proceed from New South Wales to Bengal to be sold. That being granted, I offered at the Transport Board by letter written to Mr Lackland to close with the Board for £7 per ton and continue on with cattle to New South Wales, as agreed on it by the Duke of Portland. The corner of the letter was turned down, and written on it by one of the members, the service was countermanded. Mr Whitehead bought it down to me and the disappointment, in addition to the many I had already experienced, added to the trouble and large expense I had been at, rather got the better of me. Mr Whitehead saw the correspondence and Mr Duncan has copies of the whole.

"I have too high an opinion of the honour and justice of the members of the Transport Board to think that, after sacrificing my interest so much as to get permission from the Company to let the ship proceed to be sold in India, that they would retract from their original promise and intention. I have never varied in anything I offered or promised them and I hope that they, either as a body or individually, are incapable of acting as the Court of Directors have done to me. My wish was to meet their ideas in every respect.

"Should government think that I am likely to make money by sending cattle from the Cape to Port Jackson, I by leave do decline that part of the contract. I will agree to the ship carrying their cargo to the Cape at £7 per ton for all that she can stow and safely carry and only require from their an official letter to deliver to the Governor of New South Wales as a cover to her going there empty on her way to India. I never meant to take advantage of Government and I think Mr Duncan must mistake the business. The idea of my offering to carry cattle was to strengthen the claim for freight home.

"The true meaning of the original contract was in the Board making good their promise that the ship should carry a cargo to the Cape at £7 per ton (I think she would take 850), two thirds of that freight being paid on her arrival in the Downs, with demurrage as then stated, and the remainder on vouchers from the Cape of the Cargo being delivered, thirty five pounds per head to be paid for the cattle landed alive at New South Wales on the Governor’s receipt for them being produced at the Secretary [of] State’s office. One thousand pounds of this amount to be paid in London in advance on signing the agreement for which ample security was to be given. Government are not sufficiently aware of the advantage this country will derive from having cattle sent to that Colony and, as that is the case, I wish to leave the matter open to them. It is known to many that I have been at large expense in fitting the ship for the voyage and, as I would be too great a sufferer by deviating in the smallest degree from the above mode of chartering the ship, let me enjoin you rather to let he remain idle at Deptford than engage her for such a voyage in any other way or for less than £7 out. (Hogan Papers, LB-133)

And from another to Lennox the same day:

"Accompanying this, I send you my instructions relative to the ship. By this day’s post, you would receive my letter giving you particulars of her former engagement with the Transport Board. It is such a one as might go from you for their perusal should they through Mr Duncan’s management or any other interference object to giving what they offered. At all events, secure the voyage for her if possible. She would do well in India. I would wish her commanded by Munn, fitted by Crichton, officered by those that were originally to go in her and, of course, consigned for sale, etc, to Messrs Fairlie & Company, but that power I would send myself, though a letter would do, as he has already a power to act for me in India. However, I will send a particular power for that purpose." (Hogan Papers, LB-134)

- Hogan to James Duncan:

"Being on the eve of leaving England and having appointed my friends, Messrs David Scott & Company, my agents with full powers to act for me as if I were on the spot, to pay and receive money, grant requitances, dispose of my ship the Marquis Cornwallis or employ her, I have to request you will pay into their House the freight and all allowances due me from the Transport Board on account of that ship’s last voyage. I have also to request you will, as early as possible, receive the freight due on her homeward cargo from the East India Company and pay it to them and all other sum or sums of money which you may have to receive on my account. I beg your reference to the necessary money which you have placed to my credit in your account current or the 9th September 1795. I think that, by your noticing Mr Kingdom’s statement of my victualizing accounts, you will find an error in the calculation which entitles me to more.

"Amongst the many vouchers which are in your possession you will observe the Government Surgeon’s certificates of six hogsheads of my own vinegar being expended for the use of the convicts. That vinegar cost me in Cork one shilling and three pence per gallon which amount I expect you will receive on my account from the Transport Board: £28-7-0.

"Herewith I enclose you all the vouchers that I have or conceive necessary for closing the accounts of last voyage with the Board.

"PS: I expect you will only sign my final accounts with the Transport Board conditionally, for I find they insist on one department of Government to have bond from me to answer for any claim that may hereafter be brought against me for last voyage. I feel myself equally entitled to call on them for any deficiency on their part. I mean to allude to demurrage which is a thing I had not thought of in sufficient time to correct your accounts.

Vouchers herewith:

Receipt at Deptford for hammocks rec’d from Commissary for bed places. Navy Office certificate. Navy slop office certificate. Affidavit for sundries expended. Mr Kingdom’s note for accounts being prepared. Separate manifest to Commissary for cargo." (Hogan Papers, LB-135)

And another to Duncan:

"My leaving London in such a hurry and your being better engaged with the great Lord in the early part of last week prevented my seeing you, though much I wished for that satisfaction. However, though I could not be so far gratified as to have half an hour’s conversation with you or even to shake you by the hand, I am perfectly satisfied you will be no less inclined to serve me when opportunity offers.

"I am sorry that my bills at two months for £640-5 should not meet acceptance. I never asked you to be in advance to me, though much I have occasionally been pressed, and probably others of better circumstances might be more solicitous, known as I did that my accounts might be passed some months ago by your exerting your influence in a greater degree.

"I thank you for your inclination to get the Cornwallis employed, but you will observe by my letters to Mr Lennox, who has my full power, that though I have been infamously used by the Court of Directors, I cannot suffer myself to be a dupe to all brands and all parties. The Transport Board offered me £7 per ton for the ship to the Cape for what she could carry. I hold them to that and I will not deviate from my promise to them, nor will I not [sic] do more, nor will I agree to take one settler nor passenger of any description in her to New South Wales if employed in the service I offered her for. If the Board forget their promise, their engagement, or others incline to favour the public service at the expense of an injured individual, I must declare that I shall prefer her laying idle rather than go to the Cape for £5 per ton. My letter to Mr Lennox will show you fully my sentiments and the exact state of matters as they stood when the service was said to be countermanded.

"No man was more inclined to meet the ideas of the board that I was and, had I time, I would write them my sentiments and express my astonishment at the proposal of £5 when they are not to apply to the Court of Directors for a freight home. I could expect no gain by them, particularly now as I am not in London to send in the ship many things for their convenience.

"I have requested Mr Lennox to consult you on this subject, trusting that you will do the most in your power to promote the welfare of that unfortunate ship and convince the Board that their following the footsteps of the Court of Directors will in no degree serve government nor add respectability to them individually or personally." (Hogan Papers, LB-136)

10 November 1797 – James Duncan transmitted to the Transport Board a letter from Michael Hogan regarding some necessaries put on board the Marquis Cornwallis for the use of the troops and convicts, and he hoped that the Board would be induced by the affidavit to allow the charge for these small stores to be taken off: ‘more especially as the commanding officer and the surgeon in their certificates bear such honourable testimony to the benevolent exertions of Captain Hogan & his liberal distributions, first of the government stores & afterwards of his own, among the troops and convicts, without making any charge for his own, except for 6 hhds of vinegar’. Says that he has no doubt that the articles charged for are, by the handsome certificates, proved to be expended. (TNA ADM108/50/59)

16 November 1797 – The Transport Board wrote to Mr Duncan remitting all charges for the Marquis Cornwallis, except the ventilator and 40 hammocks. (TNA ADM108/50/59)

4 December 1797 – James Duncan to King. Subsequent to the decision of the directors of the EIC not to grant a return cargo from China for the Marquis Cornwallis, on 11 October, he had submitted a proposal for the ship to proceed to Bengal to be sold, which the court accepted. In consequence, the owners’ agent had agreed with the Transport Board to carry the provisions to the Cape as before proposed and the ship was now nearly loaded. But on approaching Treasury for an agreement, they had indicated that the approval of the Duke of Portland was once again required. He applied for the direction to be given expeditiously. (TNA ADM108/6/271-2)

6 December 1797 – James Duncan to King. Subsequent to the decision not to give the Marquis Cornwallis a return cargo from China, he had submitted a letter on the 11th of October, to allow the ship to proceed to India for the purpose of being sold, which the Court acceded to. In consequence, the owners’ agent had agreed with the Transport Board, as before proposed, to carry provisions to the Cape, and the ship was now nearly loaded. The intention was to carry cattle from the Cape to NSW on the same terms as before offered, nut upon application that day to the Treasury, for the order to the Transport Board to enter into an agreement, he was told that since the Company had previously refused a return cargo, a fresh application would have to be made to the Treasury. He asked King to order the same, that no time might be lost in dispatching the ship, which was nearly loaded. (TNA HO35/18)

20 December 1797 – Treasury read King’s letter of the 14th enclosing one from Mr Duncan, by which it appeared that the East India Company had now acceded to his request to allow the Marquis Cornwallis to proceed to India for the purpose of being sold. As a result, the owner’s agent had agreed to perform the proposed service (to carry store to the Cape and then cattle to Port Jackson) on the same terms as before offered. The Duke of Portland desired the Treasury to give directions to the Transport Board to enter into an agreement with the owner’s agent, agreeable to His Grace’s letter of 3 October. (TNA T29/71/456)

- Treasury directed the Transport Board to enter into a contract with the ship’s owners of the Marquis Cornwallis for the conveyance of cattle from the Cape to NSW. (TNA ADM108/51/154)

1798 – He may be the James Duncan who owned and leased out properties in Byng Street North and Portland Street, in Tower Division of the Parish of St George.

