Michael Joseph Semper senior

Michael Joseph Semper, West India merchant and plantation owner, whose widow Harriet Semper née Walsh Porter claimed for compensation for several claims in Montserrat as annuitant.

1. The letterbook of Michael Joseph Semper from 1823-1824, "a small quarto book of around 150 pages" outlines his dealings with Thomas Daniell & Co. and partnership with his brother Dudley Semper senior (q.v.). Son of Thomas Semper from County Galway, Ireland. Married Harriet Mary Walsh-Porter in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 19/10/1810. Left Montserrat in July 1824. Died 11/09/1827 aged 56.

2. Under the will of Michael Joseph Semper of Cheltenham [made in 1824] proved 29/02/1828, he left Alstone Lodge in Cheltenham which he had recently purchased of Brook Kay to his wife Harriet absolutely, and put his other property in trust (his trustees included his brother Dudley Semper, John Daniel of London and Wyndham Lewis merchant of Cardiff) to secure an annuity to her of £500 p.a. with the residue of the income to go to Dudley Semper to support his children.

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. Will of Michael Joseph Semper of Cheltenham 29/02/1828 PROB 11/1737/154.

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