Nathaniel Milward

1738 - 6th Jun 1775


Biography

Merchant in Kingston Jamaica, partner in Bright, Milward and Duncomb. His will showed evidence of networks in both Jamaica and Bristol.

  1. Monumental inscription in Kingston Cathedral Church: MR NATHANIEL MILWARD, A NATIVE OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL; AND LATE OF THIS PARISH, MERCHANT. HE WAS A TRULY HONEST MAN, &C &C. OB. JUNE 6th 1775 AET 37. ERECTED BY FRIENDS

  2. Will of Nathaniel Milward merchant of Kingston Jamaica [made in 1773] proved 16/04/1779. Under the will he left £2000 in trust with George Bush of Bristol to be invested to support three 'quadroon children' named Edward, Benjamin and Judith Milward, the two boys then under the care of Rev. Henry Hale of Kirkby Hill Yorkshire; the two boys were to be clothed for 12 guineas per annum and supported until 14, then to be apprenticed, one to Lowbridge Bright at his foundery [sic] on the Back [?] Bristol, the other as a carpenter or millwright. Judith, then under the care of Mrs Jane Hay in Jamaica, widow, was to move with her to England and Mrs Hay to be paid £30 or £35 p.a. for her support, failing which Judith was to be sent to 'the care of my cousin Jane Goodall, now or late of the City of Bath, 'until 14 in either case, when she was to be trained in midwifery and mantua making. 'For the trouble I have here given my good friend Mr. George Bush by thus taking the liberty to appoint him Guardian and Trustee to these swarthy Illegitimates, I am at a loss what apoilogy to make in their behalf (who are blameless) I must rely on his humanity, in my own, I have to hope his good nature will excuse the follies of youth, and to consider the provision here made as the most eligible attonement to render them usefull to Society, and for which it was really intended.' He left £500 each to his two married sisters in or around Bristol and £100 each to two of his brothers. He left smaller sums to several relatives in Bristol and to philanthropic institutions there, and a series of legacies to individuals in Jamaica, including £200 currency to Judith Hutt [?] now or late of the Ferry Tavern in St Andrews a mulatto woman and mother of Judith and Benjamin Milward, and £200 Jamaican currency to Margaret (alias Peggy), daughter of his business partner Lowbridge Bright and a 'free quadroon' woman. He ordered that excess funds from the profits of Montrose be laid out on 'new negroes' but ordered his existing 'slaves' including those [owned] in co-partnership to be sold. This will was also proved in Jamaica 15/06/1775.


Sources

  1. James Lawrence-Archer, Monumental Inscriptions of the British West Indies (1875) p. 83.

  2. PROB 11/1052/138; LOS 42 ff. 132-133.

We are grateful to Daniel Livesay for his assistance with compiling this entry.


Further Information

Occupation
Merchant

Legacies Summary

Commercial (1)

Name partner
Bright, Millward and Duncomb
West India merchant  
 

Relationships (2)

Business partners
Business partners

Inventories (1)