5 April 1798 – Date of the contract for the Minerva. The contract was between the Transport Commissioners and James Duncan on behalf of the owners of the Minerva, Thomas Blaney, Master. (TNA T1/802)

25 April 1798 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors offering the Minerva to bring home teas from China, on the same terms as the Barwell. (IOR B/127, 2 May 1798, p.74)

3 August 1798 – James Duncan to Transport Board. He advised that a gentleman greatly concerned in the southern whale fishery would be willing to engage for convicts for NSW, without troubling the East India Company for a return cargo. A saving of a guinea per man for water casks, south-seal whalers being full of water casks. Mr Duncan was told to make a regular tender, as the Board approved of the idea. (TNA ADM108/55/307)

August 1798 – The contract for the Hillsborough was awarded to Mr James Duncan, offering the Hillsborough, of 764 tons. Captain Patton, the Naval Agent at Portsmouth, later noted that the Hillsborough was a very large ship, and ‘no complaint was ever made to me of want of room or sufficient space for the convicts’. (F.M. Bladen (ed.), Historical Records of New South Wales, 7 Volumes, Sydney: Government Printer, 1893-1901 (hereafter HRNSW) Vol. 4, pp.90, 92)

1799 – James Duncan was again listed as the owner and occupier of the property in the ward of Tower Without, with the same rental value and a similar assessment. He is now described as James Duncan, Esq. (LMA Land Tax Books, at Ancestry,com)

15 February 1799 – John and James Mangles (Wapping) to James Duncan.

"As we are very anxious to give Capt. Reid of our ship Friendship all the protection possible to secure the conveyance of the convicts to Port Jackson, & thinking the choice of the guard essentially necessary for that purpose, we beg leave to request we may be permitted to ship twenty five men for that duty which we engage to provide upon the same terms as the owners of the Hillsborough for similar service. You must be aware that no advantage can arise to us from this arrangement, it is the security of our ship & crew that we consider in making the proposal. . ." (TNA HO42/46/43)

21 February 1799 – King to Navy Board. Indicated the Duke of Portland’s desire that they consider a proposal submitted by Mr James Duncan on behalf of the owners of the Friendship and Luz St Anna, two ships taken up on account of the Irish Government for the conveyance of about 300 convicts, relative to a proper guard on each ship. (HRNSW Vol. 3, p.640)

- Transport Board to Nepean. In pursuance of directions from the Duke of Portland, they had taken up the Luz St Anna and the Friendship for the transportation of convicts from Ireland to NSW. They requested a convoy. (TNA ADM1/3737/340)

19 February 1800 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors, asking that for reasons stated therein, the freight of the Marquis Cornwallis be computed and paid at the rate of £16 per ton on 654 tons, the registered tonnage. This was referred the same day to the Committee of Shipping. The outcome is unknown. (IOR B/130, pp.999-1000) [It is hard to understand what this could relate to.]

6 August 1800 – Court of Directors read a letter from James Duncan dated 4 August stating that from some error, the charter party of the Marquis Cornwallis was filled up at 586 tons, whereas the ship’s register measurement was 654 tons and requesting freight be paid on 654 tons at £16/ton and £8/ton surplus tonnage. Referred to the Committee of Private Trade. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 6 August 1800, IOR B/131, p.403)

3 September 1800 – The Court of Directors resolved that Mr James Duncan, managing owner of the Marquis Cornwallis be paid freight for that ship at the rate of £16/ton on 654 tons and £8/ton surplus. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 3 September 1800, IOR B/131, p.473)

28 September 1801 – Duncan must have been unwell by this time, since he signed a power of attorney to his son. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 10)

1803 – Duncan again listed as owner and occupier of property in the ward of Tower Without. (LMA Land Tax Records, at Ancestry.com)

For some reason, Duncan is only listed in these two directories (1790 and 1791). He starts to appear as a broker winning Navy Board business in late 1791.

In October 1802, James Marriott Duncan and Joseph Lachlan insured the premises at 37 Tower Hill, and the Earl Spencer, as well as certain other property. This suggests that these two men had taken over the running of the brokerage.

Assets

Ships

In 1787, he may have had shares in the Venus, a ship of 215-ton burthen, along with Robert Mangles and the Master, Thomas Black. The address of this James Duncan was Paradise Street, Rotherhithe. (TNA BT107/8, No.623 of 1787)

Duncan owned a number of vessels during the 1790s which were contracted into the transportation service. These included the Peggy, the Brenthall, the Castle Douglas, the Edward, the Columbus and the Lynx.

In January 1792, the Chesterfield, 180 tons, was registered, with James Duncan as the principal owner, with John Henderson of Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, and Matthew Bowles Alt, of Wimpole Street, Cavendish Square, who was the Master. (TNA BT107/9, No.3 of 1792)

On 17 October 1792, a ship by the name of the Sovereign was contracted to the Navy Board by James Duncan, to carry naval stores from Deptford to Jamaica. Duncan was purportedly the owner of this ship. She came out of service in March 1793. (TNA ADM18/120/264)

He was also the managing owner of the East Indiaman, the Earl Spencer, from 1795, initially in partnership with Robert Charnock and Camden, Calvert & King, among others. By March 1797, Camden, Calvert & King had sold their interest, although Charnock retained his.

In January 1798, Duncan had a minority shareholding in the Nancy sloop. Other owners included James Shaw and Samuel Douglas of America Square, William Tod and John Henderson, merchants, and William Christie, biscuit baker. (TNA BT107/11, No.243 of 1798)

Real Estate

George Street, Tower Hill

From 1796, he leased a residential house and counting house on Tower Hill. The value of the household furniture at Duncan’s house on Tower Hill was declared for stamp duty purposes in 1813 as £200. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

Roehampton House

It is unclear when this property was purchased, but not long before he died in 1803. When the property was auctioned following his death, it was described as follows:

The Villa

Is a very capital, substantial, and uniform brick edifice, in the most perfect state of repair, and finished in a very superior style, with handsome colonnade front and double flight of stone steps, enclosed by wrought-iron railing; containing:

On the principal story, an elegant and specious entrance hall, about 21 feet by 19 feet 6, paved with black and veined marble squares, and ornamented with pilasters, mahogany sashes, and other expensive fitments; a morning parlour with two large closets, two drawing rooms, and an eating parlour, 22 feet by 19 feet 6, all fitted with mahogany sashes; a store room, completely fitted with dressers, drawers, &c., glass closet, patent water closet, principal oak staircase, &c.

On the first story, a saloon or music room, about 28 feet by 20, and 20 feet high, be the same more or less, the ceiling and pannels of which are decorated with capital paintings, executed in a very masterly stile, four principal bed chambers, three dressing rooms, with mahogany sashes, and several large and convenient closets.

On the attic story, three good bed chambers, and three excellent servants rooms, from which there is a secondary staircase to the roof, (which is principally covered with lead), and to the

Basement story, which is divided into suitable domestic offices, consisting of a housekeeper’s room, butler’s pantry, servant’s hall, good kitchen and scullery, meat pantry, excellent vaults and cellarage for wine, ale, and beer, fitted with brink binns, &c .

A small court yard, with an engine house, and loft, a capital water engine in perfect order, large reservoir, and leaden pipes to supply the various parts of the premises. A cool dairy, a knife house, a bake house, with a new built brick oven and pump, a spacious wash house and laundry, and a large room over the same, an enclosed drying ground and poultry yard, with nest and fatting houses, pond, &c.

On the south side of the house are the following offices, viz. An excellent brewhouse, a storehouse, fruit room, and very large coal vault; a paved yard, and exclusive carriage yard supplied by another pump of water; men servant’s bed room, harness room, and closet, a double coach house, two chaise ditto, stabling for eight horses, and lofts over; a comfortable farm yard, large barn, husbandry stable, carpenter’s shop and shed; a cow yard, with a cow house, calf pen, and cattle shed; a rick yard and piggery.

A spacious lawn in front, enclosed by a new brick wall, with two pair of handsome folding gates, sashed lodge, an ice house, and a cellar, formerly used as a bath.

The Gardens and Pleasure Grounds

Are extensive, enclosed, and subdivided by lofty brick walls, amply clothed and stocked with choice fruit trees; the parts allotted for kitchen use abundantly productive.

The East Lawn and Shrubberies

Are disposed with great taste, planted with stately cedar and forest trees, curious and valuable shrubs, foreign plants, evergreens, &c. &c. and intersected with gravel walks.

The Land

Is divided into good proportioned enclosures, in a high state of cultivation, well supplied with water, and the fences in good repair.

Also a messuage with a carpenter’s yard, on lease to Mr Jeffreys and Mr Gally, for a term whereof thirteen years were unexpired at Michaelmas, 1803, at fourteen pounds per annum, capable of considerable improvement.

And another messuage and garden, also let to Mr Jeffreys, on lease for a term whereof thirteen years are to come, at twelve pounds per annum.

The whole of the before described premises are copyhold of inheritance, held under Earl Spencer’s manor, subject to a quit rent of fifteen shillings per annum, and to a customary fine for alienation only; but not to any fine if the estate descends to the heir at law.

