Dudley Semper senior

1773 - 1833

Claimant or beneficiary

Biography

Son of Thomas Semper from County Galway, Ireland, and brother of Michael Joseph Semper (q.v.).

  1. In partnership with his brother Michael Joseph Semper and mentioned in his brother's letterbook of 1823-1824. Dudley Semper bought Hermitage and River Head estates in Montserrat in early 1824.

  2. Dudley Semper, as Senior Puisne Judge, registered 500 enslaved persons, owned 'several' plantations and was 'greatly interested' in mortgages etc. in 1826-7. Michael Joseph Semper (junior?) was Deputy Provost Marshal in 1826 - he declared no enslaved persons, nor any interest in mortgages.

  3. The burial of Dudley Semper of Plymouth (Montserrat) is recorded 31/05/1833 age 60 in the Parish Register of St Anthony, Montserrat. Will of Dudley Semper of the island of Montserrat proved 13/09/1834. His will lists his children: Michael Joseph Semper, Dudley Semper (Jr.), Thomas Semper, Peter Semper, Martin Semper, Elizabeth Semper (who married William Dardis Furlonge), Mary Semper (who married William Shiell) and Harriet Semper.

  4. His wife may be the Mrs Margaret Semper of Plymouth, Montserrat, who was buried in St Anthony, Montserrat, 20/10/1823 age 56.


Sources

  1. Vere Langford Oliver, Caribbeana being miscellaneous papers relating to the history, genealogy, topography, and antiquities of the British West Indies (6 vols., London, Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke, 1910-1919), Vol. 4, pp. 92-94.

  2. ‘Slaves in the colonies’, House of Commons Parliamentary Papers 1826-7 (111) (146) p. 5.

  3. Ibid. p. 94. Will of Dudley Semper of Montserrat 13/09/1834 PROB 11/1836/346.

  4. Caribbeana Vol. 4, p. 94.

We are grateful to Claudia Semper for her assistance with compiling this entry.


Further Information

Spouse
Married but no further details
Children
Michael Joseph, Dudley, Thomas, Peter, Martin, Elizabeth, Mary, Harriet

Associated Claims (5)

£3,997 7s 5d
Beneficiary unsuccessful
£2,162 8s 9d
Beneficiary unsuccessful
£1,257 8s 5d
Beneficiary deceased
£793 9s 10d
Beneficiary unsuccessful
£2,451 10s 9d
Beneficiary unsuccessful

Associated Estates (8)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
1817 [EA] - 1833 [LA] → Owner
1831 [EA] - 1831 [LA] → Owner

Shown as trustee in 1817, 'in possession under an agreement to purchase' between 1821 to 1828 and owner in 1831.

1821 [EA] - 1834 [LA] → Owner

Held 'under an agreement to purchase' between 1821 and 1828.

1817 [EA] - 1831 [LA] → Attorney
1817 [EA] - 1821 [LA] → Attorney
1831 [EA] - 1831 [LA] → Owner
1817 [EA] - 1821 [LA] → Attorney
1817 [EA] - 1821 [LA] → Attorney

Relationships (9)

Brother-in-law → Sister-in-law
Father → Son
Father → Son
Father → Son
Father → Son
Father-in-law → Son-in-law
Father-in-law → Son-in-law
Father → Daughter
Brothers