MRP: 14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto

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14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 103

Editorial history

17/02/09, CSG: Completed transcription
15/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki




Abstract & context


Captain Robert Bowen wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated April 14th 1667, sent from Pladsto [Plaistow], Essex.

This letter is similar to another letter from him to Sir George, dated October 1667. In this first letter, Bowen refers to the recent arrival of the Affrican from Surat, a detail which is missing from the second letter. In the second letter he refers to having lost money on the sale of a package of seventy-four diamonds to Christopher Willoughby, whereas in this first letter he simply states that he has sold the diamonds to Willoughby.

Robert Bowen was a mariner. English East India Company documents record three voyages made for the company - to St Helena to settle the island, leaving the Downs in February 1658/59) and returning from the island in August 1660; to Bantam and Pulau Run, leaving the Downs April 17th 1661, reaching Bantam January 4th 1662, Pulau Run March 11th 1662, and arriving back in the Downs April 29th 1663; finally, a voyage to Surat, leaving England in 1663/64 and arriving back in ?December 1665.[1]

Presumably Bowen had left the diamonds with Sir George Oxenden on this last trip to Surat. It may also have been accompanied on the return trip from Surat to London, by Charles Master, Sir George Oxenden's nephew. In his letter dated October 1667, Bowen mentioned Charles Masters, who remembered "his duty to yo Wors: & ye rest of his relations." A letter from Ann Masters, one of Sir George Oxenden's sister and the mother of Charles Masters, reported the safe arrival of her son in England in December 1665.[2]


Suggested links


See October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO
See 3rd October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, London


To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL


Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but needs checking

[BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 103]

[RH SIDE]
Pladsto:[3] Aprill y:e 14th 1667

S:r George Oxinden (sic) & my
Honoured ffriend

S:r y:e ship Affrican blessed be god is safely arrived by whome I did expect it y:t small box w:th y:e 74 Diamonds left in yo:e hands at my dep:t from surratt, but can heare noething of y:m or any word from yo:eselfe concerning them, w:ch I should have binn very glad of, hower (sic) I suppose it was yo:e care & love to me to keepe y:m by yo:w till better times present or ffurther order from M:r Christ: Willowby[4], unto whome I have sould y:m & therefore desire yo:e worship to observe his further order for y:e disposure of them into England unto w:ch place God in mercie send yo:e worp:s in safety, w:ch is y:e prayers of him who subscribes himselfe

yo:e servant to his power
Robert Bowen


Notes

Captain Robert Bowen


(1) 1658/9 St Helena and Surat. Capt Robert Bowen. Downs Feb 1659 - May St Helena, to settle the island - Aug 1660 Downs. (2) 1660/1 Bantam and Pulau Run. Capt Robert Bowen. Downs 17 Apr 1661 - 6 May Falmouth - 20 Oct Bantam 4 Jan 1662 - 11 Feb Makassar - 11 Mar Pulau Run - 3 May Makassar - 25 Jun Bantam 1 Oct - 22 Jan 1663 St Helena - 29 Apr Downs. (3) 1663/4 Surat. Capt Robert Bowen. 16 Apr 1664 - Dec 1665"

(source: NATIONAL ARCHIVES - REFERENCE MISSING)
  1. ↑ This is the footnote text
  2. ↑ 10th March 1665/66, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, London
  3. ↑ Plastow, Essex
  4. ↑ Christopher Willoughby, London merchant. See XXXX

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