There is a right of way from the premises to Putney Common, which is held by lease for ninety-nine years, from 1768, at one shilling per annum. Likewise

A freehold plot of ground, with two messuages and other buildings, on lease for ninety-nine years, from Lady Day 1793, at a ground rent of eight pounds per annum.

N.B. All the timber, timber-like trees, &c. will be included in the purchase; but the usual fixtures, green house plants, brewing, dairy, garden, and farming implements, together with such part of the household furniture as may be left on the premises, are to be taken by the purchaser at a fair appraisement, who may, at option, take the live and dead farming stock upon the same terms. Land tax is redeemed.

A handwritten note on a copy of the advertisement in the Duncan Papers, dated 17 April 1804, valued the property as described at £7,000. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

The value of the household furniture, plate, linen and other stock at Roehampton House was declared for stamp duty purposes in 1813 at £800. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

James Duncan 1.jpg
James Duncan 2.jpg

Business Associates

Joseph Lachlan

Joseph Lachlan was born 18 June 1774, the son of Robert and Sarah Lachlan. He married Ann Duncan’s niece, Ann Gibb in 1800.

Duncan took Joseph Lachlan, son of Robert Lachlan of St Mary Whitechapel, as an apprentice on 9 June 1789 (and thus, Joseph would have known Ann from when she was around seven years of age).

Lachlan was corresponding with the Transport Board on Duncan’s behalf as early as 19 January 1801. (TNA T108/69/35)

On 15 January 1803, Joseph Lachlan took Duncan’s nephew, Benaiah Gibb, as an apprentice. (London Metropolitan Archive: COL/CHD/FR/02/1353-1359)

Joseph continued to work with James Duncan until his death and in 1806, bought the business and the counting house on Tower Hill from James Marriott Duncan, James Duncan’s son. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11) In a statement made in 1840, Lachlan deposed:

". . . having been in his service as a clerk and assistant, that I continued with his son James Marriot Duncan a considerable time. . ." (Statement of Joseph Lachlan, 20 October 1840, James Duncan Papers, Folder 16)

Death and Probate

Illness and Death

28 September 1801 – Duncan must have been unwell by this time, since he signed a power of attorney to his son. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 10)

5 April 1802 – Duncan prepared his will, and his son seems to have been operating the business from October 1802 – which suggests that he was ill for some time prior to his death.

3 October 1803 – Duncan died at Roehampton House.

Will

Duncan’s will was prepared 5 April 1802. His executors were named as Thomas King of Brunswick Square; Robert George of Park Place, St James’s; William Albany Otway of Queen Ann Street; and William Comerford Clarkson of Doctors’ Commons.

Ann Duncan was bequeathed the leasehold of the property at Great Tower Hill, and all his household furniture, plate, linen etc. Also his carriage and harness, his gold watch, gold rings and jewels. She was also given various stocks and £700 for mourning.

James Marriott Duncan was granted free use of the counting house, and such vaults and cellaring under the same as required for carrying on the business. The estate at Roehampton (held in copyhold) was to be sold and the proceeds used to purchase stocks and securities for the benefit of his son.

Jean Allerdice, wife of William Allerdice, of Pentiffy near Banff, in Scotland, various stocks and £200.

James Smith, the illegitimate son of Duncan’s sister Jean, £600.

To any other children of William and Jean Allerdice, £200 each.

Joseph Lachlan - £500.

James Duncan Gibb, son of Thomas and Margaret Gibb, £100.

James Duncan Gibb, the son of Beniah Gibb, £100.

George Dickinson, son of Thomas Dickinson, Superintendent to the Board of Ordnance, £100.

The executors of the will, £100 each. (TNA Prob. 11/1399)

Probate

The will was proved on 13 October 1803.

Joseph Lachlan was deeply involved in settling Duncan’s estate.

Vice Admiral Albany Otway, who had been one of the commissioners of the Transport Board, was one of his executors, although he never acted. (Joseph Lachlan Statement, James Duncan Papers, Folder 16)

22 November 1803 – Roehampton House was put up for auction, but it appears it did not sell. (Advertisement in James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

A Stamp Duty form on his estate was prepared in December 1813. It would appear that the assets at the time of death included the following:

Cash at bank
24.3.8
Bank stock
1532.10.0
East India stock
1700.0.0
3 per cent consolidated bank annuities
900.0.0
5 per cent bank annuities
24.25.0
Dividends on stocks and funds (later sold)
127.8.9
Principal on bonds paid off by instalments
4000.0.0
Interest to the time of payment
450.0.0
By composition rec’d for the sum of £5000 due from the estate of George Robinson and Son of Banff
2000.0.0
By sale of 4 shares of £500 each in the Imperial Assurance Office, whereon a deposit of 10 per cent had been paid
400.0.0
TOTAL
11158.17.5

£33,333.6.8 had been invested in 3 percent consols to produce dividends to generate an annuity of £1,000 per annum for his widow. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

This does not include the estate at Roehampton, which was valued in 1804 at £7,000.

It is difficult to be sure that there is no overlap in these sums, but Ann Duncan continued to live in Roehampton House, so that appears to be separate. And it does not include the value of jewellery, books, horses and so on that were specifically bequeathed.

It would appear that the total value of Duncan’s estate was in excess of £50,000 (or £5 million in today’s terms).

In 1813, stamp duty was paid on the following:

  • Value of the household furniture in the house at Tower hill - £200
  • Moneys from the sale of the household furniture, plate, linen and stock on the Roehampton premises - £800
  • Bequest to James Duncan Gibb, son of Beriah Gibb, a minor - £100
  • Bequest to James Duncan Gibb, son of Thomas and Margaret Gibb, a minor - £100
  • Bequest to George Dickinson, son of Thomas Dickinson, a minor - £100. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 11)

Chronology

Duncan entered the Navy during the Seven Years War.

1762-63 – James Duncan served in the Royal Navy on board the Anson.

1763-75 – Duncan commanded merchant vessels.

25 August 1772 – James Duncan was a witness at the marriage of Thomas Gibb and Margaret Streetin at St George in the East. Either Thomas Gibb or Margaret Streetin was a sibling of Duncan’s wife, Ann. (London Metropolitan Archives, Saint George in the East, Register of marriages, P93/GEO, Item 035)

1775 – At the outbreak of war, Duncan fitted out the Rose as a privateer. He sailed her to the North American coast and over the next couple of years, according to his account, he took, burnt and destroyed fourteen of the enemy’s privateers and merchantmen.

February 1779 – The Rose (or Rosebud) encountered an American merchantman, the General Mercer, and a four hour battle ensured in which neither party gained the ascendancy.

Early March 1779 – Duncan, in the Rose (or Rosebud) described as a ‘royal brig’ and ‘one of the finest and most powerful of the smaller British cruisers’, came into Sandy Hook, bringing with her the American brig, Young Achilles, Captain Augustine Picon. She was laden with tobacco on her way from Philadelphia to Bordeaux.

1779 – The Rose encountered a French fleet, and after a protracted engagement with a frigate, was sunk and he was taken prisoner.

1779 – James Duncan, mariner, insured a property with Sun Insurance, in William Street, Warren Square, Wapping.

4th to 20th November 1779 – Freight of the brigantine Rose Bud, employed in carrying dispatches from St Augustine to New York. £199.6.1 was paid to James Duncan and John Dilworth in 1783. (Army and Ordnance Estimates 1781-1784, House of Commons Sessional Papers, Vol.36, p.5)

They were also paid £424.14.11 for the detention of the Rose Bud at St Augustine. (Journals of the House of Commons, 7 April 1785, Vol.40, p.788)

Late 1779 – On his release, he offered his services to Vice Admiral Arbuthnot and re-entered the Royal Navy and served on several vessels during the remainder of the war.

October 1779 to May 1780 – Duncan claimed that he ‘had the good fortune to distinguish himself’ in the Battle of Charlestown, so that he was promoted to Lieutenant and subsequently to Master and Commander. (‘The Memorial of James Duncan’, James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

7 May 1781 – He was appointed as Master and Commander (on merit only) and given the command of the Avenger which was only fit for port service.

3 July 1781 – On leaving the station, Arbuthnot ordered a new ship to be purchased and fitted as a sloop of war and the command given to Duncan so that he had a chance of taking prizes. She was named the Rover.

27 August 1781 – The Rover was shipwrecked on the Jersey coast.

Late 1781 – Rear Admiral Graves appointed Duncan to the command of the Conflagration fire ship, in a line abreast of the commander in chief. He was unable to follow the French Fleet, and went on a cruise for 14 days between the two capes of Virginia, but it being winter, the weather being rough, and the ship being fifty years old, she lost all her masts and foundered in a heavy gale about a hundred leagues east of land. Only one man was lost and the crew were picked up by a transport. Duncan was once again without means.

24 November 1781 – Duncan arrived at New York, and was cleared by the court martial.

27 November 1781 to 3 December 1783 – On his return to New York, Duncan was appointed by Rear Admiral Digby to superintend naval hospitals on Long Island and Governor’s Island.

1783 – Duncan was bankrupted, ‘occasioned by. . . having lost during the war £5,000 belonging to other people, and £12,000 and upwards’ of his own. He was assisted by one of his former Captains who gave him half of his own salary.

