Connectors (1)

Our ancestors lived within a historical context.  This context will contain a variety of circumstances that will often determine actions and/or behavior.  Trying to understand these factors will many times help solve unanswered questions about the family tree.  There may be individual, family, social, political, and economic concerns that often have a role in the lives of our folks from the past.  The next several post will present "connectors" that will help bridge the period of Cadwallader Jones (JO-1).  Between the last recorded event of his life in Virginia (1687), to the first recorded event in his new life of action (1689), the historical context plays a major role.

First, Sir William Berkeley had been governor of Virginia (on and off) since 1642.    For many generations, the Berkeley family had been strong supporters of the English monarchy.  When Charles II was reinstated in 1660, the Berkeley family was rewarded with the new proprietary colony called "Carolina".  Our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) had been a supporter during the difficult time that has come to be called "Bacon's Rebellion" 1676.

During this period, a "proprietor" was one who had the legal right or exclusive title to anything.  The grantees of Maryland and Pennsylvania were called the "proprietaries" of these colonial provinces.  The proprietors of Carolina included several additional folks besides two Berkeley.  One of these individuals was Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle (1653 - 1688).  In a reference titled: "The Diary of John Evelyn" [cover shown below], it is recorded on June 12th, 1687 the following:

 "There was about this time brought into the Downes, a Vast treasure which after 45 years being sunk in a Spanish Galioon, which perish'd somewhere neere Hispaniola or B[a]hama Illands coming home; was now weighed up, by certain Gentlement and others, who were at the Charge of Diver etc: to the suddaine enriching of them, beyond all expectation: The Duke of Albemarles share came (tis believed) to 50000, and some private Gent: who adventured but 100 pounds and little more, to ten, 18000 pounds, and proportionably; his Majesties tenth to 10000 pounds..." (p.354)

The "B[a]hama Illands" were under the colony of Carolina, and their proprietors.  It was this group of folks who were to appoint our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) governor of the Bahama Islands in 1689.