Dudley Semper senior

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.

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.