4 December 1783 to 12 January 1784 – He returned home in the Astrea and was discharged on his return.

February 1784 to May 1787 – James Duncan of the parish of St George, Middlesex, master mariner, dealer and chapman, was bankrupted. (London Gazette, 3 February 1784, p.7; 6 February 1787, p.67)

26 April 1784 – Duncan wrote to Lord Howe the First Lord of the Admiralty from Queen Charlotte’s Row, Paddington, seeking compensation for the costs he had suffered during the war.

9 August 1784 – Duncan was still living at 9 Charlotte Row, Paddington when he submitted another letter to Howe. He pleaded the want of the common necessaries of life for himself and his family.

July 1785 – Two young men, George Spoonley and John Lewis, were convicted and sentenced to transportation for stealing pigeons from the stable of James Duncan Esq. He was referred to as ‘Captain Duncan’.

7 October 1788 – James Duncan, broker, was granted the freedom of the city of London (by redemption, in the Company of Patternmakers).

25 March 1789 – Duncan wrote to Lord Howe from George Street, Tower Hill, on the subject of the Marine Bill. (James Duncan Papers, Folder 5)

1 June 1789 – Duncan tendered the Rose to the Navy Board to carry provisions to Antigua. (TNA ADM106/2630, 2 June)

9 June 1789 – Duncan took as an apprentice, Joseph Lachlan, son of Robert Lachlan of St Mary Whitechapel.

1790-91 – James Duncan was listed as a broker of 3 George Street, Tower Hill.1791 – James Duncan was listed as a broker of 3 George Street, Tower Hill.

18 April to 12 August 1791 – James Duncan, owner of the Peggy, Joseph Bolderton, hired her to the Navy Board for freighting 69 tons of naval stores. Paid £146.17.11 (TNA ADM18/120/219)

8 April to 12 August 1791 – James Duncan, owner of the Brenthall, William Grant, hired her to the Navy Board for freighting 67 tons of naval stores. Paid £130.16.3. (TNA ADM18/120/220)

8 April to 4 November 1791 – James Duncan, owner of the Castle Douglas, was paid £2-8.7.4 for freighting naval stores from Deptford to Jamaica. (TNA ADM18/120/224)

23 September 1791 to 30 January 1792 – James Duncan, owner of the Edward, George Rogers Master, was paid £281.0.5 for freighting 376 tons of naval stores. (TNA ADM18/120/230) (She was later damaged and £713 was paid in compensation – TNA ADM18/120/352)

11 October 1791 – Duncan won a contract for two ships to carry naval stores to Jamaica and Antigua. (TNA ADM106/2639)

One of these ships was the Columbus, Andrew Cameron, of which he was the owner, for which he was paid, £201.18.2. (TNA ADM18/120/231)

The other was the Lynx, of which he was also the owner, for which he was paid £123.18.10. (TNA ADM18/120/239)

15 December 1791 – The Britannia, owned by St Barbe and Green, was contracted to the Navy Board to carry 237 tons of provisions (to 17 August 1792), for which Duncan was paid £694.18.6. (TNA ADM18/120/269) This was the Britannia (2) to NSW.

January 1792 – The Chesterfield, 180 tons, was registered, with James Duncan as the principal owner, with John Henderson of Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, and Matthew Bowles Alt, of Wimpole Street, Cavendish Square, who was the Master. (TNA BT107/9, No.3 of 1792)

21 February 1792 – Duncan won a contract to freight provisions to the West Indies. (TNA ADM106/2640)

27 June 1792 – Duncan won another contract to carry stores to the West Indies, with five vessels. (TNA ADM106/2641)

3 July 1792 – He successfully tendered to deliver stores to Grenada. (TNA ADM106/2642)

18 October 1792 – Stores to Antigua and Jamaica. (TNA ADM106/2643)

It was presumably for these contracts that he was paid (for acting as broker for other owners) for compensation for wages - £4,000, £1,000, £1,000 and £722.0.3. (TNA ADM18/120/263 & 264)

17 October 1792 – Contract with Duncan as owner of the Sovereign for the freight of naval stores between Deptford and Jamaica, 17 October 1792 to 16 March 1793 – paid the sum of £301.2.10. (TNA ADM18/120/264)

12 December 1792 – Duncan was one of the subscribers to a declaration at Lloyds Coffee House in support of the constitution. (Lloyds List, 28 December 1792)

5 January to 6 March 1793 – James Duncan was listed as the owner of the Levant, contracted to carry naval stores from Deptford to Jamaica, for which he was paid £124.6.7. (TNA ADM18/120/266)

25 January to 30 June 1793 – Duncan was paid £110.2.0 as owner of the Kingston, David Ross, which he contracted to the Navy Board for the freight of naval stores during this period. (TNA ADM18/120/283)

To 30 June 1793 – Duncan was paid for the hire and freight of armed ships to this date.

Paid 7,080.18.10

Imprests advanced 3,100.00.00 [Total] 10,080.18.10

Discounts 887.18.01 [Balance] 11,068.15.11

Abating what has been advanced

for imprest 10,032.19.08 [Balance] 1,035.16.03

(TNA ADM18/120/288)

10 July 1793 – James Duncan was paid £2,000 for 20 ships contracted to the Navy Board. (TNA ADM18/120/270)

25 September 1793 – James Duncan sold the New Brunswick to the Navy Board for £948.15.0 and then (apparently) four payments of £1,200 each. (TNA ADM18/120/269)

8 October 1793 – James Duncan purchased a cable for the Union, armed brig, of which he was the owner. (TNA ADM18/120/386)

13 February 1794 – James Marriott Duncan, son of James Duncan, patternmaker and citizen of George Street, Tower Hill, was apprenticed to his father. James Woodock was witness.

11 June 1794 – James Duncan tendered the Prince of Wales, 450 tons, to the EIC to bring home a cargo of sugar, saltpetre or other goods from Bengal, at £17 a ton. (IOR B/120/771-2)

- James Duncan was one of the subscribers to a subscription raised at Lloyds Coffee House for the widows and orphans of the engagement on the Glorious 1st of June. (Morning Chronicle, 16 June 1794)

28 June 1794 – James Duncan (and John St Barbe) were added to the committee of merchants overseeing a subscription to raise funds to provide bounties for the enlistment of seamen. He joined names such as John Joseph Angerstein, William Baring, William Curtis, Thomas King. (Oracle & Public Advertiser, 30 June 1784)

11 November 1794 – James Duncan tendered the Prince of Wales, 450 tons to the EIC. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.779)

12 November 1794 – The Court of Directors read Duncan’s offer of the Prince of Wales. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.779)

28 November 1794 – James Duncan to the Committee of Shipping, following his earlier letter of the 11th instant. He added that the Prince of Wales had been tendered to the government to carry stores. If accepted, he offered her to the Company from Bengal at £17 per ton and from China at £16 per ton. She had already been surveyed by the King’s surveyors and approved. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, Appendix No.1667, p.922)

- The Committee of Shipping read the offer of the Prince of Wales by James Duncan and ordered her to be surveyed. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, pp.796-7)

13 December 1794 – James Duncan wrote to the EIC offering the Sovereign, 380 tons, to bring home teas from China to the extent of her chartered tonnage and so much more as was convenient and safe, at £16 per ton, the Company paying customary duty and charges in China, the ship being intended to be let to government to carry stores to NSW. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.806)

17 December 1794 – Duncan’s offer of the Sovereign was read by the EIC Court of Directors. Referred to Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/120/885; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.806)

20 December 1794 – The terms formally offered on the 23rd must have been communicated to Duncan early. On this date James Duncan wrote to the EIC Directors signifying that the owners of the Sovereign agreed to the ship on the terms offered (see below under 23rd), provided that if the ship be prevented from arriving in Bengal in time to load for the season, a loading be provided for her as early in the following season as may be convenient. (IOR B/120/916)

23 December 1794 – The Court of Directors, resolved that the Sovereign, if engaged by government to carry stores to NSW, and if approved by the Company’s officers, be employed to bring home a cargo of sugar, saltpetre and other goods from Bengal at the rate of £16 per ton and surplus tonnage at £8 per ton, and in other respects, the terms as for extra ships. [See my notes for the details of those terms.] (IOR B/120/915; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.814)

- The Committee of Shipping considered the letter from Coggan and Snodgrass of the 19th, a draft of a letter from the Chairman to Captain Christian of the Transport Board of the 19th, communicating the terms on which the Court had conditionally approved the Sovereign, and a letter from James Duncan dated the 20th, signifying the owners agreement to the terms proposed by the Court. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.815. Copies of these letters in the Appendices at p.938)

3 January 1795 – James Duncan to Court of Directors, communicating the owners’ acceptance of the terms proposed by the Company for the Sovereign. (IOR B/120/937)

6 January 1795 – The Court of Directors read Duncan’s letter of the 3rd regarding the Sovereign. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.817)

27 January 1795 – The Ships’ Ledgers give this as the date of the charter party for the Sovereign. James Duncan was the broker and George Storey the Master. £8 per ton for 353:7:1:4 tons. However, there is a later note in lighter ink stating that this ship was to be paid £9 per ton for the number of tons landed. (TNA ADM108/148/368)

19 February 1795 – James Duncan to Transport Board, pleading that the victualling craft was detained alongside the Sovereign on account of strengthenings ordered by the East India Company not having been finished in the hold. All possible dispatch would not be used. (TNA ADM108/35, 20th February)

26 February 1795 – James Duncan had written to the Court of Directors regarding the Sovereign, seeking to carry four pounders rather than six pounders (as required by the Company under its usual conditions). On this date, referred to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/120/1088)

4 March 1795 – Duncan’s request to carry four pounders in lieu of six pounders was not agreed to by the Court of Directors, having consented to the Company’s terms on the 23 December. (IOR B/120/1142; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.869)

6 March 1795 – James Duncan to Transport Board. The Sovereign, now loading at Deptford, will be completed and ready for sea early next week. He requested that application be made for protection for 23 men and five boys, being seven men and one boy for each 100 tons, as stipulated in the charter party entered into with the East India Company to bring home a cargo of sugar and other goods from Bengal. Also application to the King in Council for an order to the Commissioners for Customs to clear and allow the said ship to proceed. The Transport Board applied to the Admiralty. (TNA ADM1/3730/160 & 161)

23 March 1795 – Duncan was the listed broker in an advertisement for the sale of L’Etrusco, a naval prize. His address was 3 George Street, Tower Hill. (Public Ledger, 23 March 1795)

1 July 1795 – James Duncan wrote to the Company requesting a clause be added to the charter party of the Marquis Cornwallis for the Company to pay freight for such kentledge as may be necessary for freight of cargo. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.901) [There is no evidence of Duncan acting for the Marquis Cornwallis prior to this. Michael Hogan may have turned to him because he (Duncan) was in poor standing with the Company.]

