CJ (#45) Cultural Dynamics (1) Religion

Our ancestors lived in a historical context that was uniquely their own.  This context often contained certain dynamics that would influence the thoughts, speech, and action of the individual.  For our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1), this would involve a number of influences that are important to recognize in this period ["The Glorious Revolution" 1688-1689].

Cultural dynamics I will call them, since they were the major items that influenced the behavior of those folks involved.  They are: 1) Religion, 2) Government, and 3) Social Class.  These dynamics were the most important influences active at this point in history.  Individuals and families were separated from one another along these lines.  To understand the life and times of Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) [especially the record following his time as Governor of the Bahamas], it will be important to grasp these cultural dynamics.  These items will be presented individually in the next few posts.

Let's begin with "Religion".

One or the other, you could not be both at the same time.  Here, a "Catholic" is defined as a person who belongs (or believes) in the Catholic Church.  A "Protestant" is defined as a person who denied the universal authority of the Pope, and believed certain "Reformational  principles".

The figure above shows a dividing line between the two belief systems.  If you claimed to be "Catholic" you could not be a "Protestant" at the same time.  This dynamic would then place the individual into "one or the other" categories.

Our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) was Catholic.  Many who had settled the Islands were Protestants.  These Protestants called the Islands "Eleutheria" [meaning freedom] and intended this settlement to be a republic.

For references see:

Our First Revolution, by Michael Barone, Crown Publishers, N.Y., 2007.

The Story of The Bahamas, by Paul Albury, Macmillan Education Ltd, London, 1975.

CJ (#44) Arrives Bahama Islands

It was on the 19th of June, 1690 that our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) arrives to the Bahamas.  It took some 2 years from the time he left Virginia, his travel to England, his appointment as Governor, and his arrival to the Bahamas.  By way of review:

          1) his last record in (Old) Rappahannock Co., VA dated 8 Sept. 1687 - see post CJ (#39) dated Monday, Feb. 23, 2015.

          2) his appointment as Governor of the Bahama Islands - dated 14 Nov. 1689 - see post (CJ #40) dated Thursday, 23, April, 2015

          3) his arrival as Governor of the Bahama Islands, dated 19 June, 1690 - this post!

I have been unable to discover any records pertaining to this two year period.  I would suspect that initially that our Cadwallader (JO-1) first went to Maryland to associated family and business partners to arrange his travel to England. [Average time of passage around 4 months.]  He would have most likely traveled to London where the family had business arrangements [Eastcheap market area], and was the political center of the colonial world.  The Berkeley connections to the Proprietors of the Carolina settlements [Bahama Island now part.] would have served as a help.  At any rate, it was after this date [19 June 1690] that the life of our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) takes on a whole new story.

CJ (#43) Proprietor

A proprietor is defined as one who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything.  It is one who holds the title to a thing in his own right.  It was a common feature in English land law that for every piece of land there must be a proprietor who exercised control over it.  The land across the great pond certainly offered the upper classes [in England] a way to generate income from large estates.

The "Crown" had the sole power to make original land grants in the new lands.  This was the case for the new lands called Carolina.  A group of men became the "proprietors" of the area which included the Bahamas.  There goal was to make money.  These men were:

                                 1) George Duke of Albemarle, Master of his Majesty's Horse
                                 2) Edward Earl of Clarendon
                                 3) William Earl of Craven
                                 4) John Lord Berkley
                                 5) Anthony Lord Ashley Chancellor of the Exchequer
                                 6) Sir George Carteret, Vice Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household
                                 7) Sir William Berkley, Knight
                                 8) Sir Peter Colleton, Baronet

        "....the true and absolute lords proprietors of all the province of Carolina." [May 1, 1668]

The "Instructions for Granting Lands in Carolina November 21, 1682" can be found in Foundations of Colonial America, A Documentary History, Vol. III - Part 2 : Southern Colonies, Edited by W. Keith Kavenagh, pp. 2468 - 2475.  It was under these instructions that Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) was appointed governor of the Bahamas by this group of proprietors on November 14, 1689.

CJ (#42) More Instructions 1689

On the same page of the "Calender of State Papers - Colonial Series 13, American and West Indies 1689 - 1692, p. 179 (#555) continues additional instructions to our Cadwallader:

Dated "Nov 14"

     "Instructions to Governor Cadwallader Jones.  The Proprietor's deputies are always to be of the Council.  An Assembly of twenty elected members is to be called.  The council will be of six freeholders elected by Parliament and six deputies of the Proprietors.  All Councillors are to swear allegiance to the King.  Signed.  Craven, Ashley, Carteret. P. Colleton [Col. Entry Bk Vol XXII - p. 152]

Instructions for the political structure of the Bahama Islands under the "Proprietor's Government" November, 1689. 

CJ (#41) Instructions 1689

On the same page of the Calender of State Papers - Colonial Series 13, American and West Indies 1689 - 1692 [p. 179] is the following instructions to "Governor Cadwallader Jones":

"Instructions to Governor Cadwallader Jones of the Bahama Islands.  As to land-grants, the rights of cutting certain woods and searching for wrecks and for ambergris. Signed. Craver, Askley, Carteret, P. Colleton."

[ Col. Entry BK. Vol. XXII, pp. 151, 152 ]

This gives the issues important to the folks in charge.  There are 1) "land-grants", 2) "the rights of cutting certain woods", 3) "the searching for wrecks, and 4) "ambergris".  [ ambergris = a waxy substance found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters, believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative ]  Wow...what a list of priorities!

CJ (#40) Appointed Governor 1689

Between the fall of 1687 and Nov.14, 1689, Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) was attempting to rearrange his state of affairs.  In the "Calander of State Papers - Colonial Series 13, American and West Indies 1689 - 1692, p.179" is found the following:

"Nov. 14, (544) 1689

      Commission of the Proprietors to Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) to be Governor of the Bahama Islands.
            Signed. Craven, Ashley Carteret, P. Colleton [Col. Entry BK. Vol. XXII, pp 151, 152]"

Here starts the story of our Cadwallader (JO-1) involvement with the Bahama Islands.  He was most likely aware of the recent Spanish treasure recovered off the coast of the Bahamas.  Also, the Berkeley family was directly involved with colony of Carolina, and Cadwallader (JO-1) had a connection here as well. [see last several post titled "Connectors".]   At any rate, Cadwallader (JO-1) was appointed "Governor" under the direction of the "Proprietors" by the end of 1689.

Connectors (3)

Various dynamics came into play at this point in Cadwallader's (JO-1) life.  Some of these factors included economic, legal, social, political, and religious dynamics. 

In 1687, the economic [huge debt], and legal [multiple suites] issues had perhaps the greatest role.

The social role had its own impact with the connection of "Capt. John Smith" [Francis Dade (DAD-1) to the relationships that our Cadwallader (JO-1) had with this family. [Yet to be told.] 

The political dynamics involved the relationship to the "court party" [strong support for the Monarchy] and the "peoples party" [Parliament], and their continual fight over control of the government.  Charles II, and James II had their role to play in the historical context of the day.  The "Glorious Revolution" was to happen at this point in the life of our Cadwallader (JO-1).  [William and Mary to come front stage.]  It was Charles II who rewarded the folks who supported him with the lands of Carolina.

Religious dynamics were ongoing between the Catholics [James II] and Protestants [William and Mary] of the world.  The most recent events in the Bahamas brought these issues together.

Putting together the various factors places a historical context around the life of our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1).  Understanding these dynamics helps place the story of the Bahamas [starting 1689] in a broader light then the writers of the earliest history books record.