George Frederick Rich

Awarded one-third of the compensation for Schepmoed in British Guiana with his wife Jane Agnes Wilhelmina Fraser Rich: the other two-thirds went to Charles Henry Fraser and to Charlotte Mary Ann Woodford and her husband Sir Alexander Woodford (all of whom q.v.). The women were the sisters of the Charles Henry Fraser in the award.

1. George Frederick Rich was superintendent of the Royal Naval Hospital, East Stonehouse Plymouth. Letters of Administration for George Frederick Rich Vice Admiral late of 80 Eaton Place who died 01/11/1863 granted 19/11/1863 to Caroline Goldsworthy Rich widow the relict, effects £600. A marriage was registered for each of Caroline Goldsworthy Massingberd and George Frederick Rich at Stockbridge Hampshire in Q2 1854.    

2. Charles Henry Fraser the father of Jane Agnes Wilhelmina Fraser Rich and Charlotte Mary Ann Woodford (and of the Charles Henry Fraser of the award) had been a diplomat and was the son of William Fraser, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs in Pitt's ministry 1783. Charles Henry Fraser was appointed His Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary to the Circle of Lower Saxony, and Resident with the Hanse Towns, in the room of Emanuel Mathis deceased in 1790. He had previously been Secretary to the Embassy in Madrid, and Minister Plenipotentiary there in the absence of HM's Ambassador. He died before 1820 - he was described as 'late' in the announcement of his daughter's wedding to Colonel Alexander Woodford in 1820, and was probably the Charles Henry Fraser of Camden Place Bath whose will was proved 06/06/1814. Under this will Charles Henry Fraser commented that his children by his first wife had been amply provided for by the fortune of their mother: this was the 'Mrs Fraser born Westrik' shown in the 1825, 1828 and 1831 Slave Registers for Schepmoed.

3. Public auction of Schepmoed, following a fiat 03/11/1843 in favour of the executors of William Gramberg, against the same group (still including Captain Charles Henry Fraser, not signalled as 'late') as owners of the plantation,  May 1845.

T71/885 British Guiana Nos 426A-B.

1. Devon Records Office website; National Probate Calendar 1863; FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Marriages, 1837-1983 [database online].

2. Lionel Mordaunt Fraser, History of Trinidad 1781-1813, Vol. 2 p. 2; London Gazette, Issue 13238, 18/09/1790, p. 581; London Gazette, Issue 13114, 14/07/1789, p. 493; Edinburgh Magazine, Sept. 1820, p. 286; PROB 11/1557.

3. London Gazette, Issue 20401, 08/11/1844, pp. 3815-6.