3 July 1795 – The Committee of Shipping considered Duncan’s letter regarding the Marquis Cornwallis and resolved that the owners be permitted to send on board 8%, the Company to pay for the kentledge from China at the same rate as paid for tea. Charter party to be altered. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.901)

12 August 1795 – James Duncan to the Board regarding the Marquis Cornwallis. Transmitted the demand of the owner for freight and demurrage due the 6th, certified by the Resident Agent at Cork. Begged bills to be ordered in course. (TNA ADM108/36/124)

20 August 1795 – Duke of Portland (via King) to Transport Board. He desired the conveyance to Botany Bay of about 100 female convicts, with provisions for the voyage and about 9 months afterwards. (TNA ADM108/36/196)

21 August 1795 – The Transport Board asked Mr Duncan to provide the requisite shipping. (TNA ADM108/36/196)

24 August 1795 – James Duncan tendered the Fanny, 300 tons, to carry female convicts to NSW at £22 each. (TNA ADM108/36/232)

- The Ships’ Ledgers record this as the date of the charter party with James Duncan for the Fanny, to carry 133 female convicts at £22 each and 3 children at £11, and 61:11:2:0 tons at £8 per ton. And demurrage at £12 per day. (TNA ADM108/148/369)

25 August 1795 – Transport Board informed the Deptford officers that the Fanny would answer their purpose and they were directed when she was ready to receive. Victualling Board were asked to put on board provisions as ordered by Treasury and 40 tons of wet provisions that the Ceres could not receive. (TNA ADM108/36/232)

29 August 1795 – Captain Bowen (Deptford) reported that the Fanny was too low between decks for conveying female convicts to Botany Bay. However, another ship by the same owner, the Indispensable, was well suited to the purpose. (TNA ADM108/36/290)

31 August 1795 – Deptford officers instructed to report when the Indispensable was ready to receive. (TNA ADM108/36/290)

September 1795 – The Earl Spencer was registered with James Duncan as the managing owner, along with Thomas Gilbert of Wapping, sailmaker; William Christie of Wapping, biscuit baker; various members of the Perry family; Robert Charnock and Camden, Calvert & King. (TNA BT107/10, No.168 of 1795)

4 September 1795 – Alexander Whitehead (Transport Office) to the Court of Directors requesting that the Indispensable may be cleared of her teas as that ship was now engaged by the Transport Board for another service which required dispatch. (IOR B/121/575)

- James Duncan had written to the EIC Court of Directors, concerning the Indispensable, engaged to carry convicts to NSW, tendering her to bring home a cargo of teas from China at £16 a ton (and £8 surplus tonnage), with demurrage of £12 a day. The Company to pay port charges in Canton. Referred to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/121/588; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.912)

1 October 1795 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, indicating the owner of the Indispensable acceded to the Court’s proposals to charter the ship now bound for NSW to carry female convicts, to bring home teas from China at £16 per ton (and £8 for surplus tonnage), with the addition of a clause that the Company pay the duty at Canton and allow freight for the usual and necessary quantity of iron kentledge. (IOR B/121/712; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.915)

7 October 1795 – The Court of Directors read Duncan’s letter of the 1st regarding the Indispensable and referred it to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.915)

9 October 1795 – EIC’s Committee of Shipping reported to the Court on the letter of James Duncan of the 1st. The Indispensable to be taken up in every respect on the same terms as the Young William, no allowance to be made for the freight of kentledge. The Court of Directors approved the recommendation. (IOR B/121/718; IOR L/MAR/C/531, p.916)

14 December 1795 – James Duncan of 37 Great Tower Hill, was the broker listed in an advertisement for the sale of the Speculator, the Kingston, the Mary and the Flora. (Public Ledger, 14 December 1795)

10 February 1796 – Duncan advertised for the sale of salt, tar and other articles at Garraways Coffee House. (Public Ledger, 10 February 1796)

7 April 1796 – Duncan advertised the sale of the Chesterfield at New Lloyd’s Coffee House. (Public Ledger, 7 April 1796)

2 May 1796 – Duncan advertised the Queen (the Camden, Calvert & king ship) and the Pritzler for sale. (Public Ledger, 2 May 1796)

26 May 1796 – Duncan advertised for the sale of 1450 gallons of acid tar from HM Stores at the Royal Powder Mills at Faversham. (Daily Advertiser, 26 May 1796)

9 June 1796 – Date of the Transport Board’s contract for the Ganges. (ADM108/20/52) The Ships’ Ledgers gives this as the date of the charter party with James Duncan. Convicts at £22 per head, and children at £11 per head. Freight at £8 per ton. Demurrage at £20 per day. (TNA ADM108/148/370)

2 July 1796 – A notice in the London Gazette – all claims against the Granville, Nicholas Dixon or William Grant, master, were to be sent their accounts to James Duncan, 37 Great Tower Hill. (London Gazette, 2 July 1796, p.630)

2 July 1796 – James Duncan to the EIC Court of Directors, offering the Duff, 300 tons, J. Wilson, to bring home a cargo of teas at £1 per ton. (IOR B/123/384)

6 July 1796 – Duncan’s letter read by the Court of Directors regarding the Duff and referred to the Committee of Correspondence. (IOR B/123/384)

8 July 1796 – Transport Board to Lieut. Rains (Deptford). He was to survey and report on the Britannia, offered by Mr Duncan to carry 200 convicts to NSW. (TNA ADM108/37/24)

22 July 1796 – It is unclear how James Duncan came to be involved in acting for the Barwell. On this date, James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors, tendering the Barwell, 796 tons, to the EIC. She had been taken up by government to carry convicts to NSW, and was tendered to bring home a cargo of teas, on the same terms as the Lady Shore, let on 10 March last. (IOR B/125/403; IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.2219, p.1329)

26 July 1796 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, tendering the Britannia, Thomas Dennett, 499 tons, copper sheathed, laying at Deptford, at £16 per ton, with £8 per ton surplus tonnage. 40 days at China for loading, and 30 days in the River for discharging. Demurrage of £20 per day, with the Company to pay port dues in Canton. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.1985, p.1119)

- The EIC considered James Duncan’s offer of the Barwell and the letter of Alexander Whitehead. (IOR B/125/403)

9 August 1796 – The Committee of Shipping recommended that Mr Duncan be acquainted that the Britannia should be engaged on the same terms as the Duff to bring home a cargo from Canton, provided she appear fit for the service. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1129)

- The EIC Committee of Shipping considered the letter from James Duncan referred on the 26th of July, tendering the Barwell, taken up by government to bring home a cargo of tea from China on the same terms as the Lady Shore, and a letter from Alexander Whitehead. It was resolved that Mr Duncan be asked to state what reduction he was disposed to make in the rate of freight of the Barwell, provided a peace should take place prior to her departure from Gravesend outward bound, or previous to her leaving China, homeward. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1280)

11 August 1796 – James Duncan to C.T. Coggan Esq. (EIC), acknowledging his letter of the 9th instant, in consequence of which he tendered the Barwell to bring tea from China on the same terms as the Lady Shore. The ship was now being fitted out for the voyage with all the expenses in time of war and he trusted no diminution of freight would be expected, although they had no objection to making a reasonable allowance, upon honor, for any savings on insurance premium and seamen’s wages. (Appendix No.2224, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1331)

- The Committee of Shipping considered Duncan’s letter. The Barwell was not fitted out with all the expenses of war and he trusted there would be no diminution of freight expected. At the same time, he had no objection to make a reasonable allowance upon honour for any savings that might arise on insurance and seamen’s wages. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1281)

16 August 1796 – Transport Board to Rains concerning the Britannia. He is provided with a list of convicts to embark in the river. Mr Duncan is ordered to provide the irons necessary and Rains is directed to give the Master sailing orders as soon as the convicts have embarked. (TNA ADM108/38/185)

