Hon. Colonel Joshua Bushell Nurse

Hon. Joshua Bushell Nurse member of majesty's council of Barbados. Brother of John Henry Nurse, owner of Ashbury plantation, Barbados. Married Katherine Bushell in 1805 in Barbados, with whom he had at least five children: Rev John Nurse (q.v.), Joshua Bushell junior (q.v.), Mary Ann, Elizabeth Hannah, Katherine. It is unclear if there is a connection between Joshua Bushell Nurse senior and James Thomas Nurse (q.v.); however, it seems unlikely that they were father and son (Joshua Bushell Nurse did have a son named James Thomas, baptised in Bristol in 1811, but this man appears to have died before the 1829 Slave Register which shows James T. Nurse deceased).

1. Left property in Barbados in possession of son Joshua Bushell Jnr and created a trust based upon profits from estate to provide for wife, 2 sons (Joshua Bushell & John) and 2 daughters (Mary Ann & Katherine). Each daughter left £4000, Rev John Nurse (q.v.) left £1000 plus to share residue and remainder of estate with brother Joshua. Trustees and executors named as brother John Henry Nurse and nephew Rev John Henry Nurse. Will proved in London 1841, but JBN died in Barbados July 1839.

2. Died 14/07/1839 "... at his estate, Kirton, in Barbadoes, the Hon. Joshua Bushell Nurse, member of Her Majesty's Council in that island, after a severe and trying illness. This gentleman formerly resided years in this city. [Exeter, Devon]"

T71/898 Barbados claim nos. 3082 (Nursery), 3292 (Kirton Estate) and 3294; V. L. Oliver, Caribbeana, Vol. I (London, 1910), p. 330; Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database online].

1. Will of Joshua Bushill Nurse of Christ Church, Island of Barbados, proved 19/2/1841, PROB 11/1941/233.

2. Western Times 14/09/1839.

We are grateful to Mark Dickinson and Peter Selley for their assistance with compiling this entry.