- The EIC Committee of Shipping recommended that the Barwell be taken up if Mr Duncan would agree to the following conditions: £16 per ton builders’ measurement and £8 per ton surplus tonnage if the war continued for the whole voyage; £14 per ton BM and £6 surplus tonnage if there was a state of peace before the ship sailed from Gravesend and if she passed the survey; the ship to be coppered, fitted etc under the inspection of the Company’s officers. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, pp.1283-85)

17 August 1796 – The Committee of Shipping read a letter from James Duncan dated the 11th stating that he was willing for the Britannia to be engaged on the same terms as the Duff. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1131)

17 August 1796 – Mr James Duncan received a letter from the secretary of the East India Company, requiring the freight of the ship (the Barwell) to be reduced from £16 a ton to £14, and the £8 to £7, if peace should be declared before she left China, and to £12 and a £6 surplus if peace were declared before she left Gravesend. He said that if there had been suspicion of such an arrangement, he would never have tendered her. She had been fitted out at war expense for the voyage in confidence that she would be granted the same terms as the Lady Shore, Sovereign, Indispensable, Marquis Cornwallis, Britannia and the Prince of Wales. The more so since no objection was raised in relation to the other five ships accepted from him, the lowest price of which was £16 and £8. He requested the Board to consider the hardship that would be suffered by the owner if there was an diminution in the price. (TNA ADM108/48/220)

30 August 1796 – James Duncan to William Ramsay (EIC). He had received his letter of the 17th instant regarding the Barwell, taken up to carry convicts and tendered by Duncan on the 22nd Ult. to bring home teas from China. The Barwell having been fitted out for the voyage with all the expenses in time of war, the owners trusted that no diminution of freight would be expected, except any savings on the premium of insurance on seamen’s wages. (Appendix No.2231, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1334; IOR B/125, p.481)

September 1796 – James Duncan was involved in a dispute between the ship’s officers and the military officers on board the Ganges.

6 September 1796 – Mr Duncan (the contractor) was directed to provide the irons for the convicts. (TNA ADM108/48/258)

30 September 1796 – The Transport Board received a letter from James Duncan, transmitting a letter he had received from Mr Lennox the owner of the Barwell: ‘. . . finding her Master, Capt. Redman, had put on board a quantity of private trade goods & had (probably on that account) refused to accommodate the Deputy Judge Advocate – that he has also in other respects behaved improperly towards Captain Rains, he has resolved, with the permission of the Transport Board, to dismiss him instantly from the command and to appoint Mr John Cameron to succeed him.’ Duncan stated that Captain Redman had a family. That his taking on board private trade, while blameable, was no more than was practised by other Masters and, as no part of the government’s stores or provisions had been left out, he suggested that the Board recommend to Mr Lennox that he retain Captain Redman on making a proper concession to Captain Rains. The Board responded that it would admit of his apology on behalf of Captain Redman, on the proper concession being made to Captain Rains. (TNA ADM108/49/325)

14 October 1796 – James Duncan to EIC requesting permission for the Barwell to bring home 61 tons of tutenague or Mother of Pearl as kentledge free of freight. Referred to Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/125/596)

18 October 1796 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors requesting to carry 60 tons of tutenague as kentledge in the Barwell. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.2264, p.1355)

24 October 1796 – James Duncan to the Court of Directors, asking to be given leave to transport from China either tutenague or mother of pearl shells as kentledge without being charged any freight for the same. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, Appendix No.2265, p.1356)

25 October 1796 – The Court of Directors rejected the proposal by James Duncan for the Barwell to ship mother of pearl shell in China as kentledge, but agreed that he could ship tutenague, on the express condition that it be actually stowed in that part of the ship usually allotted for kentledge and the Company being at no expense. They directed that a paragraph be transmitted to China, stating the above conditions. (IOR B/125, p.602)

9 December 1796 – Duncan was listed as the managing owner of the Earl Spencer, East Indiaman. (Evening Mail, 9-12 December 1796)

3 January 1797 – The Transport Board advised Mr King that they could immediately engage a passage for 50 or more women to NSW, at the rate of £22 per head and half price for children. Her name was the Lady Shore. She was of 300 tons and James Duncan was the broker and she could receive convicts almost immediately. (TNA ADM108/19/63; TNA HO42/40/417)

27 February 1797 – Duncan was one of the signatories to a resolution published by London merchants in support of the public credit. (Oracle and Public Advertiser, 28 February 1797)

9 March 1797 – James Duncan to the Board. The East India Company directors have been desired to charter the Lady Shore, 782 tons, James Wilcocks Commander, for a load of the Company’s tea from China. They requested the Secretary to the Board to advise the Company’s directors that the ship had been taken up on the same terms as the previous two convict ships, the Indispensable and the Britannia. (TNA ADM108/44/39)

10 March 1797 – James Duncan to the EIC, offering the Lady Shore, James Willcocks Commander, 482 tons, to bring home a cargo of teas at £16 per ton measured tonnage and £8 per ton surplus tonnage. (Appendix No.2168, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1297; IOR B/123/1272)

29 March 1797 – Captain Rains to the Board. According to the Board’s order of the 14th, the Master of the Lady Shore had been ordered to take on board 70 recruits for NSW. He understands from Mr Duncan, that the troops had not yet been embarked. Lt. Norris should be instructed as to what orders are to be given them when they are embarked. (TNA ADM108/44/104)

7 April 1797 – The Committee of Shipping considered a reference from the Court of Directors dated 10 March, regarding a letter from James Duncan tendering the Lady Shore, 482 tons, at £16 builders’ measurement and £8 surplus tonnage, and the letter of Alexander Whitehead dated 15th ult. They resolved that she be taken up on the same terms as the Ceres. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1255)

24 May 1797 – Duncan advertised for the sale of the Brunswick, the Themis and the Three Sisters (the latter a Camden, Calvert & King ship). (Public Ledger, 24 May 1797)

14 June 1797 – Duncan was listed among the subscribers to a fund to counteract the mutiny at Nore. (St James’s Chronicle or British Evening Post, 13-15 June 1797)

1 July 1797 – Duncan was one of the contacts in an advertisement for an academy about four miles from town, where young gentlemen were boarded and educated at 20 guineas per annum. (Morning Chronicle, 1 July 1797)

27 August 1797 – Following the mutiny on the Lady Shore, the 2nd Mate, James Black, sent a message to the ship’s broker, James Duncan. (John Black, An Authentic Narrative of the Mutiny on Board the Ship Lady Shore, Ipswich, 1798, p.28)

September 1797 – Michael Hogan submitted a proposal to the Transport Commissioners to supply the colony with cattle, carried in the Marquis Cornwallis. He offered a price and freight of £35 per head actually delivered there from the Cape. The Transport Commissioners regarded this price as not unreasonable. This price would actually represent a loss, but he sought the Duke of Portland’s support in obtaining the support of the East India Company for a cargo home from China, on the same terms as the Barwell. He also had a small freight from the Transport Board to the Cape. (HRNSW Vol.3, pp.299-300; Michael H. Styles, Captain Hogan: Seaman, Merchant, Diplomat on Six Continents, Six Continent Horizons, 2003, pp.81-2)

An extract of this proposal read as follows:

"To carry a cargo of cattle in the Marquis Cornwallis of the ages they shall prescribe, that on signing the agreement they are to give me £1,000 on advance, giving them security for its return in two years in case of non-performance, the whole of the cattle landed alive to be paid for by them at £35 per head on producing the Governor’s or Acting Governor’s receipt for the same, at the Secretary of State’s office, without any discount or deduction (the money to be paid on producing receipts from the Colony). No passengers to be sent in the ship by government and all the risk to be on my account. Mr Duncan settles this with Mr King, the Under Secretary of State." (TNA HO35/18 under Duncan to King, 6 December 1797)

15 September 1797 – William Ramsay, the Secretary of the East India Company to Alexander Whitehead of the Transport Board. He had laid before the Court of Directors a letter from Mr James Duncan forwarded on 24 August, stating that he had made a contract with the Transport Board for the Barwell in expectation of receiving the same freight home from China as all other ships on similar service. They had resolved to allow the Barwell freight of £16 per ton measured tonnage and £8 per ton for surplus tonnage, the owners making reasonable allowance upon honour for any savings of insurance or seamen’s wages during the voyage from war prices.

He had been ordered to signify that the Court believed that the Company were subjected to more than their proportion of the freight of ships carrying convicts and stores to NSW, and they had resolved that in future, the agreement between the Company and individuals for ships employed in the above service will not be concluded on the same terms, although the Company would readily comply with the wishes of government in giving them a cargo home on an equal participation of the whole freight. (TNA T1/791/278; TNA HO35/18)

20 September 1797 – James Duncan wrote a letter to the EIC this date, advising that the owners of the Marquis Cornwallis had a contract to carry provisions to the Cape of Good Hope and were in treaty with the Duke of Portland to carry cattle from the Cape to NSW. They were seeking a return cargo from China. His Grace being out of town, the necessary forms of office could not be gone through in time to make an official communication. The ship was to be commanded by one of the Company’s regular officers. (Appendix No.2238, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1339; IOR B/125, p.526)

- The Committee of Shipping read the letter from James Duncan and resolved that the Court had on several instances, from motives of accommodating the public, agreed to give such a loading to NSW ships, however they did not think it advisable to extend this practice further. (IOR L/MAR/532, p.1293)

11 October 1797 – Duncan wrote to the East India Company advising that, since the Court of Directors had declined loading the ship, the owners of the Marquis Cornwallis consented to her proceeding from NSW to Bengal, to be sold. In this letter, Duncan said that the government had been disappointed in the Company’s refusal of a contract. He added in a footnote: ‘It will be a great favour for the Court’s speedy answer, which will enable the Transport Board to govern themselves thereby.’ (TNA HO35/18; Appendix No.2248, IOR L/MAR/532, p.1342)

- The Court of Directors reported receiving this letter, failing to mention the part about the government’s disappointment. Referred to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR B/125, p.567; IOR L/MAR/532, p.1293)

- The Committee of Shipping read the letter from Duncan, and the report by Joseph Cotton written in August. Upon several motions, they resolved that Mr Duncan’s request be complied with, provided the owners gave sufficient security that no Europeans, excepting the ship’s company, be carried to India in this ship without permission of the Court of Directors, and that no Europe goods be landed from her in India. Directions were to be transmitted to the several Presidencies in India that no cargo was to be laden on this ship for Europe. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1297)

- The same day the Court gave its consent ‘provided the owners give sufficient security that no Europeans excepting the ship’s company be carried to India in this ship without the permission of this Court, and that no Europe goods be landed from her in India’. Directives were to be sent to the several Presidencies that no goods were to be laden on this ship for England. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1298; IOR B/125, pp.571-572)

13 October 1797 – The East India Company responded to Duncan, agreeing to allow the ship to proceed to Bengal to be sold, provided the owners gave sufficient security that no Europeans, except the ship’s company, would be carried in her to India without permission of the East India Company and that no European goods be landed in India from her. (Attached to Duncan to King, 6 December, TNA HO35/18)

23 October 1797 – Duncan was one of the subscribers to a fund in support of the widows and orphans from a naval engagement on the 11th of October. (Times, 23 October 1797)

28 October 1797 – Victualling Board advised that other provisions were now required at the Cape. Mr Duncan was asked concerning their conveyance in the Marquis Cornwallis. (TNA ADM108/50/8)

10 November 1797 – James Duncan transmitted to the Transport Board a letter from Michael Hogan regarding some necessaries put on board the Marquis Cornwallis for the use of the troops and convicts, and he hoped that the Board would be induced by the affidavit to allow the charge for these small stores to be taken off: ‘more especially as the commanding officer and the surgeon in their certificates bear such honourable testimony to the benevolent exertions of Captain Hogan & his liberal distributions, first of the government stores & afterwards of his own, among the troops and convicts, without making any charge for his own, except for 6 h’hds of vinegar’. Says that he has no doubt that the articles charged for are, by the handsome certificates, proved to be expended. (TNA ADM108/50/59)

16 November 1797 – The Transport Board wrote to Mr Duncan remitting all charges for the Marquis Cornwallis, except the ventilator and 40 hammocks. (TNA ADM108/50/59)

4 December 1797 – James Duncan to King. Subsequent to the decision of the directors of the EIC not to grant a return cargo from China for the Marquis Cornwallis, on 11 October, he had submitted a proposal for the ship to proceed to Bengal to be sold, which the court accepted. In consequence, the owners’ agent had agreed with the Transport Board to carry the provisions to the Cape as before proposed and the ship was now nearly loaded. But on approaching Treasury for an agreement, they had indicated that the approval of the Duke of Portland was once again required. He applied for the direction to be given expeditiously. (TNA ADM108/6/271-2)

6 December 1797 – James Duncan to King. Subsequent to the decision not to give the Marquis Cornwallis a return cargo from China, he had submitted a letter on the 11th of October, to allow the ship to proceed to India for the purpose of being sold, which the Court acceded to. In consequence, the owners’ agent had agreed with the Transport Board, as before proposed, to carry provisions to the Cape, and the ship was now nearly loaded. The intention was to carry cattle from the Cape to NSW on the same terms as before offered, nut upon application that day to the Treasury, for the order to the Transport Board to enter into an agreement, he was told that since the Company had previously refused a return cargo, a fresh application would have to be made to the Treasury. He asked King to order the same, that no time might be lost in dispatching the ship, which was nearly loaded. (TNA HO35/18)

14 December 1797 – King to Long forwarding Duncan’s letter and making representations as requested by Duncan. (TNA ADM108/6/273-4; TNA HO36/10/343-344)

20 December 1797 – Treasury read King’s letter of the 14th enclosing one from Mr Duncan, by which it appeared that the East India Company had now acceded to his request to allow the Marquis Cornwallis to proceed to India for the purpose of being sold. As a result, the owner’s agent had agreed to perform the proposed service (to carry store to the Cape and then cattle to Port Jackson) on the same terms as before offered. The Duke of Portland desired the Treasury to give directions to the Transport Board to enter into an agreement with the owner’s agent, agreeable to His Grace’s letter of 3 October. (TNA T29/71/456)

- Treasury directed the Transport Board to enter into a contract with the ship’s owners for the conveyance of cattle from the Cape to NSW. (TNA ADM108/51/154)

23 December 1797 – Transport Service to James Duncan, desiring a tender stating the number, kind and age of the cattle. (TNA ADM108/51/154)

17 January 1798 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors signifying that the agent of the owners was ready to enter into the security required by the Court under the resolution of 11 October last. (IOR B/126, pp.860-861)

20 February 1798 – Duncan advertised for the sale of the Vrouw Maria, a naval prize. He also advertised for the sale of the cargo of the Luz St Ann. (Public Ledger, 20 February 1798)

15 March 1798 – The cargo of the Luz St Anna sold for a total of £33,413.12.6. The agent for the sale was James Duncan, No.37 Great Tower Hill. London. The sale was advertised in London and samples were available in London seven days before the sale. Advertisements were placed in Edinburgh, Bristol and Liverpool, among other places.

August 1798 – The contract for the Hillsborough was awarded to Mr James Duncan, offering the Hillsborough, of 764 tons. Captain Patton, the Naval Agent at Portsmouth, later noted that the Hillsborough was a very large ship, and ‘no complaint was ever made to me of want of room or sufficient space for the convicts’. (HRNSW Vol.4, pp.90, 92) [Was there a tender?]

3 August 1798 – James Duncan to Transport Board. He advised that a gentleman greatly concerned in the southern whale fishery would be willing to engage for convicts for NSW, without troubling the East India Company for a return cargo. A saving of a guinea per man for water casks, south-seal whalers being full of water casks. Mr Duncan was told to make a regular tender, as the Board approved of the idea. (TNA ADM108/55/307) [Refers to the Friendship.]

9 October 1798 – The Master of the Hillsborough had reported to him with all of the stores in board, ready to receive the convicts. Captain Rains reported that Mr Duncan had already provided the irons. He asked if these were to be used or whether he was to acquire others. He was directed not to purchase more. (TNA ADM108/56/72)

16 October 1798 – Mr Duncan was told by the Board of the lumbered state of the Hillsborough. (TNA ADM108/56/89)

19 October 1798 – Mr Duncan responded to the allegation that the Hillsborough was lumbered with private trade. Whatever difficulties of the kind did exist were removed before the convicts were brought on board. The Master has only 2 puncheons of rum and some slops for the people on his own account. The other articles mentioned are for Governor King and Mr Palmer, and Mr Kemble at the Cape, without profit to the Master. He had been obliged to leave out 200 casks which must proceed in another vessel. (TNA ADM108/56/109)

24 October 1798 – Mr Duncan to Board, including a letter from the Master of the Hillsborough stating:

". . . that the wives of the convicts convey to them tea kettles with false bottoms, in which he has discovered concealed laudanum enough to poison all the ship’s company – that he has also found among them a fine saw for cutting their irons with more than 40 knives or other edge tools – that there must be great danger in sending the convicts’ wives in the ship where they cannot be kept separate." (TNA ADM108/56/116)

2 November 1798 – Duncan was one of the subscribers to a fund for the widows and orphans of men killed at the Battle of the Nile. (Times, 15 October 1798)

9 November 1798 – Mr James Duncan requested from the Board a schedule of the ration of provisions to be issued to the convicts – for the Master. This was furnished. (TNA ADM108/57/160)

17 November 1798 – Duncan advertised for the sale of 25 tons of alder pit charcoal on behalf of the Board of Ordnance. (Times, 17 November 1798)

21 November 1798 – The Board furnished Mr Duncan with an extract concerning the Master’s behaviour and Captain Patton was furnished with a copy of the charter party. (TNA ADM108/57/189)

Duncan responded to this on 23 November. Hingston had made a written declaration. He was sorry that the box was not received. He was not on board when it was sent, and the person who acted for him was so busy at the time that he could not give the attention to the message that he should have. Sir Jeremiah was on board at the time. There should be no reason for future complaint. (TNA ADM108/57/194)

22 November 1798 – James Duncan, broker, of 37 Great Tower Hill, acted as agent for Board of Ordnance, in selling 25 tons of alder pit charcoal at the New York Coffee House in Sweetings Alley. (London Gazette, 13 November 1798, p.1089)

23 November 1798 – Transport Board read a letter from Mr Duncan. He enclosed a written declaration by the Master of the ship that he was sorry the box was not received, but that he was absent when it was sent and the person who acted for him was so busy at the time, having Sir Jeremiah Fitzpatrick on board and all the convicts upon the deck, that he could not pay the attention he otherwise should to the message. He said that there would be no room for further complaint. (TNA ADM108/57/194)

24 November 1798 – Duncan forwarded to the Transport Board a letter from the owner stating that the cost of the bulkheads, gratings were at the cost of the government. The extra payment he received for the guards was offset by the cost of maintaining them. (TNA ADM108/57/202)

January 1799 – Duncan was one of the subscribers to the Marine Society. (Whitehall Evening Post, 24 January 1799)

3 January 1799 – James Duncan wrote to Lambert Prinsep & Saunders advising that the Transport Board had taken up the Luz St Ann to transport convicts from Ireland on the terms proposed. (TNA PC1/43/149)

1 February 1799 – James Duncan wrote to William Ramsay advising that the Transport Board had taken up the Luz St Anna and Friendship to carry convicts and stores to NSW, of which the Court would be officially informed and requesting a cargo from India or China. (Appendix No.2584, IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1695)

- The Courts read Duncan’s letter of this date and referred it to the Committee of Shipping. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1498)

5 February 1799 – John and James Mangles (Wapping) to James Duncan.

"As we are very anxious to give Capt. Reid of our ship Friendship all the protection possible to secure the conveyance of the convicts to Port Jackson, & thinking the choice of the guard essentially necessary for that purpose, we beg leave to request we may be permitted to ship twenty five men for that duty which we engage to provide upon the same terms as the owners of the Hillsborough for similar service. You must be aware that no advantage can arise to us from this arrangement, it is the security of our ship & crew that we consider in making the proposal. . ." (TNA HO42/46/43)

21 February 1799 – King to Navy Board. Indicated the Duke of Portland’s desire that they consider a proposal submitted by Mr James Duncan on behalf of the owners of the Friendship and Luz St Anna, two ships taken up on account of the Irish Government for the conveyance of about 300 convicts, relative to a proper guard on each ship. (HRNSW Vol.3, p.640)

- James Duncan to John King, enclosing a proposal by the owners of the Friendship to furnish a guard of seamen for the security of the convicts from Waterford to NSW. (TNA HO42/46/42)

23 February 1799 – James Duncan was instructed to order either the Friendship or the Luz St Anna to receive clothing and weaving tools from the Porpoise. (TNA ADM108/59/4)

25 February 1799 – Letter from James Duncan to Transport Board. The Friendship will be likely to receive at Portsmouth the articles from the Porpoise. The owners of the Friendship and the Luz St Anna wrote that they would both be greatly disappointed and sad losers if their ships did not have a considerable portion of stores to take as well as convicts. (TNA ADM108/59/7)

6 March 1799 – Transport Board to King, in response to his letter of the 21st ult. with Duncan’s proposal, on behalf of the owners that they provide the guard for the Friendship and the Luz St Anna. They regarded it as more safe to secure a guard through the War Department. 20 rank and file with officers. They also requested that orders be given for the completion of their provisioning, as the ships would be ready to sail shortly for Cork. (TNA ADM108/20/1; TNA ADM108/58/407; TNA HO42/46/38; HRNSW Vol.3, p.640)

8 March 1799 – James Duncan to Transport Board. The Friendship is today dispatched from Deptford and will proceed to Gravesend to embark the guard. (TNA ADM108/59/32)

9 March 1799 – Duke of Portland to Transport Board. Colonel Brownrigg has advised that the Duke of York cannot furnish a detachment to guard the two convict ships and recommends that the crew of each ship be increased so as to become of itself a sufficient guard. Mr Duncan was consulted on this communication. (TNA ADM108/59/38)

5 December 1799 – The surgeon of the Barwell, John Sharpe, wrote to Jeremiah Fitzpatrick(?), concerning his bounty.

"The best proof I can give of my having strictly attended to your advice in the most scrupulous attention to my duty on board the Barwell convict ship will appear from the enclosed certificates which I had the happiness to receive on the landing of the convicts at Sydney Cove. For me to say how and in what manner I acted might appear matter of boast, therefore will decline it, but having reason to believe that government will consider my services, and as you promised me that on my return, provided I discharged my duty as surgeon with zeal and punctuality, you would make the necessary application to his Grace the Duke of Portland in my favour for the benevolent gratuity of 10/6 per head for each soldier & convict landed at New South Wales, although it appeared not to be the intention of Mr Duncan, the ship’s broker, that I should receive any other than the monthly pay, which he promised me of 7 pounds per month, (five pounds being the common pay for a surgeon). According to your advice, I declined receiving the extraordinary two pounds per month, believing that the half guinea per soldier and convict was intended as an encouragement of government to the surgeon, the better to induce to attend to so perilous and, was humanity not in the question, to so disagreeable a duty.

"I beg to observe for his Grace’s information that every surgeon sailing to China for the common ship’s duty (to which we went after landing the troops and convicts at Sydney Cove), has at the least five pounds per month, and for that duty it was that I accepted the 5 pounds per month, looking up to government for their benevolent grant of head money, and which Mr Duncan I see intended to deprive me of by offering me the 7 pounds, for the 2 pounds extraordinary it now appears he intended in lieu of the bounty.

"I made my application to the honourable Transport Board for the bounty but having made no agreement with them, they declined interfering in the business; however, as you were pleased to say on the day of our sailing (as otherwise I should not have gone) that government would not suffer its considerate and humane donation to be pocketed by any person (be he whom he might), contrary to its real intention, I now pray your representation of my situation and what you believe to have been my conduct to his Grace the Duke of Portland. . .

"31 soldiers landing in health at Sydney Cove including 2 officers 287 male convicts 318 total Also 26 settlers, women and children permitted by government."

(TNA CO201/15/210-211)

24 January 1800 – Duncan subscribed to a fund for erect a naval monument to celebrate naval victories. (London Packet or New Lloyds Evening Post, 24-27 January 1800) [This is the fund that Alexander Davison organised in honour of his friend Horatio Nelson.]

6 February 1800 – Mr Duncan to Transport Board. In consequence of the unexpected detention of the Luz St Ann by the Irish Government, whereby she would be prevented from loading home from India by November 1799 to January 1800, agreeable to the charter party with the East India Company, he requested that the Board would acquaint them therewith and beg that they would extend the time of her loading home to the season of 1801 or 1802. (TNA ADM108/66/216)

19 February 1800 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors, asking that for reasons stated therein, the freight of the Marquis Cornwallis be computed and paid at the rate of £16 per ton on 654 tons, the registered tonnage. This was referred the same day to the Committee of Shipping. The outcome is unknown. (IOR B/130, pp.999-1000) [It is hard to understand what this could relate to.]

17 April 1800 – James Duncan wrote to the Court of Directors, enclosing a certificate from the Transport Board, requesting that the Luz St Ann, to bring a cargo in the seasons 1799/1800 or 1800/1801 was still detained at Waterford by the Government of Ireland and thus could not arrive in India at the periods stipulated in the charter party and asking that the period of her being laden home be extended to 15 March 1801 if she should arrive by the 1st of January, or otherwise for the next season. (IOR B/131, pp.42-43)

23 April 1800 – Transport Board to Lieut. Flinn. He is to repeat his insistence from time to time to the Irish Government for the speedy departure of the Luz St Anna. (TNA ADM108/66/386)

- The Court of Directors read the letter of the 17th from Duncan concerning an extension and presumably referred it to one of its committees. (IOR B/131, pp.42-43)

9 May 1800 – The EIC Committee of Shipping considered the letter from James Duncan referred by the Court of Directors on 23 April, enclosing a certificate from the Transport Board concerning the Luz St Ann being delayed in Ireland and not being able to arrive in India by the specified period. They recommended that the time for loading be extended agreeable to Mr Duncan’s request, for 1 or 2 seasons, but that the several periods for arrival and departure in India, laid down in the resolutions of 9 January and 13 February 1799, be strictly observed. (IOR L/MAR/C/532, pp.1633-1634)

13 May 1800 – The EIC Court of Directors resolved that the time for the Luz St Ann be extended as proposed by Duncan, but that the periods for arrival and departure as laid down in their resolutions of 9 January and 13 February 1799 be strictly observed, the year only excepted. (IOR B/131, p.122; IOR L/MAR/C/532, p.1635)

6 August 1800 – Court of Directors read a letter from James Duncan dated 4 August stating that from some error, the charter party of the Marquis Cornwallis was filled up at 586 tons, whereas the ship’s register measurement was 654 tons and requesting freight be paid on 654 tons at £16/ton and £8/ton surplus tonnage. Referred to the Committee of Private Trade. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 6 August 1800, IOR B/131, p.403)

3 September 1800 – The Court of Directors resolved that Mr James Duncan, managing owner of the Marquis Cornwallis be paid freight for that ship at the rate of £16/ton on 654 tons and £8/ton surplus. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 3 September 1800, IOR B/131, p.473)

31 December 1800 – Duncan was listed as the agent in the sale at Great Yarmouth of ‘150 valuable oil paintings, many of which are by the old masters’. His address was given as Trinity Square, Tower Hill. (Morning Chronicle, 31 December 1800)

14 October 1802 – James Marriott Duncan and Joseph Lachlan insured the premises at 37 Tower Hill, the Earl Spencer, Captain Charles Wright, and Mr Ashton’s warehouses at Blackwall with Sun Insurance. (LMA MS11936/424/738464)

3 October 1803 – James Duncan died.